“Den treuen Toten” The inscription reads. Those faithful dead of the XXII Reserve Corps 1914-1918. We stand before the Gedenkstele XXII Reserve Korps a four-meter-high limestone monument. It commemorates the soldiers who perished during the First World War. This memorial created by Eberhard Encke in 1924 is more than just stone. It’s a testament to sacrifice.
The XXII Reserve Corps a major unit of the German Imperial Army saw intense action. From the First Battle of Flanders to the Eastern Front. They fought in Belgium France Russia Galicia and Serbia. Imagine the mud the blood the fear. These men experienced the horrors of trench warfare. They witnessed the brutal reality of a global conflict.
General der Kavallerie Eugen von Falkenhayn commanded the corps throughout the war. Interestingly his brother Erich von Falkenhayn served as the Prussian War Minister. A remarkable family connection during a time of national crisis. The corps played a crucial role in the capture of Belgrade. The fight for Belgrade involved a daring river crossing. The success hinged on using the Great Gypsy Island as a crossing point. A clever tactical maneuver that secured a key victory.
The inscriptions tell a story. “43. Reservedivision und 44. Reservedivision” mentions the divisions within the corps. “Belgien Frankreich Russland Galizien Serbien” lists the battlefields where they fought. “Saat von Gott gesät dem Tage der Garben zu reifen” a poignant phrase meaning “Seed sown by God to ripen on the day of harvest” speaks to the ultimate sacrifice. A hopeful yet somber reflection on life death and the enduring legacy of these soldiers.
This Gedenkstele isn’t just a silent sentinel. It whispers stories of bravery. Of loss. Of the immense cost of war. Take a moment to reflect on the lives lost. Remember their service. Honor their memory. This memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the impact of World War I. It invites us to remember and learn from the past.