75 years later: Prüms indomitable resilience after the explosion catastrophe

75 years later: Prüms indomitable resilience after the explosion catastrophe

The tragedy of Prüm: a city in reconstruction

The year 1949 marks a dark time in the history of Prüm. The city, which was in the reconstruction after the Second World War, experienced a new destruction. On July 15, a ammunition depot in the Kalvarienberg and twelve people lost their lives.

The effects on the community

Monika Rolef, a contemporary witness and prower honorary citizen, remembers the tragedy of 1949. She regularly visits the plaque in the Prümer Friedhof, which is reminiscent of the victims of the explosion disaster. The 84-year-old Rolef personally knew three of the victims and emphasized that the misfortune has lost none of his horror decades later

the origin of the catastrophe

At the time of the explosion, the French had stored more than 500 tons of ammunition in a former western wall bunker on the Kalvarienberg. This should serve to exploit the west wall fortifications. Rolef recalls the prowers because of the ammunition depot, but they couldn't do anything about it.

a devastating moment

on July 15, 1949, when the ammunition camp caught fire, the worst fears became true. The bunker exploded and destroyed large parts of the city. Monika Rolef and many premiums were evacuated, but twelve people did not survive the explosion. The catastrophe changed the life of many residents of Prüm forever, including that of Rolef and their family.

commemoration and memory

The city of Prüm still commemorates the explosion catastrophe of 1949. In the St. Salvator basilica, residents come together to commemorate the victim. Monika Rolef and other contemporary witnesses are reminiscent of the tragedy, but also of the courage and determination of the Prümers to rebuild the city despite the fateful year.

- Nag