in detail
From the beginning of February until May 2, 1945, a satellite camp of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp existed four kilometers away from Wöbbelin on the road to Ludwigslust. For the ten weeks before the defeat of the Third Reich, the camp served the sole function of confining concentration camp prisoners who, because of the hastening approach of the Allies, had been evacuated from other camps by the SS. Wöbbelin was the destination of "death marches" from concentration camps, especially those in North and Central Germany. Opponents and victims of the National Socialist regime from more than sixteen different nations were incarcerated there.
"We could smell Wöbbelin before we could see it", James M.Gavin wrote, while leading the 82nd US Airland division of soldiers which brought long-awaited freedom to about 4,000 prisoners. For more than 1,000, help arrived too late; they died from hunger, disease and maltreatment.
Under the supervision of the American military authorities, the inhabitants of Ludwigslust, Schwerin, Hagenow and Wöbbelin were instructed to bury the victims of the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp. They were buried near the grave of Theodor Körner and the Theodor-Körner Museum which had been built in 1938.
After the war, the museum served as a classroom until September 2, 1952 when it was again used as exhibition space. In 1960, a monument was erected at the memorial site for the victims of the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp, and in 1965, the first concentration camp exhibit opened inside the Theodor-Körner Museum.
On the Federal Highway 106, an inconspicuous stone marker with the inscription "Concentration Camp 1945" as well as foundation remains recall the actual site of the concentration camp. The Wöbbelin community oversees the Wöbbelin Memorial Museum. In 1991, the sponsorship association for the memorial site ("Förderverein Mahn- und Gedenkstätten Wöbbelin-Theodor Körner-KZ Wöbbelin" e.V.) was formed.
February 12 - May 2, 1945
The Wöbbelin Satellite Camp of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp is situated on the road between Wöbbelin and Ludwigslust.
May 2, 1945
After the liberation, the victims of the concentration camp are buried in the nearby cities and in the Theodor-Körner Park in Wöbbelin.
May 8, 1960
The sandstone relief is unveiled at the memorial site.
December 19, 1995
The first exhibit about the history of the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp opens at Theodor-Körner House.
May 2, 1995
The documentary exhibit "Wöbbelin, The Ten-Week Concentration Satellite Camp" and the video film "Concentration Camp Wöbbelin: The Camp next-door?!" are opened to the public.
Wöbbelin, 1993, Gravesite of victims of the Wöbbelin Concentration Camp at the memorial, Wöbbelin Memorial Museum.
Wöbbelin, 2005, Exterior view of the museum, Wöbbelin Memorial Museum.
Wöbbelin, 2005, Sandstone relief created 1960 by Jo Jastram, Wöbbelin Memorial Museum.
Wöbbelin, 2005, Place of commemoration, created by Dörte Michaelis, Wöbbelin Memorial Museum.
