The most impressive monument for the killed German
soldiers is the war cemetery near the village La Cambe, some 5 kilometers south
of Grandcamp-Maisy (23
kilometers from Bayeux on the N13, heading to Carentan).
It was originally intended as a combined American and German cemetery.
However, in 1947 the American soldiers were reburied at
St-Laurent or were sent back to the USA. The following year
the British and French war grave organisations collected and
brought the German dead to La Cambe and the other five
cemeteries. The Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge was established
to look after the graves. The work was and is manly done by
schoolchildren and students. The Allied could take an example
of this. Young people are here confronted with the uselessness
of war, a lesson to future generations.
Spread over the terrain stand little groups of black stone
crosses, to symbolise the 'comradeship in to death'. A total
of 21.200 death Germans are buried here, out of which 296 in a
mass grave (a hill at the center of the terrain). The hill can be
climbed for a view over the cemetery. It is quite a contrast
in comparison with the Allied war cemeteries. It is very sober and robust,
and that gives the visitor a heaviness to the heart and he
wishes: 'THIS NEVER AGAIN'.
Two
German soldiers buried at La Cambe
(killed on June 6th, 1944)
Probably the most visited grave at La Cambe is that of the German tank
commander Michael Wittmann. This tank-ace became a legend when he singlehandedly
fought against a British unit in Villers-Bocage on June 13, 1944. On August 8, 1944,
Wittmann and his crew were killed in their Tigertank. They where buried next to the road
near Gaumesnil. In 1983 the remains of the men were found and reburied at La Cambe in
lot 47, row 3, grave 120.
Probably the most
visited grave at La Cambe, that of Michael Wittmann
OTHER GERMAN WAR CEMETERIES IN
NORMANDY:
Champigny-St André, between Evreux and Dreux,
19.795 graves
Huisnes-sur-Mer, near Mont St Michel, 11.956
graves
Marigny-la-Chappelle, near St Lô, 11.169
graves
Orglandes, near Valognes, 10.152 graves
St Désir-de-Lisieux, 3.735 graves
In these six war cemeteries about 100.000
dead Germans found their last resting place.
The Germans lost in Normandy 450.000 men, 240.000 death and wounded (another 120.000 taken prisoner). An offer to think
about.
'Normandy Tank Museum, A-10
Airfield'
Return and cross the highway N13/E46 heading towards
Grandcamp-Maisy. After you crossed the highway, take exit three on the roundabout,
to Isigny-sur-Mer (D613). In
Isigny-sur-Mer, do NOT follow the signes 'Autres Directions', but head through
the town and stay on the D613 towards La
Fourchette/Carentan. After 8 km, you come across, on your left, on the Avenue
du Cotentin, just beyond the sign to Catz, the
'Normandy Tank Museum, A-10 Airfield'. This museum, opened in June 2013, is
different from all the other museums in Normandy. It consist completely of tanks and other
military vehicles, among them two aircraft. The title 'museum' does not cover this place, it's more of a
collection than a museum.
But, that said, it's well worth a visit, because all the vehicles can be
inspected up close.
A fantastic restored M24
Chaffee tank
As you may notice, the high decree of restoration work on the vehicles
is exceptional. All the vehicles and aircraft are in working order, and are driven on a regular
base. You may even take a ride on one of the tanks (after an appointment). The museum is still
a fresh one, and will be become better in the coming years. It might even become a competitor
for the most important tank museum in France, in Saumur, at the Loire river.
An M3 Half Track
There was one point of critic (in 2013); That was the small amount of information. The info that
was available, was only in French, but that has being taken care of, and is also in English available.
They claim to be a museum, so education must be provided, and to bring the info in more than just French is a big plus.
During 2013 there was plenty of work in progress, on the parking
lot and the adjacent terrains. Two big holes, former bombcraters are preserved next to the parking
lot. The museum is built on the former ALG (‘Advanced Landing Ground’), A-10 of the Allied air forces.
This is the M4A3(105)W, one of two
Sherman tanks in the museum
What you may find in the museum (2013):
M3A1 Stuart tank
M5A1 Stuart VI
M4A1(75) Sherman
tank
M4A3(105)W Sherman tank
M24 Chaffee tank
M7
Priest
M8 Armored Car 'Greyhound'
LVT landingcraft
(2X)
Pacific Car and Foundry M26 Tankrecovery truck
DUKW
Jeep
M3 Half Track
GMC truck
Dodge WC54
ambulance
A Citroen Traction in IFF colours (black)
The Pacific Car and Foundry M26 Tankrecovery
with on the trailer
(just out of the picture) an LVT landingcraft
Motorcycles:
Harley Davidson Liberator (2X)
BMW R75 with sidecar (in desertcolors)
Paratrooper
minimotorcycle
Aircraft:
Boeing Stearman
Piper
The German PzKpfw IV Ausf G is in need of
a brush of paint,…
At the moment, there are two Sherman tanks in the museum. A third can
be found on a hill, beside the highway N13/E46 (see picture at the bottom of this page).
Are all of the vehicles of Allied nature, one is obviously not, that is a
German PzKpfw IV Ausf G. There are a couple of dioramas where they show how wounded were treated.
In some places clips of film are shown through beamers, and one can even 'play' on a virtual screen
and have a look into some tanks. But on the education front, a lot can be improved.
The entry price is €8,50 (adult), €6,50 (child of 12 years).
Second Worldwar veterans are free of charche. The Normandy
Pass gives you 2 Euro reduction. In the high season
the museum is open from 09.00 to 18.00, in the
low season from 10.00 to 17.00.
On the next page we continue our trip to the sector,
known UTAH BEACH,
for a visit to,
Ste-Mere-Eglise, the Battery of Crisbecq and Azeville.
Click on the picture below, the tank beside the highway N13/E46,
of the 'Normandy Tank
Museum'
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