Rodewald

Rodewald is an agricultural village in the district of Nienburg, Lower Saxony and is locally administrated by Steimbke. At almost 12 kilometres in length, Rodewald is considered the second longest village in Lower Saxony, Germany and is split into three farming communities or peasantries, known simply as; Lower, Middle and Upper Farming Community (Obere, Mittlere and Untere Bauerschaft).

It is situated approximately 40 kilometres to the north of the federal state capital, Hanover, 125 kilometres south of Germany's second largest city, Hamburg and belonged until the administrative and territorial reforms of 1974, to the district of Neustadt am Rübenberge.

History

Rodewald is first mentioned in historical records during the initial quarter of the 13th Century, after which the Bishop of Minden requested that the Earl of Wölpe establish a settlement. Through a systematic clearing of forests in the northern area, which is identified today as Untere Bauernschaft, the village was created and is ultimately where the name stems from; the direct English translation being clear + wood. Each settler received an equal size of land in the Hagenhufendorf format, a typical form of High Middle Ages land ownership.

These pitches of land, no greater than the width of the farmstead, although several hundred metres deep, were between 60-70 Morgen in size (a Morgen being approximately the amount of land tillable by one man behind an ox in the morning hours of a day). This method of land ownership, typical of the High Middle Ages, can still be observed as one passes along the Landesstrasse 192 (Dorfstrasse in the north and Hauptstrasse in the south).

In the course of the centuries the village lengthened considerably with both sides of the L192 becoming populated by the typical Fachhallenhäuse or timber framed farmhouses, found throughout the North German Plain.

Only after the Second World War and with the luxury of the motor car becoming available to the masses did the village begin to see buildings purely used as housing, although in order to ensure a balance between landscape and practicality two new areas in the more densely populated centre and an industrial park at the southern edge were developed. Its original charm has been retained with the open spaces along the street continuing to display the Hagenhufendorf format.

The First and Second World Wars

During the course of the First World War Rodewald lost a number of its inhabitants after they had been drafted to serve in the army or Deutsches Reichsheer as it was known at the time, although the area was not occupied after the cessation of hostilities.

This was, however, not to be the case during the dying days of the Second World War when on 8th April 1945 the first troops of the British 11th Armoured Division arrived, under the command of Major General George Roberts.

The tanks of 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry pushed their way into the south of the village in their 35 tonne Comet tanks with infantry soldiers of 1st Battalion the Herefordshire Regiment perched, where ever a place could be found, on the exterior . With the task of securing the bridge spanning the Leine at Niedernstöcken, the British 159th Infantry Brigade fought through nearby village of Ladeholz where they met stiff resistance by soldiers laid at the side of the roads armed with the panzerfaust. On one occasion a near miss occurred where a panzerfaust struck, but did little more than damage the vehicle's tool bin (the first three tanks not carrying infantry for obvious reasons). It responded, however, by directing one of its 77 mm charges through the window in which the weapon was fired, killing all the occupants of the room in the process. On reaching Niedernstöcken it was found that the bridge had already been destroyed and that the units would need to cross to the south at Neustadt am Rbge.^[2]

Less than 8 kilometres to the west the infantry of the 4th Battalion the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and the 8th Battalion the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) were given the task of clearing Steimbke of an Hitler Youth battalion which saw the soldiers of SS-Panzer Grenadier Ausbildung und Ersatz Battalion 12 'Hitlerjugend' trying to retreat to the relative safety of the wood to the north, but largely were unsuccessful due to being cut down by heavy tank fire of 23rd Hussars. Leaving the village smouldering and with 150 German casualties, the troops of 29th Armoured Bridage arrived in Rodewald to find a white flag had been affixed to the chruch spire of St. Aegidien in order to prevent collateral damage occurring to an area of very little strategic or military value. The 11th Armoured Division was quick to head east in the direction of Schwarmstedt, which would also be left in a pitiful state after much fighting, and to move on to liberate the inmates Bergen-Belsen only a few days later.^[3]

The soldiers of 2. Marine Infanterie Division, commanded by Vizeadmiral Schleuren, had the unenviable title of being the last bastion of formal resistance by a coherent German formation to fight against the British Army. It's ranks consisted of Kriegsmarine, Volksgrenadier and Hitlerjugend, who although laking in tactics and experience, fought bravely and tenacuiosly, even though the War's outcome was already obvious.

Although largely untouched by either the ground war or bombing raids of the Second World War, there are still pock marks to be found in the buildings around the area of Krummende, but it is not known if any of the houses were destroyed during the fighting.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms consists of an owl perched on a clerestory window aperture, surrounded by stone. The motive of the owl originates from a small stone owl which can be found in the spire Rodewald's main church, St Aegidien.

It was approved in 1960 as a symbol of the Mittlere Bauernschaft parish by the regional president of Hanover and in 1969 adopted to represent the village as a whole.

Transportation

Road

The village’s 2,623 inhabitants are served by two major roads, these being the Bundesstraße 214, running east-west from Celle to Nienburg and the Landesstraße 192, which runs north-south from Lichtenhorst to Neustadt am Rübenberge. Both are cyclist friendly and have designated cycle paths encompassing a system where motor vehicles are oblidged to give way. The roads themselves are in relatively good condition, which is not necessarily the case for many of the other surrounding villages whose roads have been badly damaged by a number severe winters and remain in a poor condition due to a lack of investment (often the only viable solution being an inconvenient speed reduction from 50 to 30 kph). To the east and south are two major motorways, the Autobahn 7 and Autobahn 2 respectively.

Train and Bus

Public transport is somewhat awkward should one intend to visit any of the local cities or towns, less Nienburg where a bus service is in place. This is due to the bus service being restricted to within the confines of the district of Nienburg, serving mainly school children, students and adults without the luxury of a privately owned vehicle. The nearest train station (and taxi service) is located 10 km to the east at the town of Schwarmstedt, but due to it forming part of the district of Soltau-Fallingbostel cannot be reached by public transport. Most of those who have access to a privately owned vehicle and intend to travel into Hanover, but aim to avoid congestion, tend to drive the 25 km south east to Bennemühlen, a town at the regional extremities of Hanover where lower train fares can be obtained. Another option is to use the Hanover bus service from Ladeholz or Niedernstöcken, which is again inconvenient for those without access to a motor vehicle.

Air

Hanover International Airport is situated to the north of the city in an area known as Langenhagen and is located besides the Autobahn 352. Consisting of three terminals and at an approximate distance of 50 km by road, the airport is efficient not overwhelming, yet offers a good selection of destinations.

Sports, Leisure and Culture

Clubs

The village has an entwining sense of community spirit with most inhabitants either actively or inactively supporting one of the many clubs in operation. These include:

SSV Rodewald

The Sports and Games Club dating back to 1921 which aside fielding three football teams at district level also offers the opportunity to participate at handball, gymnastics, athletics, table tennis, Nordic walking and hiking. The Club boasts a sports hall, training football pitch and club house, and a match football pitch with a club house offering spectators food and drink.

Schützenverein

Literally meaning Marksmen Club, there are three Schützenvereinen within the village, one per Bauernschaft, with the members wearing a very distinctive and traditional uniform linking back to their days as a local militia. Those participating apply marksmanship principles, without attaching any military importance and compete in a purely sporting manner. The Clubs have their own Schützenhaus and hold an annual internal competition with the winner of the men’s, women’s and children’s events being crowned during a large celebration known as Schützenfest. The weapons used tend to range from air-rifles to small bore weapons and crossbows.

Theaterverein Preciosa e.V.

An amateur dramatics club provides entertainment in the form of short plays and patomine, often performing at Gasthaus Ernst Höper on Krummende. One of their specialities is the use of Plattdeutsch during some presentations in an attempt to revive a local language which has been in decline since the 18th century.

Reit und Fahrverein Rodewald e.V.

Also founded in 1921, the Riding and Carriage Club thrived until the Second World War when all but the most essential horses were commandeered for the war effort. Post war the Club again began to flourish and exists to this day. The riding hall is used for various activities including lessons in dressage, show jumping and horseback gymnastics.

Freivillege Feuerwehr

Although more a form of public service than a club, Rodewald has a volunteer fire brigade consisting of three active groups (one per Bauernshaft), a senior members association and a youth organisation . All active members must have attended a form of basic training and continue to develop their skills during scheduled monthly meetings where continuance training is delivered or equipment and hydrants are tested and maintained. Regional courses are also available in group leadership, the use of breathing apparatus, vehicle maintenance and radio operation.

During an emergency the alarm is raised by the use of numerous civil defence sirens signalling that all active members within the vicinity are to make their way to the centrally located fire station and man the two fire engines and minibus where needed. As all local villages are interlinked, a sizable response can therefore be guaranteed when the situation requires it.

Food and Drink

Eating Out

Specialising in Greek and Italian dishes, Pegasus on Neudorf offers the relaxing atmosphere of a well kept restaurant with a sizable and varied menu. A family run business, it is often host to theme nights concentrating on foreign foods and live music. A sports bar within the annex allows for the viewing of Bundesliga games on the big screen.

Another local family business is the Big Bull take-away which is situated by the main crossroad in the centre of the village. In true German fashion it has a beer garden and is highly regarded for its Currywurst and chips.

Bars and Pubs

Although different to the British pub culture, there are many bars and pubs (Kneipen und Gaststätten) which may be frequented in the same fashion in which one would a British public house. The Deutsches Haus on Hauptstraße is often the venue of live music and regularly holds Irish nights. Gasthaus Ernst Höper on Krummende is host to theatrical performances by the local amateur dramatics group and Pegasus features a sports bar in the annex. There are also numerous function rooms available for private functions and meetings.

The Blaue Maus (Blue Mouse) disco situated on Hauptstraße is well known throughout the region and holds the unique, but unofficial title as a farmer’s disco. Theme nights are common and a combination live and disc-jockeyed music can often be heard.

References