The torso of the memorial to the fallen of the First World War is a bronze statue consisting of the head and torso of the former war memorial in Herzberg. It is a symbol against violence and destruction and bears the inscription: "Torso of the memorial for the fallen of the First World War. Dedicated in Herzberg on 25.11.1928, toppled from its pedestal and destroyed by unknown perpetrators on 20.06.1934. Bronze sculpture by Joseph Enseling 1886 - 1957."
The original memorial had the names of over 400 Peiners who died in the First World War engraved on it. On the night of June 20, 1934, the memorial was toppled from its pedestal by unknown perpetrators.
The memorial was controversial at the time, as the pose of the crouching soldier did not correspond to the National Socialist world view of heroism. Nevertheless, the badly damaged figure was restored at the city's expense and handed over to the Volkwang Museum in Essen. In 1992, the city of Peine bought it back from the artist's daughter - after further controversial discussions.
The original memorial had the names of over 400 Peiners who died in the First World War engraved on it. On the night of June 20, 1934, the memorial was toppled from its pedestal by unknown perpetrators.
The memorial was controversial at the time, as the pose of the crouching soldier did not correspond to the National Socialist world view of heroism. Nevertheless, the badly damaged figure was restored at the city's expense and handed over to the Volkwang Museum in Essen. In 1992, the city of Peine bought it back from the artist's daughter - after further controversial discussions.
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