The Bundeswehr Memorial In memory of those of the Bundeswehr who died for peace, right and freedom

Bundeswehr The Bundeswehr Memorial In memory of those of the Bundeswehr who died for peace, right and freedom The call for bravery includes being prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice: if need be, one’s own life.

2 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Content

Why a Memorial? 5

Architecture 9 The Location 9 The Aesthetic Language of the Construction 15 The Materials 19 The Bronze Shell 21 The Cella 25 The Names of the Dead 31 The Dedication 35

Tradition and the Culture of Remembrance 39

How the Memorial Evolved 43

The Bundeswehr Memorial – Public Commemoration and Private Mourning 51

Editorial Details 56

CONTENT 3 Identity disc: upon entry into military service, every soldier is issued with an identity disc which permits quick and reliable identification.

4 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Why a Memorial?

The Memorial marks an important milestone The Bundeswehr Memorial makes it clear in Bundeswehr history. For the first time, that the defence of peace, right and free­ there is a central site for the commemo­ dom cannot be compared with any other ration of military and civilian Bundeswehr profession. In no other career is the ques­ members who lost their lives in the course tion of life and death of such existential of their service to the Federal Republic of importance as in military service. Germany.

Since the Bundeswehr was established in The soldiers of the Bundeswehr are bound 1955, more than 3,100 of its members have by their solemn pledge and their official been killed: our soldiers who were killed in oath to bravely defend the rights and conflict prevention and crisis management freedom of the German people. Military operations in the cause of peace as well as service involves, if necessary, risking life and all the Bundeswehr members who lost their limb and, ultimately, the obligation to kill lives in or as a result of tragic accidents, in battle. This all­embracing duty of loyalty whether during training, exercises, in traffic constitutes the core of military service. accidents or air crashes.

WHY A MEMORIAL? 5 6 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL For their part, state and society, which This symbol is a visible token of the special demand this service, are under a special ties of loyalty between the Federal Republic obligation to provide personal support and of Germany and the deceased soldier. In financial security to relatives of soldiers addition, the Bundeswehr holds a funeral who died in the course of their service to service to pay its last respects to those who the Federal Republic of Germany. were killed in missions abroad or during their duty at home. Moreover military and civilian personnel who have lost their lives for the protection This is an important token of solidarity, of peace and freedom deserve public which can provide helpful support for the respect and commemoration. bereaved in a situation that shakes their very existence. But in order to commemo­ That is why the Federal Institutions Flags rate the dead it is necessary not only to draged over the mortal remains of soldiers adhere consistently to rituals but also to who were killed while exercising their designate certain places for this and make official duties. them known.

Funeral service: comrades pay their last respects to fallen soldiers.

WHY A MEMORIAL? 7 At the Bendler Block: the arrival of the bronze shell marks the beginning of the decisive construction phase.

8 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Location

The site of the Memorial in Berlin, at the The urban area in which the Memorial is official seat of the Federal Ministry of situated is characterized by its structural Defence, is the expression of a political diversity. Embassies, representations of decision. All fundamental decisions by the the Laender, museums as well as office and Government and Parliament regarding the service buildings make this a privileged Bundeswehr are made in Berlin. At the location that is also easily accessible by Bendlerblock, the Berlin seat of the Federal public transport. As part of this ensemble, Ministry of Defence, these decisions are the Memorial is neither exposed on a then implemented for the Bundeswehr. prominent urban stage nor hidden in a The site of the Memorial in the immediate backyard. It stands its ground with a proximity of the legislative and executive certain matter­of­factness without being powers indirectly highlights the fact that obtrusive. This also reflects the self­image the Bundeswehr is bound by the Consti­ of the Bundeswehr, which holds its posi­ tution and the democratic political will tion in state and society with confidence takes precedence. yet does not claim a special role for its members.

ARCHITECTURE – THE LOCATION 9 At the same time, the Memorial fits well Following the failed coup d'état, Colonel into the architectural context of the capi­ Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and tal's other memorials: several memorials his aide­de­camp First Lieutenant Werner from the time of the German Empire, the von Haeften, Infantry General Friedrich Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Olbricht and Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertz and the New Guardhouse (Neue Wache) von Quirnheim were executed in the court­ as the Central Memorial to Victims of yard of the Bendler Block during the night War and Tyranny are in the vicinity of the of 20 to 21 July 1944. Bundeswehr Memorial. The Bundeswehr Memorial is quite sepa­ The German Resistance Memorial Centre, rate from it and, whilst being nearby, the housed in a side wing of the Bendler Block, Bundeswehr Memorial is still appropriately close to the Bundeswehr Memorial is of far away from the German Resistance special significance. Memorial Centre. Its distance from the courtyard of the Bendler Block underlines This is one of the most important sites of the fact that the Bundeswehr Memorial remembrance of the revolt of conscience neither affects nor qualifies the importance against the criminal national­socialist of 20 July for the Bundeswehr's under­ regime. Military resistance against Adolf standing of tradition. On the contrary, the Hitler is a cornerstone of the Bundeswehr's choice of its location again clearly demon­ understanding of tradition. strates that the Memorial’s lines of tradi­ tion connect with Bundeswehr history.

10 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL The location of the Memorial fits in well Therefore, the Memorial can be entered with the existing architecture. The centre either from the premises of the Federal one of the five flagpoles on the slightly Ministry of Defence or from the public raised forecourt marks the centre line of highway. Thus representing the interface the parade ground. During the military between the Armed Forces and society, it ceremonies that take place here, move­ constitutes another vital element of the ments are oriented towards the centre line Bundeswehr's self­image. and the flags. It is here that the Memorial creates a new visual boundary to the The open access to both sides provides parade ground. At the same time, the for great flexibility in use, allowing for both Memorial is integrated into the spatial and public and private commemoration and spiritual context of the Federal Ministry mourning. Individual, private commemo­ of Defence. ration and public remembrance during military ceremonies are thus equally A key aspect of the Memorial's architec­ possible. ture is its location at the interface of the public­civilian and the official­military Finally, this simple yet flexible concept also area. It is situated right on the boundary finds its expression in the structure and between the site of the Bendler Block and the symbolic meaning of the Memorial's the publicly accessible Hildebrandstrasse. architecture.

ARCHITECTURE – THE LOCATION 11 12 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITECTURE – THE LOCATION 13 14 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Aesthetic Language of the Construction

The appeal of the concept created by Anyone who takes a close look will imme­ the renowned Munich architect Professor diately recognize the balanced proportions. Andreas Meck, which was selected by a Both the Memorial as a whole and the committee following a competition, lies in room of silence (cella) are based on the its plain and clear symbolism. It establishes ideal proportions of the golden ratio, con­ a direct link between the Bundeswehr and sidered to be the epitome of aesthetics and society, symbolizing the particularity of harmony. The golden ratio is based on an military service and the risk of losing life ideal ratio between two segments of a line, and limb and emphasizes the fact that with the ratio of the larger segment to the the Bundeswehr is irrevocably bound smaller one being equal to the ratio of the to respect the provisions of the German sum of the segments to the larger one. constitution. This simple and impressive structure makes the aesthetics of the Memorial easily per­ The Bundeswehr Memorial is a rectangular ceptible. building measuring 32 by 8 metres and 10 metres in height, and is made of reinforced concrete parts that are encased in perfo­ rated bronze sheets. Its shape and size fit in with the Bendler Block, which is oppo­ site the Memorial, and the parade ground that lies between the two structures.

ARCHITECTURE – THE AESTHETIC LANGUAGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION 15 16 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL In its entirety, the Memorial is conceived as The flexibility of access that is provided for a synthesis of the arts which can be viewed underlines this claim. An easily operated from inside, too. The spartan and precise sliding wall element closes either the side use of materials and effects creates a place of the building facing the street or the side that touches the hearts of the visitors and facing the parade ground. The possibility draws their attention to the basics. to alter the entrance means that the Memorial can be used in a variety of ways. The Memorial takes traditional building shapes, reinterprets them and creates a Public remembrance as well as private unique appearance by combining them mourning and commemoration are thus with unusual materials. The wide opening possible at the same site. The architecture of the building in both directions, i.e. to of the Memorial speaks for itself as its Hildebrandstrasse and to the parade ground, shape largely reveals its function, a fact and its frequently perforated bronze shell that is easily recognized and directly symbolize transparency. They convey the understood. self­image of a Bundeswehr that does not cut itself off from but opens up to society.

ARCHITECTURE – THE AESTHETIC LANGUAGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION 17 18 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Materials

The use of modern materials reflects The Memorial dispenses with religious traditional forms of representation without symbols, underlining the fact that it does copying them unimaginatively. Reinforced not emphasize any particular religion or concrete elements differing in surface finish denomination or exclude others. On the and bronze are the basic materials used. contrary, it is open to all groups of society The top­grade materials, their appropriate and persuasions. The consciously reduced use and the precision workmanship use of form leaves room for concentration emphasize the quality of the architecture. and interpretation.

The use of colour on the Memorial is restrained, with shades of grey and, above all, bronze predominating, while sparing use has been made of gold, with its many symbolic connotations.

ARCHITECTURE – THE MATERIALS 19 20 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Bronze Shell

The reinforced concrete structure is encased Every identity disc bears a different code in a bronze shell with fine perforations with the most important personal data, which dominates the Memorial’s outward thus underlining the individuality and appearance and gives it an unmistakable unique character of every person, including profile. those in uniform. At the same time, the motif of half an identity disc stands for the The bronze shell is coated with an antioxi­ soldier who lost his life and who can be dation layer. identified through his individual disc. The semi­oval form is thus an all­embracing This prevents the formation of verdigris, metaphor of death and applies to both which is typical for bronze, and preserves soldiers and civilian personnel. the bronze colour. The spacing between the perforations in the Bronze is often called "broken gold" as bronze shell corresponds to a code based it comes very close to gold, which the on the morse alphabet and reproduces symbolism of colours sees as the most the pledge of the conscripts and voluntary precious colour of all. Being a copper and service conscripts, the oath of the tempo­ tin alloy, bronze lacks the purity of gold rary­career volunteers and regulars as well and silver. Nevertheless, bronze is consid­ as the oath of office of the Federal Defence ered to be something special and is one of Administration. The fact that Bundeswehr the metals traditionally used for creating members are bound by the constitutional works of art. order and pledge to serve faithfully thus constitutes the implicit framework of the Oval and semi­oval shapes have been cut architecture as a whole. into the bronze shell perforating it in par­ allel, horizontal lines. The semi­oval holes symbolize the form of the metal identity disc that all soldiers must wear on duty.

ARCHITECTURE – THE BRONZE SHELL 21 22 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITECTURE – THE BRONZE SHELL 23 24 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Cella

Inside the Memorial is a room of silence: the The fault is moreover a reminder that losing cella. This room at the southern end of the somebody has virtually thrown the lives of Memorial has neither doors nor windows the bereaved, relatives, friends and com­ and can be entered either from the parade rades out of joint. The raised floor panel ground or from the road (Hildebrand­ provides a suitable surface on which visitors strasse). By lowering the ceiling an entrance can place wreaths, flowers, candles or has been created that leads the visitor into other mementos. the cella. The cella is a monochrome, dark room in which the contours are blurred, Daylight shines into the room through a so that it seems dematerialized. The total skylight in the ceiling of the cella. This absence of pictures, ornaments, design opens up the austere room to the heavens elements and colour inside the cella helps – a timeless symbol for the crossing of real the visitor to concentrate on the most borders and the world perceived by the important aspects. senses.

At the end of the cella, the clean lines and The daylight that enters the room from symmetry are interrupted, giving the room above shines through the semi­oval holes an unexpected appearance. The farthest in the bronze shell. In favourable light floor panel is raised at an angle so that its conditions, the special play of light and edge is fully visible, breaking the Memorial's shadows on the polished surface of the strictly rectangular order. This tilted panel floor panel again provides the link with symbolizes the force and sheer magnitude the pledge, the oath of office and the of the violence and disaster which ended official oath. a life.

ARCHITECTURE – THE CELLA 25 26 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITEKTUR – DIE CELLA 27 28 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITEKTUR – DIE CELLA 29 In honour of the dead: the names of the soldiers who lost their lives are displayed in an ever­changing sequence at the exit of the cella.

30 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Names of the Dead

Whilst the cella relies on abstract elements The nammy of the dead is an important to achieve its effect, a materialized form of element of remembrance. This is a fitting remembrance confronts the visitor as he way to pay over respect to those members leaves the room: above the entrance a lumi­ of the Bundeswehr who have lost their nous band displays the names of the dead lives. to be commemorated on a horizontally mounted concrete slab in an ever­changing At the same time, it is a reminder that sequence. The letters shine through translu­ behind the abstract design of the Memorial cent concrete. This gives the impression that are the real tragedies of people who were the names are floating in space. killed in the course of their service to our society. The technical installation permits changes to be made. Thus it is possible for names not to appear should the relatives so wish.

ARCHITECTURE – THE NAMES OF THE DEAD 31 32 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITECTURE – THE NAMES OF THE DEAD 33 34 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Architecture – The Dedication

On leaving the cella, the visitor faces a The inscription in raised letters on the shimmering golden wall. Its radiance golden wall reads: contrasts sharply with the sombre tones of the cella. IN MEMORY OF THOSE OF OUR BUNDESWEHR WHO DIED FOR In all cultures, gold is a timeless symbol PEACE RIGHT AND FREEDOM of the supernatural and the eternal and the hope that stems from this. Because Using capital letters only and dispensing gold is of lasting physical quality and a with punctuation lend the inscription power­ valuable material, the colour gold has ful expression and unity. The dedication positive connotations. The symbolic power recaptures the key idea of the Memorial: to of this colour emphasizes the significance honour the memory of all members of the of this part of the Memorial. Bundeswehr who died as a direct or indirect consequence of performing their duties to our country.

ARCHITECTURE – THE DEDICATION 35 36 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL ARCHITECTURE – THE DEDICATION 37 38 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Tradition and the Culture of Remembrance

It is part of the cultural and military identity For all our partners and Allies, it is a part of of all armed forces to honour the memory their cultural identity to honour the memory of their dead soldiers. This is an expression of soldiers who paid for their commitment of the self­image of the military and how with their lives. In France, for instance, a well it is integrated into politics and society. service is held at the central site of remem­ How the armed forces commemorate the brance, Les Invalides Cathedral in Paris, for dead reflects the public and private debate soldiers killed on operations abroad. Italian on the status of the military in state and soldiers who lose their lives on operations society. It shows whether and to what are honoured every year at the Altare extent the military is accepted and inte­ della Patria in Rome. In the United States, grated, whether commemoration leaves all soldiers who have lost their lives in the more room for private mourning or only course of war are commemorated on serves to legitimize state power by glorify­ Memorial Day. ing the death of soldiers as heroes.

TRADITION AND THE CULTURE OF REMEMBRANCE 39 The single services of the Bundeswehr have Howerer until now there was no central their own memorials to commemorate their commemorative site dedicated to members dead: the Memorial of the German Army in of the Bundeswehr, and including not only the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress near Koblenz, military but also civilian personnel. the Air Force and Aviation Memorial in Fürstenfeldbruck and the Naval Memorial This gap has been filled by the Bundeswehr in Laboe. Memorial. At the same time it gives our own tradition a joint Bundeswehr perspective. The Air Force and the Navy also commemo­ rate civilians who perished in accidents in The Memorial stands for today's Bundes­ the air or at sea as well as the soldiers who wehr tradition. Over five decades after its fell in both World Wars. In addition, memo­ establishment, the Bundeswehr is paying rial stones and commemorative plaques in increasing attention to its own traditions. As the areas of operation honour the members the first conscript army in a parliamentary of the Bundeswehr who died while serving democracy, the Bundeswehr is bound by in these places. All memorials have estab­ the norms and values of the constitution lished a special culture of remembrance that and entrenched in the guiding principle of will be maintained in the future, as well. the citizen in uniform.

40 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL The Bundeswehr has become an integral Those who lost their lives in service to part of our state with its members firmly Germany must therefore not be forgotten. integrated in society. It is with confidence that the Bundeswehr can look back on a The following statement is made in the history of its own. Bundeswehr directive on tradition: "Tradition needs symbols, signs and cere­ The Memorial is in keeping with the monies. These cannot replace the inner Bundeswehr’s concept of tradition based values of tradition, but they can serve as on a selection of events from German a reference to them and ensure that they history and values anchored in the consti­ are preserved in keeping with the times." tution. The protection of human dignity, right and freedom are points of reference The principles of this understanding and which the Bundeswehr steadfastly adheres cultivation of tradition lead directly to the to. A living tradition requires forms of idea and form of the Bundeswehr Memorial. expression, the ability to remember and the strength to be committed.

TRADITION AND THE CULTURE OF REMEMBRANCE 41 Laying of the foundation stone for the Bundeswehr Memorial on 27 November 2008

42 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL How the Memorial Evolved

During his first visit to the troops in Afgha­ It was clear from the outset that the nistan in December 2005, the then Federal Memorial needed to take a completely Minister of Defence Dr. Franz Josef Jung new approach and dissociate itself from was extremely moved to find that Bundes­ the classical type of war memorial which wehr soldiers in Kabul had created their interprets the sacrifice of a soldier's death own memorial site to commemorate the by glorifying it. fallen ISAF soldiers. This personal experi­ ence marked the beginning of an intense Instead, a suitable use of form was sought debate on commemorating all members which would permit the inclusion of all of the Bundeswehr who lost their lives in members of the Bundeswehr and serve the course of their service to the Federal to provide visible expression of the Bun­ Republic of Germany. deswehr's integration in society.

As Commander­in­Chief of the Bundes­ The decision on the concept was taken wehr, the Federal Minister of Defence was in accordance with the general tendering responsible for the process that was then and contract award procedures. set in motion. From the very beginning, this stressed the personal responsibility of the Federal Minister of Defence for the deployment of Bundeswehr personnel in Germany and abroad and the possible consequences thereof.

HOW THE MEMORIAL EVOLVED 43 44 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL For the ensuing award procedure on the The commission thoroughly discussed all basis of competition guidelines and rules, the designs submitted and acknowledged a commission of experts was set up their high architectural standard before consisting of such renowned specialists as taking the decision at its meeting on the architects Professor Stephan Braunfels 16 May 2007 in favour of the proposal of and Christoph Sattler, Dr. Ulrich Schlie, Munich architect Professor Andreas Meck. Chief, Policy Planning Staff and head of the The written recommendation stated commission, Dr. Oscar Schneider, former that his concept met "the purpose of the Minister of Regional Planning, Building and Bundeswehr Memorial outstandingly well. Urban Development, General Wolfgang It has found a form of public commemo­ Schneiderhan, Chief of Staff, Bundeswehr ration that is in keeping with the times and the historian and cultural scientist but also meets the need for personal Professor Dr. Christoph Stölzl. mourning."

HOW THE MEMORIAL EVOLVED 45 46 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL HOW THE MEMORIAL EVOLVED 47 48 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL HOW THE MEMORIAL EVOLVED 49 Dedication of the Memorial: Federal President Horst Köhler holding the formal address on the occasion of the dedication of the Bundeswehr Memorial on 8 September 2009

50 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL The Bundeswehr Memorial – Public Commemoration and Personal Mourning

The Bundeswehr Memorial was dedicated The building thus permits various concepts on 8 September 2009 in the presence of for its use and at the same time serves as Federal President Horst Köhler and many a reminder of the manifold connections public and parliamentary dignitaries. between the Bundeswehr and society. Its key messages are openness and trans­ The Bundeswehr Memorial provides for parency. the first time a site at which all servicemen and women and civilian members of the This Memorial helps to increase public Bundeswehr who have died in the course awareness of the mission of the Bundes­ of their service to the Federal Republic wehr and to demonstrate that a high price of Germany can be appropriately comme­ may have to be paid in the service of peace morated. This joint perception of the and freedom. For their part, state and Bundeswehr makes it possible to pay society have a duty to support the service­ tribute to the various forms of service. men and women and the civilian personnel of the Bundeswehr in the accomplishment The location, as well as the architecture of of their mission: for peace, right and free­ the Memorial, offer opportunities for both dom. public and private commemoration and mourning.

PUBLIC COMMEMORATION AND PERSONAL MOURNING 51 52 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL PUBLIC COMMEMORATION AND PERSONAL MOURNING 53 54 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL PUBLIC COMMEMORATION AND PERSONAL MOURNING 55 Editorial Details

Published by Bundesministerium der Verteidigung Presse­ und Informationsstab (Federal Ministry of Defence Press and Information Office) Stauffenbergstrasse 18 10785 Berlin As of November 2009 Graphic design and layout Gratzfeld, Wesseling Photos courtesy of Federal Ministry of Defence Andrea Bienert, Bundeswehr Information and Media Centre Hannibal dpa/lbn POOL(c) dpa pictures Michael Mandt, Armed Forces Office, Bundeswehr Information and Media Centre meck architekten/Florian Holzherr Axel Schmidt/ddp Martin Schutt picture­alliance/dpa Printed by Köllen Druck+Verlag GmbH, Bonn For further information visit www.bmvg.de www.bundeswehr.de

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56 THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL Bundeswehr