Nazi Military Barracks, Germany

The Wehrmacht commissioned the construction of these Nazi Military Barracks in the 1930s. The Wehrmacht represented the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany. During the rearmament period of the German military, many sites such as these appeared in eastern Germany. CCCP Flight School and Haus der Offiziere were also occupied by the military, and expanded at this time.

History of the Nazi Military Barracks

This once luxurious barracks complex consisted of over 50 buildings. The military facility spans around 125 hectares. The complex would have been home to between 3000 and 5000 personal, it has been estimated.

Most of the Nazi Military Barracks would have been apartment blocks. In addition to this, there were numerous storage buildings. Officers and troops would have had access to on-site entertainment and leisure facilities. This barracks had an officer’s club, tennis court, theatre and gymnasium.

Soviet Control and subsequent abandonment

One day after the Nazi forces left the site in 1945, the Soviet Army moved in. The dissolution of the Soviet Union occurred in the early 1990s, and the Soviet forces quickly vacated this site. This army barracks has been derelict ever since.

Presently, a large part of the site has already been converted into housing. Much of the site still lays abandoned, succumbing to increasing graffiti and defacement with every passing year.

The Eagle and the Iron Cross (and the Swastika) – The infamous Adler building

The most interesting building, to many a visitor, is the infamous Adler building. The ground floor of this building features some beautiful stairways, encrusted with peeling paint. There is also some sort of lecture hall, complete with a stage and some modern (but curiously fitting) graffiti.

On the upper floor there is a controversial, but interesting ceiling mosaic. This mosaic depicts a stoic eagle, against an Iron Cross backdrop. Under the claws of the eagle (faded but still visible) is a Swastika. It is clear that there has been some attempt to remove this symbol. This is evident by the more faded appearance of the Swastika, in relation to the eagle.

In each corner of the mosaic there once four other Swastikas, but these have been scratched off. These are now almost totally obliterated.

Preserved relic, or modern addition?

All symbols of the Nazi party were banned shortly after the party was abolished. Where these insignia existed, they were removed or covered over permanently.

Why did the eagle and its now-outlawed perch survive this widespread removal after the war? Perhaps the Soviets which occupied the site between 1945 and the 1990s simply left this mosaic largely untouched. If they actively decided to keep this old symbol, the reasons why have been lost to the annals of time.

Another explanation is that this is perhaps a more modern feature that has been added for a film. Numerous high-budget films feature scenes shot at this Nazi Military Barracks. These include; Enemy at the Gates, Inglourious Basterds, The Monuments Men, Valkyrie and Resident Evil.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has more information about the authenticity of this mosaic.