Burial of ten German soldiers and the official reopening of Langemark Soldatenfriedhof 2.30pm Friday 16th October 2015

At 2.30pm on Friday 16th October 2015 the German military cemetery at Langemark was officially reopened and at the same time the remains of ten German soldiers, nine of whom were named, and one unknown, were buried in the collective grave. The appearance of the cemetery has returned to that of its appearance in the 1930s. When you walk through the entrance portal you are greeted by a wall and can turn either right of left to enter the cemetery. The central feature of the wall of names remains in place but the four figures have returned to the centre piece and are now on the other side of the new all looking into the cemetery. Although the sombre feeling remains the cemetery felt ‘lighter’ to me and far less oppressive than before.

A crowd of dignitaries, locals and general visitors arrived to watch the proceedings. A large marquee was erected facing the collective grave to house the invited guests, headed by His Excellency Rüdiger Lüdeking, German Ambassador to Belgium, accompanied by Markus Meckel the President of the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (the German CWGC) and members of the German army. The Mayor of Langemark-Poelkapelle lead the local dignitaries that included the various layers of Flemish government representatives and the head of the Belgian Army in Flanders was in attendance. Ian Hussein represented the CWGC and representatives of the British Government, TOC H and the Canadian British Legion were present.

A group of four young children who played ‘Ode To Joy’, others who read a poem and then laid a white rose in a barrel of a rifle that had been arranged in the corned of the collective grave. It was rounded off by the local school singing a song. A short religious ceremony was held with the coffins being blessed before the two sets of five coffins had the German national flag that was draped over them removed by four soldiers.

A ladder led down to the catacomb below in which two senior soldiers in combats had descended prior to the beginning of the ceremonies. A soldier carefully took one small cardboard coffin and took it to the entrance of the catacomb and passed it to the men below. They carefully stacked them underground, one by one, until all had been safely delivered.

Once the committals had taken place the wreath laying began that began with His Excellency Rüdiger Lüdeking and ended with Markus Meckel. A drum was played throughout the wreath laying and then a trumpeter played “Ich hatt einen Kameraden”. A member of Field Marshal Haig’s Own Pipe and Drums then played “Flowers of the Forest”. Finally the Belgian Army Band played ‘Ode To Joy’ followed by the German and Belgian National Anthems.