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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 5, 6, 2004
STE. MERE EGLISE, FRANCE - MILITARY CEMETERY FACILITIES
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 Temporary
Cemetery Memorial
"Here were laid to rest
from June 1944 to 1948, 3000 American soldiers who fell in the first
battles of the Liberation."
The 3,000 Americans buried here in June 1944 are but a fraction of
the U.S. battle casualties. Eight other temporary cemeteries were
also put to use in the Normandy area.
In 1948 the individual remains were exhumed and either returned to
the U.S. at the request or of their family, or, were re-interred in
the Normandy Cemetery.
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Temporary Cemetery Memorial
Ste. Mere Eglise had two
temporary cemeteries and the memorial at each of the original locations
are worded similarly but with one staggering difference.
While the stone at the left documents that 3,000 American servicemen
were initially laid to rest at that site, this one had 5,000 grave sites.
The total of 8,000 Americans who died on Omaha and Utah beaches as
well as inland is enormous. Yet, this does not include the British,
Canadians and other allied forces that suffered their own heavy losses.
(Photo courtesy Liz Coble)
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