A forgotten coat. That’s all it seems. But this bronze coat before you the Mahnmal vergessener Mantel is far more than just clothing. It’s a poignant reminder. A silent witness to a dark chapter in Freiburg’s history.
The Mahnmal vergessener Mantel a memorial to the forgotten coats stands near the Wiwili Bridge. It commemorates the deportation of Freiburg’s Jewish community to the Gurs internment camp in southern France. This occurred in October 1940 as part of the Wagner-Bürckel Aktion. Approximately 350 Freiburg Jews were among the roughly 6500 Jews from Baden and the Saar-Palatinate who were sent away.
This wasn’t a random act. It was a coordinated effort by the Gauleiters Robert Wagner and Josef Bürckel. They acted secretly without direct orders from Berlin. Imagine the terror. The hurried packing. The families torn apart. The uncertainty of what lay ahead. Many were arrested in their homes. They were herded onto trains disguised as Wehrmacht transports. This allowed them to cross the demarcation line between occupied and unoccupied France unnoticed.
The Gurs camp was overwhelmed. Conditions were appalling. Food and medicine were scarce. Hygiene was disastrous. Many died within months from disease and starvation. Later many of those who survived Gurs were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The bronze coat symbolizes the belongings left behind. The small detail of a suggested Star of David adds symbolic weight. It wasn’t mandatory in 1940 yet it powerfully reflects the persecution. The coat’s placement near the bridge highlights the departure point for these doomed journeys.
The Mahnmal vergessener Mantel isn’t just a statue. It’s a conversation starter. It forces us to confront a painful past. It reminds us of the consequences of hatred and prejudice. It serves as a constant reminder of the importance of remembrance and tolerance. This seemingly simple bronze coat whispers a powerful story of loss sacrifice and resilience. A story we must never forget.