The Heinkel aeronautical company established a large aircraft factory in the city of Oranienburg in 1938. This factory, intended for the production of war planes, was initially operated by German civilian personnel, so it had nothing to do with the field. Sachsenhausen concentration camp. However, after the start of the war in 1939, labor became scarce due to conscription and the expansion of the war industry, so the exploitation of prisoners of war began.
In 1942, the factory became a subsidiary camp of Sachsenhausen, so that the vast majority of the workforce came from prisoners of this concentration camp. In 1943 it was decided to build wooden barracks inside the factory compound for prisoners, who no longer had to return to the main camp every night.
Around 7,000 prisoners were used for the construction of different aircraft models, the main one being the HE 177 bomber. Although the factory had adequate means for the mass production of aircraft, the constant sabotage by the prisoners slowed down production. In 1943, 3 bombers left their hangars every 4 days.
The one known as Kommando Heinkel It was the place of confinement of thousands of people from different countries, such as the Soviet Union, Poland, Germany, Italy, France or Spain. In 2019, the detailed chronicle of Pedro Martín, the last living Spaniard imprisoned in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp and exploited in this kommando., has appeared.
How to get to Kommando Heinkel
The former Kommando Heinkel is located in the outskirts of the city of Oranienburg. To get there, take the 800 bus to the Oranienburg, Petscheltweg stop. To know the best route to get there, you can consult the following LINK.
What can you see
The place is completely abandoned, however different structures of the industrial complex are still standing. The main construction that can be seen is one of the large aircraft assembly hangars, as well as the large front esplanade where the same planes circulated.
