Bremen in the metal frenzy: The start of mobilization 85 years ago!

Bremen in the metal frenzy: The start of mobilization 85 years ago!

Bremen, Deutschland - April 20, 1940 was a drastic day for Bremen. On this date, the reduction of the Teichmann fountain on the cathedral courtyard began, which not only meant the loss of an urban monument, but also took place as part of the larger "metal donation of the German people". After all, Germany was dependent on a variety of raw materials during World War II to maintain arms production. As the Weser-Kurier was reported, and both that was supported by a wooden framework Nixe as well as the Mercury Commercial god removed. A fact that pointed out the need for victims in the "fate of fate" of the German people.

The motivation behind this procedure was clear: the lack of metal raw materials caused by the British sea blockade, the German war machine stumbled. Generalfeldmarschall Hermann Göring had already started an urgent call for the "metal donation of the German people" in March 1940, which was to mobilize the citizens to hand in metal objects that they considered unnecessary. The breakdown of the fountain and the removal of other monuments were part of this initiative, which ultimately also proved to be an opportunity for many to get rid of unpopular objects.

The context of the metal donation

The metal donation was not a single event, but a number of measures that were implemented during the First and Second World War to procure raw materials. As early as 1916, the First World War was called for collecting colored metals such as copper, tin and iron. Precious metals also found their way into the collection campaigns to procure foreign exchange for foreign goods. At that time under the motto "I gave gold for iron" jewelry and old coins were given, often under pressure and with threats, such as "https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/metallspende_des_deuschen_volkes" class = "source_2"> wikipedia-artikel can be read.

In the Second World War, the measures increased in intensity. From 1940, metal objects from public space were systematically recorded, which ultimately led to dismantling many monuments-including the figure wreath of the Kaiser Wilhelm monument, which was dismantled on April 15, 1940. The simultaneous procedure suggested that it was not only about the provision of metal raw materials, but also about a kind of political symbolism.

consequences and effects

The consequences of these collections were profound. As the Wikipedia-entry , for example, around 70,000 tons of old metal were melted down by the end of the Second World War. More than 10,000 tons of bells were affected, which not only equal to a ruthless use of cultural heritage, but also damaged many religious communities and traditions.

Overall, the "metal donation" was a dark chapter that Bremen and many other cities still remember today. The breakdown of the Teichmann fountain not only symbolizes the loss of a monument, but also stands for a time when the exchange of goods was dictated by the war and loss of the cultural heritage. Even though many monuments were spared later, the history of Teichmann Brunns shows that cultural assets often fell victim to the confused decisions of a war machine.