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Berga Stalag IX-B

Also known as Bad Orb Concentration Camp

Hammersbach, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hessen, Germany

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  • Get directions Hammersbach, Hessen, Germany
    Coordinates: 50.21009, 9.39789
  • Cemetery ID:

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The POW camp (Stalag IXB) was located near Bad Orb, Germany. In December 1939 it was used to house Polish prisoners sent to work in the area, especially the salt mines. They were joined by French, Yugoslavian, Soviet, and Italian prisoners of war. In December 1944, approximately 4,700 Americans captured in the Battle of the Bulge arrived. Only 300 survived. Conditions in the camp, as reported by the Swiss Red Cross, were cold and horrible - bad food, filthy barracks, poor health conditions, and lack of clothing.

In January 1945 the commandant ordered all Jewish prisoners to step forward out of the daily line-up. At first none did. But after being kept standing for several hours 130 came forward. However the commandant had been requested to provide 350 for the transport. Troublemakers, including PFC J.C.F. "Hans" Kasten, the elected camp leader (born in Hawaii of German-American parents), were then selected, including anyone who "looked Jewish". The group was taken by train to the Berga slave labor camp.

The camp was liberated on April 2, 1945 by a task force comprising the 2nd Battalion, 114th Regiment, U.S. 44th Infantry Division, reinforced with light tanks and armored cars from the 106th Cavalry Group and 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion. They broke through the German lines and drove north over 60 km (37 mi) through enemy held territory to Bad Orb and liberated Stalag IX-B.

Post-war the camp was used as a camp for refugee and displaced Germans until 1969, when it reverted to its pre-war role as a camp for children. It currently operates under the name Schullandheim Wegscheide.





The POW camp (Stalag IXB) was located near Bad Orb, Germany. In December 1939 it was used to house Polish prisoners sent to work in the area, especially the salt mines. They were joined by French, Yugoslavian, Soviet, and Italian prisoners of war. In December 1944, approximately 4,700 Americans captured in the Battle of the Bulge arrived. Only 300 survived. Conditions in the camp, as reported by the Swiss Red Cross, were cold and horrible - bad food, filthy barracks, poor health conditions, and lack of clothing.

In January 1945 the commandant ordered all Jewish prisoners to step forward out of the daily line-up. At first none did. But after being kept standing for several hours 130 came forward. However the commandant had been requested to provide 350 for the transport. Troublemakers, including PFC J.C.F. "Hans" Kasten, the elected camp leader (born in Hawaii of German-American parents), were then selected, including anyone who "looked Jewish". The group was taken by train to the Berga slave labor camp.

The camp was liberated on April 2, 1945 by a task force comprising the 2nd Battalion, 114th Regiment, U.S. 44th Infantry Division, reinforced with light tanks and armored cars from the 106th Cavalry Group and 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion. They broke through the German lines and drove north over 60 km (37 mi) through enemy held territory to Bad Orb and liberated Stalag IX-B.

Post-war the camp was used as a camp for refugee and displaced Germans until 1969, when it reverted to its pre-war role as a camp for children. It currently operates under the name Schullandheim Wegscheide.





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  • Added: 23 Jan 2014
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2527900