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Studentenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof: A History of Langemark German Cemetery and Self-guided Tour
The first English-language history of Germany’s Langemark military cemetery.
Studetenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof charts the evolution of German war cemetery Langemark from its creation during World War I, through the influence of the Nazis before and during World War II, and into the modern cemetery it is today. Dispelling many of the myths and legends that surround the cemetery, Studetenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof takes readers on a detailed self-guided tour, following the route planned by its designer in the early 1930s. The clever use of “then and now” images bring the cemetery’s rich history to life, all while walking in the footsteps of the past.
Studetenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof charts the evolution of German war cemetery Langemark from its creation during World War I, through the influence of the Nazis before and during World War II, and into the modern cemetery it is today. Dispelling many of the myths and legends that surround the cemetery, Studetenfriedhof to Soldatenfriedhof takes readers on a detailed self-guided tour, following the route planned by its designer in the early 1930s. The clever use of “then and now” images bring the cemetery’s rich history to life, all while walking in the footsteps of the past.
- GenresHistory
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 27, 2021
When I went to Langemark back in 2016 I was struck by the huge difference between it and the Commonwealth cemeteries like Tyne Cot. It was unlike what I was expecting: dark, full of trees, flat grave slabs with multiple names, two levels to the place, and an entrance way which was full of information we hadn't got time to read: as a school trip on a mission to do a pile of things in a weekend, keeping 13-14 year olds informed prevents long explanations!
So when this book came up on the Talbot House Facebook feed, I contacted them and it got sent over from Belgium.
This is fascinating, well researched, sometimes a bit repetitive, but revealing as to what happened when and where, and why the place looks - to English eyes - strange.
The book has three coloured sections: first the history from graveyard, through Nazi symbolism, elision of non-German folk, and mythology, to reinterpretation and modern redesign; second, a walk through which is easy to follow; and thirdly a pile of useful information, translations of words on the pillow stones, and a very useful list of myths and urban legends surrounding the place.
If you are planning on going, get this book to make sense of unique place.
So when this book came up on the Talbot House Facebook feed, I contacted them and it got sent over from Belgium.
This is fascinating, well researched, sometimes a bit repetitive, but revealing as to what happened when and where, and why the place looks - to English eyes - strange.
The book has three coloured sections: first the history from graveyard, through Nazi symbolism, elision of non-German folk, and mythology, to reinterpretation and modern redesign; second, a walk through which is easy to follow; and thirdly a pile of useful information, translations of words on the pillow stones, and a very useful list of myths and urban legends surrounding the place.
If you are planning on going, get this book to make sense of unique place.
March 17, 2022
Extremely well researched, I would recommend this to anyone visiting Ypres.
August 27, 2023
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 fullcappreciation 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.
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 fullcappreciation 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.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews