- Ordensburg Krössinsee
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Ordensburg Krössinsee (also Crössinsee) was placed near the city of Falkenburg in Pomerania, today Złocieniec Poland. It was the first of three NS-Ordensburgen, the educational centers for or cadres of the Nazi Party.
Contents
History
The laying of the foundation stone of Ordensburg Krössinsee was on 22 April 1934. It was planned by the Cologne architect Clemens Klotz. The vast construction of rustic stone buildings with its granite foundations which was built at a cost of 20 million Reichsmarks was officially dedicated on 24 April 1936. On 16 Mai 1941 the Ordensburg was renamed "Die Falkenburg am Krössinsee" (The Castle Falkenburg at lake Krössin) by the Reichs Minister of Labor, Dr.Ley, Robert. On 29 June 1944, a small portion of the complex was destroyed by fire.
Student requirements
Edward, the Duke of Windsor on a visit to the Ordensburg Krössinsee 1937 (together with Robert Ley on the left in a white coat)Commander of the Ordensburg was Otto Gohdes. Cadets, known as Ordens Junkers were required to be at least 5 ft 4 in, between 23 and 26 years old, racially pure and in good health without any physical limitations. At the out break of the war a very high percentage of Junkers were killed in action.
Daily routine
Two courses of studies took place here: 1937-38 and 1938-39. Classes began each morning at 7 am and included studies in philosophy, politics and world history. Afternoons were devoted to military drills, battle tactics, sports and equestrian techniques. The school was recognized for its outstanding equestrian program. The nearby lake provided the means for students to develop rowing and sailing skills.
Hitler Youth
In 1937, the cadres began sharing the facility with members of the Hitlerjungen or Hitler Youth. These boys between 12-18 years old eventually became the sole occupants of all three Order Castles with the Invasion of Poland (1939) and the start of World War two.
Completed Order Castles
The three NS-Ordensburgen were:
- Ordensburg Krössinsee, in Pomerania
- Ordensburg Sonthofen, Allgäu
- Ordensburg Vogelsang, Eifel
A fourth was planned at (the historic) Ordensburg Marienburg in West Prussia, today Malbork Castle, Poland.
Facility details
Finished facilities:
- Hall of Honour (Ehrenhalle)
- Ceremonial place (Feierplatz)
- 20 living quarters
- sports field
- appeal field
- drill ground
- riding arena with barns
- community house
- dining-hall
- educational hall
- dwelling for the commander
- house for the female employees
- buildings for the administration
- seminar rooms
- sick bay
- pig breeding
- clarification plant
- two towers (four were planned)
planned, but not realized facilities:
- hotel
- swimming pool
- water sports facility
Purpose Today
currently the former Ordensburg facility is used by the Polish Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Tank Brigade.
Literature
- Rolf Sawinski: Die Ordensburg Krössinsee in Pommern (Gebundene Ausgabe), Aachen 2004, ISBN 3933608775
External links
- Ordensburg Sonthofen and Krössinsee (in German)
Coordinates: 53°32′57″N 16°02′34″E / 53.54917°N 16.04278°E
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