Do you know where Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery set up his headquarters in 1945? It was right here in Häcklingen. Häcklingen is now a part of Lüneburg. But it has a long and interesting history. Let’s delve into the story of Häcklingen.
Häcklingen has been inhabited since the New Stone Age. Burial mounds and artifacts prove it. In 1562, St. Michael’s monastery built a pond in Häcklingen. Cooperation between Häcklingen and Rettmer started long ago. As early as 1696, there was a teacher in Rettmer. That teacher also taught children from Häcklingen. In 1792, Häcklingen built its own school. Children from Rettmer attended it from the very beginning.
Häcklingen became part of the Lüneburg district in 1885. Before that, it was under the authority of the Amt Lüne district office. The Lüneburg-Rettmer volunteer fire service started in 1902. New laws required every village to have its own fire service. In 1934, Häcklingen formed its own fire service. It was called Freiwillige Feuerwehr Häcklingen.
The village formed its own football club in 1903. It was called FC Favourite Lüneburg. It later merged to become SV Eintracht Lüneburg. Forest fires raged in the region in 1942. These were due to air raids. A significant moment occurred in 1945. The headquarters of the 2nd British Army was established in Häcklingen. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery oversaw operations from here. The surrender of German forces in Northern Germany was accepted on Timeloberg hill.
The Häcklingen Tennis Club was founded in 1971. In 1974, Häcklingen became part of Lüneburg. This happened during regional reforms. A daycare center was built in 2002. The primary school expanded in 2003. It became a three-tiered school. A new gymnasium and solar panels were added to the school in 2006. Also, a new community center was built. It’s called the Bonhoeffer-Haus. The Lüneburg Montessori Primary School moved to Häcklingen in 2007.
Häcklingen has local amenities. There is a baker’s, a chemist’s and a supermarket. You can also find a bank branch and an Italian restaurant. There is even a biomarket and a bookshop.
The Häcklingen fire service now operates from Wache Süd. Volunteers converted the old fire station into a youth fire station. Today, Häcklingen is a vibrant part of Lüneburg. It has a rich history and a strong community. From ancient settlements to modern developments, Häcklingen has seen it all. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet.