Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld Stolperschwelle

In the shadow of World War II, a chilling story unfolded at the Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld. This wasn’t a typical concentration camp. It was a forced labor camp, established in 1942, tied to the Kurbelwellenwerk Hamburg, a factory producing crankshafts for the German Luftwaffe. The Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld became a grim residence for thousands. These weren’t soldiers, but foreign workers, prisoners of war, and individuals forcibly displaced from Nazi-occupied lands. The entrance to this camp was right here, at the corner of Holstenkamp and Eichloh. The Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld served a dark purpose in the Nazi war machine. Those imprisoned within its confines were forced to contribute to the war effort. They toiled under inhumane conditions, suffering from brutal labor, meager rations, and deplorable living conditions. Many perished due to starvation, disease, or outright violence. The camp, operated by the Krupp concern, was guarded not by the Wehrmacht or SS, but by the factory’s own security personnel. This fact underscores the deep entanglement of private industry with the Nazi regime’s exploitative labor practices. By May 3, 1945, even before the British arrived, production at the factory had ceased. The guards abandoned their posts, leaving the Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld unguarded. Today, a Stolperschwelle, a stumbling block, marks this location. Installed in 2014, it bears a poignant inscription: “Remember, never forget – Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld for the Kurbelwellenwerk Hamburg – in memory of the victims 1942-45.” This serves as a stark reminder of the suffering endured within these grounds. It prompts us to reflect on the injustices perpetrated during this dark period of history. It also encourages us to remember the thousands who were imprisoned and forced to work at the Arbeitslager Wiesenfeld, their lives forever marked by the horrors of war and exploitation.