Some of the turmoil in the history of the Vogtland region might have almost been forgotten, if Gerd Naumann had not conducted some research into it. The historian’s special field of interest is Plauen during the world wars – and the life of one submarine commander has affected him in a special way.

“A new era of global history is starting here and now and you can say that you were part of it” – those are the words of the famous poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, during the wars that followed the French Revolution. Gerd Naumann says that he felt exactly like that during the peaceful revolution in 1989 – particularly on 7 October that year. He adds, “I can still remember the atmosphere in Plauen – I set off from my home at lunchtime and saw the people and the vehicles. I’ve never felt my heart throb in that way before.” History is his passion, but not just when he has experienced it himself – but also if he can bury himself in old documents and files. He often unearths interesting people who have almost been forgotten and had a marked effect on Plauen and the Vogtland region in the past.

“I’m particularly fascinated by rough, awkward personalities – the ambivalent characters whom it’s not so easy to understand. Tracking them down is unbelievably exciting.”

The native of Leipzig has been working at the Vogtland Museum in Plauen as a research associate since 1988. Even if he has just started his retirement, he has promised to continue his research work. His exhibitions and his book about the air raids on Plauen during the Second World War have provoked lively debates in the past. “I remember that some elderly visitors to our exhibitions spontaneously started talking to each other and had a great deal to say,” he says, looking back on his work.

The fate of one man has particularly affected him: the life of the submarine commander, Werner Hartenstein, who was born in Plauen in 1908. Naumann has paid tribute to his life at several meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Hartenstein torpedoed the former luxury liner “Laconia”, which had been converted into a troop carrier, in the Atlantic from his submarine U 156 “Plauen”; the large vessel was carrying British soldiers and civilians too.

“It was impossible for Hartenstein to know that. At his own initiative, he arranged for people to be rescued out of the water. Other commanders were often less interested in this.”

It was possible to save 1100 people from the “Laconia” disaster, which has become legendary. 1500 died. Naumann is a member of the board of the international association known as “International Submarine Connection U-156 Plauen”, which is based in the town. “International understanding and the memory of Hartenstein are the major focus of its work. It’s important not to forget how he showed a humane attitude, even in war,” Naumann explains.

Gerd Naumann has left his mark as a history expert at several places in the Vogtland region: the exhibition rooms at Voigtsberg Castle in Oelsnitz were created in line with his plans. As a member of the “Museums and exhibitions in the Vogtland region” special working group, he has been actively shaping the Vogtland/Zwickau cultural scene on a voluntary basis for 20 years in order to help institutions gain access to grants. And as a board member of the recently formed “Vogtland '89” association, he is aiming to reappraise the period associated with the fall of the Berlin Wall in the region. He is due to receive the voluntary service award from the Vogtland District for his services in the sphere of culture in September 2019.