Victoria Barracks
THE ABANDONED MILITARY SITE IN GERMANY
Hidden deep within the forest near the German town of Werl lies Victoria Barracks, a once-bustling military base now left to the ravages of time. From its days housing Canadian armed forces to its abandonment in 1994
Victoria Barracks, located in the forest near the German town of Werl, consists of two military bases: Fort Victoria and Fort Louis. From 1956 to 1970, these bases housed Canadian armed forces. The unmarried soldiers lived in the barracks, while married soldiers lived with their families in a nearby Canadian settlement in Werl.
The camp had a radio station: CAE or, Radio Canadian Army Europe. It was the first Canadian Radio station in Germany.
British Rheinarmee
In 1970, the Canadians handed over the barracks to the British Rheinarmee. Fort Victoria was renamed Vittoria Barracks, and Fort St. Louis, along with Fort Anne, became Albuhera Barracks. Since 1994, these buildings have been abandoned.
An old rumor tells of an incident during the handover. The French Canadians tried to sell an ice rink to the British, who weren’t interested. Even when the price was dropped to just a pound, the offer was still refused. In response, the Canadians bulldozed the ice rink.
Decay
Over the years, the two churches, the former Globe cinema, the gym, and squash rooms, the bowling alley, and many living quarters have decayed. I visited this camp in 2016, capturing its abandoned state. Local news reports indicate that both camps were demolished in 2018.
I visited this camp in 2016. Local news reports say that both camps were demolished in 2018.
