If you're going to the American Cemetery...
 

Just a note to anyone who may be visiting the American Cemetery in Normandy - it is only open until 6 pm in the summer. I just wanted to tell people because it is an incredible site that you don't want to miss because of poor planning, I know we almost didn't make it there because we planned on getting there around 7.

Incidentally, when you go the American Cemetery, you may need help finding a specific grave. The caretaker's office lists all the grave sites and can direct you to the specific plot. Also, if you are not sure if a specific grave is in that particular cemetery, the office has a book listing all the graves in the European Theater of Operations. Simply give the caretaker the last name and first name of the deceased, and he can immediately give full information to you. I was told that the caretaker at the American Cemetery at the Punchbowl on Oahu has the same data for the Pacific Theater.

Jeanie- THANK YOU! Will be visiting this cemetery in August and knowing closing time will be very useful. We have no one to look up but Al gave excellent information to this end. <BR> <BR>MAY I ASK YOU BOTH: Is there only one American Cemetery? I know other nationalities have their own but was under impression there is more then one American cemetery. If so, which one is recommended if we want to see only one? Amazing to have American land in France, thank you France!

The American Cemetery is near Colleville-sur-Mer and looks onto Omaha Beach. It contains 9,385 bodies of American servicemen killed in Normandy. Of course, many more Americans died in Normandy than that, but their families chose to have them brought back to the U.S. for reburial. During the battle, most who were killed were buried in temporary graves but were later brought to the central American Cemetery cited above. If you purchase Michelin road maps of Normandy, you can find many German cemeteries located elsewhere. Two particularly impressive cemeteries the one located near Marigny and another near Mont St. Michel. The latter is shaped like a circle, on several levels, and hidden behind a rising mound of earth. You would never guess it was there until you step through the passage leading into this mound. Suddenly you are surrounded by thousands upon thousands of niches encircling the open center of this mound. You are reminded of an ancient Roman arena.

Debbie, <BR>I would suggest you also visit the memeorial at Pointe du Hoc (sp?) where the Rangers landed. My husband and I found that and our visit to the cemetery incredibly moving and awe inspiring.

Thank you Maggie and Al. Heard lots about Pont du Hoc and how moving it is. With both your comments I can nearly wait to visit this early August! I'll keep watching for any more comments . . .

Glad I could help. I would definitely recommend a visit to Pont Du Hoc, it was amazing. If you stay in Caen, there is a great museum there - the Caen Memorial. We spent quite a few hours there.

Why is it THE American Cemetery. There are others. I passed what appeared to be a lovely cemetery on my way, by bus, to Florence from Greve.

There are many cemeteries in Europe containing the remains of American servicemen and women. Some are: Margraten in The Netherlands, Metz (containing the grave of Gen. Patton and thousands of others), several in Italy (one between Florence and Siena, and another at Anzio), and several in England (largely for the remains of American airmen). To my knowledge, no graves of American servicemen killed in World War II were permitted to be placed in Germany.

I visited mu brother's grave in the cemetery in St Avold and we were taken to his grave site and the manager of the cemetery took pictures which were ready when we left along with a package <BR>of other items about this cemetery. <BR> <BR>It was a very moving expierence for me and one I will always treasure. <BR> <BR>I will try to revisit if at all possible. <BR> <BR> Lennie

Calling it THE American Cemetery is not meant to disclude other American cemeteries in Europe. However the one in Colleville-sur-Mer is the one known and visited by most people.

Calling it THE American Cemetery is not meant to disclude other American cemeteries in Europe. However the one in Colleville-sur-Mer is the one known and visited by most people. <BR>Just like saying the Notre Dame cathedral. Yes, the one most people know is in Paris, however there are many other Notre Dame cathedrals throughout France.

Just to clarify Al's reply. Actually Gen. Patton's grave is just outside Luxembourg City in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg. There are about 5000 American soldiers buried there. About 1 km from it is a German cemetery with several thousand of their war dead buried there. I was just at the American Cemetery in Lux this past Sunday and it closed at 6PM. (Although the caretaker was starting to close up the chapel and the entrance gate earlier than 6PM.) I'm not sure if there are later hours during the week. The German Cemetery appeared to stay open later, although I never saw the hours posted.

We are planning a trip to London in Sept and would really like suggestions on how to get from London to Normandy to visit the beaches and cemetaries. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

There are several ways to get from London to Normandy: Chunnel to Paris, then a train to Caen or Bayeux. Rent a car or take a bus or tour to the sites. <BR>There are ferries that run from Dover/ Portsmouth to Caen/Cherbourg/Le Havre (there are websites on ferries such as P&O, Brittany). From there, you can take a train or rent a car. There are car rental companies that will let you leave your righthand drive car in England and pickup the lefthand drive car in France, then vice versa. From Paris, too, there are day trips by ParisVision/Cityrama to Normandy.

Would like to add to the above comment on the American cemetery near Luxembourg. It's a very moving place, arranged like an amphitheater, with Patton's grave at the front. My wife and I have gone out of our way to drop in when driving through Europe. <BR>If you visit it, do a little homework first on Patton's life and why he is buried there.

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Jeanie and anyone else, <BR>We are thinking of going to Normandy <BR>and driving with the point of origin <BR>being from Frankfort, Germany. <BR>Are there inexpensive places to stay <BR>in France? <BR>What places should we NOT miss enroute <BR>to Normandy - in France. (excluding Paris because it requires too much time) <BR>Also, we may go to Ireland or Scotland <BR>too. How far is it? What's the fastest <BR>way to get there.