Oranienburg is one of those German Cities whose not so distant history casts a very dark shadow over it. It was home to not one, but two Concentration Camps – the KZ Oranienburg (one of the firs Camps in Germany) and the KZ Sachsenhausen (with its SS hundertschaftsgebäude), it was here were the theory of Nuclear Fission was discovered and Hitlers “Nuclear” plans originated, and where the Heinkel Werke GmbH had one of its main production facilities and developed and tested the worlds first stealth bomber at the Flugplatz Oranienburg
Table of Contents
The beginnings of the Heinkelwerke
Ernst Heinrich Heinkel was born on the 24th of January 1888 in Grunbach, Baden-Württenberg. After finishing school he went on to study Mechanical Engineering in Stuttgart. From 1911 onwards, Heinkel worked for several Aircraft manufacturers, until he decided to design and build his own aircraft under his own name in 1922.
After the Nazis came to power, the German Reich secretly began preparations to build up its Luftwaffe again. On the 1st of March 1935, Reichsminister für Luftfahrt Hermann Göring officially unveiled the new German Luftwaffe. At this point the Heinkel-Werke, which had settled in the northern German city of Rostock, was already rolling out the newly developed Heinkel He 111.
The Heinkel He 111 was to become the standard aircraft for the Luftwaffe, forcing the Heinkel Werke to increase its production output. The Factory in Rostock had already reached its maximum capacity, so the Reichsluftfahrtministerium was on the lookout for a new production site around Berlin. On the 18th of March 1935, the Reichsluftfahrtministerium decided to set up the new Heinkel Factory in Oranienburg and Germendorf.
Construction of the Flugplatz Oranienburg
On 1 May 1935 the Heinkel-Werke GmbH Oranienburg was formally established. The Reichsluftfahrtministerium held 97% of the shares, while the remainder was held by Ernst Heinkel. The Heinkel Werke GmbH were a de facto a state operation, but the state granted Heinkel wide-ranging authorities. After 1939, Heinkel took over the shares of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium for the sum of 17.95 Million Reichsmark.
A group of 25 Architects – under the leadership of Herbet Rimpel – was set up, who then designed and planned out the various factory facilities, including the Workshops, Sports and swimming facilities, canteen, administration buildings and living quarters. The entire facility was built between 1936 and 1937. The entire production was split up into several production plants. The “Werk I” was set up next to Germendorf, while the “Unterwerk II” was set up to the west of Oranienburg-Süd. The simple reason for the separation of the production plants was to minimize damage and production loss due to possible bomber raids.
Flugplatz Oranienburg 1942 
Flugplatz Oranienburg 2013
During the construction of the Heinkel Werke – the Architects not only stressed on the aspects of ideal production conditions, but also put their highest priority on constructing buildings that would withstand air raids. The production halls were all built in the same format and style with a steel frame construction, bomb-proof foundations, large glass paneling and massive sliding-folding gates.
The advantage of building identical production halls meant that they were quick and easy to build, and if damaged by fire or bombs – production could be relocated into a different hall. The large glass paneling kept air raid damage to a minimum and could be quickly replaced. To black out the halls, Heinkel had automatic blinds installed that could black out the entire facility in less than 2 minutes. The large folding gates meant that the halls could be cleared instantly and fire crews could rush in, in case a fire broke out.
Production at the Flugplatz Oranienburg
In the beginning the Heinkel Werke exclusivley produced the Heinkel He 111. After the individual aircraft pieces were constructed in separate locations, the aircraft was moved into the “Werk II” where they attached the wings, radio equipment and weapons. After this they were moved to the “Einflughalle” at the Flugplatz Oranienburg where they were tested for their aeronautical properties. A total of 3 separate test flights were conducted with each aircraft before they were transferred to their new destination.
A fun fact on the side – Beate Uhse, known all over Germany today for her Sex Shops – was one of the most well-known “transfer” pilots at the time.
Just around the corner was the Versuchsstelle für Höhenflüge. The Versuchsstelle für Höhenflüge (trial site for altitude flights) was a research institute of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Ministry of Aviation) devoted to researching new methods of military surveillance such as high-altitude cameras as well as researching new technology devoted to high altitude flights such a pressurized cockpit and high-altitude rescue.
The Versuchsstelle für Höhenflüge was also devoted to analyzing crashed enemy aircraft to gauge the enemy’s technological advancements, and last but not least, the VfH was tasked with sending out high altitude aircraft on reconnaissance missions, in the belief that the high altitude would make them invulnerable to enemy fire.
The worlds first Stealth Aircraft
Over the course of the war, the Heinkel Werke produced several variations of the Heinkel He 111, as well variations of the He 177 and the Junckers Ju 88 (under license) and the Dornier Do 335 (which had 1 propeller in the front and one in the back). In March, 1944 – the first test flights with experimental flying wing aircraft were conducted. Several prototypes and variations were available for testing. A glider variation of the flying wing aircraft was successfully launched and thoroughly tested for its flight characteristics by the famous test pilot Lieutenant Erwin Ziller.
The first 30 minute test flight of the Horten IX (H IX V2) – the first jet propelled flying wing – was conducted on the 2nd of February 1945 at the Flugplatz Oranienburg. The aircraft was developed as a miracle weapon for the so-called Jäger-Notprogramm (Ziller crashed and died on the 18th Feb. 1945 while testing the H IX V2). The flight characteristics were revolutionary: the top speed was about 1000km, it had a reach of a 1000 kilometers and it could hold a payload of over 1000 kilograms.
Horten Ho VII 
Horten ho IX V3 
Gotha Go 229
The aircraft was developed by the Horten brothers and produced by the Gotha Waggonfabrik. When the Americans entered Gotha and Leipzig they discovered various prototypes and swiftly confiscated them. A Ho 229 Prototype was shipped off to the US – and during the cold war the B-2 stealth debuted showing great similarity to previous Horten Models (especially the Horten GO).
Front of the Horten HO 229 
Horten Ho 229 captured by US Forces
Americans and Soviets fight for the prize
Despite it being a very prominent target, US Bombers only attacked the Flugplatz Oranienburg for the first time on the 18th of April 1944, and a second time on the 10th of April 1945. The 2 raids did little damage by comparison as production only ceased once the Soviet and Polish forces occupied the factory on the 23rd of April, 1945.
At the end of the war – the soviet troops ordered the complete dismantlement of the factory aside from the Einflughalle, the airstrip and a few other administration buildings. Despite the massive use of slave labor from the nearby concentration camp (totaling to over 14000 by September 1943) – Ernst Heinkel was only classified as a “Follower” (mitläufer) by the Denazification process.
It is worth looking at the Operation Paperclip – as the Allies seemingly had no problems with war criminals as long as they provided valuable technology. In 1950, Heinkel started production of scooters and cheap cars. He died in 1958 in Stuttgart – shortly after, the Heinkel Werke resumed the production of Aircraft in Stuttgart.
Photos by Karl-Heinz Feller 
The Soviet troops then continued to use the Flugplatz Oranienburg as an airfield for their own troops. At first the base was used for transport aircraft, until the Soviets stationed the 239. OGvVP (Otdelnij Gwardeski Vertoletnij Polk – Independent Guard Helicopters Regiment) and the 9. OVE (Otdelnaja Vertoletnaja Eskadrilja – Independent Helicopters Squadron) there. The Flugplatz Dallgow – which was attached to the Löwen Adler Kaserne in Elstal– was closed down in 1960, upon which all aircraft and personel were moved to Oranienburg / Flugplatz Oranienburg. After 1994, the two helicopter regiments were moved to Jefremov and Nowosibirsk, Russia.
Flugplatz Oranienburg Today
The Russian troops pulled out in 1994, and since then most of the Soviet-made buildings have been torn down. Almost all of the tarmac has been removed, while a giant supermarket distribution center and solar panel field have moved on to the former airbase.
A few buildings remain to this day – most notably the industrial Bauhaus “Einflughalle”. It probably owes its survival to the fact that it has been put under Denkmalschutz, but it is in a pretty bad state like every other building on the property. almost all of them have been set on fire, and they are rather hazardous to explore.
There isn’t much to see – aside from the massive Einflughalle, most buildings have been removed and those that are still standing have been ruined by vandalism. Despite this I can only highly recommend making the trip out to the Flugplatz Oranienburg and checking this place out. It’s a fascinating piece of aviation history which will most likely disappear within the next 5-10 years. If you are in the area, its worth checking out the SS Funkbunker Karo-Ass, as well as the SS Hundeschule, the SS Bath and Boiler House and the SS hundertschaftsgebäude.
Flugplatz Oranienburg Address
Flugpionierstraße
16515 Oranienburg, Deutschland
Public Transport: Take the S-Bahn S1 direction Oranienburg and get off at Lehnitz. Its best to bike it from there (takes about 15 minutes). There is a bus thats way too complicated.
31 Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Great work. I love the odd corners you uncover. Sad to think that so many will soon be gone. So much recent history has revolved around Berlin, I look forward to more from you.
I have read rumours that later Horten were flying discs, possibly connected to Roswell. Maybe one day someone will stumble on evidence.
Ive heard similar stories about that as well – doubtful if we ever find out the truth though….
A very informative article. I have been out to the airfield a couple of times during the last 2 – 3 years and agree that it is all likely to disappear in the next few years.
thanks alan – the main hall doesnt look like it will stand much longer, its been set on fire too many times.
You’ve almost surpassed yourself yet again. The Oranienburg series is absolutely fascinating, including the funny incidental facts: the dog trainer turned Bundesnachrichtendienstler (or whatever..) and the pilot turned sex shop owner.
theres so much to see in Oranienburg – ive got at least 3-4 more posts coming up 😉
ps. That IrishBerliner guy and your good self should publish an ‘abandoned’ book. Although, it’s probs been done before, just like everything else. But do it again and do it better.
Fascinating. Shame it has fallen into disrepair, but at the same time, difficult to justify the cost of keeping it all secure and maintained, except if some of the buildings could be re-used in some way.
indeed – but no one is taking care of the grounds, its just left to rot. Its a listed building for a reason but I cant imagine any purposeful use for it either.
I visited the site 2 years ago and found it fascinating that such a single large building has survived for so long. In the UK it would have been pulled down years ago ‘for health and safty reasons’ – long may it remain. From the original description of the factory complex, is it likely that bomb proof shelters remain under the First Flight Hall? The other element that still exists are the protective bunkers that remain around the airfield. Wartime photos show these to have been a feature at Oranienberg as well as at other Luftwaffe bases. Presumably the Soviets used them during their occupation.
Apparently there used to be a shelter and a tunnel which connected the hangar to the other facilities. Im not sure if they survived or were just filled up after the war. Im quite sure there that the one of the bunkers must have survived the war and soviets. I did spot some suspicious looking holes out to the north of the field….
There used to be a research facility to the east of the airfield – but all of it has been torn down aside from one of the overground bunkers.
Thanks – your article inspired me to cycle there last weekend. The hall is impressive, just 6 pillars hold up the whole structure. On the western side the folding doors have all been pushed off their tracks (by a storm?), which can’t be good for stability. Do you know if the concrete ‘schutzbauten’ around the plan parking spots date back to the 30s or did the Soviets add them? Built for testing engines?
Glad you checked it out! I supposed the wind might have pushed the folding doors off their tracks (must say I didnt even notice that). I suppose the schutzbauten could date back to the 30s, im not 100% sure though. Ive tried looking for an explanation in the original plans and descriptions but havent found out anything more specific yet.
Pingback:SS-Hundeschule Sachsenhausen | Digital Cosmonaut
My mother was a forced laborer from the Concentration Camp nearby. She was jewish and was liberated from the camp in by the Soviets in 1945. She told me she worked at the airplane factory inside the cockpit of an airplane drawing letters and numbers on the different dials and equipment. And amazingly, each morning would discover a “sandwich” underneath the seat probably left by a soldier who felt sorry for her. This might have saved her life.
Elka, thank you for relaying your poignant story about your mum, and thanks for your post, Georg.
Hi
Your post is very interesting!
thanks!!!
I’m looking for more details about the touching story of Elika’s mum.
Can you help me to find her in order to get the information?
Jacob Yaniv – Jerusalem-Israel
Pingback:Urban Exploring #1 – Abandoned Airport – Hata-tan 日本語 & osu!
Hi, what were your sources for this article? Did you consult Norbert Rhode’s book?
Many thanks,
Josh
Interesting to relive the ‘Oranienberg experience’, as my earlier email outlined. What I didn’t say was how few pictures there are showing the production halls and one with an early He 111 newly completed has been variously captioned as Oranienberg and Marienhe. I particularly liked the remains of the outline glazing on the staircase windows which in design had a strong feel of the pre-war 1930s period. In exploring the concrete bases of one of the demolished halls, traces of blue directional lettering could be seen despite its exposure to 70 years of weathering. A small but fascinating part of the surviving story of this once mighty complex.
Pingback:Funkbunker Karo Ass | Digital Cosmonaut
Pingback:The SS Hundertschaftsgebäude | Lost Places Brandenburg
Pingback:The Versuchsstelle für Höhenflüge Oranienburg | Lost Places Brandenburg
Pingback:The SS Bath and Boiler House of Sachsenhausen | Lost Places Brandenburg
A friend grew up near here during the war. He was in the Hitler Youth and was 10 when the war ended. Klaus liked to watch the planes here and he related about the nearby concentration camp was evacuated near the end and how those that couldn’t march were shot, about sheltering in cellars when the bombs fell and people wetting themselves as the ground rocked and moved. Also about the Candy bomber dropping sweets to the children during the airlift. Thanks for your good work.
Pingback:SS Schießstand Sachsenhausen | Lost Places Brandenburg
Pingback:Berlins Abandoned Boeing 707 | Lost Places Berlin
Pingback:Weiße Häuser Rechlin | Lost Places Germany
Pingback:Flugplatz Rangsdorf | Urban Exploring Brandenburg
Pingback:The SS Hundertschaftsgebäude | Lost Places Oranienburg
Pingback:The SS Bath and Boiler House | Lost Places Oranienburg