Düren recalled: 80 years after the devastating air raid

Düren recalled: 80 years after the devastating air raid

Düren, Deutschland - On November 16, 1944, the quiet city of Düren was turned up after a devastating air raid by the British Royal Air Force. On a sunny autumn day, 474 aircraft started at 3:23 p.m., more than 5000 explosive bombs and almost 150,000 fire bombs began over the city. The traumatic consequences were immense: 3126 people lost their lives within only 21 minutes, and the city center was completely destroyed. This tragic event is one of the darkest days in the history of Düren's history and marks a decisive turning point in the fate of the city.

This year the attack is 80th anniversary, and the city has decided to emphasize the memory of the victims again. Mayor Frank Peter Ullrich (SPD) emphasized the importance of this year of remembrance, since it may be one of the last occasions to speak with contemporary witnesses of the disaster. Therefore, an extensive program of the city, adult education center (VHS), city and district archive as well as church communities was launched. The memorial events traditionally begin on November 9th and end on November 18 with an Anna Forum in the Annakirche, where under the title "The church bells silence-life and dying from St. Anna between 1933 and 1944" is discussed at the time.

diverse memorial events

A central event is the peace path, which leads to the memorial in front of the town hall on the anniversary, November 16, from 2:20 p.m. from the Theodor-Heuss-Park. There is a commemoration of the flame angel, the time of the attack. Another highlight is a talk evening on November 13th in the Marienkirche. The well-known TV presenter Bettina Böttinger will interview contemporary witnesses that have experienced the attack and the subsequent difficult time of reconstruction. This offers a valuable opportunity to hear the memories and knowledge of these people and to explore the sustainability of the destruction on urban planning.

Another important event will take place on Friday, November 15th, in the city museum, where students from the Stiftic High School present contemporary witness reports. This is done as part of the nationwide reading day and will revive the voices of those who have witnessed the 1944 disaster day. Already on Sunday, November 17th, visitors can expect a peace concert in the Evangelical Community, which is supposed to give the painful memories a positive end.

The memory work is also supplemented by an exhibition of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This will be opened in the town hall on Thursday, October 17th and can be seen until December 5th. The exhibition entitled "Some were neighbors - perpetrators, fellow runners and resistance" addresses how society was involved during the Holocaust, which offers another important context for the memorial events.

The loss and destruction by the bomb attack of 1944 are not only a chapter in the history of Düren, but also part of the collective memory, which is reminiscent of the horrors of war. These events offer the opportunity to hear the voices of contemporary witnesses and to learn from the past. These insights are significant, especially at a time when awareness of peace and cooperation is becoming increasingly important. For further information on the events and detailed contributions to the various program items, See the reporting at www.aachener-zeitung.de .