The Effects of World War II

 
The District Office of Treptow-Köpenick has erected an information board on the main road of the former location of the barracks of the Berlin Brigade Berlin-Karlshorst. It contains brief historical information and also an inscribed historical aerial photograph, which indicates the location and function of the former barracks buildings. Recording date: 23.11.2015. © Thomas Kemnitz.
Two little girls in the Wuhlheide shortly after the end of the war. (Archive Treptow-Köpenick Museums)

The extent to which bombings and fighting at the end of the war affected the park can no longer be clearly understood. After the war, however, large-scale rubble and debris were buried in the Wuhlheide and trees were cut down due to a lack of fuel.

It is also undisputed that the establishment of the Soviet headquarters in Karlshorst and the associated establishment of a military camp in the former forced labour camp on the sports field as well as an extensive ammunition depot directly opposite, had devastating consequences for the original Public Park. The areas adjacent to the camp were used as a training ground. Over time, the area was successively expanded for military use.  

Although the air and light baths as well as the tennis courts were soon put back into operation, all other facilities and facilities in the vicinity of the military camp were denied the financial means necessary to maintain them. Thus bit by bit they were gradually forgotten. Whether toboggan run, hedge garden, terraces, historic children’s playground or paddling pool – all of this has disappeared or is only visible in rudimentary traces.

 

Reference:

  • Förderverein Verkehrsgeschichte e.V., Studie zur Gestaltung des Erholungsgebietes Karlshorst/Wuhlheide unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der historischen Entwicklung, 1991, S. 10 – 14, 21

 

 

 
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