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American Battle Monuments Commission
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Somme American Cemetery

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Discover the history

Discover the History of Somme American Cemetery

The World War I Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in France is sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardie countryside.

The 14.3-acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of our military dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British armies, or in operations near Cantigny. The headstones, set in regular rows, are separated into four plots by paths that intersect at the flagpole near the top of the slope. The longer axis leads to the chapel at the eastern end of the cemetery.

A massive bronze door surmounted by an American eagle leads into the chapel, whose outer walls contain sculptured pieces of military equipment. Once inside, light from a cross-shaped crystal window above the marble altar bathes the subdued interior with light. The walls bear the names of 333 of the missing. A rosette marks the name of the soldier listed on the Walls of the Missing that has since been recovered and identified.

Somme American Cemetery is situated a half mile southwest of the village of Bony (Aisne), France, which is one and half miles west of highway D1044, 13 miles north of St. Quentin and 14 miles southwest of Cambrai.

Background

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, and began deploying troops to Europe in 1918.

Initially, some American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) divisions were placed under British and French command, but General John J. Pershing insisted that American troops fight as independent units within Allied operations.

In the Somme sector, American divisions played a key role in major offensives against German positions, particularly in breaking through the Hindenburg Line—Germany’s most fortified defensive position on the Western Front.

The U.S. 1st Division led the first American division-size offensive at Cantigny on May 28, 1918, while elements of the 33rd and 80th Divisions assisted the British in reducing the Amiens salient in July-August. In September 1918, the U.S. 27th and 30th Divisions were placed in front of the Hindenburg Line, engaging in intense fighting near St. Quentin Canal.

By September 29, American forces, alongside British and Australian troops, broke through the Hindenburg Line, setting the stage for final Allied offensives leading to the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

The AEF in the Somme Sector, May 28 – October 24, 1918
The AEF in the Somme Sector, May 28 – October 24, 1918

Burial Search

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Trip Planning Resources

Somme American Cemetery Brochure

Somme American Cemetery Brochure

World War I Battlefield Companion

World War I Battlefield Companion

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe: World War I

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe: World War I

Driving Routes of Interest - Somme American Cemetery

Driving Routes of Interest – Somme American Cemetery, Hindenburg Line and Saint-Quentin Canal

ABMC Sites commémoratifs

ABMC Sites commémoratifs

ABMC and the Unknown Soldier (thumbnail)

ABMC and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1921-2021

Cover of the ABMC Commemorative Sites Booklet publication

ABMC Commemorative Sites Booklet

Photos

American and French flags were placed at every headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
American and French flags were placed at every headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American soldier stands next to a headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American soldier stands next to a headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American officer delivers remarks from the podium during the World War I Centennial Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery to Mark the 1st American Offensive. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American officer delivers remarks from the podium during the World War I Centennial Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery to Mark the 1st American Offensive. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of an American Honor Guard dressed as Doughboys for the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of an American Honor Guard dressed as Doughboys for the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Attendees stood during the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Attendees stood during the 2018 Memorial Day Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American soldier stands next to a headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American soldier stands next to a headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American officer delivers remarks from the podium during the World War I Centennial Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery to Mark the 1st American Offensive. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An American officer delivers remarks from the podium during the World War I Centennial Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery to Mark the 1st American Offensive. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of an American Honor Guard dressed as Doughboys for the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of an American Honor Guard dressed as Doughboys for the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
American and French flags were placed at every headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
American and French flags were placed at every headstone at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of the official party laid wreaths during the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
Members of the official party laid wreaths during the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery. Photo credit: Chantal Mistral-Bernard/American Battle Monuments Commission.
An Army officer delivers remarks during the 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery.
An Army officer delivers remarks during the 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony at Somme American Cemetery.

Contact Us

Somme American Cemetery
American Cemetery
02420
Bony
France
49° 59' 6" N , 3° 12' 48" E
+33 (0)3 23 66 87 20
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