What is the Holgangsystem on the Oder-Warthe-Bogen
The underground tunnel labyrinth is probably one of the most remarkable defense systems in German and international fortification construction.
The largest halls or tunnels are located directly under the Panzerwerk – Armored bunkers works. These are complex areas with barracks under the respective bunkers with their fighting positions. In addition to the barracks, there were also accommodation rooms, the machine hall with wells, sanitary facilities and corresponding ammunition halls for machine guns and grenades from the 5 cm automatic machine grenade launcher M 19. The halls were further subdivided for safety reasons and each separated by steel doors. Intermediate ceilings were also installed as a precautionary measure for the safety of the soldiers. A staircase and an elevator shaft usually led from the underground factory area up to the combat facilities several dozen meters above ground, 30 to 40 meters higher. In this system of tunnels, all staircases and elevator shafts were already completely filled with concrete.
The basic structural layout of the underground barracks with ammunition chambers, machine hall, toilet and sanitary wing and all associated rooms under the respective tank works are largely identical inside the Holgangsystem.
Undoubtedly a technological masterpiece of German fortification construction from planning to construction and completion. Smaller connecting tunnels in the tunnel system were used to transport personnel and led to the underground facilities of the tank factories. The 60 cm narrow-gauge railway reached as far as the barracks areas under the respective Panzerwerk in the central section. The tunnels or small tunnels were just big enough for the personnel to be transported to and from their place of deployment while sitting on the transport railway.
Combat installations with light and heavy weapons were located above the extensive system. The individual Werkgruppe are divided up as follows from south to north:
– Werkgruppe Jahn (Eng. work group)
– Werkgruppe Friesen
– Werkgruppe Scharnhorst
– Werkgruppe Gneisenau
– Werkgruppe York
– Werkgruppe Lützow
In the event that the enemy penetrated the tunnel system, there were special tunnel security measures. Some areas were secured by gates behind which there were concrete machine gun embrasures to secure the tunnel. Explosive niches were installed on both sides above the tunnel, around ten meters in the direction of fire. These contain the lockable tubes (bolts) which could be filled with dynamite sticks. After the machine gun crew had failed, an electric ignition would have caused this section to collapse. The charges were placed in the aforementioned blasting tubes. Every side passage that leads into the main passage could be blown up in this way and thus blocked.
The stations along the main traffic route in the tunnel system are named alphabetically from the north. Starting with “Anna” station near the A 62 plant and ending with “Konrad” station in the southern part of the gigantic underground tunnel labyrinth. On the routes to the combat plants or their underground barracks areas, the stations are subject to different names, for example, to the A 8 West and East plant there is “Martha” station to the east and to the A64 entrance plant there is “Ludwig” station to the west. A sophisticated rail system runs through the tunnels made of reinforced concrete and fittings made of the best Krupp steel.
Visit
You can book different tours into the Holgangsystem and Panzerwerk bunkers. We took a tour from Panzerwerk 717 through the Holgangsystem to Panzerwerk 716. Panzerwerk 717 and Panzerwerk 716 both are part of Werkgruppe Scharnhorst and are connected to a small part of the Holgangsystem of the Festungsfront Oder-Warthe-Bogen. A small part of the total length of this advanced tunnel system is 32 – 32 kilometers in length. Tickets can be bought at the Fortification Museum.
Sources:
– team-bunkersachsen
– Bunkersite
– Ostwallinfo
– Christel Focken
– Ostwall-reisen
– and our own LandmarkScout experience at the site and research
