|
|
Please note that I have a new e-mail address!
All color photos were taken with an Olympus D360 digital camera.
The memorial was constructed on behalf of those of the Kaiser's Navy who died at sea during the First World War. The project was inspired in 1925 by former Warrant Wilhelm Lammertz from Duisberg. In 1927 Admiral REINHARD SCHEER (Fleet Commander in the Battle of Jutland 1916), when laying the foundation stone, uttered the words: Für deutsche Seemansehr, für Deutschlands schwimmende Wehr, für beider Wiederkehr (On behalf of seamen's honor, on behalf of Germany's force afloat - may both survive unharmed.) After the war, the memorial was confiscated by the allied powers but - fortunately - has been spared demolition. In 1954, it was taken over by the Deutsche Marinebund e.V. with the new dedication:
We dedicate this memorial in commemoration of all German seamen who died in the World Wars, regardless of whether they were killed aboard warships or mervchant ships, in aircraft or ashore. We also pay our respects to the victioms of our naval allies and to our dead enemies, hoping that our peoples will never again have to suffer any war victims.
Over the years the Naval Memorial developed into a "place to commemorate seamen from all nations having died at sea" and into a "memorial for peaceful navigation in free waters." Since 1955 the Memorial has been an international venue to commemorate all those who died at sea.
In 1996, the entrance hall (1) leading to the tower was modified: the decorated head of the Kaiser's line-of-battle-ship "POMMERN" is to remind us of the crew of 839 who died in the battle of Jutland (1916) where the ship went down with every soul. Just below that we find today's meaning, and the purpose of the Naval Memorial: "Gedenkestätte für die auf See Geliebenen aller Nationen - Mahnmal für eine friedliche Seefahrt auf freien Meeren" (memorial place for all those who died at sea - for peaceful navigation in free waters).
On the left wall, there is the "Gedenkstätte der Deutsche Marine" (memorial to the German Navy): In ehrendem Gedenken den Angehöigen der Deutsvchen Marine, die seit 1955 in Ausübung ihres Dienstes ihr Leben liessen." (In honor and commemoration of those German naval soldiers who since 1955 have lost their lives in the performance of their duty.)
On the right wall, you can see the "memorial to civilian navigation." "Wir gedenken der Toten der zivilen Schiffahrt und Seedienste." (We commemorate the victims of the civil navigation and maritime services.)
The Memorial Hall (2) is dedicated to commemorate those of the Kaiser's and the Third Reich's Navies who died at sea in either of the two World Wars; The silhouettes on the lateral wall give a concrete idea of the sunken ships to be completed by the figures of those who died at sea in the First and Second World Wars. The wording on the wall "Sie starben für uns" - "Den Lebenden sur Mahnung" (They died for us - may it be a constant reminder to the living) reflects the attitude held by the surviving dependents of both wars.
1914 - 1918 Thirty Five Thousand
1939 - 1945 One Hundred and Twenty Thousand
The names of the dead are included in two books exposed to the rear of the memorial hall.
There are two elevators leading to the observation platforms atop the monument, or you can walk the 341 steps. The view of the surrounding countryside and the canal leading to Kiel is tremendous.
Back in the entrance hall of the tower, the tunnel will lead you down to the subterranean Commemorative Hall (10). The quotation on top of the entry "Entblösse Dein Haupt und schweige" (Bare you head and keep silent) is from the Thirties; this is the way to the central memorial place. It is decorated with wreathes and flower arrangements in remembrance of those who died at sea - family members, friends and buddies. Wreath layings in official ceremonies take place once a year on the Day of National Mourning and - with all attending nations included - during Kiel Week.
The dome of the commemorative hall (approximately 20 feet high) is supported by 20 pillars carrying the flags of the Federal Republic of Germany, The Kaiser's Navy (1871 - 1921), the Reich's Navy (1922 - 1933) and of 17 other seafaring nations. A sky-light in seven different shades of blue gives subdued light to the stone put in the center. It bears the following words: "Den auf See Gebliebenen" (To those who died at sea). With its solemn atmosphere and unique acoustics, the room makes a particular impression on visitors.
A staircase leads from the Commemorative Hall to the Historical Hall (11) where the history of German navigation and the navy is documented. From the left of the entrance, you will find information on the development of navigation focusing on Germany and Northern Europe, the history of the navy from 1848 until the end of the Second World War, the development of the navy in peacetime and war depicted on many charts, boats and ship models, a torpedo and a moored mine which give an idea of the weapons used in naval warfare.
My wife examining a model of the Battle Kreuzer "Bismark"
1925: Wilhelm Lammertz from Duisburg, Warrant Officer in the Kaiser's Navy, suggests building a memorial in honor of the seamen of the Kaiser's Navy who died at sea in the First World War.
1926: Competition for the architecture; the winner is Gustav A Munzer from Düsseldorf. For the site of the Memorial, the Laboe Administration offered the site of a shore based turret which had to be razed as a result of the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
1927: 08 August: Foundation stone laid by Admiral Reinhard Scheer: "Für deutsche Seemannsehr', für Deutschlands schwimmende Wehr, für beider Wiederkehr." Total building cost: approximately 800,000 Reichsmark raised by donations (50,000 Reichsmark raised by the city of Kiel). The conducting of street collections is prohibited in the "Third Reich."
1929: The tower is erected in just 101 days (about 155,000 bricks).
1936: 30 May: Inauguration of the Naval Memorial in the presence of Adolf Hitler who later on described it as an "unparalleled item of kitsch". He never returned to Laboe.
1939 - 1945: The second World War left the Naval Memorial undamaged.
1945: National-Socialist Naval Association disbanded; Naval Memorial confiscated by the Allied Powers
1945/1947: Political discussions on the preservation of the Naval Memorial are controversial.
1946: 23 June: The British Military Government announces the preservation of the Naval Memorial because it could not be accused of "glorifying war and the spirit of aggression but it belongs to those whose intention ia a personal tribute to the seamen who fell for their country."
1954: 30 May: Naval Memorial is returned to the Deutsche Marinebund: "This Memorial is dedicated in commemoration of those seamen who died at sea in either of the two world wars... We also pay respect... to our dead enemies..."
1995 and later: Reformation of the EINGANGSHALLE and GEDENKHALLE (Entrance and Memorial Halls) and restoration of the HISTORISCHE HALLE.
1996: Inauguration of the the "GEDENKSTÄTTE DEUTSCHE MARINE" and "GEDENKSTÄTTE ZIVIL SCHIFFAHRT" (Memorial place to the German Navy and civilian navigation).
Key for the above diagram
| 1. ENTRANCE HALL | 11. HISTORICAL HALL |
| 2. MEMORIAL HALL | - development of navigation |
| 3. Naval Aviation | - history of the German Navies |
| 4. Battle of Jutland | - merchant navy |
| 5. Commemorative Plates | - ocean research |
| 6. Room containing flags | - ships' models |
| 7. Elevators | - Submarine warfare in WW II |
| 8. Lower Lookout Platform | - Kieler Förde Model |
| 9. Upper Lookout Platform | - Sea Rescue Service |
| 10. COMMEMORATIVE HALL |
Technical Data of the Memorial Site
| Dimension of Area - 570 Acres | Elevators - 2 | Diameter of Commemorative Hall - 27 m |
| Height of Tower above Baltic Sea Level - 85 m | Length of Time to get to top - 30 Sec | Height of Commemorative Hall - 6 m |
| Absolute Height of Monument - 72 m | Length of Memorial Court - 65 m | Length of Historical Hall - 64 m |
| Stairsteps - 341 | Width of Memorial Court - 85 m | Height of Historical Hall - 4 m |
Note: m=1 meter (approximately 39 inches)
Psend kept free because of these great sponsors.a..
|
Other Sponsors electrical connectors, Mangosteen Juice, real estate short sale, Jupiter FL real estate, |
Furniture Markdown Great Deals on furniture - Free Shipping! |
Y-Net Wireless Internet Denver area high speed wireless privider. |
|
|
Dog House Technologies Doghouse Techonologies is located in Tampa Bay FL and offer professional web design, ecommerce development and custom application design for the internet. |
|||