Imagine a silent scream etched in stone. That is the Opfer der Luftangriffe in Planegg War memorial. It stands as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in Planegg’s history. This memorial commemorates the victims of the air raids during World War II. It honors those who perished in the bombings and during the battles when the US Army marched in.
Planegg was not spared from the ravages of war. Starting in 1940, the town became a target for bombs. These were often bombs dropped by planes targeting Munich. The intent was to cripple the war effort. These attacks brought death and destruction to Planegg.
Let’s reflect on some specific dates. On November 8th and 9th in 1940, the first bombs fell on Planegg. This was during a night air raid targeting Munich. Later, November 19th and 20th in 1942 saw more bombs. December 21st, 1942 brought another round of bombing. Planegg was repeatedly caught in the crossfire.
The most devastating air raid occurred on April 11th, 1945. Around 700 bombs rained down on Planegg and Krailling. This single attack resulted in immense loss. One hundred and four people died in Planegg alone. Twenty-seven more lost their lives in Krailling.
Aside from the air raids, fighting continued in Planegg. On April 30th, 1945, US troops advanced into the area. German SS soldiers tried to stop them. Eleven SS soldiers died in Planegg and Martinsried during these clashes. A local woman was severely wounded by a shell fragment.
The air raids caused widespread damage. On November 8th and 9th in 1940, nine houses suffered fire damage. Another 24 houses were damaged by explosive bombs. Even Karl Valentin’s house sustained minor damage. November 19th and 20th in 1942 brought total destruction to four buildings. Thirty-one buildings sustained heavy damage.
The bombing on December 21st, 1942 destroyed a farm in Steinkirchen. It also destroyed a sawmill’s stables. On February 25th, 1945, two houses were destroyed including the Wohlfahrt inn. The April 11th, 1945 attack caused total destruction to 16 buildings. Ten private buildings suffered heavy damage. Five public buildings sustained minor damage. These included the Protestant parsonage, the Catholic chapel Maria Eich and the post office. A total of 42 apartments were completely destroyed during the war. This equaled 5% of Planegg’s housing stock from 1939.
Despite the destruction, Planegg rebuilt itself. The town grew significantly after the war. From 1939 to 1968, the population increased from 2,876 to 7,058. New housing was needed for evacuees, refugees, and displaced people. In 1950, a housing cooperative was founded to build social housing.
The Opfer der Luftangriffe in Planegg War memorial has stood since 1945. It ensures that the sacrifices are never forgotten. It reminds us of the importance of peace. The inscription urges vigilance. It reads: “Be watchful, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”