Muzeum Śląskiej Bitwy o Paliwo Blechhammer – 1944
Community museum in the cellars of the “Lech” estate house of culture, about the raids of the US 15th Air Force on the fuel plants in Kędzierzyn-Koźle and about prisoners of war and forced labourers.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Blechhammer – 1944 Museum of the Silesian Fuel Battle is run by the Blechhammer – 1944 Association (Stowarzyszenie “Blechhammer – 1944”). It continues the Memorial Room of Airmen of the 15th US Army Air Force, Forced Labourers and Prisoners of War (Izba Pamięci Lotników 15 Armii Powietrznej USAAF, Robotników Przymusowych i Jeńców Wojennych), which the association set up in 2006 within the competition “Partnership Without Borders” (Partnerstwo bez granic). In 2007 the initiative was honoured by the Marshal of the Opole Voivodeship, and in 2018 the institution was officially transformed into a museum.
The premises are in the cellars of the Osiedlowy Dom Kultury “Lech” in the Blachownia district. Six rooms present the air campaign of the American 15th Air Force in 1944 against three plants producing synthetic fuels for the German army: in Blachownia (Blechhammer), Kędzierzyn (Heydebreck) and Zdzieszowice (Odertal).
An important part of the exhibition is the fate of the builders of these plants: prisoners of war, forced labourers and prisoners from nearby camps, including the Judenlager camp. The German anti-aircraft defence (FLAK) is also shown. The collections come mainly from the association's many years of searches and from donations, and include fragments of shot-down aircraft, uniforms and aviation equipment, documents, maps and photographs. Part of the exhibition is also located in a Salzgitter-type air-raid shelter next to the cultural centre. The museum operates on a voluntary basis, so visits take place by prior arrangement.
Highlights
- Six rooms on the “Silesian fuel battle” and the raids of the US 15th Air Force
- Fragments of shot-down aircraft, uniforms and aviation equipment
- Exhibitions on prisoners of war, forced labourers and the Judenlager camp
- German anti-aircraft defence (FLAK)
- Guided tour by the association
Permanent exhibitions
- Lotnicy 15. Armii Powietrznej Stanów Zjednoczonych – Exhibition on the American air campaign against the synthetic fuel plants in the Kędzierzyn-Koźle area, with parts of aircraft and aviation equipment.
- Jeńcy wojenni i robotnicy przymusowi – Exhibition on prisoners of war, forced labourers and camp prisoners who built the fuel plants and worked in them.
- Obóz Judenlager – Exhibition on the German labour camp Judenlager in the area of the Blechhammer fuel plants.
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Stowarzyszenie „Blechhammer – 1944”
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kids
The subject matter of the exhibitions (World War II, labour camps and air raids) is serious. Youth groups visit the museum.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits by prior arrangement, with a guide from the Blechhammer – 1944 Association. The museum presents themes of war and occupation, so it is more suitable for older teenagers and adults. |
