Sierpnica (Riese Project)

We walk with the half (German) group to the entrance of the cave where we see the old classic car that I have seen on pictures before. From a barrack placed in front of the entrance of the cave we get handed out helmetst and we meet the Polish guide and the German translator.

She explains that this is one of the three entrances and exits of this underground tunnel belonging to the Riese project. It is kinda chilly when we walk into the tunnel and the water splatters from the ceiling of the cave on our head. The Polish, wrapped in, is talking to the group while the translator explains it a little later in German.

From 1943 onwards, the Nazis began to build underground structures (cities) of this kind and it was the intention that a whole community would live here free of bombing as elsewhere in Germany. The German (in)famous constructing company Todt was responsible for the construction. Again it is indicated that there are about 6 complexes in the area and that the headquarters is located in Ksiaz, a city I have never heard of. All complexes would later be communicated with each other.

Unfortunately, no documents about Riese have been found (perhaps all taken away by the Russians) - all the information that is available comes from the books of architect Albert Speer. Some 14 to 28 thousand people would have worked (mainly Jews and Poles) and the foundations of the barracks are located on and next to the parking lot we just came from. 

We walk further into the damp cave where in some places there are large puddles on the ground. The helmet is not for nothing - some pieces are very low and you have to be careful not to hit your head against the rocks of the ceiling. We arrive at a part of the cave where you can clearly see that there were two floors of which a large part was used (or would be used) for air circulation.

We also see a collection of old weapons behind a piece of barbed wire; first this was hidden under the football field but when refurbishing the fields the stuff was collected in the caves. Here we stop for the rickety boat that goes back and forth - Pete and I are the last with one of the German teachers who climb into the square boat to go to the other side. The man withdraws by means of the ropes that are on the ceiling and you have to hold on tight without loosing you’re balance; then follows a piece where you by means of wooden planks run across the water.

They are zigzagging on the wet floor and the question arises what this is for - we feel like "Indiana Jones"; you have to be careful because in addition to maintaining your balance in order not to end up in the water you also have to walk with you’re head low. Iron rods have been attached to the roof so you can hold on.

Technical aspects Osowka

The Riese complex (terrain) was never found by Allied planes and was far from finished when it was liberated/taken/discovered by the Russians on 8 May 1945. Until the last day the remaining prisoners were "just" working until 18:00 like everyday and they (the last 200 men) did not believe that the war was over.

Not surprising if you consider that the average prisoner stayed alive for 3 to 4 months due to the very poor living conditions and hard labor. Our translator tells us that if they were ill, they could stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days - if they were not better then they would be killed.

At the end of the tour the guide and translator are thanked and the teacher gives a speech about the incoherent past of Nazi Germany. It is 1.5 hours later when we come out of the tunnel and return the helmet. On the way back to the parking lot we talk a little further with the translator and hear that there was never the intention here to produce (secret) weapons.

In the restaurant complex we wash our hands and thank the teachers that we were allowed to go with their way, we also fill our water bags. In the parking lot we see the foundations of the barracks of the camp, but also the beginning of a walking route (probably only through the forest) back to Gluszyca. To the people here we tell them that we are going back on foot knowing that it is not so difficult to find a place for the night here.

In the forest we find many other foundations of prisoners barracks but want to find a suitable place as quickly as possible. We find a spot between two paths (a road and walkway) with tall trees and in the middle a winding stream where it ends a bit.

First a cup of tea while we check out the lot here - if it turns out to be very quiet and deserted, we put up our tents when suddenly a car passes by. We assume that this is an employee of the museum that we have just visited. It is quite chilly in the forest when we drink our wine and break up around 22:30. It is our last evening in the forest of this first half of this trip.