Sperrmauer-Museum Edersee

This museum tells the story of 'Operation Chastise', an air operation carried out by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron on several German dams between 15 and 17 May 1943. The British used a specially developed "bouncing bomb" for this task. Despite the mission was a succes, only 11 of the 19 Lancaster bombers returned.

Besides the subject of the dams, the museum displays information about the bombing of German cities, especially in the nearby city of Kassel. There is also the possibility of watching a film about the attack on the dams. The museum displays original exhibits, model dioramas and extensive information and image material.

The museum is organized into three main themes:
- The Eder Dam and its destruction in 1943
- The Air War (1939–1945)
- Persecution and Resistance

Individual Topics:
- The construction of the Eder Dam (1905–1914)
- Reconstruction after its destruction (1943) and restoration (1995)
- The fate of forced laborers (*)
- The history of the sunken villages of Edertales
- "100 Years of the Eder Separation Barrier" (*)

Events and Impact:
- The attack of May 17, 1943, on Eder, Möhne, Sorpe, Ennepe, and Lister
- The resulting damage and casualties in Edertal and surrounding regions
- The British bomb raids led by Barnes Wallis
- Fallen Royal Air Force pilots
- Civilian victims of the May 17, 1943 attack
- Coverage of the attack in the contemporary press

The Second World War:
- An overview of World War II
- England during the 1940 air war ("Britain in Flash") (*)
- The British people and royal family in 1940
- Propaganda in Germany, England, and the United States
- Life and fates during the Third Reich
- The air war over Germany and the aircraft involved
- Air defense in the Third Reich
- The destruction of German cities
- The long-lasting impact of unexploded ordnance (*)
- Surrender and the end of the war on May 7 and 9, 1945
- May 8, 1945: "Germany at Zero Hour" (*)
- "The Great Escape of 1945" (introduced on September 18, 2015)

Persecution and Resistance:
- The fates of Jewish citizens of Edertales
- Resistance against the Nazi regime
- The victims of the July 20, 1944 plot
- "Action Stumbling Blocks" to remember those who should never be forgotten (*)

(*) Marks topics with special focus or exhibits.

Museum visitors with a valid ticket can take part in the Barrier Wall tour free of charge every day from 10:00 am.

Children up to 12 years old are admitted free. Pensioners, unemployed and people with severe disabilities receive a reduced rate. Group discounts for groups of 5 or more people.

For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: TracesOfWar.nl