Eiken Churchyard

• Country Norway
• Total identified casualties 3 Find these casualties
• Identified casualties from Second World War
• GPS Coordinates Latitude: 58.47846, Longitude: 7.20872

Location information

Eiken lies about 55 kilometres north of the south coast town of Mandal. From the E39 at Lygdal turn onto the 43 in the direction of Eiken and follow the 43 to the junction with the 42. At this junction turn left to Eiken. On entering the village the church can clearly be seen on the side of the main road. The collective Commonwealth war grave is located to the left rear of the church.

History information

During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards. Eiken Churchyard contains the collective grave of three Commonwealth airmen, who were shot down on 21 December 1944.