Weaponshmiede Bochum Club (1939/41)
Contrary to what the title suggests, the film is a comprehensive depiction of production at the Bochumer Verein factories, from the blast furnaces and steelworks to the further processing of crude steel in press and hammer mills. Exterior shots, including the factory railway, are also included.
It is an in-house production of the Bochum Association for Cast Steel Manufacturing, one of Germany's leading mining companies with over 20.000 employees (in 1938), and part of the United Steelworks Group since 1926. Employees of the Bochum Association's well-equipped photography department also shot 16 mm film since 1934. Among other things, they produced contributions on company social policy, but above all, they filmed in the various production plants.
The Bochumer Verein was known for its armaments production. During the Weimar Republic, it was able to produce projectiles of specific calibers; under the Nazi regime, the production program expanded considerably, including anti-aircraft guns and bombs. Armaments production is discussed in the final part of the film. Bochum Weaponsmiths Association It has survived in several versions between 1939 and 1941 and includes footage of Kurt Ksinsik, the head of the photography department, and Otto Häublein. The original soundtrack on records has unfortunately been lost. At the time, the film was primarily shown to visitors to the factory.
Ralf Stremmel, Krupp Historical Archives
Filmographic information:
Year of production: 1939/41
Client: Bochum Association for Cast Steel Manufacturing AG
Format: 16 mm needle tone (no longer available), b/w
Running time: 16 min.
Recordings: Kurt Ksinsik, Otto Häublein
Design: Kurt Ksinsik, Otto Häublein
Contact
Krupp Historical Archive
Villa Hill, Hill 1
45133 Essen
Prof. Dr. Ralf Stremmel / Felix Hartelt, M.Sc.
archive@hak-krupp-stiftung.de
Company photographer Otto Häublein at the film camera, May 6, 1940
Source: Krupp Historical Archive
Armaments production in the bullet factory of the Bochumer Verein, May 18, 1942
Source: Krupp Historical Archive
Screenshot of the film title: Waffenschmiede Bochumer Verein, 1941
Source: Krupp Historical Archive