View Single Post
Old 18-07-2008, 10:25 AM   #4 (permalink)
Harry Ree
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 647
Harry Ree has a spectacular aura aboutHarry Ree has a spectacular aura about
The Michelin Atlas Routier generally shows the main CWGC cemeteries and those of other nationalities but missing are those burials in French Communal Cemeteries, those obsure burials in villages and hamlets.

However there is a very good reference from the unofficial web site www.purecollector.com/historycwgc/France.html which covers the main cemeteries and the communal cemeteries.Recently in the Seine Maritime,I found four burials in a French churchyard which, on account of the date,placed their deaths at the time at the retreat westward of the BEF from Dunkirk.On returning home.I checked the site and the casualty information was confirmed.

The other good reference can be obtained from the IGN 1-25.000 maps for a given area which indicate military cemeteries in addition to providing excellent local area information for the holidaymaker.

While travelling,it is still best to keep a look out for the CWGC "green plaques".Long before the advent of the internet, I was passing through a hamlet, south west of Riems when I came across "green plaque" cemetery which contained one RAF casualty, whose well kept grave had been enhanced by kerbing. I was later able to ascertain that the grave was that of No 617 Squadron Bill Reid's Flight Engineer.Bill Reid went into the bag when his Lancaster was hit by bomb from another Lancaster whilst on his bombing run raiding railway tunnels in which VI rockets were stored.
Harry Ree is offline   Reply With Quote