The Bell Cemeteries of World War 2

Nearly every German family in every German town contributed something to the two World Wars. For many, it was their men. For others, it was precious metal. “I gave gold for iron” became the slogan of the collection campaign launched in 1914, in which the Germans were asked to donate materials essential to the war effort. The slogan has its origins in the War of the Sixth Coalition fought by the Kingdom of Prussia and its allies, in 1813-14, to achieve liberation of Germany from French occupation. During the war, Princess Marianne of Prussia appealed to all women of Prussia to exchange their gold jewelry for a brooch or a ring made of iron with the inscription “I GAVE GOLD FOR IRON” which the women could flaunt as a symbol of their patriotism. Church bells of all sizes await their fate in a “bell cemetery” in Wilten, Austria. Photo: Stadtarchiv / Stadtmuseum Innsbruck During the First World War, the call for gold went out again, and like before, many German women voluntarily gave up their jewelries and wedding rings in exchange of an iron ring, and later, medals inscribed with the same slogan. But as the war dragged on and shortage of metals became acute, the Berlin War Ministry ordered that all metals including copper, brass, tin, zinc, etc., needed for the manufacture of ammunitions and armament, be handed over. Failure to do so could attract up to a year in prison. Besides pots, pans and statues, church bells all over the country began to disappear. By decree, all parishes in the German Reich were initially asked to provide a list of all bronze bells or bells of made of other copper alloys in their possession. Churches were allowed to keep the insignificant bells, usually those smaller than 25 cm. Also spared were bells used for signaling purposes on railways and ships. Depending on their art-historical value, the bells were assigned to one of three categories. Group A bells with little cultural value were melted immediately.