Due to the incredible number of soldiers from a multitude of countries that gave their lives on its beaches and in its fields, Normandy offered a unique opportunity to observe not only how Germany, the United States, and England remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for their country but how they remember World War II as well. In only three days we traveled to the three different cemeteries, each managed by a different nation (or people from that nation), allowing me to compare and contrast the fresh thoughts and emotions brought about by each site. There is a lot to be said about each cemetery and what it tells about how the war is remembered by each nation. However, I found the Germans the most interesting. How would those who are often thought of as evil (no matter how strong or weak the individuals tie was to the Nazi Party) be put to rest?
It was the first cemetery that we visited; tucked away behind a little grove of trees. Immediately upon entering, the cemetery impressed a somber demeanor. After walking though a small granite building, the rustic graveyard opened before us and a large dark cross loomed over all that was in view. The next thing that I noticed was the cluster of crosses used to mark off the different plots. These cross were cut from the same dark brown material, and were just as coarse. One plaque placed on the ground was used to display the names of the soldiers who were buried on either side of it. Quite often the name of the soldier was unknown, and the inscription “a German Soldier” took its place. These plaques were in neat rows like most cemeteries, but nothing more than that. The graves did not fall into a straight line everywhere you looked, as they did in the United States and British cemeteries. It seems as though in choosing the style that they did, the makers of the cemetery were attempting to remove these soldiers from their Nazi ties, no matter how large or small they may be for each individual. The style is not what one would consider characteristic of the Nazi Party, but rather of a Germanic tribe. Perhaps attempting to pronounce that they were in fact Germans, a distancing them from the Nazis. They also seem to downplay the individual – there is not a prominent headstone standing tall for each soldier, but rather a cluster of crosses at the front of each plot. In addition to these observations, I noticed the words written in the cemetery at the foot of the mound. The end of the inscription reads something to the effect of “God has the last word”. Undoubtedly the intention of this was for there not to be judgment cast on those who are buried here, believing that only God has the right to judge a person.
After seeing this cemetery I am very interested in seeing how Germany remembers this dark chapter of their past.
