Motor Pool Oberursel and its Swimming Pool 1929 – 1969

I have permission to share the following photos of the very first swimming pool in Oberursel, which belonged to the Motor Pool.

1929: pool party or Sommerfest (summer fest)

Summer fest 1929

On 30 March 1945, U.S. troops occupied the town of Oberursel and the Motorenfabrik (Motor Pool). The Motor Pool remained in U.S. American hands until 1956/1957.

Change of hands: The Americans returned the Motor Pool back to the Germans in 1956/1957

The Motor Pool also had its own fire department. The next three photos show a fire drill held in 1969.

Photo source:  Geschichtskreis Motorenfabrik Oberursel

For more about the history of the Motor Pool, have a look at the book at 125 years of Motor Pool history , a post I had written about the author Helmut Hujer, and his work.

Oberursel and its first Outdoor Swimming Pool

The very first swimming pool was built by the Motorenfabrik Oberursel (Motor Pool) in 1927.

Werksschwimmbad Motorenwerke Oberursel

(Bildquelle: mit freundlicher Erlaubnis vom Geschichtskreis Motorenfabrik Oberursel)

The engineer Helmut Stein, who had joined the Motorenfabrik in 1925, initiated the construction of this Werksschwimmbad (factory-run pool for its staff and families). Other facilities, such as sport fields and a shooting range, were added later.

The company supplied the material, and construction was completed by its own workers after working hours.

During the summer months, swimming lessons were given to the young vocational trainees. It soon became a social meeting point for its workers and families.

The city of Oberursel itself had to wait another decade for its own public pool (see postcard). Construction went from 1934 – 1936, and its Grand Opening took place on 7 June 1937.

Städtische Schwimmbadeanlagen Oberursel, 1937

Source: „125 Jahre Motorenfabrik Oberursel, 1892 – 2017, Wandel gehört zum Leben“ by Helmut Hujer

125 Years of Motor Pool History in Oberursel, Germany

After years of intensive research and collecting photos, Mr. Helmut Hujer, published his book 125 Jahre Motorenfabrik Oberursel in September 2017.

The book includes 125 years of the history of the Motor Pool from 1892 – 2017.

U.S. Americans worked at the Motor Pool from 1945 – 1956.

M.I.S. Center Motor Pool at Rolls Royce in Oberursel, Germany in 1945

(Photo credit goes to John Dolibois, with his permission to publish)

I got in contact with Mr. Hujer through one of my blog readers, Jack Stites. Jack, who had worked at the Motor Pool from 1954 – 1955, then contributed some photos for this publication.

Book about Motor Pool, Oberursel

List of contributors to the book: 125 Years of the Motor Pool Oberursel

If you are in Oberursel, you can purchase the book for euro 50 at the Vortaunusmuseum, at the Werksmuseum Rolly-Royce, or directly from the author (hujer.helmut@t-online.de).

If you are in the U.S.A. and want it shipped (896 pages, weight: 11 lbs), then add the postage fee of euro 37,99 to the book price.

If you need help getting this arranged, then drop me a line.

Rolls Royce in the Air

In mid-July, I was asked to assist in locating people’s names for a historical research regarding Rolls Royce, Oberursel. Four days later, I found myself sitting on a Lufthansa flight to London and looking out the window, I was reminded of the task – by the logo.

Rolls Royce, so close to home right here in Oberursel, is also a safe travel companion.

Once again, if you can help identify any of these people in the photos from this post Changing Hands from Motor Pool to Rolls Royce, Oberursel in 1956, then we would love to hear from you.

Rolls Royce in the Air

 

Changing Hands: From Motor Pool to Rolls Royce – Oberursel in 1956

Mr. Hartmut Hirsch, working with the Rolls Royce Historical Society in Oberursel (Geschichtskreis Motorenfabrik Oberursel e.V.), is looking for additional information on the identities of the people shown in the following three photos.

The photo shows a group of people handing over a key on the front steps of the administrative building. We can assume this is the returned key from the Americans who had occupied the building from 1945 – 1956.
It is known that a final inspection of the property was done on 30 or 31 July 1956 to determine if any damages had been caused by the US personnel. Among the German inspectors was also the US property management. It is safe to assume the photos were taken during the inspection.
Questions:
Who are these people?
What are their official positions?
On what date was the photo taken?

July 1956 – Handing back the keys to Rolls Royce in Oberursel

Any information about the following two photos would also be very appreciated.

Repatriation Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce

You can mail me at info@pension-sprachschule.de or leave a comment below.

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