Fovrfeld Cemetery in Esbjerg: War Graves and Local Stories

Fovrfeld Cemetery in Esbjerg: War Graves and Local Stories

At Fovrfeld Cemetery in Esbjerg, local lives connect with the history of the Second World War. Allied airmen, soldiers in German service, refugees and Soviet prisoners of war are buried here. A large memorial also commemorates local seafarers, resistance fighters and other Esbjerg residents who lost their lives during the war.

Join me on a guided walk to discover the people behind the names. Who were they, how did they die, and why did Fovrfeld become their final resting place? We hear about Allied airmen shot down over Denmark and refugee families who arrived during the final months of the war.

At the German war graves, I tell the stories of soldiers who died while serving in Denmark, whether from illness, accidents or the effects of the war. We also hear about the German soldiers who lost their lives clearing mines along Denmark's west coast after the liberation.

At the memorial to the local dead, we explore the stories of seafarers who lost their lives at sea and the resistance movement in Esbjerg.

Along the way, we also look at how the cemetery has changed since the occupation. The design of its graves and memorials tells a story of bereaved families, former enemies and changing ways of remembering the dead.