Military History

Since the Middle Ages, Hameln, like many other towns, has been strongly fortified; in the 17th century the expansion of this fortification saw the building of a fortress, which was completed in 1780.

When Johann Friedrich, Duke of Braunschweig, (1625-1679) formed the Army of Hannover, the soldiers moved into the Hameln Quarters for the first time, then moved on into normal houses, and later into their own barracks.

In Hameln’s variable history, it saw both friend and foe within its walls – in 1945 American and British units took over the not-to-be-returned-to 74ths; former foes soon became friends: Hameln is currently a garrison town for the British Engineer Regiment. They are closely connected to the town and also belong to it.

The exhibition in Hameln Museum shows equipment and weaponry, including mechanical weapons, spanning approximately 400 years, up until 1945.