Topography of the Camp

The size of the sub-camp

The rectangular camp area was 110 metres long on the short sides facing east and west; the long sides facing toward or away from the SKW factory grounds measured 160 metres. This results in a total area of just under 18,000 m² or 1.8 hectares.

Fencing & watchtowers

To isolate the prisoners from the outside world, the area was surrounded by a double barbed-wire fence. Between the two rows of barbed wire there were pebbles for additional security, on which silent walking was impossible. At the four corners of the camp there were watchtowers manned by armed guards.

Prisoner and functional barracks

Within the fence, four barracks were set up, each 85 metres long and about 6 metres wide. The barracks consisted of prefabricated wooden parts.

Some of the barracks served as accommodation for the prisoners. The prisoner barracks were each equipped with one or two stoves. If fuel was available, the stoves were heated in the evening. In each of the barracks, around 500 m² in size, between approximately 300 and 500 prisoners were accommodated, depending on the occupancy level. The prisoners had to sleep on three-tier wooden bunks. One bed was shared by several prisoners; thus each individual had only a sleeping space about 50 centimetres wide. The former prisoner Gerards Everts remembers that the prisoners in the barracks of the AL Trostberg "practically had to sleep on top of one another due to lack of space". The former prisoner Leendert Johannes van der Burg recounts the situation in the barracks: "Under normal circumstances not even a dog would have lain down to sleep in it."

The fourth barrack (Block 3) was used as an infirmary. Initially about ten, later approximately 30 beds were set up here for the most seriously ill prisoners. In addition, the prisoners deployed in the infirmary as doctors and nurses also slept in the sick barrack.

In addition to the four barracks described above, there were further smaller functional buildings on the camp site, such as the camp kitchen and washing and latrine facilities. Since the existing kitchen was classified as "not appropriate" by the SS administration, a new barrack was erected in March 1945 to house the kitchen.

SS area

Outside the camp, immediately adjacent to the northern camp fence, was another barrack which housed the camp personnel of the AL Trostberg. In this barrack slept and ate the SS men deployed in Trostberg for administration and guarding.