I have been going through this forum and I am still amazed at what I do not know after 35 years of studying the subject of the Western Front; I wonder how many other women share my passion, I have never met any certainly not ones interested in pillboxes and such like.
And the study of German military uniforms is one of the most difficult I have ever come across, the understanding of some of the fortifications I feel may need some actual military experience.
I am now interested in the German side and I feel that after all these years in which this conflict has past out of living memory I do not need to apologise for my growing interest in this war from a German perspective, there are still too few books available on the German role and I would like to see more translated into English. What saddens me is to read about German war cemetaries described as having a " dark, brooding " atmoshere unlike the sense of peace in the Allied cemetaries, I wonder why this is?, if there is a forgiving God one would assume that some ray of light would cast itself upon the black gravestones of Fritz and Heinrich.
There has been little time given to this conflict where military modelling is concerned, Emhar has only just produced a A7V tank and Osprey only just a book about it.
I look forward to going through the forum and taking tution and some wisdom from those of you who contribute to it.

happy new year.

I think you have some great interests. I agree with you totally on the subject of books in English on the German side! There are some efforts out there to rectify this situation.
There has been an A7V model out for some time. I built one back in 1992, with the help of the Osprey book, which was in print then, as well.

Best Regards,

Paul

Happy new year to you!
The main reason the German cemeteries have a dark atmosphere is the Germans were refused the right to use white headstones by the British. Plants & bushes are used instead of grass to keep maintenance easy; for many decades maintaining German cemeteries wasn't exactly top priority in the countries the Germans had invaded.

regards

Roel

Roel, I have never heard that before. I can't imagine it is correct, especially as German graves in British cemeteries do have them. What is the basis/evidence for your statement?

I have also started to feel that it would be a good idea to learn more from the German side of the conflict and have just found a couple of books on Amazon that I think maybe of interest,perhaps some Forum members may have already read them.

Through German Eyes: The British and the Somme

The German Army on the Somme

I realize that the two books deal with the Somme,but it will give an insight and later on I will search for other books.


Regards

Joan

The notion that the British could impose any restrictions on German grave markers or any other aspect of war grave care and maintenance anywhere except in the United Kingdom or its overseas territories is quite mistaken. Under Articles 225 and 226 of the Treaty of Versailles, the UK was bound to honour and respect German graves on its territory. What happened elsewhere was none of its business. In practice the German cemeteries were established and developed world wide as a result of bilateral agreements. In the case of France (where the problem was most acute), according to the German Volksbund, the charity responsible for the care and maintenance of German war graves outside the Federal Republic, it was not until 1925 that they were able to approach the French government about care and maintenance. When they did, they requested permission to landscape the sites and to begin a programme of planting. The French insisted that they approved all plans. They further laid down the maximum dimensions of buildings and demanded that memorials carried no military emblems, crests or provocative inscriptions. That said, the French never denied permission for any site the Volksbund wish to develop and the Germans worked within the rules. Then they ran out of money. This was one of the reasons that many German cemeteries did not achieve their current shape until the 1970s or later. The appearance of German cemeteries is dictated by the need for economy and ease of maintenance, but also to correspond to German traditional concepts of mourning: hence dark colours and shady trees with dark barks and deep greens. However the planting in Vermandovillers provides especially good autumn colour, so there are no hard and fast rules.

Jack

Maintenance of german war cemetaries in France is realised by the
Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge
http://www.volksbund.de/

Pascal

The pal whose post followed yours will no doubt approve of your choice.

to correspond to German traditional concepts of mourning: hence dark colours and shady trees with dark barks and deep greens.


I had often wondered about the "dark" nature of the German Cemeteries. This explains why.

crh

With your interest in pillboxes have you come across anything (info, pictures etc) on the Kit & Kat pillboxes on the Westhoek-Frezenberg ridge just outside Ypres?

Thanks.

Neil

I have read this thread with interest. I had always assumed that the CWGC were as they are to try to resemble an English country garden...hence the roses and other flowers.
I also thought that there is a germanic belief that one should cover a fallen comrade, and so the use of oak trees to provide cover. Many German cemetries, like Langemark, are concentration cemetries. France and Belgium, in the 1920's, were understandably unwilling to give over large areas of land as cemetries to their recently defeated foe. So whilst the Allies were granted large areas in perpetuity, the Germans were unlikely to gain the same treatment.
I always make a point of taking tours to places like Langemark, for it is all too easy to forget that "they" were there too. What is more, most of the plaques set into the ground mark the resting place of at least eight brave men....all of whom had parents, sisters, brothers, children, etc.
Bruce

Here are so German defence

1. Railway Bridge pill-box, Pont a Vendin.

2. Pont a Vendin, concrete tank stop with mine channel in front.

3. O.P. At Annay Regimental H.Q.

4. 65 ft Observation Tower at Alice Farm, Menin-Roulers Road Area.

5. Blinkstelle, Tower at Western end of barn, Fin De La Guerre, HQ.

6. Somerset Farm, view of the O.P. Tower from the court-yard.

7. Somerset Farm, interior of the barn showing quarters in concrete, & overhead cat-walk.

8. Corps Battle H.Q. Ht Pommereau, portable O.P. of metal on wheels.

9. Somerset Farm view of out-houses which include signal station, offices & G.O.C.'s quarters.

10. Somserset Farm view showing the main O.P. tower peering through the corner of the barn.

11. Fin De La Guerre, back view of the main barn, showing quarters of signallers.

12. Trench Mortar emplacement Aubers.

13. Regimental H.Q. & Divisional Battle Post Aubers.

14. Aubers Ridge, Concrete Mixer.

15. Aid Post at Enclos, showing entrance & brackets for stretchers.

16. Semaphore Apparatus at Ennetieres EN Weppes.