^{This unit was developed by Hanna Grzempa   Bibliography   Didactic Commentary}

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M1. Press Report, no Date.

“A memorial stone was unveiled on Monday (16.04) on Schuirweg. The stone is to commemorate the victims of an air raid in April 1945. [...] On the 9^th of April 1945, 40 forced labourers were killed when allied bombers attacked Schuirweg by mistake. They were taken in by the nuns from the mother house of the Sisters of Mercy of Saint Elisabeth of Essen. The nuns also took care of the wounded. The dead were laid to rest on the Südwestfriedhof. [...]

The idea of a memorial stone started with Bogdan Soporowski, whose father died in the air raid. Together with amateur historian Herbert Fries from Haarzopf, Bogdan Soporowski was able to find his father’s grave. So far, he is the only air raid victim who has been identified. Last year the Lord Mayor ordered a wreath to be laid on the grave. Afterwards, the suggestion was made to erect a memorial stone. [...]”

^{Quelle: http://www.essen.de/module/meldungen/m_detail.asp?MNR=9694}

Haarzopf: District of Essen

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

The event that brings us here together today is no ordinary one. The occasion takes us back to the darkest chapter of our city’s history.

Essen is a city that has a long history. A history with ups and downs. With a wonderful history we can be proud of. I’m thinking of the reconstruction after the war and also of the structural change from a city defined by coal and steel to a modern service sector metropolis. A city with a world heritage site - the former colliery ‘Zollverein’. A city that, together with the whole Ruhr Area, will be European Capital of Culture 2010. But I’m also thinking about the darkest chapter in our past. We must not, and do not wish to, turn away from the years of tyranny and war. Keeping these memories fresh is a good and important tradition in our city. Remembrance culture comes naturally to us.

Inviting former Jewish citizens and former forced labourers to our city belongs to this culture of remembrance, as do the commemorative plaques in the city pointing out where forced labourers were put to work. The talks these contemporary witnesses hold in schools are important for the younger generations. The project “Stumbling Blocks” (Stolpersteine) commemorates the fate of Jews in the city of Essen. Last but not least, the exhibition “Essen during National Socialism” belongs in this category, for which we must thank one contemporary witness in particular, Ernst Schmidt.

Today, we can add a place of remembrance. A place where we are reminded of a tragedy, an especially painful incident. [...]

Bogdan Soporowski came to Essen to look for the grave of his father, Kasimir Soporowski. His grandfather and uncle who survived the terrible air raid told him that his father had died here. He wanted to know where his father was laid to rest. This desire is something that he shares with a lot of the generation of war children. Very often the Organisation for the Care of War Graves (Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge) can give further assistance. Bogdan Soporowski was lucky enough to meet a very helpful Essener who made the search for the grave his business: Herbert Fries from Haarzopf. My dear Mr. Fries, reading your report was equally exiting and moving. The press insightfully called your work “Looking for the Truth”. The search is obviously a matter of great importance to you.

Your work has helped Bogdan Soporowski. He has found has found his father’s grave and was able to pray at his father’s grave. But you have also helped us. The 9^th of April 1945 belongs to our city’s history. This tragic day deserves to be part of our memories of those years of terror and injustice. Let me thank you for your commitment. And I thank all of those who helped with the research and who are mentioned in your report [...] Ladies and Gentlemen, earlier on I spoke of the importance of remembrance culture. This day shows that we take the culture of remembrance seriously in Essen. Seriously in the sense of ‚Never again!’.  The most convincing way of expressing reconciliation is to join hands over the graves. My dear Mr. Soporowski, this is how I interpret your being here last year and again today. I thank you for this gesture. And I thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for coming here today.”

^{Source: http://www.essen.de/Deutsch/Rathaus/Oberbuergermeister/Gedenkstein_Schuirweg.pdf}