Hanover War Cemetery
The Hanover War Cemetery is a war cemetery established by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The popularly known "English Cemetery" is located in the area of the town of Seelze, a little away from the Harenberg district . It borders directly on the city limits of Hanover , and the impression arises that the site belongs to the Ahlem district.
History and occupancy
In the early 1950s, the military cemetery was laid out on the southern slope of the Heisterberg near Hanover. The intention was thus, scattered all over the country and group graves of soldiers of the Commonwealth who in World War II had fallen in Germany, and the deceased POWs merge on a Central Cemetery. After completion, 2,451 soldiers, mostly members of the British Air Force , found their final resting place here, including many who died in German POW camps . In addition to the 1,904 British, 333 Canadians, 142 Australians, 45 New Zealanders, 9 Indians, 5 South Africans and 3 East Africans, 9 Poles, a Norwegian and 30 civilians were also buried.
Cemetery design
The structural and landscape regulations laid down by the CWGC in 1917 were also applied to this cemetery . Thus forming visual axis with the "Stone of Remembrance" ( altar stone ) and the engraving "Their name Liveth For Evermore" and the "Cross of Sacrifice" ( Cross of Sacrifice ) with the superposed Greatsword the central axis of the cemetery. The white sand-lime stone tombstones are symmetrically aligned on the visual axis and bordered with small beds . They are not arranged according to origin and rank groups and thus symbolize the "equality in death", the gravestone inscription consists of the coat of arms of their unit , the name and rank , the date of death and, if known, the religious affiliation. On some gravestones, a motto is engraved at the foot, which could be selected by the relatives. The continuous lawn and the small shrubs form a ground level area, which - viewed from the entrance - gives the visitor a wider view of the cemetery.
The facility can be reached by bus from Greater Hanover , the bus stop is named “Englischer Friedhof”. The Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe ( Üstra ) give visitors the following recommendation:
“The English Cemetery in Ahlem not only serves as the final resting place for fallen English soldiers of the Second World War, it is also a memorial to the permanent memory of the war. The many evenly lined up white gravestones form a nice contrast to the green grass. Lovingly laid out bushes and flowers invite you to stroll along the paths and discover the harmony of the complex. "
Hannover Military Cemetery Limmer
Immediately adjacent to the war cemetery of the Hannover War Cemetery is the Military Cemetery Limmer , which is also popularly known as the “English Cemetery”. Around 3,000 members of the British occupation forces who died after the Second World War are buried here. Not only are soldiers buried here, but also their deceased wives and children. Originally, both cemeteries were separated by hedges that were removed.
See also
Web links
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Hanover War Cemetery
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Hanover Military Cemetery
- Picture gallery
- “The English Cemetery” on hannover.de
Coordinates: 52 ° 22 ′ 40 ″ N , 9 ° 39 ′ 16 ″ E