Modern/Post-War Photos

Altenbeken memorial

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008-12-25_Altenbeken_19.JPG

Memorial for the victims of the bomb attacks in Nov. 1944 and Febr. 1945 in front of the old church in Altenbeken / Germany. Short history of Altenbeken during the war: After the attack on Poland on 1st September 1939, 80 soldiers were stationed at Altenbeken for guarding the railway tracks and the railway buildings. Six anti air guns were set up in Altenbeke, to counter possible air raids. In August 1940, French POWs arrived and were used as forced labourers in sawmills and for works on the railway tracks. After an air raid on Bad Lippenspringe on the 15th July 1940 more anti air guns were stationed to guard the viaduct. The air raids on Altenbeken: - 13 September 1944: Full alert. No data if there was any damage or if the town was attacked itself in the end. - 15 October 1944: The Altenbeken railway station is attacked by nine fighters, which fire their board cannoncs. Furthermore, 40 light parachuting bombs are dropped. The result was that two railway wagons loaded with ammunition burnt out and a few houeses suffered minor damage. - 26 November 1944: The biggest air raid on Altenbeken, it took place during High Mass. An estimated 400 bombers destroyed the railroad tracks at the viaduct, the viaduct itself was hit by 5 bombs. 12 houses and the "Kreuzkapelle" were heavily damaged, 27 houses were totally destroyed. - 29 November 1944: Another attack on the viaduct was started. 22 people were killed, of those 15 were killed during rebuilding works at the viaduct. Still, the rebuilding of the viaduct was ordered again after this attack. - 09 February 1945: The third attack on the railway facilities with 200 bombers. They missed their target. - 22 February 1945: At 2 pm, the viaduct was attacked the fourth time. - 30 March 1945: The last attack in Altenbeken. Only 2 bombs were dropped. On the 3rd April 1945, American troops reached the surrounding area of Altenbeke. On 4th April, SS and Landesschützen threw themselves against American forces around 1 pm only for a short time. Altenbeken was captured after those firefights. ----------------------------------- Evillittlekenny