Ordensburg Krössinsee

Ordensburg Krössinsee (also Crössinsee) was the first of three NS-Ordensburgen, the educational centers for cadres of the Nazi Party. It was placed near the city of Falkenburg in Pomerania, today Złocieniec in Poland.

History
The groundbreaking of Ordensburg Krössinsee was on 22 April 1934. It was planned by the Cologne architect Clemens Klotz. The vast construction of rustic stone buildings with granite foundations was built at a cost of 20 million Reichsmarks and was officially dedicated on 24 April 1936. On 16 May 1941 the Ordensburg was renamed "Die Falkenburg am Krössinsee" (The Castle Falkenburg at Lake Krössin) by the Reichs Minister of Labor, Dr. Ley, Robert. On 29 June 1944, a small portion of the complex was destroyed by fire.

Student requirements
Commander of the Ordensburg was Otto Gohdes. Cadets, known as Ordens Junkers were required to be at least 5 ft 4 in, between 23 and 26 years old, racially pure and in good health without any physical limitations. At the out break of the war a very high percentage of Junkers were killed in action.

Daily routine
Two courses of studies took place here from 1937–38 and 1938-39. Classes began each morning at 7 and included studies in philosophy, politics and world history. Afternoons were devoted to military drills, battle tactics, sports and equestrian techniques. The school was recognized for its outstanding equestrian program. The nearby lake provided the means for students to develop rowing and sailing skills.

Hitler Youth
In 1937, the cadres began sharing the facility with members of the Hitlerjungen or Hitler Youth. These boys between 12–18 years old eventually became the sole occupants of all three Order Castles with the Invasion of Poland (1939) and the start of World War two.

Completed Order Castles
The three NS-Ordensburgen were: A fourth was planned at (the historic) Ordensburg Marienburg in West Prussia, today Malbork Castle, Poland.
 * Ordensburg Krössinsee, in Pomerania
 * Ordensburg Sonthofen, Allgäu
 * Ordensburg Vogelsang, Eifel

Facility details
Finished Facilities:

Planned, but not Realized Facilities:

Purpose Today
Currently the former Ordensburg facility is used by the Polish Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Tank Brigade.

Literature

 * Rolf Sawinski: Die Ordensburg Krössinsee in Pommern (Gebundene Ausgabe), Aachen 2004, ISBN 3-933608-77-5