in detail
The barracks grounds that cover approx. 10 hectare were the last barracks built in Soest by the National Socialists during the course of re-armament. On November 15, 1939, the unfinished barracks were declared as Stalag VI E (fifth main camp for soldiers and NC officers of the military district VI). The camp was renamed Oflag VI A (officers camp) in 1940 after the first prisoner of war officers from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Poland were delivered to the camp.
In September 1940 French Catholic prisoners of war were given a small attic room to store the alter sacraments. Two French artists created impressive murals in a a chapel room that had became the center of religious life in the camp.
The prisoner of war camp was liberated on April 6,1945. The barracks complex served until 1951 as housing for refugees who had been expelled from their homes in the former eastern territories. From 1951 to 1994 the complex was used by the Belgian military.
The artistic legacy of the French chapel is still regarded as evidence of the intense spiritual life that existed during captivity. It has been protected as a memorial since 1992.
The establishment of a memorial
The “Caserne Colonel BEM Adam” is a special memorial, in which the French chapel plays an important role. Its sixty year history is very present to visitors since the buildings and chapel are almost completely unaltered. German history and the implementation and effect of state policy on the local level can be felt in the chapel.
Since 1997 this French Chapel History Workshop association has engaged in local historical research in order to discover and document the history of the prisoner of war camp, the forced labor amp, the O-camp and the Belgian military complex.
November 15, 1939-April 6, 1945
The still unfinished barracks are used as a prisoner-of-war camp and declared Stalag VI E and later Oflag VI A.
The prisoners-of-war are liberated on April 6, 1945
