April 2-3, 1945: Oer-Erckinswick Germany

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I decided to focus my attention on coal mines to get a sense of what the Ruhr might have been like back in 1945. The Bergau und Gesichts Museum located at Oer-Erckinswick Germany. This museum seemed to be run by ex-miners. I entered a room full of men who didn’t seem to understand my request  to see the museum. Perhaps it was because my German is so bad. Finally one of the men agreed to give me a tour but the tour wouldn’t start for an hour. I settled in and started to sketch until the tour began.

Museum staff  started to gain interest as they saw my sketch progress. Art is a universal language. Those who were not giving a tour went into back workshops probably to help refurbish displays. The tour did go to areas that were set up like the tunnels deep underground. I used Google translate to try and understand what was being said in German. I suspect the cell connection was lost underground since translating stopped working.

A manakin was dressed as a miner rescue worker. He wore a large solid backpack. The tour guide opened the backpack to reveal a mini bar of liquor bottles. Th guide laughed. The backpack was actually supposed to house oxygen and medical supplies for any injured miners. I vot my one pair of decent hiking pants dirty by kneeling in a mine tunnel. A small family joined the tour and I got to hear the introductions a a second time. One tunnel had a bicycle that was altered so it would ride on a rail. The little boy from the family was encouraged to ride down the tunnel on the bike.

This museum allowed me to experience what it would be like to work deep underground. Forced laborers were used to step up the mining of coal during world War II. Oer-Erkinswick experienced the war’s impact, since the mining town was important in supplying energy for the war effort. The area faced Allied bombing, like Operation Clarion, targeting infrastructure.

On April 2 and 3, 1945. Oer-Eckinswick was a command post for the 75th Infantry Division.  A main intersection in town was called Adolph Hitler Platz. After Hitler committed suicide the intersection was renamed Hunenplatz in late 1945.  After WWII all Nazi street names were abolished.

Generators at Umspanwerk, Recklinghausen Germany

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In Recklinghausen Germany there is a museum right near the Rhine-Herne Canal. After sketching the canal, I walked over a footbridge and decided to go into the Umspannwerk museum. The museum tracks the progress of technology and energy in Germany. I figured that understanding the progress of energy in Germany might help me understand how energy fueled the German war machine during World War II.

What I decided to sketch was a large Tesla designed generator. A photo of Tesla was on the wall behind the generator. The front desk curators were very kind about getting me set up to sketch. Rather than getting my compact art stool outI decided to use a stackable chair that was with several other unused chairs behind the generator. The stackable chairs were locked together and I couldn’t get then unstuck. The guy behind the desk helped me by laying the chairs sideways on the floor and the. stepping on the legs. They snapped apart effortlessly.

The Ruhr area of Germany has deep veins of coal. The coal is fairly close to the surface near the Ruhr river in the south and it gets deeper as it is mined further to the north. What made the Ruhr area so important to the war was this source of energy.

Hydro power was used for some industry. Huge generators like the one I sketched would convert energy of spinning turbines spun by water onto electrical energy. Hydro electricity was important for specific industries like the aluminum and chemicals industries.

Germany’s energy consumption during WWII was characterized by a massive escalating demand primarily for oil (especially aviation fuel) which was provided through a huge synthetic fuel industry which converted coal to oil. This system collapsed under allied bombing, crippling the military by 1944-1945, forcing reliance on coal for electricity, and ultimately leading to fuel-starved German forces relying on horses.

The Allies crippled Germany’s energy by launching devastating bombing campaigns against oil fields, refineries, and synthetic fuel plants (the Allied Oil Plan), which drastically cut petroleum, oil, and lubricants production by over 90% by late 1944, which grounded the Luftwaffe and immobilized Panzer divisions, grinding the German war machine to a halt and severely limiting mobility for all forces. By 1945, the Wehrmacht was so fuel-starved that army vehicles were sometimes pulled by oxen, effectively ending mechanized warfare.

April 2, 1945: Rhine-Herne Canal Germany

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During WWII, the Rhine–Herne Canal,a vital industrial waterway in the Ruhr area of Germany, was a strategic target, seeing heavy fighting as Allied forces broke into the region in April 1945; the Germans destroyed bridges to slow the advance, but American troops eventually crossed the canal, securing cities like Herne and Gelsenkirchen, capturing key crossings and disrupting German resistance as part of the final push into Germany’s industrial heartland. 

On April 1, 1945. (Easter Sunday) C-Company spearheaded a drive south, atop of tanks of the 701st Tank Battalion to Rhine-Herne Canal virtually unopposed. By April 2, 1945 C-Company was at the Rhine-Herne Canal the 75th Infantry Division replaced elements of the 134th Infantry Division to secure the area.

Crossing the canal would require assault boats and pontoon bridges to be built by engineers. Each canal that the 75th Infantry Division had to cross was a dangerous natural barrier to the advance into the heart of Germany.

Having sat at the West bank to sketch I can say that the crossing would involve bridging about 100 yards while possibly under enemy fire. I sketched a crane as unloading several barges. The company tower was for Rolland Mills West which mills flour for baked goods.

Herzogswall Recklinghausen Germany

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Recklinghausen Germany was known as the fortress city. It also had the nickname of the waffle because of the shape of the city walls as seen from the sky. Recklinghausen’s oil facilities made it a key target for Allied bombing, particularly by the Royal Air Force. The Allies launched a major bomb attack on the city on March 23, 1945 killing 173 people.

On April 1, 1945 (Easter Sunday) the 134th US Infantry Division American troops captured the city which was strongly fortified by Germans. The Germans knew that this fortified city was needed to stop Americans from crossing Rhine-Herne Canal. My father, 1st Lieutenant Arthur Thorspecken with his C-Company troops were moving south with the goal of cutting the trapped German troops in the Ruhr Pocket in half.

By the end of the day on April 2, 1945, the 134th Infantry Division had cleared Recklinghausen and was being relieved by elements of the 290th Infantry, 75th Infantry Division, and elements were heading to an assembly area in the vicinity of Westerholt Germany. Remaining elements of the 134th Infantry in positions along the Zweig Canal were relieved by the 290th Infantry. The 75th Infantry Division assumed responsibility for the sector.

The German flanks were  secured by Lippe Canal to the north and Rhine-Hern Canal to the south.  The final artillery battle was fought in the Recklinghausen Market square.

After Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, an Interment camp was stablished in Recklinhausen for German civilians in a former forced labor camp in the Hillerheide district. This Civilian Interment Enclosure 91 held 20,000 prisoners. It was used by the Allies to question German prisoners about war crimes and mistreatment of forced laborers. The 44th Infantry Division was involved in  involved in investigating potential war crimes around May 3, 1945, where local people were forced to bury bodies from mass graves near Recklinghausen (Suttrop). The camp closed on April 15, 1948.

I decided to sketch a remnant of the medieval city wall. Only a few short sections remain of this wall.

Old Town, Westerholt Germany

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The 75th Infantry Division went to an assembly area near Westerholt Germany after clearing Die Haard Forest. They might not have been in the city center but I decided I should explore regardless. Westerholt was impacted by World War II  because of its industrial importance, the presence of key military figures, and its experience as part of occupied Germany after the war. Though much of the city experienced significant damage from Allied bombing, somehow the Altes Dorf (Old City) managed to be spared. By sketching here I felt I was seeing what the city looked like before World War II. My German Great HGreat Great grandfather left Arolsen Germany in 1830 which was a city that looks very similar to theWesterholt old city.

Westerholt, Germany, fell during the final months of World War II as Allied forces pushed into Germany, likely around in late March or early April of 1945, with American forces capturing areas near the Rhine River and puching south to the Ruhr River, leading to mass surrenders of German soldiers and the end of fighting in the region by May 1945, coinciding with Germany’s overall surrender on May 8th. 

I was seated on my artist stool in front of an artist gallery. There was a bench in front of the gallery and I had considered sitting there but the bench faced straight a ross the street. I wanted a view down the old city street. The gallery owner noticed me at work and started taking to be in German. I have been studying German on Duolingo which gave me enough vocabulary to order food and check in to hotels but fast conversation always would leave me like a dear staring at headlights.

I always assume people who approach are scolding me for creating art in public. In Winter Park Florida it is illegal to create art in public. Through our broken conversation I figured out that she was offering her bench for me to sit on. I was already adding color to my sketch, so changing location wasn’t an option. After my sketch was done, I looked at the display on the gallery window. The artist’s work was bold and abstract. She offers printing workshops in the downstairs gallery. What a beautiful way to make a living.

The tiny building across the street was new but it was being build using the old beam and stucco techniques. It used to be a storage shed but it was being rebuilt to blend in better with the whole neighborhood. The whole time I was sketching the neighborhood were chatting in German on the street or walking their dogs. I felt at peace. If only I could find such a beautiful historic place to set down roots.

April 2, 1945: Westerholt Germany

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When I realized how important coal mining was to the German war effort, I began searching out coal mines. The Colliery Schlagel & Eisen is near Westerholt Germany.

On April 2, 1945 the 75th infantry Division was moved to an assembly area near Westerholt Germany which is a short distance south of Marl Germany which the Division had helped capture the day before.

Colliery Schlagel & Eisen was a significant German coal mine known for its impressive industrial architecture, especially Shaft 7, and its role in the Ruhr region’s mining history, now preserved as a cultural monument with unique buildings, showcasing Bauhaus-influenced designs, and a reminder of industrial heritage in a city which was for a long time the largest mining center in Europe.

The mine was crucial to the German war effort and suffered from allied bombing, with its head frames and infrastructure damaged. Some of the older parts of Westerholt survived unlike many other German towns. The region’s coal supported the war, while notable figures like fighter ace Adolf Galland hailed from Westerholt, and the nearby Westerholt cemetery holds victims of Nazi tyranny, highlighting the broader impact of the war on the area. 

When I sketched the mine the fall colors had started to turn. The maple tree had bright red leaves.The same color could be seen in the rust of the old buildings. The mine is a memorial today. I considered going inside. but there were so many signs that said verboten.

Punta Gorda Florida: Christmas Display

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I am interrupting the WWII series to post a few holiday sketches. In Punta Gorda Florida there is this amazing trailer home with tons of lights and every imaginable inflatable. Instead of focusing on the Macy’s Day Parade, I decided to sketch these inflatables. After Thanksgiving diner at the Eagle lodge I asked to be dropped off at this house. I had talked to the person working on the display in the morning, and he said that I should come back after 4pm which is when it started coming back to life.

when I returned the inflatables were still pancakes on the ground. I just focused my attention on the home and waited for them to inflate. There is actually far more to the display on the far side of the house and on back. To the right is an outdoor drive in theater with teddy bears, frogs and other stuffed characters watching the screen. Loony Toons cartoons were soon being shown.

A penguin would climb the ladder and then slowly make its way back down. I was told that a rotisserie motor was used for the movement. The advantage of that motor is that it reverses itself. Washing machine motors run the Carousel and Ferris Wheel. A rabbit and teddy bear were on a see saw which also used a rotisserie motor.

M&M signs showed up throughout. I wondered if it was an infatuation with that brand of candy, but the owner explained that it was the initials for him and his wife. He was making adjustments and adding light the whole time I sketched. It was a never ending job. The inflatable at the peak of the roof refused to sit up, so he had to climb up on the roof and lift it up by hand.

April 1, 1945: Die Haard Forest

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After capturing Marl Germany, the 75th Infantry Division pushed east towards the Dortmund-Ems Canal. The Wehrmacht was making its last attempts at resistance before Germany would surrender. 75th Infantry Division combed the forest to engage remnants of German troops. My father 1st Lieutenant Arthur Thorspecken and his C-Company troops would have advanced through the woods. This was a challenge since they wanted to be sure to find all enemy troops. Any tree could hide a German sniper.

With the regiments abreast, the 75th Infantry advanced on a line towards the Dortmund-Ems Canal to the east. Die Haard forest was cleared on April 1, 1945 as part of the push into the Ruhr Pocket which was an egg-shaped pocket 30 by 75 miles in diameter. The pocket had sealed shut on April 1, 1945 when two US armies—the 9th coming over from Wesel and the 1st coming up from Remagen—made contact.

There was fierce German resistance in difficult terrain. This engagement was part of the broader Western Front offensive, where the “Charlie” C_Company of the 75th Infantry Division faced heavy fighting, but ultimately securing the area and pushing east. 

My father would have been aware of the allied losses in the Hürtgen forest one year before. The battle in the Hurtgen forest became known as the “green hell.” Lasting 88 days, it was the longest American battle on German soil during World War II. The Hürtgen Forest cost the U.S. First Army at least 33,000 killed and wounded, including both combat and non-combat losses, with upper estimates at 55,000; German casualties were 28,000.

The Haard Forest was less costly. None of the soldiers of C-Company lost there lives clearing this forested area.

I decided to hike through the forest from west to east and then loop back to where I parked the rental car. Germans love to hike through the woods so I came across many other hikers. Some people were gathering mushrooms for cooking.This hike felt like I was truly following the footsteps of my father. The woods were quiet but once in  a while I might hear people hiking other trails in the distance. The hikers would be speaking in German. If my father heard these  German conversations the hair would bristle on the back of his neck and a deadly squirmiest would certainly ensue.

I was using a hiking app to navigate the trails. After sketching and hiking for several hours, I realized that the app had drained the battery on my phone. I was afraid that the phone would die, and I would become helplessly lost. I turned the phone off and started navigating by the angle of the sun and trusted that I was heading back to the site I had parked. I made it back safely, but now I wish I had brought along a traditional hand held liquid compass for navigating. Digital devices cannot be trusted to last out in the woods.

Brassert Town Square, Marl Germany

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Marl and the region around Marl, had resources and heavy industries that played a vital role in Germany’s preparations for World War II. Coal was the life blood of Hitler’s war machine. The city was bombed heavily during World War II. About 75 percent of the area was destroyed; more than one-third of the coal mines discontinued operations or suffered heavy damage.

As the allies, including the 75th Infantry Division, approached the city, the Volksrom or German peoples army were called into the Brassert town square. Consisting of old men and young boys, many were unemployed, miners. The German army was planning to blow up the mine as part of Hitler’s Nero Decree. Adolf Hitler’s Nero Decree, an order issued on March 19, 1945, which commanded the systematic destruction of all German infrastructure. The approaching enemy would thus find nothing but “scorched earth.” Hitler justified this step as a military necessity, but his intention was to destroy the German population as punishment for its defeat. There was to be no future for the nation after National Socialism.

The Decree…

Our nation’s struggle for existence forces us to utilize all means, even within Reich territory, to weaken the fighting power of our enemy and to prevent further advances. Any opportunity to inflict lasting damage on the striking power of the enemy must be taken advantage of. It is a mistake to believe that undestroyed or only temporarily paralyzed traffic, communications, industrial, and supply installations will be useful to us again after the recapture of lost territories. During his retreat, the enemy will leave behind only scorched earth and will abandon all concern for the population.

I therefore command –

1. All military traffic, communications, industrial and supply installations as well as objects within Reich territory that might be used by the enemy in the continuation of his fight, either now or later, are to be destroyed.

2. It is the responsibility of the military command posts to execute this order to destroy all military objects, including traffic and communications installations.

The Gauleiters and Commissioners for Reich Defense are responsible for destroying the industrial and supply installations, as well as of other objects of valuable; the troops must give the Gauleiters and Commissioners for Reich Defense the assistance they need to carry out this task.

3. This command is to be transmitted to all troop commanders as promptly as possible; orders to the contrary are null and void.

– Adolf Hitler

Like many large industrial and mining sites in Germany during this period, the Brassert mine likely utilized forced labor, a widespread practice in the Nazi economy. Nazi commission retreated in haste not guaranteeing that the mine was fully demolished. Mines were also used to store looted art the Nazi’s had stolen. Mines were ideal since they had a constant temperature deep under ground.

The Bassert coal mine was founded in 1905, with production beginning in 1910,it  employed 5,000 by the 1950s, and closed in 1972, with its land becoming commercial/recreational space.

As I sketched in the town square, people kept driving into the square to park and then walking over to a bank teller machine. It must have been pay day in town. The leaves were just starting to turn yellow. After I finished the sketch, I tried to find a restaurant to eat but I could only fond pizza shops.

On March 20, 1945 Marl was cleared.

March 29, 1945: Chemische Werke Huls in Marl Germany

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On March 31, 8th (holy Saturday) the 8th Armored Division occupied Chemische Werke Huls. The 75th Infantry Division which was assigned to the 8th Armored Division helped secure the facility. The chemical plant had suffered from Allied bombing prior to the attack. It was to be blown up and completely destroyed by the retreating Nazi’s because of Hitler’s (Nero Policy) but it was saved because Nazi leadership was convinced it was no longer operational anyway and they were in  a rush to flee.

I.G. Farben (which controlled the mine) was a German chemical and pharmaceutical conglomerate that was integral to the Nazi war machine and the atrocities of the Holocaust. The company conducted drug experiments on live inmates at concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Dachau, and Buchenwald. Bayer, a company within the I.G. Farben conglomerate, was particularly involved, paying an SS physician to test experimental drugs on deliberately infected prisoners.
 
I.G. Farben produced essential materials for the German military, including synthetic oil, rubber, explosives, and aviation fuel, making it critical to the German war effort and the invasion of other countries. The company seized and plundered factories and property in occupied territories during the war. 

As World War II ended, the giant chemical conglomerate I.G. Farben was broken up by the Allies, leading to the colliery being placed under Allied control. The company committed extensive war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the manufacturing of Zyklon B, the poison gas used in the gas chambers for the mass murder of millions of people in concentration camps, primarily Auschwitz-Birkenau.  

The chemical company also endorsed the brutal exploitation of massive amounts of slave labor from concentration camps, including Auschwitz.

After World War II, the Allies seized I.G. Farben’s assets. The subsequent I.G. Farben Trial (officially The United States of America v. Carl Krauch, et al.) took place from August 1947 to July 1948. Twenty-four directors were charged with crimes against peace, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and membership in the SS. 
 
Thirteen of the defendants were found guilty of charges such as plunder and spoliation of property, and imposing slave labor. Sentences ranged from one to eight years in prison, but all convicted individuals were released early by 1951, partly due to Cold War political considerations.
 
In the western zones of Germany, I.G. Farben was broken up into its constituent companies with the goal of preventing a future threat to world peace. These included industry giants like Bayer, BASF, and Hoechst (which later became part of Aventis, now part of Sanofi).

The successor companies eventually contributed to a $5.9 billion fund for compensating former slave laborers and concentration camp inmates. Thr Chemical Plant is still in operation today.

My father, 1st Lieutenant Arthur Thorspecken was leading C-Company in the attack of Marl. These are the C-Company soldiers who were killed in action on that advance…

Private First Class Dean Bergeron. Age 25, died March 29, 1945 on the advance to Marl 

Private First Class Alfred D. Stockwell Age 25, died March 29, 1945 on the advance to Marl.

Private First Class Ernie J. Guigar. Age 23, died April 2, 1945 in Marl Germany.