The roll call ground

The roll call ground formed the central part of the camp. Every morning and every evening all prisoners were counted here. Prisoners sometimes had to stand to attention for hours, irrespective of time or weather conditions. This meant an additional torture for the undernourished and inadequately clothed prisoners.

On the roll call ground, newly arrived prisoners were also given (unnecessary) drills. The taking off of the hats (“Mützen ab!”) was also practiced here until the drill master was satisfied. No matter what time or which weather conditions, the exercises were continued till everything was perfect.

Punishments, tortures and executions were also carried out here. They served as example for watching prisoners. The reason for the punishments and tortures was not always clear.

A gallows was erected on the roll call ground so that executions could be carried out. Those who attempted to escape or committed other offences could be sentenced to death.

All prisoners who had to work outside the camp (in the quarries, in the Messerschmitt-halls or for the forestry) had to gather on the roll call ground. They disposed in rows of five. The length of a row varied.

Below the roll call ground was a passage for utilities such as warm water, “central heating”, … The corridor was T-shaped and connected the kitchen with the laundry and the headquarters. The prisoners, however, had no knowledge of this corridor.

vertaling Joke Lefevere