Polte ammunition factory

In the first half of the 20th century, the firm of Polte Armaturen- und Maschinenfabrik OHG in Magdeburg, Germany was an important manufacturer of large fittings and one of the largest ammunition producers in the world.[1] The group was one of the most important employers in Magdeburg,[2] a pioneer in the construction of sanitary and social facilities for employees and workers[3] and internationally appreciated for the engineering quality of its products.[4] After the Second World War, it was mainly known for the mass employment of forced laborers and concentration camp prisoners (from June 1943 until the end of the war, by which time some 50% of the workforce were of this category). The parts of the Polte-Werke that were not destroyed during the war or transported away by the Soviet occupying forces as reparations were later merged into the VEB Schwerarmaturenwerk "Erich Weinert" and the resulting VEB Magdeburger Armaturenwerke "Karl Marx".[5]

  1. ^ Gem. Astrid Pawassar: Bildatlas Leipzig, Halle, Magdeburg. Band 233 des HB Bildatlas [According to Astrid Pawassar: Picture atlas Leipzig, Halle, Magdeburg. Volume 233 of the HB picture atlas]. 2007. p. 96. ISBN 978-3616063874. largest ammunition producer in the German Reich
  2. ^ Martin Nathusius. "bibliography". The Magdeburg Line. p. 109. At the beginning of the Second World War, around 14,000 Magdeburg residents worked in the Polte works
  3. ^ "Magdeburgische Zeitung, 6/7 April 1925". Vol. 7th supplement / no. 177 (176) – via Martin Nathusius: "The Magdeburg Line" (p. 103), see bibliography. Polte was founded 50 years ago. Anniversary of the respected Magdeburg machine factory. It started with 23 workers
  4. ^ Hans Leonhard. "Eugen Polte". Mitteldeutsche Lebensbilder [Central German images of life]. Vol. Fifth volume. Pictures of life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Magdeburg, 1930. The Poltewerk is also one of the pioneers and trailblazers for the triumphant run of German industry in all parts of the world...
  5. ^ "Formerly Schäffer & Budenberg, founded in 1850 as the mechanical workshop Bernhard Schäffer & Co. since 1852 under the company Schäffer & Budenberg, fittings and measuring devices works, machine and steam boiler factory , in 1902 it was converted to a GmbH, the company's headquarters were in the Schöneberger Strasse in Magdeburg-Buckau" (PDF). magdeburg.de.