“Quiet, please,” I whisper. “Reflect for a moment on the sacrifices made within these grounds.” This is the Nécropole Nationale de Strasbourg-Cronenbourg. It is a military cemetery in Strasbourg. It holds the remains of soldiers from many nations. They died during the two World Wars.
Established around 1872, the Nécropole Nationale de Strasbourg-Cronenbourg extends from a former German garrison cemetery. This followed the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Alsace was ceded by France then.
Here lie 5,483 soldiers. They are French, German, British, Russian, Serbian, Polish, Yugoslavian and Dutch. All perished in the World Wars. One soldier died in the Lebanon War of 1986. Near the Place du Souvenir Français, five glass panels recount the conflicts’ history. A stele honors those who fought in Algeria.
In 1940, General Kléber’s remains were moved here. They had been under his statue in Place Kléber since 1838. In 1945, they returned to their original vault.
Among those interred is Jean-Baptiste Houchet. He was a Compagnon de la Libération. A Spiritan Catholic priest, he served as a missionary. In 1940, he joined the Free French Forces. As a chaplain, he participated in operations in Syria. Later, he became chaplain of the 2nd Armored Division. He fought in Africa and helped liberate Paris. In November 1944, he died assisting a wounded soldier on the Kehl bridge in Strasbourg.
Also resting here is Henri Levy-Finger. He too was a Compagnon de la Libération. He joined the Free French and fought in Africa. As a member of the 2nd Armored Division, he took part in the Normandy landings and the liberation of Paris. He was killed by a German shell soon after Strasbourg’s liberation.
Captain Henri Rendu, another Compagnon de la Libération, was initially buried here. Later, he was moved to his family vault in Saint-Marc-sur-Seine.
The Nécropole Nationale de Strasbourg-Cronenbourg is maintained by the Office National des Anciens Combattants et Victimes de Guerre and the Souvenir Français.
In 2004, the cemetery experienced acts of vandalism. Five stelae were damaged. Fifteen Muslim graves of soldiers who died in World War II were desecrated.
Monuments include one for officers killed in the bombing of the Oflag XB prison camp. Another honors the crews of Groupe Gascogne 1/19 and Halifax NA547 H7-V sqn 346.
Take a moment to reflect on the individual stories. Remember the collective sacrifice for freedom. The Nécropole Nationale de Strasbourg-Cronenbourg stands as a testament to their courage. It also serves as a reminder of the enduring cost of war.