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57-526: In 1891 the Prussian Ministry of War began to buy up areas of heath and marsh between Munster , Reiningen and Wietzendorf and to lay out a military training area and military camp for the X Hanoverian Army Corps . The camp was first established in June 1893 by the 91st Infantry Regiment ( Infanterieregiment 91 ) from Oldenburg under its commanding officer , Colonel Paul von Hindenburg , who later became

114-584: A chemical incineration facility and a site to convert chlorine gas and diphosgene . The latter installation exploded on being taken into service in April 1922. In spite of everything, clearance work was completed in 1925 and the remaining facilities were blown up at the behest of the Allies. In 1935 the Wehrmacht opened Breloh again as a Weapon Testing and Firing Site ( Kampfstoffversuchs- und Geschützübungsplatz ). The plan

171-550: A facility for air defence training. There are also firing positions for artillery and mortars to support combined arms training. Other weapon systems used on this exercise area include the Leopard 2 , Marks A5, A6 and A6M. Munster North is also used to exercise the Marder infantry fighting vehicle , as well as the Luchs and Fennek recce vehicles. Even non-military organisations, such as

228-468: Is also subordinated to him. The commander is also in charge of Ehra-Lessien Training Area and Lübtheen Training Area . 53°02′08″N 10°07′07″E  /  53.03556°N 10.11861°E  / 53.03556; 10.11861 Prussian Minister of War The Prussian Ministry of War was the highest state authority of the Prussian Army and was responsible for the central administration of

285-564: The 3rd Army from 1914 to 1918. Erich von Falkenhayn was named Minister of War on 7 June 1913 and held the office during the opening stages of World War I. He would succeed Helmuth von Moltke the Younger as Chief of the General Staff from 14 September 1914 to 29 August 1916. Falkenhayn was briefly concurrently minister and chief of the general staff until 21 January 1915, when Adolf Wild von Hohenborn succeeded him as minister. Wild von Hohenborn

342-458: The 3rd Army from 1914 to 1918. Erich von Falkenhayn was named Minister of War on 7 June 1913 and held the office during the opening stages of World War I. He would succeed Helmuth von Moltke the Younger as Chief of the General Staff from 14 September 1914 to 29 August 1916. Falkenhayn was briefly concurrently minister and chief of the general staff until 21 January 1915, when Adolf Wild von Hohenborn succeeded him as minister. Wild von Hohenborn

399-975: The Bundeswehr , Germany's newly formed armed forces. Almost at the same time the Training Area Headquarters, the Garrison Staff, the Armoured Vehicle Training Centre (formerly the Armoured Forces School), the 9th Armoured Demonstration Brigade ( Panzerlehrbrigade 9 ) with the Panzergrenadier School, the Armoured Demonstration Battalion and the Panzergrenadier Demonstration Battalion, 53 Trials Unit ( Erprobungsstelle 53 ) today

456-485: The Clarkwerk factory and the power station almost the entire facility was destroyed, a total of 42 buildings. Chemical grenades were catapulted for miles around and clouds of poison gas threatened the surrounding villages, some having to be evacuated. Many houses in the surrounding area were badly damaged. In addition to the immediate victims of the explosion there were numerous deaths in the months that followed. The terrain

513-487: The General Staff , systematize the conduct of warfare. Gerhard von Scharnhorst , the most prominent and influential of the reformers, served as acting Minister of War from roughly 1808 until 1810 (he was also concurrently Chief of the General Staff ). The War Ministry was established on 25 December 1808, replacing the existing military institutions. The Ministry initially consisted of two departments. The first department

570-618: The Reichspräsident . Today there is a barracks here, the Hindenburg-Kaserne , named after him. The terrain, which was originally used for exercises and troop movements, has been used since the formation of the post-war German armed forces, the Bundeswehr , as an artillery range . It has an area of 7,400 hectares (18,000 acres) and lies in the districts of Heidekreis and Celle . On this range, specially constructed for tube artillery, rocket artillery and mortars , weapons fire into

627-729: The Tiergarten at the Königsplatz (now the Platz der Republik ), with its western corner facing the Moltkestraße. Prussian Minister of War The Prussian Ministry of War was the highest state authority of the Prussian Army and was responsible for the central administration of the army of the Kingdom of Prussia and, later, the Imperial German Army . The ministry existed from 1808 through

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684-533: The Wehrmacht . In Munster and Breloh about 1.7 million prisoners of war were admitted and returned home. In the facility at Hornheide, the Breloh refugee camp was set up. The different hutted camps, which were given letters of the alphabet by the British (e.g. M Camp), were partly torn down during the 1960s when Munster no longer wanted to be "Munsterlager". In 1956 Munster was the base for important military installations for

741-557: The bomb disposal service ( Kampfmittelräumdienst or KMRD ) of the state of Lower Saxony , the German Federal Police and police special response units ( Spezialeinsatzkommandos ), make use of the training facilities. In 1916 the so-called Breloh Camp ( Breloh-Lager ) was built in north Munster by a regiment of gas warfare engineers (‘’Gaspionier-Regiment’’). In January 1917 the Prussian War Office issued an order for

798-793: The Army Chemical Defence Laboratory moved at the beginning of March 1945 from Berlin to Munster (Örtze) , due to air raids , and carried on working there until the end of the Second World War . An extensive range of tests were carried out on a wide variety of shells of various calibres, as well as on mines , projectiles, bombs (up to 500 kg (1,100 lb)) and spray equipment. The substances tried included arsenic oil, hydrogen cyanide , mustard gas ( Lost ), Tabun , Sarin , cyanogen chloride , phenacyl chloride , Adamsite , Aeroform, Excelsior (10-chlor-9,10-dihydroacridarsin) and many others. Chemical munitions were filled at

855-631: The Chemical Defence Research Establishment ( Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Schutztechnologien – ABC-Schutz  [ de ] ), the Society for the disposal of chemical warfare agents and old armaments GmbH (Ltd.) ( GEKA  [ de ] ) and other units and organisations were set up. The British Forces stationed in Germany, which had maintained a garrison in Munster since

912-715: The General War Department: Subordinated to the General War Department for administrative matters: Personnel Section ( Abteilung für die persönlichen Angelegenheiten ) Army Administrative Department ( Armee-Verwaltungsdepartment ) (BD) Subordinated to the Army Administrative Department: Logistics and Justice Department ( Versorgungs- und Justizdepartment ) (CD) Subordinated to the Logistics and Justice Department

969-435: The General War Department: Subordinated to the General War Department for administrative matters: Personnel Section ( Abteilung für die persönlichen Angelegenheiten ) Army Administrative Department ( Armee-Verwaltungsdepartment ) (BD) Subordinated to the Army Administrative Department: Logistics and Justice Department ( Versorgungs- und Justizdepartment ) (CD) Subordinated to the Logistics and Justice Department

1026-649: The German Air Force, the Luftwaffe , firing rockets and bombs from their Tornado fighter-bombers . Bölkow Bo 105 anti-tank helicopters exercise here, firing HOT 3105 guided missiles . Exercising troops from Germany , Belgium , the Netherlands and Britain can be accommodated in Trauen Camp ( Lager Trauen ) where there are facilities for 1,750 soldiers . In 1916 a chemical weapons production site, Gasplatz Breloh ,

1083-648: The army of the Kingdom of Prussia and, later, the Imperial German Army . The ministry existed from 1808 through the establishment of the German Empire and was dissolved in 1919, being succeeded by the Ministry of the Reichswehr . The Prussian Ministry of War was gradually established between 1808 and 1809 as part of a series of reforms initiated by the Military Reorganization Commission created after

1140-404: The artillery section, which dealt with artillery equipment, rifle production, cannon foundries, powder factories, etc., and the engineering section, which was primarily responsible for the maintenance of fortifications. The second department, the military economy department ( Militär-Ökonomie Departement ), had four divisions. The first division was responsible for pay, the second for provisioning,

1197-573: The construction of a facility for gas munitions. Gasplatz Breloh was built on a piece of land about 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) in size in the Raubkammer Forest (part of the present-day Munster North Training Area). Three factories were erected for the manufacture of chemical war material and associated munitions . Production began as early as July that year and, by the end of the First World War in 1918 extensive facilities had been built,

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1254-673: The course of the war, further reorganizations would take place, most importantly with regard to the organization of the war economy. Among the most significant was the establishment of the War Office ( Kriegsamt ) and the Weapons and Ammunition Procurement Office  [ de ] . Scharnhorst was succeeded by General der Infanterie Karl von Hake , who served as minister from 1810 to 1813 and from 1819 to 1833. Hermann von Boyen , another prominent reformer alongside Scharnhorst, served as minister from 1813 to 1819 and again from 1841-to 1847 and

1311-572: The course of the war, further reorganizations would take place, most importantly with regard to the organization of the war economy. Among the most significant was the establishment of the War Office ( Kriegsamt ) and the Weapons and Ammunition Procurement Office  [ de ] . Scharnhorst was succeeded by General der Infanterie Karl von Hake , who served as minister from 1810 to 1813 and from 1819 to 1833. Hermann von Boyen , another prominent reformer alongside Scharnhorst, served as minister from 1813 to 1819 and again from 1841-to 1847 and

1368-421: The dangerous chemicals without concern for their own safety. As well as the production and storage of the actual chemicals, war munitions were also filled here. In addition, captured munitions were stored at Munster; for example, about 20,000 chlorine gas bottles of Russian origin and chemical jars ( Nebeltöpfe ). Extensive trials were carried out with chemicals and munitions on the firing ranges and test sites. At

1425-450: The disastrous Treaties of Tilsit . The War Ministry was to help bring the Army under constitutional review , and, along with the General Staff , systematize the conduct of warfare. Gerhard von Scharnhorst , the most prominent and influential of the reformers, served as acting Minister of War from roughly 1808 until 1810 (he was also concurrently Chief of the General Staff ). The War Ministry

1482-598: The end of the war in 1918 the Gasplatz held about 48,000 tonnes (47,000 long tons; 53,000 short tons) of chemical munitions, several thousand tonnes of chemically-filled captured munitions and 40 tank wagons of unfilled chemicals. These supplies were sunk in the North Sea and the Baltic . During the preparations for this there was a tragic accident on 24 October 1919. A train laden with chemical weapons and munitions exploded. Apart from

1539-428: The establishment of the German Empire and was dissolved in 1919, being succeeded by the Ministry of the Reichswehr . The Prussian Ministry of War was gradually established between 1808 and 1809 as part of a series of reforms initiated by the Military Reorganization Commission created after the disastrous Treaties of Tilsit . The War Ministry was to help bring the Army under constitutional review , and, along with

1596-413: The first department (the General War Department or Allgemeines Kriegsdepartement ) and Lieutenant Colonel Graf Lottum became head of the second department. Scharnhorst also functioned as acting Minister of War, as long as no permanent appointment was made. The first department initially consisted of three divisions. The first division represented the continuation of the old Prussian Adjutancy-General and

1653-553: The individual parts of the site with one another. There was also a link to the Reichsbahn network. Following occupation of the site by British forces in 1945 almost all the chemical installations were demolished in the succeeding years and most of the stocks of chemicals were also destroyed. In spite of that, it has left a dangerous legacy behind which is one of the largest areas of residual contamination caused by armaments in Germany. Since April 1956 there has been intensive work to clear

1710-668: The majority of which were working. (in the First World War) In addition the site had the following facilities: Another test facility was planned on the Westerhorn Estate ( Gut Westerhorn ). More than 6,000 people (75 officers, 677 NCOs and about 5,775 special staff) produced in these facilities about a quarter of the total war munitions for the German Army at that time. The working conditions were, by modern standards, appalling. Protective clothing did not exist. People handled

1767-559: The ministry ceased to exist), it was located in the Friedrichstadt quarter of what is today Berlin-Mitte : The main building was on Leipziger Straße 5 facing south, with the garden bordering on the Prinz-Albrecht-Palais (demolished in 1935 to erect the Ministry of Aviation building). Additional offices were later established in other parts of Berlin. A new building was built for the General Staff between 1867 and 1871 in

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1824-440: The ministry ceased to exist), it was located in the Friedrichstadt quarter of what is today Berlin-Mitte : The main building was on Leipziger Straße 5 facing south, with the garden bordering on the Prinz-Albrecht-Palais (demolished in 1935 to erect the Ministry of Aviation building). Additional offices were later established in other parts of Berlin. A new building was built for the General Staff between 1867 and 1871 in

1881-411: The pollution. Today this is the responsibility of the specialist Group for Chemical Weapon Clearance ( Gruppe für Kampfmittelbeseitigung ), the Chemical Defence Research Establishment ( Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Schutztechnologien ) and the federal Chemical Weapon and Armament Pollution Disposal Company ( Gesellschaft zur Entsorgung chemischer Kampfstoffe und Rüstungsaltlasten ). In 1891 Munster

1938-1046: The purview of the War Ministry were: After the mobilization for World War I , the Ministry of War was reorganized with the following structure: A. Minister of War with mobile staff in the Supreme Headquarters B. Deputy Minister of War in Berlin 1. Central Department (ZD) 2. Army Section (A 1), to which the Replacement Section (C 1) is attached 3. General War Department (AD) 4. War Provisioning Section ( Kriegsverpflegungs-Abteilung ) (B 1) 5. Peace Provisioning Section ( Friedensverpflegungs-Abteilung ) (B 2) 6. Accommodations Department (UD) 7. Logistics and Justice Department (CD) 8. Remount Inspectorate (RJ) 9. Medical Section (MA) 10. War Raw Materials Section ( Kriegs-Rohstoff-Abteilung ) (KRA) Over

1995-766: The purview of the War Ministry were: After the mobilization for World War I , the Ministry of War was reorganized with the following structure: A. Minister of War with mobile staff in the Supreme Headquarters B. Deputy Minister of War in Berlin 1. Central Department (ZD) 2. Army Section (A 1), to which the Replacement Section (C 1) is attached 3. General War Department (AD) 4. War Provisioning Section ( Kriegsverpflegungs-Abteilung ) (B 1) 5. Peace Provisioning Section ( Friedensverpflegungs-Abteilung ) (B 2) 6. Accommodations Department (UD) 7. Logistics and Justice Department (CD) 8. Remount Inspectorate (RJ) 9. Medical Section (MA) 10. War Raw Materials Section ( Kriegs-Rohstoff-Abteilung ) (KRA) Over

2052-558: The so-called "fog-filling point" ( Nebelfüllstelle ), which had a tank capacity for about 3,000 t (3,000 long tons; 3,300 short tons) of chemical. At this filling point there was a large underground facility that was partly linked with walkways. During a spraying demonstration by the Luftwaffe on 8 September 1944, a Do-217E-3 crashed, killing all those on board. The facilities were mostly disguised as "simple" bunker complexes or as houses in rural style. A network of railway branches linked

2109-643: The target area from locations lying outside the actual training area. Live artillery firing takes place at Munster South using M109 and PzH howitzers . In addition, Marder infantry fighting vehicles , equipped with MILAN surface-to-surface anti-tank guided missiles , Luchs recce tanks and Fennek recce vehicles also use the ranges. Training Area South also has bivouac sites and ranges for small arms and anti-tank weapons . Ground-based trials with MILAN surface-surface anti-tank guided missile were carried out here. In addition there are grenade ranges, explosives ranges, infantry battle ranges and target areas for

2166-590: The third for clothing and the fourth for invalids. Over the years from its founding, the structure of the Ministry of War evolved. By 1914, the ministry had the following structure: Central Department ( Zentraldepartment ) (ZD) Subordinated to the Central Department was the Examination Board for Higher Intendance Officials ( Prüfungsausschuß für höhere Intendantur-Beamte ) General War Department ( Allgemeines Kriegsdepartment ) (AD) Subordinated to

2223-734: The turn of the 19th century other troops were stationed there including those involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China and units destined for the German colonies in Africa . In the First World War the camp was used to house about 21,000 prisoners of war . After the occupation of the site by British forces in 1945 the British Occupying Power established the largest prisoner of war release camp soldiers in Germany from this vast military estate owned by

2280-578: The war, gave this up in 1993 and left. After the withdrawal of the British from the remaining open areas were used to build houses and shops. The former barracks was renovated and partly converted. It is largely used today for commercial purposes. The old headquarters building now houses the municipal department of works for the town of Munster, the officers mess has been turned into a hotel. The present commander of Munster Training Area (to 30 June 2008 Colonel Udo Meyer, from 1 July 2008 Colonel Gerd Ahrens) has his headquarters at Bergen-Hohne Training Area which

2337-433: Was also created, the artillery and engineering department. This in turn comprised the artillery section, which dealt with artillery equipment, rifle production, cannon foundries, powder factories, etc., and the engineering section, which was primarily responsible for the maintenance of fortifications. The second department, the military economy department ( Militär-Ökonomie Departement ), had four divisions. The first division

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2394-486: Was also known as the "Privy Military Cabinet" ( Geheimes Kriegskabinett ). It in turn had control over the General War Chancellery ( Allgemeine Kriegskanzlei ). The second division dealt with general army matters, including troop formation, replacements and turnover, accomodations, military exercises and mobilization. A third division was also created, the artillery and engineering department. This in turn comprised

2451-595: Was built in north Munster. In 1935 this area became the Munster North Training Area. It is located in the districts of Heidekreis , Lüneburg and Uelzen , and has battle training ranges for armoured vehicles. The training area covers a total of 10,200 hectares (25,000 acres). As well as four major ranges for armoured vehicle mounted weapons and anti-tank guided missiles there are infantry weapon ranges and special ranges for hand-held anti-tank weapons. In addition there are grenade ranges, explosives ranges and

2508-715: Was called the Munster North Army Testing Facility ( Heeresversuchstelle Munster-Nord ), often referred to as the Raubkammer Army Testing Facility. The main purpose of the facility was the testing of chemical weapons that had been developed in Berlin at the Army Chemical Defence Laboratory in Spandau Citadel ( Heeresgasschutzlaboratorium Zitadelle Spandau ). No. 9 Weapon Testing Office of the Army Weapons Office ( Heereswaffenamt ) and

2565-497: Was dismissed on 29 October 1916 and replaced by Hermann von Stein , who held the office until shortly before the end of the war. Stein was succeeded on 9 October 1918 by Heinrich Schëuch , though by that point much of the ministry's responsibilities had been assumed by the higher military staff under Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff . Walther Reinhardt would serve as the last Prussian Minister of War in 1919. For one hundred years, from 1 January 1819 to 1 January 1919 (when

2622-497: Was dismissed on 29 October 1916 and replaced by Hermann von Stein , who held the office until shortly before the end of the war. Stein was succeeded on 9 October 1918 by Heinrich Schëuch , though by that point much of the ministry's responsibilities had been assumed by the higher military staff under Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff . Walther Reinhardt would serve as the last Prussian Minister of War in 1919. For one hundred years, from 1 January 1819 to 1 January 1919 (when

2679-461: Was established on 25 December 1808, replacing the existing military institutions. The Ministry initially consisted of two departments. The first department was responsible for the command and condition of the army, the second for its financial administration. At first, no Minister of War was appointed due to resistance from Frederick William III , the King of Prussia. Gerhard von Scharnhorst became head of

2736-504: Was for an overall split of 15% chemical and 85% explosive munitions. The chemical weapons were to be filled with mustard gas ( Lost ) and phenacyl chloride . The 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) or so of the old Gasplatz were transferred in 1934 to the Reich Defence Ministry and were expanded through purchases and expropriation to about 10,200 hectares (25,000 acres). The whole complex, which was largely built between 1935 and 1938,

2793-500: Was made. The first department initially consisted of three divisions. The first division represented the continuation of the old Prussian Adjutancy-General and was also known as the "Privy Military Cabinet" ( Geheimes Kriegskabinett ). It in turn had control over the General War Chancellery ( Allgemeine Kriegskanzlei ). The second division dealt with general army matters, including troop formation, replacements and turnover, accomodations, military exercises and mobilization. A third division

2850-770: Was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in 1847. Among other long-serving ministers was Albrecht Graf von Roon , who served as minister from 1859 to 1873, during the Second Schleswig War (1864), the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in 1873. General der Infanterie Georg von Kameke succeeded Graf von Roon and served from 1873 to 1883. Karl von Einem would serve as minister from 1903 to 1909 and would be recalled in World War I, commanding

2907-533: Was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in 1847. Among other long-serving ministers was Albrecht Graf von Roon , who served as minister from 1859 to 1873, during the Second Schleswig War (1864), the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in 1873. General der Infanterie Georg von Kameke succeeded Graf von Roon and served from 1873 to 1883. Karl von Einem would serve as minister from 1903 to 1909 and would be recalled in World War I, commanding

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2964-523: Was responsible for pay, the second for provisioning, the third for clothing and the fourth for invalids. Over the years from its founding, the structure of the Ministry of War evolved. By 1914, the ministry had the following structure: Central Department ( Zentraldepartment ) (ZD) Subordinated to the Central Department was the Examination Board for Higher Intendance Officials ( Prüfungsausschuß für höhere Intendantur-Beamte ) General War Department ( Allgemeines Kriegsdepartment ) (AD) Subordinated to

3021-507: Was responsible for the command and condition of the army, the second for its financial administration. At first, no Minister of War was appointed due to resistance from Frederick William III , the King of Prussia. Gerhard von Scharnhorst became head of the first department (the General War Department or Allgemeines Kriegsdepartement ) and Lieutenant Colonel Graf Lottum became head of the second department. Scharnhorst also functioned as acting Minister of War, as long as no permanent appointment

3078-516: Was still a small village on the Lüneburg Heath with 470 inhabitants. By 1905 its population had grown to 1225. A military camp was established by the railway line from Bremen via Soltau and Munster to Uelzen which was about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the town centre of Munster. The first unit to occupy the camp was the 91st Infantry Regiment from Oldenburg in June 1893, commanded by Colonel Paul von Hindenburg, later to be Reichspräsident. Around

3135-462: Was supposed to be cleared by 1925. Roughly 1,000 workers combed the surface of the land out to a radius of 3 km (1.9 mi) from the explosion site. There was no detection equipment at that time. A considerable quantity of chemical munitions remained live. In 1921 the Hamburg firm of Stolzenberg took over the work that had been previously carried out by König and Evaporator AG. Stolzenberg established

3192-710: Was the Directorate of the Potsdam Grand Military Orphanage ( Direktorium des Potsdamschen Großen Militär-Waisenhauses ) Remount Inspectorate ( Remonte-Inspektion ) (RJ) Subordinated to the Remount Inspectorate: Medical Section ( Medizinalabteilung ) (MA) Subordinated to the Medical Section: Adjudication Council for Retirement Issues ( Kollegium zur Entscheidung von Pensionierungsfragen ) Also under

3249-422: Was the Directorate of the Potsdam Grand Military Orphanage ( Direktorium des Potsdamschen Großen Militär-Waisenhauses ) Remount Inspectorate ( Remonte-Inspektion ) (RJ) Subordinated to the Remount Inspectorate: Medical Section ( Medizinalabteilung ) (MA) Subordinated to the Medical Section: Adjudication Council for Retirement Issues ( Kollegium zur Entscheidung von Pensionierungsfragen ) Also under

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