Berlin - Invalidenfriedhof - my visit and photographic documentation

[Claudio]

Dear Forumites,

I'd like to post some nice images of my visit of the Invaliden Cemetery in Berlin, a kind of "Arlington" cemetery, where some of the most important military personalities, noble families and highly decorated officers are buried (see also http://www.foerderverein-invalidenfriedhof.de/ ).

Let's begin with Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, PLM-Träger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lothar_von_Arnauld_de_la_Perière

Enjoy!

ciao,

Claudio

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

Werner Freiherr von Fritsch, Generaloberst, Oberbefehlaber des Heeres (1935-38)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_von_Fritsch

Main website of the family von Fritsch (heraldry):

http://main.vonfritsch.de/index.php/geschichte-mainmenu-55?start=2

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

This one is not dedicated to a military personality or hero, but nonetheless a beautiful tombstone with a delicate and at the same time massive sculpture of Eduard Julius Ludwig Nolte (1859 –1908) Generaldirektor der „Neuen Gas AG“

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

Monumental tombstone of Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst, born 12.11.1755, died 28.06.1813

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_von_Scharnhorst

Königlich preußischer Generalleutnant und Generalquartiermeister der Armee

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

Tombstone of Johannes Friedrich "Hans" von Seeckt, born 22.04.1866, died 27.12.1936, commanding General of the newly build Reichsheer and the forefather of the German Wehrmacht. To me he was the epitome of the perfect Prussian officer, discipline and sense of duty and fidelity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Seeckt

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

Tombstone of Hans Karl von Winterfeldt (*04.04.1707 - †08.09.1757), Prussian Lieutenant General and close friend of Frederik II "The Great"

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Karl_von_Winterfeldt

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Claudio]

von Witzleben, F.A.

Generalleutnant und Divisionkommandeur

von Witzleben, Ernst Job Wilhelm *20.07.1783 - †09.07.1837

Königlich preußischer Generalleutnant und Generaladjutant, Staats- und Kriegsminister.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_von_Witzleben_(Generalleutnant)

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[Chris Boonzaier]

Fantastic!

I cannot remember offhand... was von Eichhorn buried there?

[Claudio]

Hi Chris!

I am glad that you like this thread... according to wikipedia http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_von_Eichhorn is Generalfeldmarschall Emil Gottfried Hermann von Eichhorn also buried in the Invalidenfriedhof in Berlin, but I have to confess I haven't seen it... not even the tombstone of the Red Baron Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen... (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_von_Richthofen). I focused myself on the most decorative tombstones, I am afraid! :-(

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[IrishGunner]

Every time I see a thread like this, I wish I had been a serious militaria collector in the early 80s when I posted to Berlin for three years; instead of being a coin collector. Oh, the things I likely missed out on...

[Claudio]

Oberst Werner Mölder RK des EK mit Eichenlaub, Schwerter und Brillanten (*18.03.1913 - †22.11.1941)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Mölders

It was really weird... we were at his tombstone on Sunday 17.03. just one day before his day of death... what a coincidence!!! Somebody had already placed a flower wreath on his tomb... very moving! He's still very much remembered by his family...

Edited March 23, 2013 by Claudio

[sambolini]

Hi,

Great photos, thanks for posting. I would love to visit myself someday. So many historical personalities in one place, what a sense of history must be there. I've always been amazed that the Soviets did not desecrate the graves/bodies after taking Berlin. It was something they often did, though not always for ideological reasons, but at times in the search for valuables that might be buried with the individuals. A few instances; Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (ironically, he was a Russian ally), Carin Goring, even Mary Vetsera ( Crown Prince Rudolph’s mistress in suicide). The latter two were probably in a search for valuables.

Kind regards,

Sam K.

[Douglas Jr.]

What a great virtual tour.

So many historical names in one place.

Thanks a lot for sharing.

Douglas

[ccj]

Very interesting... Some of those are spectacular.

[Alex K]

I agree with comments made, I would love to make a visit one day.

I understand that the cemetery was eventually divided by the Berlin Wall, and many of the graves on the "Soviet side" were cleared as a clear security space, is anyone able to confirm this? There are obviously other graves which have been "Cleared" due to Nazi links, the most prominent was Reinhard Heydrich who may or may not be still in there somewhere, his grave marker which was made of wood only until a victorious conclusion of the war when a more permament edifice could be erected, was presumably removed by the Soviets,

A map showing what I believe to be original line of the Berlin Wall

Edited March 28, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Hi Chris!

I am glad that you like this thread... according to wikipedia http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_von_Eichhorn is Generalfeldmarschall Emil Gottfried Hermann von Eichhorn also buried in the Invalidenfriedhof in Berlin, but I have to confess I haven't seen it... not even the tombstone of the Red Baron Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen... (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_von_Richthofen). I focused myself on the most decorative tombstones, I am afraid! :-(

Generalfeldmarschall Emil Gottfried Hermann von Eichhorn also buried in the Invalidenfriedhof

Not wishing to overshadow an excellent thread but attached Von Eichhorn in all his splendour

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello:

First off sincere thanks to Claudio for this excellent post with the many pictures.

For any one interested in more historical details an Internet search of Invalidenfriedhof will give good results in at least English and German languages. The Wikipedia examples shown give a very good indication. A search includesofficial sites. It is stated that at one time about 30000 grave sites were included with a subsequent sizable reduction over the years since its beginning under the reign of Frederick the Great to some few hundreds presently.

Bernhard H. Holst

[Claudius]

Thank you Claudio for this walking tour of these cemetery sites.

I really like how you presented the tombstone along side a photo of the man. It really emphasizes how "this is the man, (you know what he did during life), and this is where is laid to rest."

If you chose to continue in the Invalidenfriedhof, or go to another cemetery, I look forward to your next photographic visit.