Silent stones, they speak volumes about sacrifice. Right here before us stands the Siemens Ehrenmal War memorial. It serves as a poignant reminder of Siemens employees. They gave their lives in the two World Wars of the 20th century.
The Siemens Ehrenmal occupies a 672 square meter space. It is near the intersection of two streets. The area is paved with light gray granite slabs. A Muschelkalkstein wall surrounds the memorial. Entering this space is like stepping into a sacred district. A six-step staircase leads from Nonnendammallee. This descent amplifies the feeling of reverence.
Look closely at the walls surrounding us. Notice the 118 cast-iron plates. Each plate lists names in alphabetical order. They are the names of 2,989 fallen Siemens workers. The names are arranged by war year. The wall facing Nonnendammallee doubles as a monumental bench.
At the heart of the Siemens Ehrenmal, a large stone slab rests. It’s a mock sarcophagus. Upon it lies a bronze sword. Its design evokes medieval times. An inscription encircles the slab’s edges. It honors the fallen comrades. The inscription reads “DEN UNVERGESSENEN KAMERADADEN…DIE IM WELT- KRIEG DEN HELDENTOD STARBEN…DAS HAUS SIEMENS”. This translates to “To the unforgettable comrades… who died a hero’s death in the World War… the House of Siemens”.
Since 1970, seven Travertine blocks surround the central slab. Each block faces the staircase. The years of World War II, 1939 to 1945, are etched into them.
Now, cast your eyes towards the southwest corner. There you’ll see a high rectangular stele. It features a Muschelkalkstein facade. The years “1914” and “1918” mark the beginning and end of World War I. An Iron Cross is placed below. Atop the copper-covered pillar rests a copper eagle. Its head turns to the left. Its stylized wings stretch back.
The Siemens Ehrenmal’s construction dates back to 1934. Hans Hertlein designed the original memorial. Josef Wackerle sculpted the eagle. Siemens & Halske AG erected it to honor their fallen employees. A competition had been held in 1922. Hans Poelzig’s design won, but it was never executed. The rise of the National Socialists may have influenced the revival of the memorial idea in 1933.
In 1970, Karl Heinrich Schwennicke expanded the Siemens Ehrenmal. He added the stone blocks. They commemorate the Siemens employees who died in World War II. The expansion cost 46,200 DM in 1970. The sword was restored in 1982-1983. A comprehensive renovation of the site occurred in 1994.
The Siemens Ehrenmal stands as a historically significant site. It documents Siemens’ commitment to remember its employees. This commitment began after World War I. Its design avoids overt pathos. It sets itself apart from typical war memorials. Siemens accepted the responsibility of remembrance.
Consider the eagle atop the stele. Josef Wackerle’s Nazi-era Reichsadler from 1935 remains in place. Siemens acknowledges its past. The company has recognized its use of forced labor during the war. Siemens contributed to the Jewish Claims Conference in 1962. It also established its own “Siemens-Hilfsfonds für ehemalige Zwangsarbeiter”. This fund supported former forced laborers. Siemens trainees visit memorials annually. They engage with historians and eyewitnesses.
The Siemens Ehrenmal is more than stone and metal. It is a testament to remembrance. It also serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict. It urges us to reflect on the past. We must strive for a future of peace.