Was it truly worth it? The Kriegerdenkmal in Mengede stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifices made. It honors those who fell in the wars of 1866 and 1870/71.
This Kriegerdenkmal is not just a stone structure. It’s a symbol steeped in history and emotion. Inaugurated in 1873, it holds the distinction of being the second oldest monument in Mengede.
Picture this. A sandstone column rises from an octagonal base. Atop this column sits a majestic Reichsadler. The eagle has slightly spread wings and a twisted neck. It stands approximately seven meters high.
Originally, the Kriegerdenkmal in Mengede stood at Mengeder Strasse and Jonathanstrasse. The Mengede warriors association hid a box. It was intended “for the news for future generations under the foot of the eagle”. Inside were a deed of foundation. There was a list of all the warriors in the parish. They participated in the 1870/71 war. There were statutes of the Mengede warriors association. It also contained coins up to one thaler.
In 1928, the Kriegerdenkmal in Mengede was moved. This was due to the construction of the Mengede Post Office. It was relocated to the green space in front of the post office. The box under the eagle was supplemented with contemporary reports.
After the Second World War, American troops shot off one of the eagle’s wings. They took it with them as a souvenir. In June 2014, storm Ela struck Mengede. A falling tree hit the eagle. It tore it from the column.
The zinc cast eagle could not be restored. Metal restorer Martin Möbus found a comparable eagle. The Pelikan foundry cast it from aluminum. Stone restorer Werner Paetzke cleaned and restored the column.
During the cleaning, workers discovered the box. It had last been opened in 1928. It contained a stack of paper in waxed cloth. It also had coins. The box had been damaged. The papers were barely legible due to moisture. They are now being carefully dried. A new box will be filled with contemporary documents. This ensures that future generations know about the original eagle’s loss and replacement.
The Kriegerdenkmal in Mengede is one of many column monuments crowned by an eagle. After 1870/71, at least ten were erected in Dortmund. The eagle served as a heraldic symbol of victory and power. It was also the Prussian coat of arms.
The Kriegerdenkmal’s column bears the inscription “With God for King and Fatherland”. The names of fallen soldiers from the Mengede communities are engraved. Heinr. Bremer, Friedr. Küper, and others are listed.
Tobias Weiss from Thuringia designed the Kriegerdenkmal. In 1873, the “Mengeder Kriegerverein” invited the population to the monument’s inauguration. Festivities included music and fireworks.
The Kriegerdenkmal in Mengede has endured much. It was moved and damaged. It has been restored. It serves as a poignant symbol. It reminds us of the cost of conflict and the importance of remembrance. The Kriegerdenkmal remains a testament to Mengede’s history. It honors the fallen and connects generations through time.