Kleinhau, Jan.17, 2007
Honouring and Reminding in Hürtgenwald
(Robert Hellwig, Historical society)
Everybody in this region knows how the last World War has raged especially in the
Hürtgen Forest and thus the present community of Hürtgenwald. Everybody knows
how devastated and destroyed the villages with their fields and woods have been afterwards.
Everybody knows that many thousands of soldiers have been killed here on both sides and
that a multiple of this number have been wounded. One also knows that many residents of
our villages have been killed or wounded during the combats and especially after the war
through the dangerous remains of this rage. There is no way of stating an exact number
of casualties and it is not necessary either.
However, it is important to be reminded of the victims and of the causes which have led
to that tragedy. This is why there have been set visible marks in Hürtgenwald which are
supposed to be memorials as well as reminders: "It must never happen again!"
We are hardly aware of how many of these memorials there are and at which places they
are to be found.
Of course, the two big military cemeteries are not be overseen and known to everybody,
and also the museum "Hürtgenwald 44 und im Frieden" does not have to be mentioned
here. However, there are more than thirty honouring and reminding signs which have been
set up as plaques or side-road crosses, some of these unobtrusive and discreet. Some people
know of a few or more but hardly anyone could name all of these.
Some of these which are known to everybody are to be found in almost all local areas
and maybe that is the reason why those signs do not find much attention. Those which are
to be found in the surrounding woods of the villages involved in combats, find even less
attention.
Most of these remind of a very particular incident, but all have the same purpose.
This is just a try to make them all known:
Table of contents of the memorials
Kleinhau
Brunnenau-cross
The "Madonna"
Plaque of the 46. Arm.Inf.Btl/5.USArm.Div.
Wayside shrine "UNSERE LIEBE FRAU VOM HAU"
Window of the chapel
Tomb of an unknown soldier
Window pane in the porch of the chapel
Cross for five GIs of the 4. Inf.Div.
Großhau
Kalverberg cross
Weather vane of the Appollonia church
Bergstein
Burgardt cross
Alwin Hoven memorial stone
Hürtgen
Linzenich cross
Memorial Plaque for Lieutenant Lengfeld
Old Hundsbach cross
Vossenack
Sühnekirche (church of expiation) St. Joseph
Fatima Madonna (church of expiation)
Michael bell
Church window
Detail in the church door (church of expiation)
Crucifixionsgroup (community cemetery)
Splitterkreuz (cross made of shrapnel)
Windhund monument (memorial cemetery)
Illustrated and inscribed Plaque for Julias Erasmus (memorial cemetery)
Memorial stone for Julius Erasmus (memorial cemetery)
Memorial stone for the victims of the East (memorial cemetery)
Raffelsbrand
McArthuer-Tree (Höhenschneise /mountain lane)
Memorial stone at the "Ochsenkopfweg"
Memorial plaque for Robert Cahow
Grave mound at the place where Robert Cahow was found
Simonskall
Memorial plaque in the Klafterbach valley
The Fallen (Marienkapelle / St.Marys chapel)
Memorial Plaque of the LWFestBtl.XXIV
Friedenskreuz / Cross of peace (Road from Vossenack)
Mestreng
Memorial Plaque for Peter Dohr
Sculpture on the bridge over the Kall River
Memorial Plaque explaining details of the sculpture "A time for healing"
Gey
Memorial Plaque at the former site of a Synagoge (Broichstraße 5)
Summary
Brunnenau Cross (Hoppenhardt in Kleinhau)
The plain wooden cross has been set up at the left hand side of the road which leads from
the former farmstead "Hoppenhardt" toward the direction of the "Wegweiser", close to 100 metres behind the junction where the Madonna is located. It is surrounded by dense Ilex bushes. In 1968 a German soldier has been found here not yet buried. He could be identified. His name was Edgar Brunnenau, born in Windau, Letvia on May 4, 1903. On March 21, 1968
he has been buried in grave 2946 on the Memorial Cemetery of Hürtgen. The entry on the
grave list reads "A 313 Lluftd.III WU" explaining division, rank and identification tag.
He probably belonged to the "Luftwaffenfestungsbatallion" XVIII. This air force battalion
fought here during the last days of November, 1944, when Kleinhau had been seized.
Until Nov. 21 it was attached to the 275., until Nov. 27. to the 344. and from then on to
the 353. infantry division. This shows the wicked confusion which dominated in those days.
- Illustration Brunnenau cross - (21.3 ho, 28.4 re)
Residents and visitors look after this cross, cut the Ilex around it regularly and place
flowers there.
The "Madonna" (Hoppenhardt in Kleinhau)
The pieta in the wayside shrine set up in 1955 is called "Madonna" by the residents
of Kleinhau. In the family of the shrine owner it is also called Madonna referring to
Mr. Waldow, a grandson of Mrs. Sandmann. The same information has been given
by the regional forester. He had stated, that Mrs. Sandmann had bought the figure in
the early 50ies in Italy. Nobody knows anything about its value in art or material.
It is also not sure of which material it exists. A few years ago forester Axnik said
that this figure was an original piece from the 12. century and carved of stone and
that Mrs. Sandmann had bought it in 1955 in Florence for a large amount of money.
Illustration "Madonna" - (21.3 ho, 28.3 re)
Mrs. Sandmann has set up the wayside shrine for her fallen son Wolfgang and for all
soldiers on both sides of the war who had been killed in her forests. Mr. von Waldow
has recently set up a memorial plaque with the following epigraph:
In memory of my son Wolfgang
who died in Norway
and in memory of the many German and American soldiers
who have been killed here in the "Gieschhardt" district
in the second World War.
Maria Sandmann
Disregarding the actual origin, the pieta has an imaginary value to the people of Kleinhau.
It has been set up at one of the most beautiful places of the village.
The "Buchen" chapel and the nearby memorial cross mentioned before, which also
brings the frightful time of war to our minds, complete the overall image of this place.
The enchanting character of this place has always been a center of attraction for the
people of Kleinhau. Visitors are surprised by the idyllic atmosphere when they pass by
this place. Part of the reason herefore is its weatherprotected location as well as the
closeness to the woods and to the village. This place is relatively easy to reach for
children with their grandparents, for handicapped and older people. A bench invites
to sit down and rest.
Memorial Plaque of the 5. American Tank Division (Townhall Hürtgenwald in Kleinhau)
A bronze plaque of the 5. US Tank Division is mounted on one of the columns at the
town hall main entrance. It has been unveiled on Sept. 15, 1994 by veterans of this
division on a ceremonial occasion.
Most of the time Nov. 29, 1944 is mentioned as the date of seizure of Kleinhau.
Nov. 30. is stated on this plaque. Both of these dates are correct because Kleinhau
has actually been seized twice. The CCR of the 5. US Infantry Division has pushed
forward starting from Hürtgen on the overland route and the ford and at the same time
going far back over the upper Hürtgenwald valley, the "Forsthaus" Kleinhau and the
"Auel". It was their 47. Infantry Bat. and the 10. Tank Bat. both under the command of
the 8. US Infantry Division. On the night of Nov. 29, the day after the seizure of Hürtgen
they reported that the village had been taken. For safety reasons the infantry soldiers
retreated for the night towards the West into the woods. The tanks stayed in the village
until the next morning and then also were drawn back into the woods. The 8. US Infantry
Division itself overtook the protection of the seized territory.
- Illustration: Memorial Plaque of the 46. Arm.Inf.Btl/5.US Arm.Div. – (20.8 ho, 27.9 re)
The final capture of Großhau was scheduled for Nov. 30. by the 4. US Infantry Division under the command of the CC A of the 5. Tank Division. The plan was that the 46. Inf.Btl.
of the CC A should pass Großhau and occupy Kleinhau. The main intent was to secure hill 401.3 and to push forward over the road towards "Schafberg". There, a starting position was
to be set up to push forward to Straß and further into the valley of the Rur River. The division had not been informed that a.m. troups had left Kleinhau again. Instead they believed that
Kleinhau had been held occupied. They moved on unconcerned through the fields on the East edge of the forest towards their objectives. Under devastating losses –they suffered 40% casualties- they seized Kleinhau again and hill 401.3 by that night. They fulfilled their order in the direction of Schafberg on the next day. The fact that the dividing line of the corps ran between the 4. and the 8. Inf. Div. was probably the reason for this misunderstanding.
Burgardt Cross (Bergstein, in der Dorshart)
On April 21, 1954 forester Ewald Burgardt was killed here in his own quarter by a mine.
Burgardt was born on Aug. 4, 1912. Men and women had worked there in the plantation
and a fire was burning. The forester stayed there, after the workers had gone home and
then the accident happened. He could not be helped any more.
- Illustration: Burgardt cross - (17.1 ho, 30.8 re)
Memorial stone for Alwin Hoven
If you follow the circuit path clockwise, leading around the bottom of the "Burgberg" in Bergstein you will find a large sand stone on the left hand side of the path which has been erected in memory of Alwin Hoven, who has been killed by a mine. The inscription also reminds of all residents of Bergstein who had lost their lives in the war from 1944 until1954. It is not mentioned on this plaque that the victims were children who had been killed there in Nov. 1945. 8-year-old Günther Braun, 8-year-old Alwin Hoven and the just
6 year-old Günther Jansen had gone to the Burgberg in order to look for pine cones.
Unfortunately they stepped on one of the wires which had been insidiously connected to
mines and thus caused an explosion which was fatal for them. Paul Braun only lived for
another few hours and died on the way to the hospital. Alwin Hoven had been seriously
injured and died a few months later in the hospital. Günther Jansen survived with serious
injuries.
- Illustration: Alwin Hoven Stone - (17.9 ho, 31.3 re)
Large glass window (Chapel Kleinhau)
An architect from Düren, H.Richartz, has designed the "Hürtgenwaldgedächtsniskapelle"
(memorial chapel of the Hürtgen forest), which is one of the National preserved buldings.
It has been inaugurated on Okt. 4, 1970. People who visit this chapel will
be reminded of the terrible things that happened during the war. These outrages are also
the subject of the painting on the large window, made by glass painter Paul Franz Bonnekamp (Inden).
The details of the painting are best to be seen with the morning sun shining on it.
The dominating angel of peace which fills up the whole middle part of the window
holds a sword in its hand which it has taken from mankind to make them never
break the peace again.
- Illustration: Window of the chapel - (21.0 ho, 27.7 re)
Even after having looked at the picture quite often one will always find more details on the outer part of the window which have not been noticed before, and which in opposition to the angel produce a rather depressing impression on the viewer. The most various traces of the war appear in grey and black on a lighter background.
Tomb of an unknown soldier (Chapel Kleinhau)
On the outside under this window a sarcophagus made of basalt flagstones has been
placed in an open hall of the chapels gable. It is a grave and is inscribed as follows:
"Ein unbekannter Soldat der Hürtgenwaldschlacht" /An unknown soldier of the
Hürtgenwald battle
The corpse of Christ above the sarcophagus has been made by the sculptor
Gerhard Kluckow from Düren. At one time the corpse wore a halo of barbed wire.
The dates of the two World Wars are shown underneath. On the "Volkstrauertag"
(National day of mourning) the people of the village commemorate at this place the
victims of the violence and the terror of war and also of the atrocities of the present.
- Illustration: Tomb of an unknown soldier - (21.ho, 27.7 re)
The helmet on top of the tomb, already missing since years, has been stolen and replaced
several times. The first helmet that has been lost supposedly belonged to
Ernest Hemingway who took part in the battles against Großhau and Kleinhau
as a war reporter of the 4. US Inf. Div. There existed a connection to him through an
American Lady, Mildred Thompson, who lived in Langerwehe at that time. She was
an artist and she created two small window panes in the West side wall of the chapel.
She was said to have been aquainted or befriended with the author.
Small glass window (Chapel Kleinhau)
In 1969, Hemingways brother Leicester has written a book with the title "My brother
Ernest". One quotation from this book indicates that Hemingway took part in the
battles of the 4.Inf.Div. in the Hürtgen forest and it is written down on the pane of
the little window in the porch of the chapel.
Ernest (=Hemingway)
came back again to the Fourth and witnessed the beginning of
the unbelievably difficult and deadly frontal attack of the Hürtgen forest on Nov. 16,
(1944). On the 27. the 22. regiment took Großhau and there was only one deadly forest
strip to be overcome.
Ric 69
From Leicester "My brother Ernest"
- Illustration Window pane in the porch wall of the chapel - (21.0 ho, 27.7 re)
This window has also been designed by Paul Franz Bonnekamp and has been
donated by the architect Richartz (see "Ric 69").
Memorial cross for the Fallen (on the very top of the "Kalverberg")
In 1981 a cross has been set up of a striking shiny white colour, far visible
from the dam, which is dedicated to the soldiers who have been killed in the
Hürtgen forest. After the war it has been set up at the place where Joh. Thevissen
and others had found and recovered a fallen person. At that time the cross was
also far visible just as it is now. After it had been reerected once more in 1973 it had
to give way to the construction of the dam for the time being. A Großhau resident,
Forester Dieter Fink, had it stored and redone. Then, in June 1981 it has been set up
again at its present place after the celebration of a mass by a group of people from
Schevenhütte. The local Newspaper (AVZ) wrote a comment about it on June 22, 1981.
In 2005 it has been redone again by residents from Schevenhütte.
- Illustration: Kalverberg Cross - (24.4 ho, 24.5 re)
Memorial Cross for four killed American soldiers ("Siedlung" Kleinhau
at the edge of the forest)
West of Kleinhau at the edge of the forest there is a small and plain wooden cross
to be found. It has been set up there by Americans in November 1999, probably family
members of the soldiers named on the plaque. At first there was an American helmet still
fixed on top of the stem of the cross. This helmet has not been eaten by a wild boar but
a two-legged creature took a fancy to it.
- Illustration: Cross for five GI’s of the 4.Inf. Div. – (21.2 ho, 26.9 re)
The kind of wood of the cross and especially the handwriting on the plaque points to the
fact that the cross has probably been brought to Europe just as it is standing there now.
The text reads:
ANKER´S MG Squad, Co H 22nd Inf.Rgt. 4. ID
Nov. 26, 1944, entire squad was made casualties in the battle for Grosshau.
Sgt. Normann N. Anker, killed
PFC Benjamin Troncone, killed
PFC Donald L. Sell, killed
Pvt. Enfal Matt, killed
PFC William H. Cooke, wounded (died 1985)
God rest their souls
Nov. 26, 1999, Hürtgen Forest
In November 1944 the 4. US. Inf. Div. fought in Hürtgenwald. On Nov. 30 they occupied Groβhau after battles in which many lives were lost. In his book "Über den Fluβ und in die Wälder" ("Across the River and into the Trees"), Ernest Hemingway, who was in the battles as a reporter, recounts the details of these battles.
The bullet riddled weathervane (Parish Church Grosshau)
As a reminder of freedom and a memorial to the totally destroyed church, the old weathervane was installed on the wall beside the entrance inside St. Apollonia Church. It is believed that the weathervane dates back to the construction of the original church in 1862. The steeple of the original small church was damaged so heavily during a lightening storm on Ascension Day in 1857, that the decision was made to re-construct. Nobody can recall if the weathervane dates back to the much lower steeple (16 m/now 23.5 m).
At the end of November 1944, the whole church, including the steeple, was destroyed during the attacks of the 4. U.S. Infantry-Division. After the war the weathervane was saved from the rubble, bent and damaged. Holes from bullets and shrapnel are visible to this day. Locals remember that the weathervane was used as a target during the war. People seemed to be amused by the fact that the vane would start rotating when hit.
- Illustration: Weathervane, Apolloniakirche - (22.2 ho, 27.7 re)
Although nonferrous metal had a high value and every penny and every pound of bacon was needed to rebuild the church, Pastor Esser recognized the sentimental value of the vane and put it aside. Until the mid 80s only a few people got to see it at gatherings in the meeting room of the vicarage. And since then, it has a special place in the church and can be seen by everyone. As you leave the church, it is mounted at eyelevel on the "Mens side". It serves as a reminder of peace.
Linzenich-Kreuz (Höhenschneise, Rabenheck)
On June 13, 1946 Theo Hellwig from Kleinhau and Franz Linzenich from Hürtgen were moving logs from "Revier 202" at the Hõhenschneise with their big tractors. They hit a mine from a tank, which exploded. Franz Linzenich was killed instantly. He was laid to rest in grave # 2327 at the Memorial Cemetery in Hürtgen, right beside his daughter Maria (born Apr. 24, 1032), grave # 2328, who died as result of the war on Dec. 12, 1944. Theo Hellwig was critically injured. He was transported to hospital in Langerwehe on a logging transporter. He died of his injuries in 1958.
- Illustration: Linzenich Cross - (21.4 ho, 23.3 re)
McArthur-Tree (Höhenschneise, Crossing Pilgerweg)
"The first American in Hürtgenwald" left this carving on the McArthur-Tree. He belonged to the 1.Btl., 39US.Inf.Reg. of the 9. Us.Inf.Div. Their commander, Colonel Thompson and his people left Zweifall on Sep. 19 1944, with the order to reach Hürtgen and, if possible, Kleinhau. There he was supposed to secure a road connection to Düren, and at the time connect with the sister-regiment (47.) which had already advanced to Schevenhütte. Nobody before them had advanced in the direction of the present district of Hürtgenwald.
The soldier cut into the bark of the tree:
R. D. McARTHUR
21/ 9/ 44
T E X A S
U S A
- Illustration: McArthur Tree - (18.7 ho, 22.4 re)
Memorial stone for three missed people (Ochsenkopfweg, Raffelsbrand)
In 1976 the two Americans Francis Dempfle and Richard Quick have been found
killed obviously together with a German soldier who could not be identified. The
two Americans could be identified by their ID tags. They had been brought back
home to the United States. The German soldier stayed unidentified and
has been buried in Vossenack. It can be assumed by the date of their death as to
which squad the two Americans belonged.
- Illustration: Memorial Stone at the "Ochsenkopfweg" - (14.1 ho, 23.5 re)
Memorial plaque for PFC. Cahow (Ochenkopf, Raffelbrand)
In the direct vicinity of a.m. stone, hardly 100 metres further, Robert Cahow has
been found and recovered by a clearance troup of war materials after 56 years. He
had been missed since Dec. 13, 1944. He fought in the K Co of the 311. Inf. Reg.
of the 78. Div. He lived to be 28 years old. Since September the Americans fought
at this place in order to obtain access to the dams of the Rur River, which they did
not reach until February 1945. The 78. Inf. Div. did not yet have combat experience.
It was their first operation. Their 311. Reg. was attached to the 8. US Inf. Div. and
they had been assigned the section at the "Ochsenkopf". The 8. Div. was the relieving
squad of the worn out 28. Inf. Div., who had already made their sad experience on
the All Souls Day battle in Nov. 1944. Before that date the 9. Inf. Div.already
fought in this region at the end of September and in October.
- Illustration: Memorial Plaque for Robert Cahow - (14.0 ho, 23.4 re)
In June 2004 a commemoration has been held in memory of the fallen Robert Cahow
and of the sad circumstances of his death. Participants were an astonishing high number
of local residents, political and local officials, the historical society, military representatives
from several Nations and in the first place family members of Robert Cahow.
The Memorial Plaque, set up by the Family of R.Cahow, has been unveiled on this occasion. The plaque is inscribed in English and German.
During the ceremony it has been mentioned that there are still 190 American soldiers still
missing in the former battlefields of the Hürtgen forest.
The place where the soldier was discovered is located easily visible close to the forest path
and following an old tradition visitors place a rock there. In the meantime a considerably high grave mound of rocks has grown there. Further details are given on a board on the little cross.
- Illustration: Grave Mound at the place of discovery of Robert Cahow - (14.0 ho, 23.4 re)
Cross of Peace (Road from the Franziskus Gymnasium to Simonskall)
In the hot summers of 1947 and 1948 the woods of Hürtgenwald, which had been
shot to pieces, burned again and again and often they burned for a longer time.
The causes have been sought in spontaneous combustion through lens effects of
glass fragments or through free phosphorus which is more likely. At nighttime
the sky was coloured red which could be seen from far distances. The efforts to
distinguish the flames were made difficult by exploding munition in these areas.
Sometimes it seemed impossible to accomplish anything and nevertheless an
attempt was made. During one of those attempts, 40 year old head fireman
Remy Stollenwerk died on Aug. 17, 1947. His comrades from the regional
fire department of Kesternich dedicated this monument to him.
- Illustration: Friedenskreuz / Cross of Peace - (15.1 ho, 25.4 re)
Plaque of the LwFestBtl. XXIV (in Simonskall)
On Nov. 16, 2002 family members of the Luftwaffenfestungs-Batallion
(Air Force Battalion) XXIV have erected a Memorial Stone in Simonskall
at the boundary wall of the Kall River between the House of Guest and the
Cremermühle (Cremer Mill). Several of these squads have participated in
Hürtgenwald battles. These soldiers were mostly only 17 or 18 years of age.
Althoug they had been trained for military service in the air force, they
nevertheless had been sent to ground battles as infantry men. They as well
as their commanders were overcharged with the requirements expected from
them. They had been appointed as reserve armies for the infantry divisions worn
out in battles of attrition. In some cases their braveness has been honourably
mentioned but actually they have been used as cannon fodder. In October, the
total number of the battalion had been reduced from 640 to 130 within eight
days. After their withdrawal on Nov. 4, they had become once more considerably
reduced.
There is said to have been a unit of "Translators" from these squads, all of whom
deserted.
- Illustration: Plaque of the LwFestBtl.XXIV - (14.6 ho, 24.9 re)
Ilustrated and inscribed plaque for Julius Erasmus (Memorial Cemetery)
Right at the entrance coming from the parking lot "The Father of the
Memorial Cemetery Vossenack" has been honoured with a plaque with
his picture on it and a written valuation of the services he has rendered
to his comrades in the Hürtgenwald battles by giving them this last home
in honour. His biography is written down on this plaque in English and
German language and also the merits he has earned for establishing the
Memorial Cemetery Vossenack
He himself participated in the actions in the Hürtgen forest as head combat-
engineer. Right after the end of the war in 1945 he has recovered comrades
not yet buried with the help of village people and the minister at that time.
They identified these men if possible and buried them. They buried more
than 1500 killed persons. He noted down sketches and plans and marked the
burial- places with simple wooden crosses. This carefully done work was
the basis for the foundation of the Military Cemetery.
- Illustration: Illustrated and inscribed plaque for Julius Erasmus (15.6 ho, 24.8 re)
Memorial Stone for Julius Erasmus (Memorial Cemetery in Vossenack,
close to the "Hochkreuz" / Main cross).
In front of the Main Cross there has been a twin cross set up in 2005,
on which Erasmus is also honourably mentioned. It is worth to note
that one of the exchanged shell-lime crosses from the Memorial Cemetery
in Hürtgen has been used herefore. The vague assumption that there has been
a rivalry between the former district of Monschau and the district of Düren
during laying out of the cemeteries can definitely and clearly be discarded
by this fact. It probably was a rumour anyway.
- Illustration: Memorial Stone for Julius Erasmus (15.5 ho, 24.7 re)
The stone bears the inscription:
IN MEMORIAM
JULIUS ERASMUS
* 16.2.1895 IN AACHEN
+ 3.9.1971 IN NIDEGGEN-ABENDEN
TOTENGRÄBER (GRAVE-DIGGER) VON VOSSENACK
Stone for the victims in the East (Memorial Cemetery in Vossenack)
It must be honourably mentioned that on the Military Cemetery in Vossenack
there has also been a stone erected which reminds of the victims in the East.
This stone appears rather modest and discreet at the major path to the main
cross and the grave-yard, but it shows that the war not only has raged
terribly here in the Hürtgenwald but among other regions in the East of
Europe as well.
- Illustration: Stone for the victims in the East - (15.6 ho, 24.8 re)
A stone like this has also been set up on the Memorial Cemetery in Hürtgen.
Memorial site for the fallen soldiers of the "Windhunddivision" (next to the
Memorial Cemetery)
On the last weekend of January, 2006 the plaque at the Monument of the "Windhunde" (greyhounds) has been ripped out of its fixing and been stolen. The signs of this deed
of violence and also the place where the plaque was mounted on the pedestal could
easibly be seen for quite a while yet.
It was inscribed with the words:
DEAD SOLDIERS ARE NEVER ALONE
FOR TRUE COMRADES WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THEM
- Illustration: Monument for the "Windhunddivision" (grey hound division) (15,7 ho, 24,7 re)
In the meantime the plaque has been replaced by a plaque of stone.
At the entrance of the Memorial site one can read that the ‘Windhunddivision’
has fought here in the fall of 1944 and that many of them have died in combat.
The site is meant to call for peace.
The whole site, including the twin statue made of bronze by the sculptor
Frau Dr. Suckow, Bonn, has been financed with donations of former members
of this division in 1966. The lot had been bought on easy terms from the former
district of Vossenack. Their mayor, Baptist Palm, has been a member of the 116.
tank division and has fought himself in his home town. Through his engagement
and personal commitment he contributed a considerable share to render this possible:
the "Memorial for our fallen and missing comrades, a Reminder for the survivors
to keep peace", as published in "Der Windhund" from Sept. 1966.
On the "Volkstrauertag" (National Day of Mourning) Nov. 13, 1966 it has been
consecrated ceremonially.
The Crucifixionsgroup (Community cemetery Vossenack)
The crucifixion group created by Father Laurentius Englisch, OFM is known beyond
the borders of the district. Everybody admires it. Vossenack and the district of Hürtgen-
wald can be proud to have such an impressive piece of art. Father Laurentius himself
calls it a "Resurrection Group". The term resurrection suggests peace - eternal peace –
which expects mankind. He strengthens the hope for this kind of peace. Jesus bends
over and reaches out his hand. He wants to help people across to the peace before God.
Just like Maria Magdalena, people reach out their hands towards Jesus in their search
for help and peace.
When looking at this group it might not be noticed right away that it is also a
memorial against war and violence. A plaque however points this out:
MEMORIAL FOR PEACE
8. 5. 1945 - 8. 5. 1985
Remember the Dead -
They remind us to keep peace
- Illustration: Crucifixionsgroup - (16.6 ho, 26.6 re)
The group of crosses was erected in 1985 to replace the weathered wooden cross which had been placed at the location of the cemetery for the soldiers. By 1952 all the victims were moved to their final resting place, the Cemetery of Honor. The group was inaugurated on May 8, 1985, the 40th anniversary of the end of the war. The only thing missing now were The Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist, but they were still added
that same year.
It should be mentioned here that most of the funding for the monumental piece of art came from donations.
The "Sühnekirche" St. Josef in Vossenack
Every church in Hürtgenwald was completely destroyed except the "Bergsteiner Kirche". It had suffered a lot of damage as well, notably holes from bullets aimed at the "Herz-Jesu-
-Statue". Grenades entering through the exterior walls and windows had exploded inside. But the tower and the main part were still standing. Everything was reduced to rubble in Gey, Grosshau and Hürtgen, as well as in Vossenack. But there was proof here of been one-on-one fighting inside the church. Battles so close, the opponents are eye to eye and are determined to kill each other, in order to survive. It did not appear to be that bad in the other churches. But, who knows. The inhumanity is a deconsecrating of the Houses of The Lord in any case.
In November 1986 the Church paper reports that, in the Bistum of Aachen, this is the only known case of defilement of a church during the war. This is the reason for the special Worship of the Mother Mary, which began in 1954/55.
- Illustration: "Sühnekirche" St. Josef in Vossenack
The Fatima Madonna (Pfarrkirche Vossenack)
Already in 1957 the people of Vossenack were looking for ways to keep peace. To atone for the disgrace and as penance for the many victims, they moved the "Fatima Madonna" to Vossenack. She was carved from Brazilian cedar by a Portuguese artist and then painted as told by children whom she had appeared to. She was consecrated on June 13, 1957 and brought to Vossenack on July 2nd. The women and mothers contributed the silver crown which was gold-plated and set with 162 gems. Goldsmith Mohnen from Stolberg made the valuable piece. The gold-plated rosary was donated by the children of Vossenack. Pastor Hegger personally had these pieces blessed at a special audience with Pope Pius XII in Rome. Bishop Dr. Pohlschneider from Aachen crowned the Madonna on October 13, 1957 on behalf of the Pope.
Illustration: Fatima - Madonna
In the time of pilgrimage between May 15, and Oct. 13, parishes and faithful people
from the region wander to Vossenack and pray for the Dead, but mainly for peace.
The St. Michaels bell (Parish Church Vossenack)
The 40 hundredweights heavy bell has been purchased in 1958. Federal authorities
and the State of Nordrhein-Westfalen made contributions, as well as members of the
"Windhund" division. Priest Hegger writes in the parish chronicle, that this bell with
"its beautiful ringing sound is an audible memorial" for peace.
On the bell there is a big ghost image which shows Archangel Gabriel killing the dragon
with the lance. At the upper edge one can read the question: "QUIS UT DEUS" and in
German "WER IST WIE GOTT" (WHO IS LIKE GOD) . Written characters on the
lower edge read:
ST. MICHAEL HEISSE ICH - ZU GOTTES EHRE STREITE ICH -
DIE OPFER DES KRIEGES BEWEINE ICH - DIE LEBENDEN ZU
FRIEDEN ERMAHNE ICH - 1958
( ST. MICHAEL IS MY NAME - I FIGHT IN THE NAME OF
HONOUR TO GOD - I WEEP OVER THE VICTIMS OF WAR -
I REMIND THE LIVING TO KEEP PEACE - 1958)
Illustration: Michael bell
Inscription on the Church door (Parish Church Vossenack)
The outer side of the main entrance door of the Parish Church St. Josef in Vossenack
is an embossed imprint in bronze. It shows the "Zug der Erloesten und der Ver-
worfenen" (row of the Redeemed and of the Abjected) and above this picture in the
Triptychon again St. Michael killing the dragon. The following is inscribed in the
lower left corner:
In Memory of the 68 000
German and American victims
of the battles in the surroundings of Vossenack
Meant are all War victims involved in the battles in the Huertgenwald, including
the actually not to be numbered killes persons, the missed, the prisoners, the sick
and the wounded on both sides.
- Illustration: Detail of the Church Door - (16.7 ho, 26.5 re)
While priest Hegger used the term "audible memorial" for the bell he calls the
Church Door in the same sentence of the parish chronicle the "visual memorial"
for peace. It cannot be exactly determined who designed this door. It has also
been installed in 1958 and has also been financed with contributions from
"Bonn and Düsseldorf", as priest Hegger said.
Glass Window Pane of the Parish Church
The second window on the left hand side of the nave has been donated by family
members of the former "Windhund"-division. The donators handed it over to the
parish members on the occasion of an interdenominational celebration on the
"Volkstrauertag" (National Day of Mourning) in 1961. Artists Gottfried and Kluckow
from Dueren have designed the window and the plaques belonging to it. The picture
shows a pelican feeding his young ones with his own blood, which is the symbol for
the expiatory death of Christ. The rising "Lebensbaum" (tree of life) above the pelican
leads our view towards a peaceful future according to further explanations by
priest Hegger.
- Illustration: Window of the Parish Church - (16.7 ho, 26.5 re)
Memorial sculpture "A time for healing" (Bridge over the Kall River close to
the Mill of Mestreng
60 years after the terrible events in the Huertgenwald the disctrict of Dueren,
the community and the historical association of Huertgenwald organized a
series of meetings in memory hereof. At the joint celebration on the Bridge
over the Kall River close to the Mill of Mestreng a sculpture has been unveiled.
This sculpture is supposed to remind us of an extraordinary act of humanity
of Dr. Stuettgens at that time. He was an assistant doctor of the 1056. Reg.
of the 89. Inf. Division. On his own risk he agreed upon a cease fire of several
hours with the Americans. During this pause of fighting both the Americans
and the Germans recovered their wounded soldiers who had been left on
completely chaotic battle ground and crying for help. There was "A time for
healing". This human act of Nov. 1944 encourages us even today not to
lose hope. It is an exemplary act and stands good for other unnamed and
unnumbered similar cases.
Guenther Stuettgens lived in Berlin and held a professorship for medicine at
the "Freie Universitaet Berlin". In 1966 he -77 years of age - and the American
Dr. Bedford Davis, who participated in the cooperation at that time, have been
honoured in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- Illustration: Sculpture on the Bridge over the Kall River - (15.3 ho, 27.4 re)
The sculpture, donated by the Konejung founding, has been made out of
dolomite by the artist Michael Pohlmann from Vettweiß. He himself explains
that the disc represents the "rough environment" in which the "human encounter"
took place (represented by the smoothly polished intertwining in the middle).
Plaque belonging to the sculpture "A time for healing" (at the Kall River Bridge)
It has been agreed upon from the beginning that the sculpture on the Kall River
Bridge could not remain there without an explanation for the passing onlooker.
This is why in September 2005 a plaque has been installed with a detailed text
in German and English.
Illustration: Plaque belonging to the sculpture "A time for healing" - (15.3 ho, 27.4 re)
Memorial plaque for Peter Dohr (Mill of Mestreng)
There has been a plaque mounted at the outer wall on the right hand side of
the entrance to the "Mestrenger Mühle" which reminds of Peter Dohr who
has been killed by a mine still before the end of the war on April 5, 1945.
He had been born on Nov. 29, 1898 and in 1945 he was the owner of the mill.
On Oct. 18, 1944 he left the mill together with his family, because the front-line
moved too close. He returned with his wife before the end of the war in order to
check if everything was in order. Thats when a mine exploded between the
barn and the building of the mill. His wife stayed with him until he died.
Then she went to Vossenack where she could stay for the night with friends
at their house. Only after 2 weeks the dead body of Peter Dohr could be
recovered and then be buried in Niederzier.
- Illustration: Plaque for Peter Dohr - (15.3 ho, 27.3 re)
The present memorial is a replacement for the original plaque which was there till after the fire at the mill in the 80s. It is assumed that it was stolen. There were two additional names of fire victims on it.
On June 29, 1945, the then 27 year old Severin Lennartz from Kommerscheidt was killed by a mine explosion in the mill garden, the location of the present parking lot. Only six weeks earlier he had been released from captivity. His brother Rudi was there as well and he remembers that in the previous days, 1100 "Holzkastenminen" were removed from their lot close to the mill. The Sunday of the fair in Schmidt, more than ten young men went for a walk to the "Mestreng". Severin wanted to pick a rose in the mill garden and set off a mine. He suffered a severe head injury. Nobody else was hurt, but it was too late to help Severin.
In 1945 or early 1946, Herbert Huth, the tenant of the mill property was killed also by a mine explosion . He was not even 30 years old. Family members said that he was cleaning up the mill property. He was handling a heavy crate full of ammunition. Something must have happened to trigger the extremely serious explosion. This also caused heavy damage to buildings farther away. Few remains were left of Herbert Huth, just enough to make identification.
Plaque for Lt. Lengfeld (Ehrenfriedhof Hürtgen)
American Veterans of the 4. US.Inf.Div. mounted this plaque on Oct 7, 1994, in memory of Lieutenant Lengfelds selfless deed. Many German and American War Veterans, representatives of Kreis Düren and Gemeinde Hürtgenwald, local people as well as people from Friedrich Lengfelds (born Sep. 29, 1921) birthplace, Grunwald , district Glatz in Oberschlesien took part in this special celebration. The plaque has been consecrated
Followed by a mass which has been held in the "Franziskaner" church in Vossenack.
Lt. Lengfeld had been wounded and had received several decorations while fighting in Russia.
- Illustration: Plaque for Lieutenant Lengfeld (18.9 ho, 25.4 re)
For quite some time Lt. Lengfeld and his comrades of the 2nd Co., Fues. BN, 275th Inf. Div. had heard cries for help from a wounded GI. The cries came from an area known as "Wilde Sau", between the lines of "No Mans Land" which was a minefield. Lead by the lieutenant, some of the men set out to help the GI. The lieutenant was fatally wounded. His comrades were able to rescue and take him to a First Aid post in the "Lukasmühle", but he died on the same day. He is buried in grave No. 36 at the cemetery in Rölsdorf.
Old Hundsbach-Cross in the Community Cemetery Hürtgen
You will find the most simple, yet the most touching reminder of the horrors of war, on the community cemetery in Hürtgen. The older people from Hürtgen can remember that, when they were children in the 20s, they often liked to visit this cross. Back then, a small path through the fields led to the cross. They confirmed that this was the cross they had visited.
Special praise goes to those who erected it in the cemetery rather than scrap it. They recognized its significance and saved it. In the fall of 1944 the cross was located near the infamous "Wilde Sau", just above the "Hundsbachsenke", about 300 m south of Hürtgen. Its condition clearly shows what happened in the surrounding area. The tip and right ends are totally lost. Much of the rich ornamenting is missing. Looking at the cross, you can only begin to imagine what an awful war had been fought around it. The reminder will send shivers through you. It surely should be on the list of historic memorials.
- Illustration: Old Hundsbach - Cross - (19.4 ho, 26.8 re)
A wooden cross has been set up in its place now on the hill of "Heuberg".
A cross has been documented there on maps dating even earlier than 1900.
Memorial plaque at the "Klafterbachtalweg" in Simonskall
Following the Kall River upstream from Simonskall there leads a path over a
bridge towards the direction of Buhlert. Right at the beginning on the lefthand
side of the path there is a plaque mounted into which an inscription is carved:
VERWEILT WANDERER WANDERERS LINGER
BETET FÜR DIE PRAY FOR THE
68 000 68 000
GEFALLENEN SOLDATEN KILLED SOLDIERS
DES HÜRTGENWALDES OF THE HÜRTGENWALD
1944 - 45 1944 - 45
The request to pray for the Dead is a request to think of them and a reminder to keep
the peace. Many wanderers will do so at that place. It is hereby of no significance that
the number of casualties as declared on the stone is noted way too high. Our Lord will
surely accept a prayer. The wanderers will become reflecting. Thus the intention of
the momentarily not known erector of the memorial plaque is fulfilled.
- Illustration: Plaque in the "Klafterbachtal"- (13.8 ho, 24.5 re)
According to trustworthy people who remember that time this plaque has been at its
place for at least 45 maybe even 50 years. In a pointed arch shaped niche chamfered
into a rock above the plaque there stood a little Madonna statue until a few years ago.
Some time ago somebody has replaced this statue by a small glazed ceramic cross
in a blue shining colour.
On this cross Christ is to be recognized behind a set table. To his left and his right
there are two male figures to be seen. Since the 12 apostles have been with him at the
Lord’s supper, this might represent the 2 Emmaus brothers who have been sitting with
him at the table to have their meal together
Cross made of shrapnel (in Vossenack on the right hand side of the
Mestreng path)
This is the last cross put up, which is to be brought in connection with the events of
the 2. World War in Hürtgenwald. Right here at its site starts the so-called Kalltrail.
The term has been used by the Americans and has been adopted from them.
On Nov. 3, 1944 the soldiers of the 112. US Inf. Reg. of the 28. Inf. Div. started from
there and on through the valley of the Kall River their fatal and unsuccessful attack
of Kommerscheidt and Schmidt.
- Illustration: Cross made of shrapnel - (16.6 ho, 26.5 re)
The cross has been set up by residents of Vossenack in Summer 2005
and has been consecrated on Nov. 2, 2005. It is completely made out of
grenade scales.
Überschrift
The Fallen in the Marien-chapel in Simonskall
Shortly before this documentation has been completed, there has been a memorial set up
in the chapel of Simonskall, "Der Gefallene" / The Fallen. It is a work of Father
Laurentius Englisch, OFM. It has been donated as loan by Prof. Horst Schuh from Euskirchen, a family member of the promoting society "Greyhounds call for peace". It is owned by the "Franziskus"-foundation, the youth section of the "Kölnische Provinz" of the Franziscan monks. The memorial is dedicated to the killed persons of all nations.
- Illustration: "Der Gefallene" / The Fallen - (14.6 ho, 24.9 re)
On a plaque, Father Laurentius explains the meaning of this piece of art. One sentence reads: " The victims from 1939 - 1945 did not die for God or their Country. Neither God nor their Country needed such senseless sacrifice." He writes further: "If the picture of the Fallen is erected in this sacred place, it shall be asking for forgiveness for all wrongdoing.
Wayside shrine "UNSERE LIEBE FRAU VOM HAU"
In Kleinhau, to your right when you turn into the street "In der Kaule", on a property owned by the community, surrounded by a hedge and now known as "Marienplatz", there is a monument "UNSERE LIEBE FRAU VOM HAU". It was only erected in 2006. It too is a reminder of the devastation taking place in the last months of 1944. The "Marienkapelle", surely situated here since before 1850, was leveled. In 2005 the foundation was found, exposed and built up above the ground.
- Illustration Wayside shrine "UNSERE LIEBE FRAU VOM HAU"
Instead of a new chapel, a "Bildstock" was erected, similar to the "Schõpflõffel" in the "Mayener Land". The handle was made from three crosses, which had been exchanged in the war cemetery in Hürtgen. They are a reminder of the events which had happened here during the war. The actual "spoon" is a small holy house, open to the back, put together in sandstone. Inside of it is the "Mother Marys figure, created by Father Laurentius. It is a two-sided figure, the back picturing the Angel proclaiming the happy message and peace.
A copper plate with a picture of the "Schweißtuch der Veronika" forms the base. On its backside is another plate with the quote to the Angel by the neighbor Anita Braun.
At times a light burns in the holy house. The parish is trying to find ways of integrating the new shrine, like the previous chapel, into the church community. Soon there will be a bench under the magnificent linden, inviting meetings and get-togethers.
Plaque in the location of a former synagogue (Gey, Broichstraße 5)
Until 1932 a synagogue stood in the spot where there is a commercial building today. In its place was the residence of a Family Meyer, one of the Jewish families resident in Gey, until they were deported in 1941. The Jewish people in Gey had an extremely good relationship with the community. They were members of different clubs and organizations and they took part in village life like all other people. Today you would say they were integrated. On Nov. 9, 1938, when synagogues were torched, shop windows broken, shops robbed and equipment demolished in most towns and villages in Germany, none of this happened in Gey. However, all male Jewish citizens from Gey over 16 years of age were taken to a concentration camp, from which they returned in December of the same year. This is reported in the history of Düren by Erich Meyer in 1987.
In 2001, during the "Dürener Kreiskulturtage" for the district of Hürtgenwald a special plaque was unveiled, on the house which stands there today. Erich Meyer who survived these dreadful times was present for this occasion. Also present were representatives of the Jewish community in Aachen, residents from Hürtgenwald, mayors, heads of villages, as well as Pastor Neuenhofer, who read a psalm. The plaque reads:
Until 1932 this was the location of a Synagogue of our German citizens
of Jewish faith.
The house of praying has been taken down, in order to build an apartment house
in its place.
At the outer skirt of Gey, towards the direction of Großhau there still exists the old
Jewish cemetery, which is being looked after by residents from Gey.
We express our thank to our German citizens of Jewish faith for all they have
done for our common native land, for the people and for the local societies.
We deeply regret the great harm and the injust, which they have suffered.
The residents of Hürtgenwald
2001
- Illustration: Memorial plaque in Gey - (23.8 ho, 29.7 re)
Summary:
For the sake of completeness, the many memorials which have been set up in almost
all residential areas for the people killed in the war should be mentioned here.
Sometimes those memorials are to be found on the community cemeteries.
In addition to all the incidents which we are reminded of by these visible and durable
signs we should not forget that no memorials have been set up for the civilians who
suffered the most casualties and the victims who have survived, but are handicapped
for their whole life resulting from severe injuries. These events can only be kept in
remembrance by passing it on to the next generations.
The purpose of the remarkably high number of honouring and reminding monuments
will no be fulfilled, if we do not find peace in ourselves, if we do not practice peace in our direct vicinity, in the family, at school, at our places of work and of leisure, in and between
our places of residence. Else it would be reduced to just the honouring and the reminding
will fade away.
We should replace the term "fight" which we often use unconcerned both in Politics
and in Sports by the term "contest". Neither the word "Wahlkampf" (election fight)
nor the word "Wettkampf" (prize-fight) matches the meaning of the word fight as we have experienced it. When we think about the fights which have taken place in our region the
word "Arbeitskampf" (job fight) is also not the suitable word for the efforts to valuate jobs fairly.
We should be led by the idea of respecting and tolerating everything that seems strange and
different to us, i.e. in the sense of coming to an understanding of it, but not in the sense of
giving up ones self-respect, ones own standards or ones opinion. We should be willing
to allow reconciliation, to emphasize the mutuality and to overcome the differences.
We then have understood the purpose of the many memorials which we come across
throughout our region.
I ask the readers of this summary for one favour. I would appreciate to be informed
about any possibly forgotten monument so that it can be added on. The same applies
to possibly wrong or insufficient descriptions.
Übersetzung:
Helga Höppner und Karin Bleckert