At the Documentation Center of the AG Air War History Rhine/Moselle in Vogelsang, torn, bent, and rusted aircraft parts tell the stories of the air war over the Eifel. The permanent exhibition “Remains, Memories, and Narratives – What Remains from the Air War” showcases artifacts that were buried in the Eifel ground for decades.

The focus is not on the technical details of the aircraft, but on the people and their fates. The exhibits tell stories of fear, loss, and the horrors of World War II. Personal stories reveal how closely the found remains are connected to the fates of the individuals.

Particularly impressive is the story of pilot Johannes Rinke, whose aircraft was shot down in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. Only decades later could he be identified with the help of a small metal plate bearing the production number of the aircraft.

The exhibition also shows what happened to the remains after the crashes. Larger parts of the aircraft were partly salvaged by locals and repurposed. Thus, through the artifacts, a piece of regional history becomes visible, and the memory of the people behind the remains is preserved.