Beneath our feet lies a story etched in stone. This is the Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918. It stands as a solemn reminder of the 1200 brave soldiers from Bockenheim who fell during the First World War.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 was erected in 1925. It sits in the middle of a green space on Rohmerplatz. This location is just south of Leipziger Straße.
Let’s observe the Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918. Notice the inscription on the front of its base. It reads: “In memory of the 1914-1918, 1200 brave Bockenheim heroes who died on the field of honor for the fatherland.”
The back of the Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 also bears an inscription. It says: “Erected by the Bockenheim Veterans Association on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary. Donated by the grateful residents of Bockenheim.”
The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 depicts a kneeling warrior. He supports himself with his left hand on a shield resting on the ground. Oskar Ufert created this sculpture. He was a Frankfurt sculptor and a member of the Frankfurt Artists’ Society. The Bockenheim Veterans Association commissioned the Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 reflects the spirit of its time. In 1875, a veterans association formed in Bockenheim. This was a common occurrence throughout the new German Empire. In its founding year, the association erected a war memorial. It honored three Bockenheim citizens who died in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. This earlier memorial stood in the old cemetery on Rödelheimer Sandweg. Today, that location is the Old Cemetery Bockenheim on Solmsstraße.
The Bockenheim Veterans Association became part of the Kyffhäuser League. This league grew into one of the largest associations in the German Empire. By 1913, it had 2.8 million members. Each year on Volkstrauertag, the City of Frankfurt lays a wreath here. The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 serves as a focal point for remembrance.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 is more than just a monument. It is a symbol of loss, sacrifice, and remembrance. It reminds us of the human cost of war. It urges us to strive for peace. Take a moment to reflect on the stories this Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 silently tells.