Suche
Mein Konto
Moosburg is fighting to preserve Stalag VII A: A monument to history
Freising is making progress in preserving the barracks of Stalag VII A in Moosburg as a documentation center for the culture of remembrance.
Moosburg is fighting to preserve Stalag VII A: A monument to history
In beautiful Bavaria, more precisely in the Freising district, there are big plans in the works: the preservation of the remaining barracks of the former Stalag VII A prisoner of war camp near Moosburg is getting closer and closer. The goal? A conversion into a documentation center that keeps the history and stories behind these walls alive. As sueddeutsche.de reports, a special purpose agreement has already been signed between the Freising district and the city of Moosburg.
The project will be financed through public funding and third-party funding. Fortunately, the German Foundation for Monument Protection has already promised funding. This is an important step because Stalag VII A, with up to 80,000 interned prisoners of war, was one of the largest camps in southern Germany during the Second World War.
The historic past
Stalag VII A opened in September 1939, initially for 10,000 Polish prisoners captured during the German invasion of Poland. In the years that followed, many different nationalities were added, including many French soldiers during the Battle of France. Almost 40,000 French prisoners of war found their way into the camp during the war. As can be read on Wikipedia, the camp's history also includes the internment of Soviet officers and American soldiers captured from 1942 onwards. The camp experienced an increase in the number of prisoners, especially after the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.
The post-war period also brought with it a rededication: from 1948 the camp was used for displaced persons and later for guest workers. Part of the Moosburg district of Neustadt goes back to this use. Since 2013, some of the guard barracks and the “Sabathiel Barracks” have been listed as historical monuments – an important step in keeping history alive.
Departure into the future
The city of Moosburg initially submitted an application for the demolition of the guard barracks, but withdrew this in view of its historical significance. The city and the district are now working together to preserve it, which is the first step towards securing the building stock. In the medium term, the barracks should not only be preserved, but also used for community purposes and developed into a “living monument”.
The city provides land and buildings free of charge. The district assumes responsibility for the funding applications and the necessary structural measures. This commitment shows a strong will to preserve the social history of the last 70 years and make it tangible for future generations.
For those interested in more information about captivity in the Second World War, the Bundesarchiv has valuable sources available. Here you can find everything from camp administrations to personal documents and testimonials from former prisoners of war. It becomes clear that coming to terms with and documenting this difficult time is of great importance.
The project in Moosburg is not only a sign of remembrance, but also of hope for an enlightened future. By engaging with history, we promote not only the understanding but also the memory of those who suffered the horrors of war.