House of the officers
The military history of the Wünsdorf area goes back to the 19th century when there were shooting ranges established at Kummersdorf and Jüterbog, these were joined by a railway line in 1888. The areas military numbers grew with the addition of barracks and an infantry school. By the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the military area was over 60,000 acres and the largest military base in Europe.
After WWI, the area was added to with more barracks, stables and a military hospital. In 1924 it was turned into an Army Sports school and later given the name Militärturnanstalt. The activity at the sports school grew with the view of successful entry into the first post war Olympics in 1928, the sports school was also used to prepare athletes for the 1936 Olympics
In the summer of 1939, the German Supreme Command moved in not long before the invasion of Poland, with much of the Nazi’s WWII campaign being guided from the nearby Zeppelin and Maybach bunkers.
The Soviets took the area in 1945 with no fuss or shots fired as the area had been deserted some days before. The main building at Wünsdorf had leisure facilities, a theatre and swimming pool, it was decided that this would be a Perfect Officers House.
Wünsdorf became a closed town up until the Soviets left in 1994. Even supplies were brought in from Moscow via rail.
After WWI, the area was added to with more barracks, stables and a military hospital. In 1924 it was turned into an Army Sports school and later given the name Militärturnanstalt. The activity at the sports school grew with the view of successful entry into the first post war Olympics in 1928, the sports school was also used to prepare athletes for the 1936 Olympics
In the summer of 1939, the German Supreme Command moved in not long before the invasion of Poland, with much of the Nazi’s WWII campaign being guided from the nearby Zeppelin and Maybach bunkers.
The Soviets took the area in 1945 with no fuss or shots fired as the area had been deserted some days before. The main building at Wünsdorf had leisure facilities, a theatre and swimming pool, it was decided that this would be a Perfect Officers House.
Wünsdorf became a closed town up until the Soviets left in 1994. Even supplies were brought in from Moscow via rail.
