Whilst away with the family visiting Bremen over Easter a family group of us walked to an ice cafe in an area of Neustadt. As I walked along a street I looked to my left and saw what was clearly a WW2 Concrete Structure towering up behind the terraced houses. I took a couple of photos even though the light was fading. I later looked it up on the internet and found out a lot about the air raid shelters in Bremen. This particular bunker was in Hardeuberg straße, Neustadt, Bremen. It was 11 stories high and could accomodate 939 people. Luftschutz in Bremen - Luftschutzbunker Bunker in Bremen As Bremen was quite a stratigic place it received quite a lot of RAF and Allied Air Force attention. Regards Tom
Tom , I always enjoy your photos and the links you provide , thanks again. js PS You have to give it to the Jerries when they poured "ready mix" they did it on a grand sacle !
The fact that these buildings survive to this day is a testament to the construction. I am told, but have not read it anywhere, that the reinforced concrete was reinforced with spiral steel which helped the strength enormously. Regards Tom
There were several type of above ground shelters in Hamburg known as Winkel Shelters Officially they were called Winkeltürme (Winkel Towers)- after their architect Leo Winkel of Duisburg. Winkel patented his design in 1934, and in the following years Germany built 98 Winkeltürme of five different types. interesting article. Flak towers also had space for people to shelter. Google Image Result for http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/489486472_9157c78fe0.jpg
There were several type of above ground shelters in Hamburg known as Winkel Shelters Officially they were called Winkeltürme (Winkel Towers)- after their architect Leo Winkel of Duisburg. Winkel patented his design in 1934, and in the following years Germany built 98 Winkeltürme of five different types. interesting article. Flak towers also had space for people to shelter. Google Image Result for http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/489486472_9157c78fe0.jpg The Germans nicknamed these shelters the "Sugar shelters" as the old German sugar manufacturers produced solid pieces of sugar shaped like the shelter. Nordzucker Zuckerhut (Sugar Cone) Regards Tom
Take a look at "After the Battle" - ISSUE No. 124 (Code A124) GERMAN AIR RAID SHELTERS - Michael Foedrowitz carries out a detailed investigation into the varied and unusual types of air raid shelter constructed in Germany using those in Hannover as an example. As with all ATB articles, the coverage is thorough and most interesting. Mikeo
Yeah, the Germans certainly had a unique way of sheltering people during an air raid - the Flak Towers in Vienna and Berlin were also used as Air Raid Shelters and as far as I know are still standing (not sure about the Zoo tower, Tom do you know?) But great pics Tom and thanks for that!
Yeah, the Germans certainly had a unique way of sheltering people during an air raid - the Flak Towers in Vienna and Berlin were also used as Air Raid Shelters and as far as I know are still standing (not sure about the Zoo tower, Tom do you know?) But great pics Tom and thanks for that! The Zoo Flak Turm was demolished by the Royal Engineers after three attempts! it was so well constructed. One of our RBL members who was a RE at the time in Berlin had some photos taken of the demolision, but mentioned last week to me that he has misplaced them and is still looking for the box his of Berlin photographs. Should he find them I will try and borrow them and scan the contents for our forum as them may well prove very interesting. I am sure he will give me permission. There is a partly buried Flak Turm at Gesundbrunner in the old east of Berlin. I will try and get there this summer and see if I can get some shots for the forum. Regards Tom
The Zoo Flak Turm was demolished by the Royal Engineers after three attempts! it was so well constructed. One of our RBL members who was a RE at the time in Berlin had some photos taken of the demolision, but mentioned last week to me that he has misplaced them and is still looking for the box his of Berlin photographs. Should he find them I will try and borrow them and scan the contents for our forum as them may well prove very interesting. I am sure he will give me permission. There is a partly buried Flak Turm at Gesuntbrunner in the old east of Berlin. I will try and get there this summer and see if I can get some shots for the forum. Regards Tom Fantastic Tom!! Looking forward to them already!!
