Memorial event: 80 years after the bomb attack on Güls and Trier

Memorial event: 80 years after the bomb attack on Güls and Trier

On December 27, 2024, a peace rally took place in Güls on the Gülser Plan, in which around 100 people took part. This event was devoted to the memory of a devastating bombing 80 years ago, in which 88 people lost their lives. The air alarm sounded two days before Christmas Eve, and the Gülser club ring was organized to commemorate the fatal past, such as the Rhein-Zeitung reported.

memory of the air strikes on Trier

parallel to the events in Güls, the air strikes on Trier, which took place on December 19, 1944. At that time, around 80 British planes attacked the city and dropped 300 to 400 bombs. At least 420 people lost their lives and numerous historical buildings and private houses were hit hard. The city center of Trier was like the attack of a rubble desert. The Constantine Basilica burned down in a previous heavy air raid on August 14, 1944, and the Trier Cathedral and the Liebfrauenkirche were badly damaged, such as Tagesschau reported.

Trier was largely spared from air strikes, but was faced with increased attacks from April 1943. Gauleiter Gustav Simon ordered the "total freedom of the city of Trier of civilians", which led to the evacuation of many citizens. A precise documentation system of the air alarms and attacks was run by chief guard master Bernhard Hild. After further attacks on December 21, 23 and 24, 1944, the residents of Trier had to experience immense destruction and grief.

To remember these tragic events, memorial events take place this year, including an ecumenical service on December 19, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the St. Gangolf church and a memorial concert at 7:30 p.m. in the theater. Hildegard Güntzer, one of the evacuated, returned to a partially destroyed city in the spring of 1945 and wishes that her grandchildren will not have to experience such cruel experiences.