“Artilleriekaserne” or artillery barracks is a fitting term for the General-von-Stein-Kaserne. The General-von-Stein-Kaserne has seen soldiers march off to battle. One former soldier who experienced the First World War helped build it.
This soldier confirmed that the old horse-drawn wagons were stationed here. From here, they were sent to the front lines. A city guide shared this story on a day of historical monuments.
Later, another former soldier corrected the tour guide’s story. This soldier was stationed there in 1934. In 1933, he trained as a glazier and painter. He pointed out the windows he had installed during his apprenticeship. His contributions were very captivating.
But who was General von Stein? The barracks did not receive its name until after World War II. This happened with the revival of the German Federal Armed Forces. The namesake was not a democrat. He was loyal to the Kaiser.
The Osnabrück Garrison was a major British military base. It had facilities in Osnabrück and Münster. It housed the 4th Armoured Brigade and its units. It formed a large part of British Forces Germany.
The oldest part of the Osnabrück Station was Caprivi Kaserne. It was named after General Leo von Caprivi. Dating back to 1899, it became Scarborough Barracks after World War II. It now serves as the University of Applied Sciences.
Scharnhorst Kaserne was built in the 1930s. It was named after General Gerhard von Scharnhorst. After the war, it became Belfast Barracks. It now houses the Osnabrück Innovations Centre.
Winkelhausen Kaserne was also built in the 1930s. It was named after Colonel Willy Carl Winkelhausen. It became Roberts Barracks after the war. It is now used as a freight hub.
Am Limberg Kaserne was built during the war. It was an ammunition factory for the Wehrmacht. It was expanded in the early 1950s. It became Imphal Barracks and Mercer Barracks. It is now being redeveloped for housing.
The site on Landwehrstraße became Quebec Barracks. The British Army occupied it in the 1950s. It is also being redeveloped for housing.
Loddenheide Kaserne was built in the 1930s. It expanded after the war. It was divided into Buller Barracks, Swinton Barracks, Waterloo Barracks, and York Barracks. Its future use is under local planning consultation.
Hermann Göring Kaserne became Oxford Barracks. It was named after Reich Marshal Hermann Göring.
The garrison became the largest British military base outside the UK. On June 28, 1996, Quebec Barracks suffered a mortar attack. Three Mark 15 mortar devices hit it. The barracks closed in 2009.
The British military had many locations within the garrison area. Belfast Barracks served as an infantry barracks from 1951. It housed the 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. It closed in 2009.
Imphal Barracks served as a cavalry and tank regiment barracks from 1952. It housed the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards. It closed in 2007.
Mercer Barracks served as an infantry barracks from 1952. It housed the 1st Battalion the Royal Green Jackets. It closed in 1992.
Quebec Barracks served as an infantry barracks from the 1950s. It housed the 12th Mechanised Brigade. Later, it housed the 4th Armoured Brigade. It closed in 2009.
Roberts Barracks served as an artillery and engineer barracks from 1951. It housed the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. It closed in 2008.
Scarborough Barracks served as an ordnance park and signals barracks. It housed the 12 Ordnance Company. It closed in 1987.
Buller Barracks served as a Royal Army Service Corps barracks. Later, it was an infantry barracks. It housed the 1st Battalion The Queen’s Own Highlanders. It closed in 1994.
Oxford Barracks served as an infantry barracks. It housed the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. It closed in 2009.
Portsmouth Barracks housed the 8 Artillery Support Regiment. It also housed the 31 Ordnance Company. It closed in 1994.
Prestatyn Barracks housed the 7 Field Ambulance. Swinton Barracks housed the Royal Hussars. It closed in 1992.
Waterloo Barracks housed the 2nd Regiment Royal Artillery. It closed in 1993. York Barracks housed various brigades and the Royal Dragoon Guards. It closed in 2008. Today, the General-von-Stein-Kaserne stands as a reminder of Osnabrück’s military past.