Flak-Kaserne Ludwigsburg

Flak-Kaserne Ludwigsburg was a military barracks, originally belonging to the German Army, and later occupied by the United States Army. It lies in the city of Ludwigsburg, in south-west Germany near Stuttgart.HistoryPre-warConstruction began in late 1935, and by early 1937 members of anti-aircraft unit Flak-Regiment 25 began to occupy the 19ha site. First to be completed were the barracks and a parade ground. The official opening ceremony took place on 12 September 1936 in the presence of Oberst Kolb (commander of the regiment), Oberst Heilingbrunner, the Bürgermeister of Ludwigsburg Dr. Karl Frank, and other guests. There was a military flypast, and a show was staged in the gymnasium, which included appearances by Zarah Leander and Ilse Werner.Post-warIn April 1945, French and American troops occupied Ludwigsburg and the barracks commander surrendered. After initial skirmishes the French withdrew from the city, and control of the town was in the hands of Captain (later Major) John Lindsay as head of the American military government.From 1945 until 1948, the Flak-Kaserne was used as an internment camp by the U.S. Army and designated I.C. 74. Among the many leading Nazis held there were the former Obergruppenführer Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia, and Ministers Richard Walther Darré and Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk. Between 1948 and 1950 the barracks served as camp for displaced Germans.