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History
Vogelsang is situated in Germany right across the Belgian border at about 150 km east of Brussels and some 60 km south-west of Köln.
Vogelsang is a familiar name for all Belgian service men.Its history however is somewhat less familiar.Let us unveil it. The Ordensburg (school for order) Vogelsang is built in no time between March 1934 and April 1936. It stands on top of a cliff overviewing the Urft lake. Officials of all ranks of the Nazi party are educated in Vogelsang. Party members between 23 and 26 years old wanting a career in the administration can follow a four year course. In Vogelsang they are taught the racial philosophy of the new order.Students are officially called "Junkers" (cadets).
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Description of the Burg during the nazi period : An impressive 50m high tower is used as a water-tower. The main building comprises the Commanders office, the great auditory, the mess, the inner court and the parade ground. From the parade ground 398 steps lead to the sports facilities (swimming pool, gym room, sports fields). On the side of slope 14 buildings offer room to a total of 1000 students. Behind the inner court lays the Adlerhof in which the commanders quarters, the infirmary, the post office, the sentry house and the canteen can be found. Some 50 m to the south is situated "the house of science" with a ball room able to contain 2000 guests. A 100m further lay the lodgings for female personnel. The garages are situated at Malakoff and along the main road (B266) lays a small airfield. The Burg was never finished. There were plans to build a hotel with a capacity of 2000 beds.
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| Kommandatur | Hitler visits Ordensburg Vogelsang |
The war : In September 1939 the Junkers temporarily leave the Burg. From 1941 to 1944 it is used as a school for some 250 pupils between 8 and 18 years old. At the close of December 1944 transportation squadrons are based in Vogelsang to support the Von Rundtstedt-battle (Battle of the Bulge). The Burg also contains a field hospital. During that period the Royal Air Force is bombing the area between the Urft lake, Vogelsang and Wollseifen and causes major damage to the Burg. On 4 February 1945 the 1st battalion of the 47th regiment of the 9th US Division takes the Burg by surprise. The battalion stays until its march on the Rhine on 12 February 1945. Its place is taken by the British and the 21st Belgian Infantry battalion.
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At the end of 1945 the British leave Vogelsang that remains unoccupied for six months and is plundered by the local population. In June 1946 the British transform Vogelsang into a training area. At that time the training area has a surface of 6.354 ha. At the end of August 1946 the population of Wollseifen is given 15 days to leave the village. On 1 April 1950 the Belgians take over Vogelsang. Vogelsang is the training area of the 1st Belgian Corps in Germany. The training area covers 4.500 ha and 1.800 ha (south of Dreiborn and west of Schleiden) for tactical exercises. From 1950 to 1960 most troops stay in wooden barracks or tents and afterwards in solid buildings. Until the close of 1955 the training area is solely used by Belgian troops. It is not until 1956 that troops from allied nations (British, Americans, Dutch and Canadians) start to Visit Vogelsang on a regular basis.
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Today : At this time 2.500 men and women can be lodged at Vogelsang under the best circumstances. On a yearly basis some 30 to 40000 NATO troops visit the training area for one or two weeks.
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