KZ - Nebenlager Bretstein

The concentration camp in Bretstein (located near Judenburg, in the upper part of Styria) was associated with the SS-own operation „Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Ernährung und Verpflegung GmbH“, which administrated three working farms in Bretstein since 1939. Concerning this regard it was the basic aim to investigate different methods of operations for agriculture, which should have been used for the purpose of the so called “Germanisierung” in Eastern Europe.

During June 1941 the camp was constructed by the first prisoners, who were sent from the concentration camp Mauthausen. The concentration camp in Bretstein was an external camp of the concentration camp in Mauthausen located in Upper Austria, which directed about more than 50 external camps. In Bretstein, at least 170 prisoners were locked up in four barracks, which were surrounded by huge fences and some watchtowers. The prisoners - who were Republic Spaniards Spanish and German members of Jehova’s Witnesses - have been guarded by up to 50 members of the SS – unity “Totenkopfsturmbannes Mauthausen”, who treated them barbarous. They were forced for road works and functioning in the range of agriculture.

As a result of the insufferable situation within the camp, a lotseveral of attempts to escape were arranged. The remains of seven former caged inmates can be found at the local cemetery in Bretstein.

The concentration camp in Bretstein was closed on the 25th of June 1943.

Literature:

Bertrand, Perz. „Das KZ Bretstein und die Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Ernährung und Verpflegung. Landwirtschaft im Dienste der nationalsozialistischen Eroberungspolitik“. Graz, 2006.

Maršálek, Hans: Die Geschichte des Konzentrationslagers Mauthausen. Hrsg.: Österr. Lagergemeinschaft Mauthausen. Wien 1995.

Links:

http://www.gedenkstaette-bretstein.at

http://www.mkoe.at http://www.mkoe.at/bretstein.asp

http://www-gewi.uni-graz.at/staff/feenstra/