Reichswald Forest War Cemetery

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery was created after the Second World War when burials were brought in from all over western Germany and is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the country. Some of those members of the land forces buried there died in the advance through Reichswald Forest in February 1945. Others died crossing the Rhine, among them members of the airborne forces whose bodies were brought from Hamminkeln, where landings were made by the 6^th Airborne Division from bases in England. Some of the airmen buried in the cemetery lost their lives in supporting the advance into Germany, but most died earlier in the war in the intensive air attacks over Germany. Their graves were brought in from cemeteries and isolated sites in the surrounding area. There are now 7,594 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 176 of the burials are unidentified. There are also 78 war graves of other nationalities, most of them Polish. Special Memorials to 9 airmen are located at the East boundary wall, near Plot 10. Further Special Memorials to 7 airmen are located within Plot 31, near the Cross of Sacrifice.

Directions

The town of Kleve lies in the west of Germany close to the Dutch border, approx 130 kilometres to the north west of Köln, and approx 25 kilometres to the west of Nijmegen. From the A57 motorway Köln to Goch take exit 2 (Ausfahrt 2) Kleve / Goch-West and follow the signs for Kleve. After approx 2 kilometres turn left onto the B504 and follow the direction Kranenburg. Continue for approx 7 kilometres and then turn right (CWGC sign) onto the Grünewaldstrasse, direction Kleve Continue for approx 3.5nkilometres and the cemetery can be found on the right. The cemetery address is:- Grünewaldstrasse 47533 Kleve, Germany.

GPS Location is:- N 51 44 21 E 06 04 48.