Prisoners of War as Victims of Nazi Persecution at Zeithain 1941-1945 (Saxony)
Description: In preparation of the attack on the Soviet Union the POW (prisoner of war) camp Zeithain was established in 1941 by the Nazi regime, to register and accommodate up to 30.000 Soviet POW’s. Due to malnutrition, disease, insufficient medical treatment and terrible hygienic conditions about 30.000 Soviet POWs died. Their living conditions did not comply with the rules of the Geneva Convention. It was one of the biggest war crimes committed by the German armed Forces. From 1943 there were also prisoners from other countries like Italy, Poland, Yugoslavia, France and the UK. Since 2003 Workcamps, under supervision of an archaeologist, have uncovered the former camp area.
Type of Work: The work this year is part of the necessary measures for the permanent establishment of a “history trail” on the former campsite. It will entail aspects of landscaping and gardening in the open areas of the former campsite and hopefully also some construction. Depending on the weather conditions conservation and documentation work concerning objects which had been found on the former campsite could be done.
Study Theme: The fate of the prisoners of war as victims of Nazi persecution. For further information about the history of the camp please visit this website: https://www.stsg.de/cms/zeithain/startseite
Accommodation: In a house with beds, access to the internet, kitchen to cook together, leisure rooms. Sanitary facilities are being used in the nearby gym next to the house. Bicycles are provided.
Language: Knowledge of English is required.
Requirements: Interest in history and archeology. We organise our workcamps according to the regulations at the time of the workcamp. We will inform you about this in the Infosheet and by email. Please mind the vaccination and testing regulations for entering Germany: https://t1p.de/at82o
Approximate Location: Zeithain is a small town in Saxony, near Riesa am Elbe. It has about 6 000 inhabitants in 11 villages and is known for the history of the POW-camp and the link-up of Red Army and US Army in April 1945. Good leisure time facilities (gym, outdoor volleyball), excursions to various cities (Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin) and Saxonian sightseeing spots like Meissen and Moritzburg are possible!
Notes: Here you can get impressions of what the camp is like. It´s about a grave part of history - but it´s also fun. https://rb.gy/ra8goh https://rb.gy/0bkqvf Videos are from our long-standing campleader Rolf Schwarz.
Please kindly note that there is an additional incoming fee of 50 € for all volunteers applying through Partner organisations or Contacts of the SCI network. This will cover international insurance costs of the volunteer and administration costs of SCI International. For volunteers coming from countries with SCI Branches and Groups there is no additional incoming fee. You can check the status of your local sending organisation here: https://rb.gy/fveuew. If this fee exceeds your financial ability, please make a comment in your application.