Historical overview of the German military cemeteries from the First World War in Flanders

Abstract

This article gives a historical overview of the German military graves of the First World War in Flanders from 1914 until the present. During this time frame, German war graves have been under control of different authorities: the German Army (1914–1918); the Belgian war graves service (1919–1926); the Amtliche Deutsche Gräberdienst (1926–1940); the German Wehrmacht (1940–1944); several organisations under the authority of the Belgian state (1944–1953); and latterly the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (since 1954). Each of the authorities had its own views and consequently have marked the cemeteries, which were gradually and significantly reduced in number over the years, with their particular stamp. Today, the remaining four German military cemeteries in West Flanders have been recognized as heritage sites, ensuring their long term care and preservation.