Beneath this unassuming facade of Baracke 35 lies a history spanning over 70 years. The Baracke 35 stands as a reminder of a difficult past. Today, it serves as a meeting place. It promotes peace through the work of a dedicated association.
Before 1933, this land belonged to Klöckner-Werke and local farmers. From 1935 to 1937, wooden barracks formed the core of a Wehrmacht Kaserne. These barracks trained soldiers. They prepared the “White Years” recruits for service.
Around 1940, Lager Eversheide was established. It became a camp for political and war prisoners. During the French campaign in May and June 1940, about 700 French prisoners of war were housed here. They were later moved in October. Following the Balkan campaign in March and April 1941, the camp transformed. It held 3247 prisoners from southeastern Europe.
By 1943, the camp expanded. An additional 22 barracks were added. The number of prisoners increased to nearly 5000. Around 400 of them were Jewish. Predominantly Serbian officers were held here. There were also political prisoners. They came from France, Holland, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.
In late 1944, Heinrich Himmler took control of prisoner-of-war affairs. On March 28, 1945, the camp was dissolved. The prisoners were sent to a collection camp near Lüneburg. Later they returned as liberated individuals. Some became displaced persons. The British Rhine Army then used the area as a summer camp.
Lager Eversheide played a role in the Nuremberg trials. It was noted for a high number of tortures and executions for an Oflag. After the war, Lager Eversheide became temporary housing. It was for displaced persons. Returning to their homelands was impossible for them. In the early 1950s, British soldiers moved into the renamed “Quebec Barracks.” On September 25, 2008, the complex was handed over. It went to the Federal Agency for Real Estate.
Baracke 35 is now open to everyone. It welcomes events that promote peace. The association aims to use the Baracke’s rooms. They want to achieve their goals. This includes hosting events and upholding their mission.
The association carries out educational work. It offers lectures and changing exhibitions on current topics. It processes historical material through working groups. This includes project weeks with schools. They also plan an interactive online presence. This involves a homepage and communication tools.
The Baracke 35 Atter-Osnabrück e.V. was founded in early 2010. It is a non-profit association. The goal is to preserve Baracke 35. The location is on the former “Quebec Barracks” site. It is a place of historical significance. The association documents the camp’s origins and uses. It served as a prisoner-of-war camp “OFLAG VI C.” It was a starting point for the Serbian Orthodox parish. It continued to be used until 2008.
Baracke 35 is a place of encounters. It reminds people of the area’s varied history. It promotes a culture of peace. In 2009, the Ministry of Culture and Science designated it as a monument. The association wants to use the rooms in the Baracke. It seeks to promote anti-war culture and peace. It focuses on work with students and young people. It also supports science and research on war and peace. It promotes education and information.