Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines National Cemetery
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
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In this region of France, position warfare raged and was tailored to the lie of the land. The soldiers dug out bunkers and built specific transport networks (funicular, cable cars, railways) as well as telephone and telegraph communications networks. Unable to dislodge the enemy, each soldier resorted to mine warfare, which lasted throughout the war.
Located on Hajus Hill, Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines National Cemetery contains the bodies of 248 French soldiers, including 122 unknown soldiers buried in two ossuaries (45 and 77 soldiers respectively), and two Russian prisoners (graves 109 and 110). Most of these men were killed during the offensives of August to October 1914. In 1935, the graves of soldiers buried in the municipal cemeteries of Aubure and Lièpvre were moved to this site.
Four bodies of people killed during the Second World War are buried here. Three of them are soldiers killed in June 1940 and the other is a member of the resistance movement, François Artz (grave 46), who was shot dead by occupying troops in November 1944.
Close by is a German cemetery, which was built in December 1916, and which contains the graves of 1,036 people who were killed during the Great War and 136 during the Second World War.
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
La nécropole nationale de Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines. © ECPAD
Combats dans les Vosges, 1915. © MINARM/GGA/DMCA/Joëlle Rosello
Inspection du général de Puydraguin, front des Vosges, février 1915. © Collections BDIC
Ruines du village de Saales. © Collections BDIC
Bataillon de chasseurs sur la route de Planfaing, aux environs de Habeaurupt, février 1916. © Collections BDIC
Cote 607 et les positions allemandes photographiées d'un créneau de tir. © Collections BDIC
En Alsace. Dessin de George Scott représentant un officier français accueilli par une Alsacienne, après quarante-quatre ans d'annexion à l'empire allemand. © Collection privée - FBN - DR
Transport de la soupe par dos d'ânes, front des Vosges. © Collections BDIC
Soldats français faisant une halte au col de la Schlucht. © Collections BDIC
Prise d'armes au Lac Noir. © Collections BDIC
Practical information
Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines
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