Cologne's Soldiers: Where Were They Buried?

where were battle of cologne soldiers buried

The Battle of Cologne was part of Operation Lumberjack and refers to the Allied advance that took place from 5 to 7 March 1945, leading to the capture of the German city of Cologne. During World War II, Cologne was bombed in 262 separate air raids by the Allies, all conducted by the Royal Air Force (RAF). A total of 34,711 long tons of bombs were dropped on the city, and 20,000 civilians died during the war in Cologne due to aerial bombardments. Cologne was an important military target due to its heavily industrialised nature and large railway network. The Cologne Southern Cemetery was used during the war for the burial of more than 1,000 Allied prisoners, as well as German servicemen.

Characteristics Values
Cemetery name Cologne Southern Cemetery
Location Koln Sudfriedhof, about 5 kilometres south of the centre of Cologne
Number of identified casualties 2,596
Number of First World War servicemen buried or commemorated 2,482
Number of Second World War graves 132
Number of non-war graves 676
Number of burials of other nationalities 29

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Cologne Southern Cemetery was used for the burial of over 1,000 Allied prisoners and German soldiers during WWI

Cologne Southern Cemetery, located within the civilian cemetery, Sudfriedhof Koln, was used for the burial of over 1,000 Allied prisoners and German soldiers during World War I. The cemetery is about 5 kilometres south of the centre of Cologne, on Honigerweg. It can also be approached from the E40 (A4) motorway by taking Junction 11 towards Koln-Klettenberg.

During the war, the cemetery was used for the burial of more than 1,000 Allied prisoners, as well as dozens of German servicemen. After the Armistice, it was used by the occupying garrison. In 1922, it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany would be brought together into four permanent cemeteries: Cologne Southern, along with Kassel, Berlin, and Hamburg. The following year, graves were brought in from 183 burial grounds in Hanover, Hesse, the Rhine, and Westphalia.

The Commonwealth section of the cemetery also contains over 130 Second World War graves, mainly belonging to servicemen who died with the occupying forces. In addition, there are 676 non-war graves, 29 burials of other nationalities, and the graves of four members of the Commission staff.

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The cemetery is located about 5km south of Cologne's centre

The Cologne Memorial stands in Cologne Southern Cemetery, which is within a large civilian cemetery known locally as Koln Sudfriedhof. The cemetery is located about 5km south of Cologne's centre, on Honigerweg. It can also be approached from the E40 (A4) motorway, by taking Junction 11 towards Koln-Klettenberg.

The cemetery was used during the First World War for the burial of more than 1,000 Allied prisoners, as well as German servicemen. After the Armistice, it was used by the occupying garrison. In 1922, it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries: Cologne Southern was one of those chosen. The following year, graves were brought in from 183 burial grounds in Hanover, Hesse, the Rhine and Westphalia.

The cemetery is large and rectangular. The main entrance offers a step-free, level access point with a 1.8m tall metal double gate, approximately 1.2m wide, with ring-handled knobs, and opens inwards. Stone shelter buildings are located on either side of the main entrance, with metal gates opening inwards to each building. A Cross of Sacrifice stands in a central position. Beyond this is the Stone of Remembrance at the furthest point from the main entrance. There are four stairways, three steps each, leading up to the central area around the Cross of Sacrifice from the surrounding plots.

The Cologne Memorial, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, commemorates 25 servicemen of the United Kingdom who died in Germany and who have no known grave. Of these, 19 are known to have died as prisoners, and their places of burial are not recorded. The other six died after the Armistice by drowning, and their bodies were not recovered.

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The Battle of Cologne was part of Operation Lumberjack

The Battle of Cologne specifically refers to the Allied advance that took place from March 5 to 7, 1945, which led to the capture of the western part of the city. The Allied columns approached Cologne from three directions: the 3rd Armored Division from the northwest, the 104th Infantry Division from the west, and the 9th Armored Division clearing sections south of the city in conjunction with the 9th Infantry Division. On March 5, the 3rd Armored Division launched its final advance on Cologne, and on March 6, the American columns moved towards the heart of the city.

The Battle of Cologne included a famous tank battle between American and German forces, with American Sherman and Pershing tanks facing off against German Panther tanks from the Panzer-Brigade 106th Feldhernhalle. This skirmish was captured on film by US cameramen near the Cologne train station. Despite the German resistance, the Allies successfully captured all of Cologne west of the Rhine by March 7, while the boroughs on the right bank remained under German control until mid-April 1945.

One of the notable outcomes of Operation Lumberjack was the unexpected capture of the Ludendorff bridge, a strategic railroad bridge across the Rhine, during the Battle of Remagen. This bridge provided the Allies with a crucial asset and allowed them to establish a bridgehead on the eastern side of the Rhine, advancing their timetable for crossing the river.

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The battle led to the capture of Cologne by the Allies

The Battle of Cologne was part of Operation Lumberjack and refers to the Allied advance that took place from 5 to 7 March 1945, which led to the capture of the western German city of Cologne.

The Battle of Cologne was preceded by 262 separate air raids by the Allies during World War II, all conducted by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first bombing took place on 12 May 1940, and the last air raid was carried out on 2 March 1945. By the beginning of March 1945, most of the city was destroyed, with only about 20,000 people remaining in the city.

During the night of 3 March, Allied aircraft dropped propaganda leaflets over the city, urging its citizens to disobey the directives of the Nazi leadership and assuring them that they had nothing to fear from the advancing troops. The Allied columns approached Cologne from three directions: the 3rd Armored Division from the northwest, the 104th Infantry Division from the west, and the 9th Armored Division, along with the 9th Infantry Division, clearing sections south of the city.

On 5 March, the 3rd Armored Division launched a final advance on Cologne, and on 6 March, the American columns moved towards the heart of the city. The Cologne Cathedral, one of the only buildings left standing, became the backdrop for a famous tank battle between American and German forces. The Americans faced off with German Panthers from the Panzer-Brigade 106th Feldhernhalle, and US cameramen from the 165th Photo Signal Company captured the skirmish on film.

By 7 March, all of Cologne west of the Rhine was captured by the Allies, while the boroughs on the right bank remained under German control until mid-April 1945. The capture of Cologne by the Allies marked a significant advancement in their push towards the Rhine River and dealt a blow to German morale.

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The battle involved tank skirmishes between American and German forces

The Battle of Cologne, which took place from 5 to 7 March 1945, was part of Operation Lumberjack and resulted in the capture of the western German city of Cologne by the Allies. The battle involved tank skirmishes between American and German forces.

The American columns approached Cologne from three directions: the 3rd Armored Division from the northwest, the 104th Infantry Division from the west, and the 9th Armored Division, in conjunction with the 9th Infantry Division, clearing sections south of the city. On 5 March, the 3rd Armored Division launched a final advance on Cologne, and on 6 March, the American columns moved towards the heart of the city.

One notable tank skirmish took place near the city centre, where a German Panther tank was lying in ambush near the train station. Two advancing Sherman tanks were slowed down by rubble and got stuck in a narrow street, making them an easy target for the German tank. The German Panther's shells hit the turret of the leading Sherman, and the tracks of the second Sherman behind it. A nearby Pershing tank, known as Eagle 7, was sent to take out the Panther. The two tanks were in each other's sights, but the German tank commander, who had never seen a Pershing, believed it to be a German tank and told his gunner to hold fire. The Panther tank was eventually taken out by the advancing Pershing.

Another tank battle took place in front of the Cologne Cathedral, one of the few buildings to remain mostly intact after years of aerial raids. A German Panther tank commander refused to retreat and made a last stand in front of the cathedral. The Panther tanks were heavier and tougher than the American Sherman tanks, and they knocked out a pair of M4 Sherman tanks, killing or wounding several American soldiers. However, the Americans had a newer tank, the Pershing, which was brought into action. The Pershing crew attempted to attack the Panther from a side street, but the German crew sensed something was amiss and turned their turret towards the side street. The Pershing, commanded by 21-year-old Clarence Smoyer, fired on the move, taking the Germans by surprise. Smoyer scored a direct hit, and two more shots were fired to ensure the Panther was disabled. The Panther crew bailed out of their stricken vehicle, but Smoyer finished them off with high-explosive rounds.

The Battle of Cologne was one of the last major battles of World War II in Europe, as the war was coming to an end and the Germans began to flee before the advancing American forces. The tank skirmishes during the battle highlighted the technological advancements and tactical strategies employed by both sides, with the introduction of new tank models, such as the Pershing, and the use of propaganda leaflets by the Allies to sway the citizens of Cologne.

Frequently asked questions

Soldiers were buried in the Cologne Southern Cemetery, which is within a large civil cemetery known locally as Koln Sudfriedhof, about 5 kilometres south of the centre of Cologne.

During the First World War, more than 1,000 Allied prisoners and dozens of German servicemen were buried in the cemetery.

Yes, there were casualties on both sides. Dead and wounded soldiers were left in the wake of the advancing units.

The Battle of Cologne was part of Operation Lumberjack and refers to the Allied advance that took place from 5 to 7 March 1945, which led to the capture of the western German city of Cologne.

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