Remagen photos.

Never got around to posting these photos of my trip to Remagen back in August, sorry, been abit busy over on "The Talk" so forgot to show you these.
Thought some of you American members might like to see them if you haven't been there yourselves.

First view of the bridge, it's behind the toilet block.


View from our tent up to the Erpler Ley.

 

Good photos indeed, shame you can't get on whats left.

 

Excellent photos. Well worthy of a salute!

 

The Chapel Of The Black Madonna.

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Quote:

The chapel of the Black Madonna is a memorial to the 300,00 prisoners of war held by the Americans between April and July 1945 in a camp under wretched conditions in the open air. The figure of the Black Madonna was made in the camp by the artist Adolf Wamper and he presented it to the priest in Kripp. Financed by donations the chapel was built in 1987 to the memory of the victims.











Quote:
Centre:

At this place a gigantic prisoner of war camp was run by the Americans from April to late in the summer of 1945, until 11th July 1945 when the French took over. Estimates place the number of inmates at its highest capacity at 135,000, during the period of which a total number of approximately 270,000 passed through the camp altogether. More than 1200 German soldiers died due to malnourishment and dysentery. This commemorative place should be a reminder of this frightful camp and a call to the world for peace.

For the inner circle:
The mistakes of the past should not be repeated. As revenge is not love, hate is no foundation for peace.

For outside top:
Luke 1, 48 [For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for,] Behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

For outside bottom:
Holy Mother of God pray for us.







Quote:

The black Madonna of Remagen was created by inmate Prof. Adolf Wamper in the PoW camp from the earth found in what is called the golden mile. He gave it to the incumbent priest in Kripp, Dr. Wilhelm Keller, who had tried hard to relieve a little the sufferings of the inmates.
The Madonna came to the attention of Remagen’s town mayor of Hans Peter Kuerten, after it had been kept for decades in the Rectory.
Thanks to his initiative this chapel was designed by architect Paul Otto Pickel Dip-Eng. and built by Hans Metzler, Eng. with contributions from ex prisoners of war, the town of Remagen and amongst others the fed. State of Rheinland-Pfalz.
And so the Black Madonna of Remagen, rests finally in the place where she originated.



Quote:
This cross, designed and made by master Carpenter Friedrich Ohligh of Remagen was erected on the 22nd of June 1985 on initiative of Remagen’s mayor Hans Peter Kürten and dedicated to the memory about 300,000 former soldiers and inmates of the PoW camp, who suffered here with no shelter and little care during the period from April up to July, 1945 and of whom more than 1,200 died from starvation and illness died.

 

We went to Der Ehrenfriedhof Bad Bodendorf.
To se the graves of those who died in the POW camps in 1945.
Ehrenfriedhof Bad Bodendorf - AW-Wiki

Felt a bit odd as the only British car to approach a German War Cemetery carpark full of Germans, some who looked old enough to remember the war years.
We got stared at a bit but thankfully my kids behaved themselves .
My youngest thought this was Rapunzel's Tower.








This one caught my eye, a Schumacher and a Panzer.


One of the few unknowns.


Alot of those in the cemetery were old enough to have served in the Great War.
I expect the older men suffered more in the POW camps.

 

Cemetaries are the same everywhere. Peaceful and sad at the same time. Thanks for these photos. You had quite a trip!

 

very interesting. There is more to Remagan than I thought.

 

Many thanks for posting the pics, WW...Remagen is one place I've always wanted to visit, but haven't quite got there ( yet ! ).....

 

Wonderful photos. I visited a cemetery for German troops not far from Normandy when I was there a year or so ago - can't quite remember the name of it - but I remember it being a very humbling experience.

Thanks for the posts.

 

those poor p.o.w.s,left out neglected in the open.i seen a programme about this a number of years back,i believe the eminent military historian steven ambrose was in it..it has not been repeated on the t.v since.cheers.

 

Nice photos. My father was at Remagen and he wants to go back to see it.

 

Great images, thanks for posting these. Did you know that Erich Topp-a VERY famed Uboat ace-lived in Remagen before he passed away. I only had the chance to write to him a few times but his stories and his English-was excellent. On a still very sad note-I wonder if they were ever able to recover the items that a team of crooks stole from his house? This team of crooks posed as a news crew (to gain Erich Topps confidence) and they had access to where his Honor Dagger and important Documents and such were store. Well, sadly shortly after thier fake "interview" these scum broke into his house and stole these items.

One of Herr Topps Sons-Micheal-had spread the word to collectors on the various collectors sites then available on the net. I was in touch with him for a short time as well. Anyway, especially that Dagger-it was presented to him by I think GADM Doenitz?? and it had been "lost" shortly before the end of the war-or shortly after the end of the war. Then it was "found" and returned to Erich Topp. I don't remember the details of this story but-as it was lost once-and then he had it all those years only for some s-bags to steal it from him. You KNOW that broke Herr Topps heart-it did mine when i heard of this theft. If anyone here has any updates about this theft-i'd greatly appreciate knowing what you do. "We" collectors are still keeping eyes and ears peeled for anything concerning Erich Topps property. However, "we" feel that since it was a job planned and paid for my someone rich-these items will nost likely never see the light of day again-unless the authorities somehow manage to locate them and return them to the family--if this has not yet happened?

 

They are excellent pictures. I am glad to see them as I was in Bonn last mont (only a few minutes away from Remagen) but had no time to go there and missed the bridge pictures.

 

Great photos.

 

thanks for the photos

 

cool!! nice photos, my grandpa took that bridge with his division, its cool to see some modern photos of it

 

Great Photos. Thank you for sharing them. Almost as good as being there.

 

Just thought I'd add this link to my photos thread.
Newsreel reports from the British Pathe website.
Well worth a look through if you've not seen it before & have several hours to spare.

British Pathe - REMAGEN BRIDGE DESTROYED

Remagen bridge at 19 seconds on here.
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=13204


PS Cheers for the nice comments about my photos.

 

I have a question. I am a first time user. Year before last, I had the opportunity to visit the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. I was there early on a Sunday morning and the museum in the tower was closed. There was no one around to ask questions to. I noticed right off, that on the west bank of the River Rhine, there was a partial bridge about 100 yards to the north of the tower. Wartime photos do not show this section of old bridge, but more recent photos do. I was wondering if anyone knows what this section of bridge is and/or what it is for. I suspect that it was built after the war, then later abandoned for some reason. Thanks for any information that anyone can give.

 

LaBruce, I was last there in 1978 on a Rhine cruiser traveling from Mainz to Cologne as a day passenger, and carefully watched both shores. There was not the beginning of a bridge but near the museum, there is a boat landing projecting out into the river that also serves as an observation point out into the Rhine. Such docks are commonplace along the Rhine as well as boat ramps but the docks could be construed as a bridge beginning.

I always wanted to return there by car or rail but never made it back. The towers are formidable looking. Hopefully, someone will know more.

Welcome to the forum,

Gaines