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"We can inform that the construction of
the memorial has been started", one says in March, 1925 in the
newsletter of the U-boat Veterans Association. The managing committee
has agreed unanimously to the draft "spirit of the times" with
the following changes:
The tower will be not 15, but 25 meters high.
All dimensions grow according to this rise.
In place of the dolphin a submarine-war badge will be put up.
The cross is replaced with a periscope. At right-angles in front of it a
gilt submarine will be put up.
Erratic blocks are used for the construction.
This information was misleading in double regard: the construction had
not yet been started and the draft "spirit of the times" has -
as described later - never been built. At that time, nevertheless, the
editors could not anticipate this.
Really has happened - after the actions position - in 1924 and 1925 a
little. The reason was the financial situation which had barely improved
itself. The repeated calls to, "again reach deeply in the wallet
and to give one's mite for the memorial", were probably understood,
however, didn't pay much in view of the general economic situation.
At that time the veterans association of Heikendorf also intervened in
the advertisement, and while it did this, it activated at the same time
the assistance of the municipality which concluded a surrender contract
for the Möltenort entrenchment with the Kiel navy arsenal, in the end,
in March, 1926. As a lease fee 20 marks monthly were agreed.
Finally, on Sunday July 11, 1926, the laying of the foundation stone
took place in presence of the front-ranks of the German navy - also the
head of the naval station of the Baltic Sea, Vice Admiral Raeder was
present - and the local authorities with strong participation of the
navy and veterans associations as well as the patriotic federations and
widespread circles of the population.
After the address of the military-vicar the commander of the submarines
in the World War I, Vice Admiral a. D. Michelsen gave a speech.
After the addresses and playing the German national anthem the prepared
documents were immured in the foundation-stone.
After the laying of the foundation stone it became - like in the years
before - quiet on the memorial project. Again it was the monetary lack
which prevented a speedy progress. It got clearer and clearer with the
time that one would not be with the available means in the position to
realize the draft "spirit of the times" for which about 30,000
marks were required.
Hence, the architect presented in 1928 a new simplistic draft which
differed clearly from his "spirit of the times", but seemed
financeable. On a level base should rise 15 meters of high, slender,
rectangular column from concrete, at the bottom rejuvenated and on top
widened, crowned by an eagle beginning to the flight which should have
with a height of four meters, a wingspan of seven meters, and with a
weight of five metric tons substantial masses.
The front side of the column should be decorated with a submarine-war
badge and the saying "A day comes". In the draft "spirit
of the times" the words "Woe to the defeated"
were planned. |
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Many had not liked this version, because one
kept himself for undefeated. After conversations in the memorial
committee one finally agreed on "A day comes", a saying
which seemed to express hope for a re-strengthening and a new submarine
weapon.
Although with the new memorial-draft the way seemed to be paved,
unforeseen trouble appeared during the execution. Indeed, the foundation
and the concrete column were finished by Kiel-Lübeck company Max Giese
in short time, however, the manufacture of the eagle designed by the
Frankfurt sculptor Becker and modeled by Professor Blazek, Kiel, failed.
Its weight was far to high, what was still accepted, but during the
joining of the parts it turned out that the single castings did no fit
to each other.
The opening celebration already announced for September 22, 1928 had to
be called off.
Then the new casting of the eagle was transferred to the company Kiel
Steelworks AG of the Brothers Schlusnus. This company solved the task in
September and October, 1929.
Composing, galvanizing and copper-plating the eagle were executed by the
company Andersen, Kiel Hassee. This company also took over the transport
and the attachment of the eagle in December, 1929.
At the same time the submarine-war badge formed by Professor Blazek and
the inscription were appropriated. The sculptor's works were carried out
exemplarily by the Kiel sculptor Dold. The inscription, under a chiseled
iron cross, was:
"In the world war in 1914-1918 5132
heroes were fallen - 199 submarines were lost."
Now of the opening - after two-year-old
delay - was not hindered any more, even if the rest financing was not
ensured at all. |
