Langemark German Military Cemetery

[Curmo]

One for the reading list ...

Studentenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof: A History of Langemark German
Cemetery and self-guided tour
Written by Roger Steward
Foreword by Dominiek Dendooven
Unicorn, ISBN 978-1913-491673
139 pages, 102 photographs, 14 Maps & Plans £14.99 (SB)

The myth of the Kindermord is writ large in the history of the First World War
German Cemetery at Langemark, near Ypres in Belgium. The much-visited
cemetery was originally established after the First Battle of Langemark in 1914
when German student volunteers from a variety of quasi-military organisations
were, so legend has it, 'gloriously sacrificed' for Germany and for the generations
which were to follow them. In the late 1920s the original battlefield cemetery was
'rebranded' as a student's cemetery (Studentenfriedhof) and substantially
redesigned by Robert Tischler at the behest of various German youth
organisations. Indeed Heinrich Lerch's evocation of youthful sacrifice - 'Germany
has to live, even if we have to die' - is etched onto the stonework near the
entrance. The use of this phrase, which is closely associated with the culture of
the Hitler youth, is a tangible example of how the site was politicised in the 1930s
by the Nazis. Indeed, as an affirmation of Langemark's political credentials Hitler
visited the cemetery in 1940. However, as this fascinating book reveals,
Langemark has a significance and a history which goes way beyond this
temporary historical aberration.

The book is divided into two main sections. The first covers the history of the
cemetery and some of the events and circumstances which shaped its
development. Aside from the site's early propaganda value for the Nazis, the
cemetery has been periodically redesigned and repurposed. Whilst many of the
features designed by Tischler in the 1920s are still evident, the layout of the
structures, artwork and the grounds have changed considerably. Much of this
was driven by the decision in 1954 to close 128 German burial grounds in the
Ypres area. For Langemark this meant accommodating over 44,000 burials in a

cemetery originally designed for 10,000. This was achieved by using the adjacent
'Honour Field' (Eichenhain) as a cemetery extension and refurbishing and
expanding the original ossuary. The cemetery is maintained by the Volksbund
Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (The German war Graves Commission) but over
the years ownership has been a contentious issue with concomitant impacts on
the degree of maintenance undertaken. The antipathy of the local population in
the early years and the reluctance of landowners to cede their land to the
authorities for use as German War Cemeteries has posed particular challenges
for the interment and commemoration of those who fought for the Kaiser during
the First World War.

The second section of the book is a self-guided tour, which allows the visitor to
understand the history of the site as well as appreciate the current layout. Much
has changed over the years, not least the commemoration of the Jewish
combatants who are buried with their comrades. Assiduously ignored in the
1930s, the names are now visible and accessible, as they should be. The
cemetery now receives over one million visitors a year although, interestingly,
very few are German nationals. There is some duplication of content in the book
but this should not detract from the fact that for the casual visitor to Langemark
this pocket-sized guide will do much to enhance understanding and allow a full
appreciation of this unique and important site. The book successfully articulates
the idea that Langemark is best described in generic terms as a 'soldiers
cemetery' (soldatenfriedhof) in that it contains the bodies of men from a disparate
range of regiments and units. As the author says in the final section of this guide,
nowadays Langemark serves as a reminder of the past, confronting the living with
the consequences of war and violence. It does so in a way that contrasts with the
familiar aesthetics of Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries, and
therefore serves as an interesting juxtaposition for visitors to the old First World
War battlefields around Ypres. Recommended.

Phil Curme, July 2022

[AOK4]

The book is not bad, although there are some inaccuracies.