One cannot claim that the clocks tick differently in Bockhorn, but the machine that measures time in the middle of the village under mighty oak trees ticks in its own way. It not only shows what time it is, but its unusual creation also tells a piece of German post-war history. This time machine, which weighs around 200 kg, was most likely built shortly after World War II in the Oerbke internment camp near Bad Fallingbostel. "Clockmakers" were a few resourceful technicians among the prisoners. After taking over the camp, the English occupiers set up a camp church in one of the wooden houses, and the bell was housed in a wooden tower. Now all that was missing was the clock, and it is obvious that this wish provided the impetus for the first project of international understanding after the war: with all the resources that the war had left over and with the support of the British, construction of a clock began: sliding rollers for tank tracks served as shaft bearings and screws of British origin held the time machine together. When the camp was closed in the summer of 1949, the clock mechanism was still in working order in the tower. As the clock face and hands were missing, the project remained unfinished for the time being. It would take over 40 years before work could be continued. And this is how it happened: The people of Bockhorn - traditionally part of the Düshorn parish - set up their own cemetery in 1948. However, a suitable building was still missing. After some back and forth, the Oerbker camp tower was purchased for 575 marks and moved to Bockhorn. The small forest cemetery now had its own bell - but the ravages of time continued to gnaw away at the old clock mechanism. It was not until 1994 that two Bockhorn residents took a look at the almost forgotten antique again, found the missing teeth and after the laborious recovery using a crane, one of the men set about painstakingly dismantling the clock into its individual parts. With expert support and many other sponsors, the clock was restored. The Bockhorn residents built their own little house for their time machine in the middle of the tranquil village and since 1979 the old Oerbker camp clock has shown all passers-by the passage of time.

vogelpark-region.de/detail/id=5ff84d6ab4dc7458417f9a41

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🚴 Rudi Pfeil 🚴

September 18, 2024

After the old church tower clock had stood in the local cemetery tower for over 40 years, dedicated residents of the village spent months working to restore the old clock and put it back into operation.

vogelpark-region.de/detail/id=5ff84d6ab4dc7458417f9a41

Translated by Google •

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Location: Walsrode, Heidekreis, Lüneburg Heath, Lower Saxony, Germany

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Oerbke Camp Clock in Bockhorn

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