Zeven Army Ammunition Plant

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Bunker remains in Zeven Aspe

The Zeven Army Ammunition Plant was an army-owned ammunition plant and was located in the Aspe district of the city of Zeven . After the Second World War, the remains of the properties of the former "Muna" formed the basis for today's industrial area of ​​Zeven-Aspe.

location

Zeven-Aspe is located southeast of Zeven . The access to the area of ​​the former "Muna" is on the road from Zeven to Wistedt . The system can be roughly divided into three parts. Behind the main gate was the administrative area in the southwest, the actual production area in the east and the ammunition bunkers for the storage of the finished ammunition in the entire north and east.

History 1939–1945

Foundling of the state riflemen on Industriestrasse

Due to the dense population of trees, the Hamburg Army Construction Administration bought the "Aspe" area, with men dressed in civilian clothes signing the first contracts with affected landowners in May 1939. The contracts were signed on May 8, 1939, and on the same day it was announced that no one would be allowed to cut a tree in the area. The first offense was discovered on May 9th. As with all other systems of this type, the preservation of the vegetation was of particular importance due to the camouflage. The construction work went very quickly, and already in 1940 some sections were put into operation. In total, there were around 40 buildings - from the administration to the pitch kitchen - and around 90 bunkers that were built on the site.

The main task of the production facilities in Zeven-Aspe was the filling of ammunition (e.g. cartridges for small arms, tank and artillery shells, mines). In addition to workers from the German population, some of whom also performed their Reich labor service there, foreign workers were also employed in the course of the Second World War. Accommodation for prisoners of war was set up in the "Camp Aspe" nearby . These had to work in ammunition production. The labor camp was guarded by state riflemen. With the capture of Zeven on April 24, 1945 by British units, the Second World War also ended for the Zeven Army Ammunition Plant. The history of the facility is closely linked to the main camp XB in Sandbostel.

History after 1945

The stored ammunition was removed and destroyed by 1946. All the ammunition bunkers were blown up by the English, and useful stones were partly used to build houses.

Muna Zeven administration building in Industriestrasse

Nevertheless, the remains of bunkers can still be found on the former Muna site. After the majority of the facility was demilitarized, the area and its infrastructure were used to set up companies that - or their successors - still exist in some cases (e.g. the rubber goods manufacturer MAPA or the milk processing company Nordmilch eG). In addition, the “Forest Hospital” was set up there in 1947 (dissolved September 1, 1958) and a few years later a home for the elderly. Some parts of the former Muna buildings also served as residential buildings or boarding schools. Other areas were used for forestry again. Today the Zeven-Aspe industrial area is one of the city's economic pillars.

literature

  • Thorsten Kratzmann: The Muna is becoming a retirement home and hospital. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 13
  • ders .: There would be no industrial area without an ammunition plant. Zevener Zeitung of April 20, 1996, p. 11
  • ders .: Splinter protection for the Muna after the first 1000 bomber attack. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 13
  • Marius Kundler: Ammunition from Zeven-Aspe for the front. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 12
  • ders .: Die Muna in the course of change after 1945. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 13
  • ders .: Grenades screwed together six days a week. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 13
  • ders .: Destruction through work in the Muna. Zevener Zeitung of April 14, 2009, p. 13
  • City of Zeven (Ed.): Zeven. Kloster Flecken city. JF Zeller KG, Zeven 1980

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ City of Zeven (ed.): Zeven. Kloster Flecken city. JF Zeller KG, Zeven 1980, p. 76
  2. ↑ For 1947, 27 industrial and craft enterprises are reported.

Coordinates: 53 ° 16 ′ 31.7 "  N , 9 ° 18 ′ 4.1"  E