Staffordshire's Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery, the final resting place for nearly 5,000 German and Austrian prisoners of war from both World Wars, is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a German parachutist seen hanging from a tree.
Cemetery Established in 1959
The cemetery was created in 1959 after an agreement between the UK and German governments to consolidate all German military remains buried across Britain into a single site. It is now maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Notable Burials and Ghostly Sightings
Among those interred are Second World War field marshal Ernst Busch and Luftwaffe flying ace Hans Hahn. The site holds 4,747 graves, primarily German and Austrian, along with Ukrainian volunteers who served with German forces.
Local historian Richard Pursehouse has documented ghostly sightings in the area, including a German parachutist spotted hanging from a tree near the A34. "A couple were coming home and they looked into the darkness and saw hanging from a tree, a German parachutist stuck there in all his ropes," he said.
Visitor Information
The cemetery operates with seasonal opening hours throughout the year, welcoming visitors to pay their respects and learn about this unique historical site.
For the full story, read: Inside Midlands prisoner of war cemetery where 'Nazi ghost' lurks in trees.
