An exceptional example is the four-metre-high equestrian statue standing on a plinth in the cemetery of Onolzheim, now a town of Crailsheim. The local mayor, Weller, described the sculpture, which was unveiled in 1928, in the following words: “The horse is being devoured by snakes on its chest and body and collapses with an expression of pain. Despite his broken lance, the rider is still alert and ready to defend himself should the need arise.”
Final remark by the mayor on the questionnaire of the time: The municipality is very satisfied. The monument is inexpensive, ingenious and conveys a great deal.
The monument holds the home front – at least indirectly – responsible for the outcome of the war, primarily through the original inscription in the field ‘Unbeaten’ – at least indirectly responsible for what was then termed the failure of the home front. According to this fateful view, the German army in the First World War was not worn down by the military superiority of its enemies, but by the lack of steadfastness of the home front, and was thus forced to surrender. (From “To Our Heroes – Monuments to the Fallen of the First World War in the Former District of Crailsheim” by Christoph Bittel)
