Cambridge American Cemetery honours the American sacrifice during World War II, in particular in the United Kingdom, the main base for the Allied strategic bombing campaign to liberate Western Europe.
A temető a Cambridge Egyetem által adományozott földön helyezkedik el, területe 30.5 acres: 3,812 soldiers rest in this cemetery. On the Walls of the Missing 5,127 names are recorded, some of which are marked with rosettes, signifying that they have been recovered and identified.
Az első látogatást a fő bejárat melletti lenyűgöző zászlóalap állványtól érdemes kezdeni, majd követni kell a nagy folyosót, amely kelet felé terülő tükröződő tavakkal kanyarog. The Memorial building, like St. Paul’s Cathedral and other monuments in London, is built from Portland stone. Five pylons mark the five years of the United States’ presence in World War II. When you look up, it is possible to see the inscription: “Grant unto them o Lord eternal rest”.
A fő ajtókat bear bronze representations of military equipment and naval vessels díszítik. A külső falon egy térkép az Egyesült Királyságon mutatja azokat a helyszíneket, ahol az amerikai egységek állomásoztak, a brit- és amerikai egységek fő légi- és tengeri megközelítési útvonalait Nagy-Britanniába az Amerikából érkezőek, valamint a 1942-es és 1944-es északi inváziós útvonalakat North Africa felé és a Normandy felé.
2014 májusában megnyílt egy 4,000 négyzetláb területű látogatóközpont. Its interpretive exhibitions, including personal stories, photographs, films, and interactive displays, allow visitors to better understand this crucial campaign during the Second World War.
A Cambridge American Cemetery története közvetlenül összefonódik a Atlanti-óceán feletti harcokkal, a haditengerészeti konvojok védelmével és a német U-boatok elleni küzdelemmel az 1939 és 1945 közötti időszakban. Responding to these constant attacks, Britain and its allies sent merchant ships out in convoys, accompanied by naval vessels. A possible Allied success depended directly on the movement of troops and supplies across the seas along with prioritized escort and antisubmarine operations. Finally, in May 1943 the Allies began to hold their own in the Atlantic. That month Allied forces managed to sink 41 of 240 German U-boats, losing 300,000 tonnes less to their war effort.
Ahogy a háború előrehaladt, Britannia egyre inkább olyan nagy szállítási támaszponttá, katonai bázissá, légi bázissá és kiképzőtáborrá vált az Allied erők számára. In numbers, more than 17 million tons of cargo and nearly two million US military and women had arrived in Britain. In the period following the First World War, the tactic of strategic air strikes was developed. It was believed that a large number of casualties, as well as the destruction of industrial “choke points”, would not only cause the collapse of morale but could also lead to the capitulation of a nation.
In mid-1943 Allied forces officially launched Combined Bomber Offensive, the Americans with surgical bombing during the day, the British bombing at night. The expansion of the Allied forces in the Mediterranean allowed the creation of new airfields, complementing those of Great Britain, making it possible to move between theatres of war, making the German territory much more exposed. German resources were depleted, and more and more German cities were being bombed day by day.
Looking to visit Cambridge? Each year the team at the American Cemetery welcome visitors and offer guided tours as part of Open Cambridge. Come and take a walking tour in the extensive grounds and discover some of the talented Americans whose stories we aim to tell. We often talk about the promise of young people. When America entered the war in 1941, she sent some of her brightest and best into the fray. Some of them had well-established careers in civilian life. Learn more about some of the notable memorials and burials at the site. Explore the Visitor Centre, opened in 2014, and gain a better understanding of this critical campaign of World War II.
A Cambridge-i American Cemetery remains a essential reminder of the sacrifices of American forces based in the U.K. during World War II and retains a high level of integrity reflecting the efforts of generations of dedicated professionals who were involved in the planning, design, craftsmanship, and subsequent maintenance of the cemetery. The Olmsted firm was involved with the landscape design of 275 cemeteries, rural plots, memorials and monuments throughout their tenure. Today, the Cambridge American Cemetery remains as an enduring testament to the sacrifices of American forces based in the U.K. during World War II and retains a high level of integrity reflecting the efforts of generations of dedicated professionals who were involved in the planning, design, craftsmanship, and subsequent maintenance of the cemetery.
- Cortney Cain Gjesfjeld, Historical Landscape Architect, National Park Service (NPS), és története Cambridge-ben
Cambridge American Cemetery Visitor Film
Today, the Cambridge American Cemetery remains as an enduring testament to the sacrifices of American forces based in the U.K. during World War II and retains a high level of integrity reflecting the efforts of generations of dedicated professionals who were involved in the planning, design, craftsmanship, and subsequent maintenance of the cemetery.