Here at Hürtgen War Cemetery (Soldatenfriedhof or Ehrenfriedhof Hürtgen) 3001 mostly German casualties of war have found their final resting place. 500 victims have not been identified.
Among these German casualties are a little over a hundred men who lost their lives during post-war clean up operations as members of the “Ammunition Search and Removal Team” or trying to recover the fallen from the forest.
The cemetery was established between 1951 and 1952 and inaugurated on 17 August 1952.
Lt. Friedrich Lengfeld memorial plaque
In 1994 during the 50th anniversary of D-Day, veterans of the 4. US Inf. Div. added a memorial plaque in honor of Leutnant Friedrich Lengfeld.
Leutnant Friedrich Lengfeld was a German Army officer during World War II, remembered for an act of humanity rather than combat. In March 1945, near the town of Lohr am Main, Lengfeld was wounded while attempting to rescue a severely injured American soldier who was trapped in a minefield. Despite the ongoing fighting, Lengfeld tried to save the enemy soldier’s life and was mortally wounded in the process.
He died shortly afterward from his injuries. Lengfeld’s actions are widely regarded as an example of compassion and moral courage amid war. You can find this memorial plaque at the entrance of the cemetery.
Visit
The cemetery is open during daytime hours
