Tjøtta International War Cemetery, Military cemetery in Alstahaug Municipality, Norway
Tjøtta International War Cemetery is a memorial site in Alstahaug, Norway, containing over 2,500 graves of individuals who died when the MS Rigel sank in November 1944. The grounds feature neatly arranged identical stones laid out in uniform rows across an open landscape.
British aircraft attacked the MS Rigel on November 27, 1944, near the Norwegian coast, mistaking it for a vessel carrying only German military personnel. The assault resulted in the sinking of the ship and the death of over 2,500 people of various nationalities.
The cemetery serves as a memorial where Soviet, Polish, and Serbian prisoners of war rest alongside Norwegian prisoners and German service members. The uniform rows of graves create a sense of shared respect and dignity that transcends national and military divisions.
The cemetery grounds include benches and facilities for visitors traveling in the region between Sandnessjøen and Tjøtta. The site is easy to access and allows visitors time for reflection or quiet remembrance.
All graves at the cemetery remain anonymous and are marked by identical stones because the sinking was so catastrophic that many victims could not be identified. This anonymity serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the maritime disaster.
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