It can't exactly be called a ‘fun’ day out, but it is impressive: a visit to the American Cemetery Margraten (English: American Netherlands Cemetery and Memorial). Here lie buried more than 8,000 American soldiers who fell during the Second World War.
From farmland to graveyard
Most of the 8,301 soldiers buried in the 26.5-hectare cemetery, formerly farmland, died during the liberation of Limburg, the Battle of the Bulge – in which nearly 77,000 Americans lost their lives – and during the fighting in the Ruhr.
Thankless task
The cemetery was founded in November 1944, barely two months after South Limburg was liberated. The damp clay soil, made soggy by the wet weather, made construction difficult. The gravediggers consisted, in addition to German prisoners of war, mainly of black soldiers to whom there was no place in combat units at the time. They had the ungrateful task of having to bury their white comrades, while upon returning home they would again be confronted with racial segregation.
Five hundred bodies per day
The exhumation of graves was hard work, both physically and emotionally. There was a seemingly endless stream of fresh corpses, sometimes as many as five hundred a day. At its ‘peak’, after the end of the war, almost 18 thousand bodies were buried there. Among them were a number of Germans, who would later be moved to the German military cemetery in Ysselsteyn.
Final resting place for 8,301 Americans
In 1948, the exhumation and honourable reburial of bodies in coffins commenced. Approximately ten thousand bodies were repatriated. Ultimately, 8301 Americans would be permanently buried there. One grave is currently empty, as a body was eventually returned to the US in 2001. Due to two unidentified Americans being buried in one grave, there are nevertheless as many graves as bodies in the cemetery.
Final layout
In the 1950s, the cemetery was permanently laid out and each grave was given a white marble cross or Star of David. During this period, the memorial tower, containing a chapel, and the memorial wall, bearing the names of approximately 1700 missing persons, were also erected. In 1960, the cemetery was officially opened by Queen Juliana. In 2005, during his visit to the Netherlands, American President George W. Bush visited the cemetery.
Perpetual loan
To dispel a common misconception: the cemetery is not American territory. The Americans have been granted the area on a ‘perpetual lease’ out of respect and as a tribute. Every year, the dead are commemorated at the cemetery. This happens on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the last Monday in May, when Americans commemorate all their fallen soldiers.
It has been possible to adopt a grave since 1945. Those who wish to adopt a grave join a waiting list, as all graves are currently adopted.
Opening hours and visits
The cemetery is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on December 25th and January 1st. The sea of white crosses and the realisation that the fallen soldiers helped to forge our freedom leave an indelible impression on many visitors.
Read more here about Day trips met Adrem.
