Höhere Fliegertechnische Schule
THE ABANDONED MILITARY SCHOOL IN GERMANY
The ‘Höhere Fliegertechnische Schule’ was a military school for pilots and engineers in Altes Lager, Niedergörsdorf. The main buildings are built in the national-socialist architecture and have the shape of an airplane.
In 1933 the military school was built by the Luftwaffe, the air force of the Reichswehr under the strictest secrecy. Since Germany was not allowed to own an air force under the Treaty of Versailles, it was initially disguised as a civilian institution. During the first years, the name of the school was ‘Technische Schule der Deutschen Verkehrsfliegerschule’. But soon it changed to ‘Fliegertechnische Schule der Luftflotte 1’.
Fliegertechnische Schule
At first the buildings were used for education of engineers and repairman of military aircraft. Already in the first year 1500 pupils were trained here. The first commander of the school was Kurt Student. When the aviation technical school was relocated to Warsaw in 1940, the ‘Höhere Fliegertechnische Schule’ from Berlin, moved to this forest camp. On the site there was a hangar for aircraft development with its own wind tunnel.
Soviet Army
From 1945 to 1992, the complex at Altes Lager, was used by the Soviet Army. They set up a training center for officers from the armored troops and artillery. For this reason, staircase and corridor walls have been decorated with remarkable Soviet murals ranging from modern agriculture to the peaceful use of space. In 1992, after the fall of the iron curtain, the Soviets eventually left the site. Ever since, the buildings have been out of use.
Sportstadion im Militärlager
Besides the barracks, a military airfield and many bunkers, I found this small gym and soccer field. After the German reunification many buildings were rebuilt for housing, but the gym has a protected status and will not be demolished or redeveloped. However, there are also no plans to renovate the old gym. The soccer field in front of the gymnasium is still in use by local sport clubs.
Near this domain lies an old military airfield. They now use this ‘Flugplatz Altes Lager’ for pleasure flights. The buildings have protected monument status. I visited the ‘Höhere Fliegertechnische Schule’ in 2008 and 2020.
