Motorenwerke

Jul 31, 2018

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

Jan 20, 2018

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.

Mar 21, 2010

Motor Pool Camp King in 1945

Through my continued interest in the history of Camp King, which began with the podcast Graham and I recorded in 2007, I’ve been able to gather more and more information. Through learning more about this part of our German history, my circle of like-minded correspondents has also widened.

My special gratitude goes to Ambassador Dolibois, who gave permission to share 12 special photos. In 1945, Ambassador Dolibois was stationed at Camp King with the U.S. Army Intelligence. After the war, he was transferred from Oberursel to Luxembourg, and then served as Goering’s interrogator before and during the Nuremberg trials.

For today’s post, I have chosen a few photos taken around the area of Camp King and the adjacent Motorwerke.