Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 15, 2026

Rethem

Rethem is a town in the Heidekreis in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the river Aller, approx. 25 km southwest of Bad Fallingbostel, and 18 km southeast of Verden. The town was the scene of heavy fighting over the period 10–11 April 1945 between units of the British 53rd Welsh Division and parts of the German 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division with heavy losses on both sides. Most of the German soldiers were not older than 23 years.

Last revised
Jun 15, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
178 w
Citations
1
Source
Rethem
Coat of arms of Rethem
Location of Rethem within Heidekreis district
Map
Location of Rethem
Rethem
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Rethem
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Coordinates: 52°47′5″N 9°22′41″E / 52.78472°N 9.37806°E / 52.78472; 9.37806
CountryGermany
StateLower Saxony
DistrictHeidekreis
Municipal assoc.Rethem/Aller
Subdivisions4 Ortschaften
Government
 • MayorKarl-Dieter Oestmann (CDU)
Area
 • Total
34.08 km2 (13.16 sq mi)
Elevation
16 m (52 ft)
Population
 (2024-12-31)1
 • Total
2,332
 • Density68.43/km2 (177.2/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
27336
Dialling codes05165
Vehicle registrationHK, SFA
Websitewww.rethem.de

Rethem (German: [ˈʁeːtəm] ) is a town in the Heidekreis in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the river Aller, approx. 25 km southwest of Bad Fallingbostel, and 18 km southeast of Verden. The town was the scene of heavy fighting over the period 10–11 April 1945 between units of the British 53rd Welsh Division and parts of the German 2. Marine-Infanterie-Division with heavy losses on both sides. Most of the German soldiers were not older than 23 years.

Rethem is the seat of the Samtgemeinde ("collective municipality") Rethem/Aller.

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