ROSSIGNOL PLATEAU FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY
Luxembourg
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: 49°44'18.2"N 5°28'49.5"E
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Rossignol is a small village located in the province of Luxembourg in Belgium. The cemetery is located North of the village on the Rue de Neufchâteau.
Historical Information
Rossignol-Plateau French War Cemetery contains a number of French war graves from World War I.
During the Battle of Rossignol, part of the Battle of the Borders, there was a confrontation in this area on August 22, 1914 between the French colonial troops and two German infantry divisions in which thousands of soldiers died. Most soldiers were buried after the battle at the place where they fell.
In May 1917, the first military cemeteries were established by the German occupiers, including this cemetery, the smaller Cimetière du Plateau, and a disappeared cemetery along the road to Marbehan.
At the ceremonial opening there were 635 soldiers here, including 408 French soldiers (mainly from the 2nd colonial regiment) and 227 German soldiers.
Because the German government wanted to regroup the cemeteries, the remains of the latter were exhumed in 1934 and transferred to the German military cemetery of Saint-Vincent.
By the law of September 28, 1920 and under pressure from public opinion, the French government authorized the French families to repatriate the remains of their relative buried in Belgium. It is estimated that forty percent of the deceased were returned to France.
At the back of the cemetery is a large and heavy wooden cross with the inscription "1914".
Total French Burials from World War One 681.
Rossignol is a small village located in the province of Luxembourg in Belgium. The cemetery is located North of the village on the Rue de Neufchâteau.
Historical Information
Rossignol-Plateau French War Cemetery contains a number of French war graves from World War I.
During the Battle of Rossignol, part of the Battle of the Borders, there was a confrontation in this area on August 22, 1914 between the French colonial troops and two German infantry divisions in which thousands of soldiers died. Most soldiers were buried after the battle at the place where they fell.
In May 1917, the first military cemeteries were established by the German occupiers, including this cemetery, the smaller Cimetière du Plateau, and a disappeared cemetery along the road to Marbehan.
At the ceremonial opening there were 635 soldiers here, including 408 French soldiers (mainly from the 2nd colonial regiment) and 227 German soldiers.
Because the German government wanted to regroup the cemeteries, the remains of the latter were exhumed in 1934 and transferred to the German military cemetery of Saint-Vincent.
By the law of September 28, 1920 and under pressure from public opinion, the French government authorized the French families to repatriate the remains of their relative buried in Belgium. It is estimated that forty percent of the deceased were returned to France.
At the back of the cemetery is a large and heavy wooden cross with the inscription "1914".
Total French Burials from World War One 681.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Image above © Nicholas Philpot
