Forced labor camp

The civilian forced laborers were largely housed in collective accommodations, often in the middle of German towns and villages. These could be specially built barracks camps, but also converted schools, gymnasiums or guesthouses. More than 30,000 collective shelters are documented throughout the German Reich. In some cases, the accommodations were located in the immediate vicinity of the work sites, in factory buildings or barracks on company premises. In order to be allocated workers, companies and enterprises not only had to indicate their needs, but also provide a place to stay. Larger companies in particular set up their own camps. The camps were supervised by the German Labor Front (DAF), which was also responsible for the ideological screening of the personnel. Where possible, accommodation was provided separately according to nationality. “Community camps” were understood to mean collective housing for different groups and nationalities.