Marigny German War Cemetery, War cemetery in Thèreval, France
Marigny German War Cemetery is a burial ground in Normandy that holds the remains of more than 11,000 fallen soldiers from World War 2. The site is divided into five sections, with each grave marked by a ceramic plaque showing the soldier's name, rank, and date of death.
The site was established by the United States Army in 1944 following the invasion of Normandy as a burial ground for fallen soldiers. American remains were later moved to a separate cemetery at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, leaving this place dedicated solely to German dead.
The cemetery is maintained by the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, which relies on voluntary work and donations. During summer holidays, German schoolchildren volunteer to tend the graves, visiting the site and nearby American cemeteries and memorials, and taking part in a memorial ceremony with veterans.
The cemetery lies about 2 km north-east of Marigny village, 12 km west of Saint-Lô, but administratively within Thèreval (delegated commune of La Chapelle-Enjuger). Access is through the main entrance built like a Norman village church; inside, five grave blocks are separated by grassed banks. A paved path crosses the lawn in front of the chapel building and the square tower with its cross.
The cemetery began as a US battlefield cemetery where American and German dead lay in two adjacent fields; in 1945–46 the 3,070 American graves were moved to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. A memorial near the entrance recalls the soldiers of the VIIth American Corps.
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