Cambridge American Cemetery United Kingdom

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Dedicated:

1956

Location

United Kingdom

Burials:

3,812

Missing in Action:

5,127

Acres:

30.50

Publications

ABMC Commemorative Sites Booklet (pdf) (link is external)

Cambridge American Cemetery Memorial Visitor Booklet (pdf) (link is external)

Cambridge American Cemetery Visitor Brochure (pdf) (link is external)

Contact Us

Cambridge American Cemetery

Coton
CB23 7PH

Cambridge

United Kingdom

tel Phone: +44 (0)1954 210 350

Contact

ABMC Headquarters
2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
703-696-6900

Visiting Hours

The cemetery and the visitor center are open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites. The cemetery, visitor center and car park are fully wheelchair-accessible. All visitor services at the cemetery are free.

Last updated: February 21, 2017

The Avenue, which connects Madingley village with the A14, will be partially closed beginning February 20, 2017. The section of road...

Overview

The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial site in England, 30.5 acres in total, was donated by the University of Cambridge. It lies on a slope with the west and south sides framed by woodland. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,812 of our military dead; 5,127 names are recorded on the Tablets of the Missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Most died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe.

From the flagpole platform near the main entrance, the great mall with its reflecting pools stretches eastward. It is from the mall that the wide, sweeping curve of the burial area across the lawn is best appreciated. Along the south side are the Tablets of the Missing, and at the far end is the memorial with a chapel, two huge military maps, stained glass windows bearing the state seals and military decorations, and a mosaic ceiling memorial honoring the dead of our air forces.

A new, 4,000-square-foot center visitor center opened in May 2014. Through interpretive exhibits that incorporate personal stories, photographs, films, and interactive displays, visitors will gain a better understanding of this critical campaign that contributed to the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. Download the free Cambridge American Cemetery smartphone app for suggested tours of the cemetery, maps, history, and other important details about the site.

History

BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

The Battle of the Atlantic was the prolonged campaign to secure Allied shipping from German U-boats and other threats in the Atlantic Ocean from 1939 through 1945. From the outbreak of World War II, German U-boats in the Atlantic attacked merchant ships on their way to Great Britain. They sank a great many merchant vessels and threatened to cut off Great Britain from vital sources of supply. In response to these attacks, Britain and its Allies instituted a transatlantic convoy system escorted by naval vessels. From 1939 through 1941, the United States transitioned from relative isolation to become increasingly involved in securing portions of these maritime routes.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States became an Allied power and a full belligerent. At first, shipping losses surged as the Germans expanded their U-Boat campaign into vulnerable American waters. Here they found under-prepared and under-protected shipping. The success of the Allied war effort depended on moving troops and supplies across vast oceans. Naval operations prioritized escort, armed guard, and antisubmarine operations. New technologies like radar, sonar and improved depth charges entered service, and merchant ships increasingly traveled in convoys protected by combatant escorts.

Directions

GPS Coordinates: N52 13.020 E0 03.320

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Print Directions

Cambridge American Cemetery is situated three miles west of the university city of Cambridge, England.
Coton
CB23 7PH
Cambridge
United Kingdom

Travel via Car:
Travel via highway A-1303, north of London.

Travel via Train:
Cambridge may be reached by train from the King's Cross and Liverpool Street stations. Travel time is about one hour.

Travel via Airplane:
London is about 60 miles from the cemetery.

Travel via Public Transportation:
Taxis are available at the Cambridge rail station.

Lodging:
Hotels are available in Cambridge.

Accessibility:
For those who may need special parking, wheelchair accessibility, etc., learn more about the accessibility of Cambridge American Cemetery.

Free Visitor Services:
All visitor services at Cambridge American Cemetery are completely free. Entry is free. Group tours are available for free. To schedule a group tour, contact the cemetery.