City forest camp: special guided tour on World Peace Day

On World Peace Day, Sunday, 21 September 2025, which is also the nationwide Day of the Cemetery this year, the city of Bocholt and the city museum, together with the Volksbund, are offering a free guided tour of the former city forest camp and the nearby Soviet war cemetery at 4 pm. The meeting point is the site of the former city forest camp (Wiener Allee 26 in 46397 Bocholt).

Only a few traces in today's forest still remind us of the area's eventful past. During the Second World War, the STALAG VI F main camp, a large prisoner of war and forced labour camp, was located on the site of today's recreational area.

Soviet prisoners of war in particular were held there under extreme conditions. Hunger, disease and inhumane treatment were part of their everyday lives. Around 2,000 people did not survive their imprisonment. They found their final resting place in the nearby Soviet cemetery, which is still considered a central place of remembrance today.

The two-hour guided tour begins with a historical background: Lisa Resing, Director of the Bocholt City Museum, explains the origins of the camp and the living and imprisonment conditions of the prisoners. Afterwards, Frank Eßing from the Bocholt district association of the Volksbund will give a guided tour of the Soviet cemetery and provide insights into its significance for the culture of remembrance.

Participation is free of charge. However, registration with the Volksbund Westfalen-Lippe is requested. As parts of the route are uneven and the camp grounds are explored on foot, sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing are recommended. Please note that the tour is not completely barrier-free.

Registration and further information
German War Graves Commission - Westphalia-Lippe District Association
Telephone: 0251 56834
E-mail: westfalen-lippe(at)volksbund(dot)de