Radan Soldatenfriedhof
Location
The Radan Soldatenfriedhof is situated a kilometre to the east of the village of Bellefontaine on the N895.
It is sign posted from the village at its southern entrance.
There is an area where a vehicle can be parked and turned immediately after the cemetery near an information board (Which explains the numerous walks that can be undertaken around the village).
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 49.66424 | 5.51541 | Map |
Historical Information
The wood saw heavy fighting during the battle for the village of Bellefontaine on the 22nd August 1914.
The cemetery was initially created by the Germans in May 1917.
It contains the bodies of 521 Frenchmen and 502 Germans.
Almost every grave is marked 22nd August 1914
The plaque on the front of
the monument reads
EHRE-DEN
TAPFERN
DIE IHR LEBEN
HINGABEN FÜR
IHR VATERLAND
HONNEUR AUX
BRAVES
QUI ONT DONNE
LEUR VIE POUR
LEUR
PATRIE
Honour to the heroes
who gave their lives
for their country
It is a shame that it is difficult to identify the regiments of the German soldiers who lie in their cemeteries. The information is not readily available.
There is only slightly more detail available for the French soldiers but many of those here are from the 120e Régiment d’Infanterie.
Soldat Camille Vincent
120e RI
Born on 22nd August 1890
Died on 22nd August 1914
(his 24th birthday)
Native of Achiet le Petit (Somme)
Grave: 383
Soldat Lucien Henquinet
120e RI
Born on 11th May 1893
Died on 22nd August 1914 aged 21
Native of Mouillepont (Meuse)
Grave: 382
Caporal Jules Morel
120e RI
Died on 22nd August 1914
Grave: 366
Sous Lieutenant Marcel Franceschi
120e RI
Born 20th April 1889
Died on 22nd August 1914 aged 25
Native of Paris
Grave: 313
Leutnant Otto Haenisch
Died on 22nd August 1914
Grave: 2/433
Lieutenant Richter
5è Cuirassiers
Died on 12th May 1940
Grave: 356
On the 10th May 1940 the 5è Division Légère de Cavalerie which included Lieutenant Richter’s regiment entered Belgium advancing towards Arlon in what would prove to be a repeat of 1914.
Having crossed the border at 0800 hours they encountered the German forces an hour later. Despite holding out until the 12th May the French were pushed back into France.