World War II: The US 82nd Airborne Division liberates Wöbbelin concentration camp finding 1000 dead prisoners, most of whom starved to death.

Wöbbelin, a name etched into the grim history of World War II, served as a subcamp of the notorious Neuengamme concentration camp. Situated near the tranquil German city of Ludwigslust, Wöbbelin’s existence was a stark contrast to its surroundings, becoming a temporary, yet profoundly brutal, holding ground for thousands during the final, chaotic months of the war in Europe. Its establishment was not part of the initial concentration camp system but rather a desperate, last-minute maneuver by the SS as Allied forces rapidly advanced, threatening to liberate the vast network of camps across the collapsing Third Reich.

The Establishment and Purpose of Wöbbelin

As the tide of World War II dramatically turned against Nazi Germany in late 1944 and early 1945, the SS (Schutzstaffel) initiated a horrific policy of evacuating concentration camp prisoners from eastern and western camps. This was not an act of mercy, but a calculated effort to prevent the liberation of inmates by the advancing Allied armies. The SS sought to conceal the atrocities committed, exploit the remaining slave labor until the very end, or simply move prisoners further into German-held territory to continue their suffering. It was within this brutal context that Wöbbelin was hastily established. It became a destination for prisoners forced to endure arduous "death marches" or crammed into brutal train transports from other overflowing and threatened camps, including Bergen-Belsen and Neuengamme itself. The primary objective was to consolidate these emaciated and weakened individuals, keeping them from the grasp of freedom.

Conditions Within the Subcamp

At its peak, Wöbbelin held an estimated 5,000 inmates. These individuals, already suffering from prolonged periods of severe mistreatment, arrived at Wöbbelin in utterly deplorable conditions. The camp, hastily constructed, was woefully unprepared to accommodate such a large number of people, leading to extreme overcrowding. Prisoners faced the most agonizing forms of deprivation: rampant starvation, with food rations virtually nonexistent, leading to widespread emaciation; and devastating diseases such as typhus, dysentery, and tuberculosis, which spread unchecked due to the complete lack of sanitation, clean water, and medical care. Death was a constant presence, with hundreds perishing daily from hunger, illness, and the brutality of the SS guards. The makeshift nature of the camp meant even the most basic human dignity was denied, making survival an improbable miracle.

The Liberation of Wöbbelin

The ordeal at Wöbbelin came to an end on May 2, 1945, just days before Germany’s unconditional surrender. Elements of the 8th Infantry Division and the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army liberated the camp. What they discovered upon entering Wöbbelin was a scene of unimaginable horror: thousands of living skeletons, many barely clinging to life, surrounded by the unburied bodies of their fellow prisoners. The sight profoundly impacted the American soldiers, who immediately provided what aid they could, though for many, it was already too late. The liberation of Wöbbelin, like that of other concentration camps, served as irrefutable evidence of the Nazi regime's genocidal policies and the immense human suffering inflicted during the Holocaust.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wöbbelin

What was Wöbbelin?
Wöbbelin was a subcamp of the Neuengamme concentration camp, established by the SS in the final months of World War II.
Why was Wöbbelin established?
It was created to house concentration camp prisoners evacuated from other camps by the SS, primarily to prevent their liberation by advancing Allied forces and to continue exploiting their labor.
Where was Wöbbelin located?
It was situated near the German city of Ludwigslust.
How many prisoners were held at Wöbbelin?
At its height, the camp held approximately 5,000 inmates.
What were the conditions like for prisoners in Wöbbelin?
Prisoners endured horrific conditions, including extreme starvation, rampant disease (like typhus and dysentery), and brutal treatment, leading to a high death toll.
When was Wöbbelin liberated?
The camp was liberated by elements of the United States Army on May 2, 1945.