French War Cemetery Mainz

An area at the top of the slope of the cemetery was given over to the French garrison of occupation after WW1. In the centre of this cemetery in 1919 was constructed a tall 14 m high red sandstone obelisk. On a pedestal in front of the obelisk stands a white marble statue of a draped female wearing a French steel helmet and carrying a placard with oak wreath. On both sides of the monument are the gravestones of 404 garrison soldiers (268 on the left and 136 on the right) and 6 French citizens. The tombs were originally marked only by wooden crosses but these were replaced with sandstone tombstones, one type for Christians (with a cross) and one type for Muslims.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Andy Pegler
• Photos: Andy Pegler