In memory of the victims of the 1943 and 1948 explosions
In 1943 and 1948, violent explosions shook the site in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. At first glance, the causes and the aftermath of both explosions on today’s BASF SE site premises are extremely similar. However, their historical backdrops are very different. Both gas cloud explosions claimed countless lives, destroyed infrastructure and were hugely traumatizing – yet they were handled very differently at the time of their occurrence. While the disaster of 1948 became a media event, the 1943 explosion never made it into the public consciousness. But what do we know today about the causes of the two disasters? How are they similar and what are the differences? Who were the victims? The multimedia page also examines these questions from different perspectives.
The key facts surrounding the disaster of 1943
The disaster
In the midst of the Second World War, shortly before the first large-scale air strikes on Ludwigshafen am Rhein, there was a large explosion on the site premises of I.G. Farbenindustrie AG at approximately 6 p.m. on July 29, 1943.
Looking for the causes
Internal and external experts were summoned to investigate the causes of the disaster. One suspicion was that an “act of sabotage” triggered the explosion. The Nazi regime kept the explosion a secret and never offered any explanation to the public.
Perpetual silence
In 1943, no official statement was made to the public regarding the victims of the explosion – this matter, too, was subject to the wartime secrecy imposed by the “Third Reich.” The site newspaper listed only an incomplete list of names of the victims, without giving a cause of death. This list did not disclose that forced laborers were also among the victims
The causes
What could we know today as to why tank car “Mainz 514 442” burst on July 29, 1943? Sources reveal that it was filled 15 percent over its maximum capacity.
The victims
Some 64 people lost their lives on July 29, 1943. A further 526 people were injured during the accident on the site premises of I.G. Farbenindustrie AG. To this day, it is still not possible to conclusively identify three of the foreign victims who lost their lives.
In commemoration
In commemoration under different circumstances: Today, an updated memorial plaque commemorates all 64 lives claimed by the 1943 explosion.
The key facts surrounding the disaster of 1948
The disaster
At 3:43 p.m. on the hot summer’s day of July 28, 1948 there was another gas cloud explosion on today’s BASF site in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. It decimated a site and a city that were still being rebuilt. [Source: BASF Corporate History; photographer: unknown]
The victims
207 people died on July 28, 1948. Even though the names of the victims were all known, it was not possible to conclusively identify all those who lost their lives. A further 3,818 people were injured – some of whom seriously. [Source: City Archives Ludwigshafen am Rhein; photographer: Hans Roden, Presse-Berichterstattung, Mannheim]
Looking for the causes
For a second time, the culprit was a tank car filled with an explosive gas mixture. Why did it burst? What was the chain of events during the gas cloud explosion?
The causes
Although we can reliably trace the cause today, the accident prompted all manner of speculation back in 1948 when the world was on the cusp of the Cold War. [Source: BASF Corporate History; photographer: unknown]
The responders
There was an overwhelming wave of public support, with many different groups and organizations aiding to try and save as many lives as possible. Soldiers from the American and French occupying forces were among the first responders to arrive at the site of the disaster. [Source: City Archives Ludwigshafen am Rhein; photographer: Hans Wagner, Haardt]
Press coverage
The shock waves in the press were just as strong. Naturally, the explosion in Ludwigshafen am Rhein was covered by the regional media. However, it also made international headlines. [Source: City Archives Ludwigshafen am Rhein]
In commemoration
On the 75th anniversary of the disaster, BASF and the City of Ludwigshafen am Rhein commemorate the victims of the explosion.
Behind the scenes at BASF Corporate History
Why is BASF commemorating two disasters at the same time? How are they similar and what are the differences? How much can be reconstructed based on the sources – and what cannot? Employees from BASF Corporate History offer an insight into their research.
