LUNEBURGER HEIDE

English Lneburg Heath region, Lower Saxony Land (state), north-central Germany, between the Aller and Elbe rivers. Its main character is that of a broad saddleback running for 55 mi (89 km) in a southeastnorthwest direction with a mean elevation of about 250 ft (75 m) and a high point, Wilseder Berg, of 554 ft. Its soil is quartz sand, chiefly covered with heather and brushwood. In the north and in the deep valleys are extensive forests of oak, birch, and beech; in the south, fir and larch forests have been planted. The heather is mixed with broom, gorse, and juniper, the latter often forming small pyramidal cypress-like trees. Though the climate is raw and rich soil is rare, the heath is not infertile. The main products are potatoes, bilberries, cranberries, and honey. There is controlled grazing of sheep (the famous Heidschnucke breed). The district is also remarkable for numerous megaliths, huge undressed stones popularly called Hnengrber (graves of giants), and a countryside with many picturesque farmhouses built in the typical old Lower Saxon style in red brickwork and oak beams with thatched roofs. Large parts of the heath are under the protection of the federal German government as a preserve. Interlaced with footpaths, it is popular hiking country. It is also crossed by important rail and road routes. Lneburger Heide was the site of the German surrender (May 4, 1945) to Field Marshal Bernard (later Lord) Montgomery, commander of the British-Canadian forces in northern Europe.