Beneath our feet lies ground soaked in the sorrow of Dortmund’s mining history. We stand before the Ehren- und Grabmal für die Opfer der Grubenunglücke vom 4.7.1940, 16.3.1944 und 22.3.1979 Statue. This memorial commemorates the victims of tragic mining accidents. It serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by miners.
The Ehren- und Grabmal für die Opfer der Grubenunglücke vom 4.7.1940, 16.3.1944 und 22.3.1979 Statue stands as a bronze testament to loss. Inaugurated in 1952, it honors over 90 miners who perished in a 1944 accident. Nineteen unidentified miners were recovered during salvage work.
The Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks AG commissioned Wilhelm Wulff to create this Ehrenmal. The approximately 8-Zentner sculpture was cast in Düsseldorf. The Ehrenmal was unveiled on March 16, 1952. This was done during the burial of the 19 recovered victims.
Look closely at the figure. The statue features a miner with a bare upper body. His head is bowed. His hands rest on a pickaxe. A miner from Zeche Hansa served as the model. His left leg is slightly bent. It rests on a raised plinth. A pit lamp stands before his right leg.
Note the differences between this statue and the one in Mengede. This figure is less powerful. The broad stance of the Mengede miner is absent here.
In 1979, tragedy struck again. Seven more miners died at the now-converted hydro-mine. A simple stone plaque was added to the Ehrenmal. This addition commemorates these later victims. The Ehren- und Grabmal für die Opfer der Grubenunglücke vom 4.7.1940, 16.3.1944 und 22.3.1979 Statue stands on a simple shell limestone base. It is in the central axis of a symmetrical field of graves. It is 2.8 meters high.
Consider this Ehrenmal a place of reflection. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by miners. They risked their lives to power Dortmund’s industry. It also stands as a warning. It highlights the importance of safety in mining. The Ehren- und Grabmal für die Opfer der Grubenunglücke vom 4.7.1940, 16.3.1944 und 22.3.1979 Statue immortalizes their memory.