Ghosts of the past: Looking for clues on the devil's island of Langlütjen

Ghosts of the past: Looking for clues on the devil's island of Langlütjen

In the shadow of the North Sea, about two kilometers off the coast of Bremerhaven, are the two mudflat islands of Langlütjen I and II. These man-made islands, which together measure 33,000 square meters, have a history that goes back more than 150 years and is characterized by military use and dark chapters of the past. T Online reports that Langlütjen was originally intended as a defensive fortification during the German-Danish wars between 1848 and 1864.

Construction work on Langlütjen I began in 1869, and 300 workers transported the material over a 1.6 kilometer long causeway that was only passable at low tide. In the end, the coastal fort was completed and equipped with guns in 1871, although it was never used during its use. Langlütjen II followed between 1872 and 1876 and only received its armament in 1914. Both islands are now part of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park and are under strict protection conditions.

Dark history of the islands

The dark history of Langlütjen II is overshadowed by reports of its use as a Gestapo torture site. Between 1933 and 1934 the island became a “protective detention camp” for political prisoners and it is estimated that around 100 people were tortured and murdered. The screams of those suffering could be heard all the way to the shore, earning the island the dreaded names “Devil’s Island” and “Concentration Camp Under the Sea.” These painful memories of the Nazi era are part of a larger narrative that outlines the history of the navy and military in Germany even in the 19th century. Like that Marine Museum explained, 1848, the year of the first German revolution, was also the beginning of organized naval history.

The marina in the Empire experienced rapid naval armament, which ultimately led to Germany's isolation on the international political stage. These military aspirations are reflected in the islands' facilities, which were part of a larger defense system to protect Bremen's ports.

Fate of the islands

After the First World War, the guns were dismantled or blown up, and the ruins are still visible witnesses of this eventful history today. Langlütjen II continued to be used for military purposes until the Second World War, before the facilities finally became unprofitable and remained in poor structural condition. Entering the islands is forbidden today, although guided tours are possible.

Interestingly, the islands were put up for sale in 2005 and found a new owner, a businesswoman from Oldenburg, in 2006. However, their plan to use Langlütjen for low-impact tourism is causing tensions with the national park's protection regulations. According to prevailing reports, there have already been problems in 2015 with groups of visitors disturbing the national park's quiet zone, while the remains of the naval forts are crumbling in the background.

In summary, the history of the islands of Langlütjen is not only a part of naval history, but also a memorial to the horrors of the past that must be preserved.