Hooglede German war cemetery
Encyclopedia
The Hooglede German war cemetery ( in German) is a military cemetery in the Belgian town of Hooglede
which contains more than 8,000 buried German soldiers from World War I
.
It is one of the four main German cemeteries in Belgium, the others being in Langemark, Vladslo, Menen
On October 19, 1914, Hooglede was occupied by German soldiers. The Hooglede cemetery arose in 1917 when the cemetery in Hooglede was no longer sufficient for the mounting deathtoll. There were some new cemeteries, including "Ehrenfriedhof Hooglede Ost Beveren" along the street. After the liberation by the French, approximately 4100 German soldiers were buried here.
The German cemeteries were supervised by the Belgian military service of tombs, but in 1926 all the cemeteries were the responsibility of the Amtlicher Deutschen Grabendienst. Between 1932 and 1937, this service was responsible for the German cemetery in the Beverenstraat. Many graves in various cemeteries in Hooglede, Gits, Handzame, Torhout, and Lichtervelde were sent to Hooglede. The graves consist of crosses.
In 1937, a chapel was built using stones from a German pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris. During World War II
, an addition 29 German soldiers were buried at the cemetery. These soldiers were later sent to another cemetery.
After the Second World War, the supervision of the cemetery was again in the hands of the Belgian organization "Nos Tombs". Not much later, in 1954, the monitoring was taken over by the German War Graves Commission
( in German). This organization built the cemetery. During the renovation works in 1957-58, the entrance arches of the chapel were reduced to 9. This change came in two phases. The crosses were also replaced by nameplates. After 1960, no more major works were performed.
The German War Graves Commission sometimes organizes youth camps under the motto "Reconciliation among the graves, work for peace". These people are sent abroad in order to learn about the war and care for the graves.
Hooglede
Hooglede is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Gits and Hooglede proper. On January 1, 2006 Hooglede had a total population of 9,831...
which contains more than 8,000 buried German soldiers from World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
It is one of the four main German cemeteries in Belgium, the others being in Langemark, Vladslo, Menen
Menen German war cemetery
The Menen German war cemetery is a military cemetery in the Belgian town of Menen territory and partly in Wevelgem. There were nearly 48,000 German soldiers buried from the First World War, making it the largest in Flanders. In between are several crosses and oak and chestnut trees. In the center...
On October 19, 1914, Hooglede was occupied by German soldiers. The Hooglede cemetery arose in 1917 when the cemetery in Hooglede was no longer sufficient for the mounting deathtoll. There were some new cemeteries, including "Ehrenfriedhof Hooglede Ost Beveren" along the street. After the liberation by the French, approximately 4100 German soldiers were buried here.
The German cemeteries were supervised by the Belgian military service of tombs, but in 1926 all the cemeteries were the responsibility of the Amtlicher Deutschen Grabendienst. Between 1932 and 1937, this service was responsible for the German cemetery in the Beverenstraat. Many graves in various cemeteries in Hooglede, Gits, Handzame, Torhout, and Lichtervelde were sent to Hooglede. The graves consist of crosses.
In 1937, a chapel was built using stones from a German pavilion at the World Exhibition in Paris. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, an addition 29 German soldiers were buried at the cemetery. These soldiers were later sent to another cemetery.
After the Second World War, the supervision of the cemetery was again in the hands of the Belgian organization "Nos Tombs". Not much later, in 1954, the monitoring was taken over by the German War Graves Commission
German War Graves Commission
The German War Graves Commission is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of German war graves in Europe and North Africa...
( in German). This organization built the cemetery. During the renovation works in 1957-58, the entrance arches of the chapel were reduced to 9. This change came in two phases. The crosses were also replaced by nameplates. After 1960, no more major works were performed.
The German War Graves Commission sometimes organizes youth camps under the motto "Reconciliation among the graves, work for peace". These people are sent abroad in order to learn about the war and care for the graves.