This former military training area is now a habitat for endangered flora and fauna. Until some years ago soldiers learned here how to capture these steel monstrosities - today nature is retaking control of the abandoned tanks.

Video:




1.


Far to the west of Germany there’s this huge site of around 220 hectares. Most of this area has been used as a military training ground of the German armed forces. But today it’s a nature reserve – it was opened for the public and you can meet a lot of people out on a walk with their dogs here now. Tracks and indentations in the ground are silent witnesses of the military drills that used to take place in the whole forest. By now a lot of different animals have resettled here.

3.


The whole area was part of Adolf Hitler’s Siegfried Line which was built between 1936 and 1940. It was a huge defensive system featuring more than 18.000 tunnels, bunkers and tank traps. After the war most of these constructions were demolished but you can still find some remnants from that period – overgrown and covered in moss.

4.


However, these tanks don’t have any exciting history. They weren’t used in the war at all – these colossuses were targets for the German Bundeswehr used in exercises. We found five tanks in total distributed all over the area. We’re no tank experts but it seems like three of them were so-called Kampfpanzer of the type M 47 Patton: One right at the trail, one in the woods and one is completely overgrown. Another one is a M41 Walker Bulldog that seems to sink in the pond. Last but not least there’s a Schützenpanzer Lang HS.30 right next to a wall.

5.


To be honest: These war machines form a disturbing contrast to the surrounding peaceful nature. Tanks like these always brought devastation. But these tanks in particular don’t appear very terrifying any more . They’re home for plants and animals now and it’s amazing to see what can grow from something so bad.

6.


If you'd like to see more pics of this place, check out my Flickr:
https://www.flickr.../72157683683420740

Love the imagery and the story. Thanks for sharing!

Love the angles, use of the cannons to give depth, and especially the reflection and scenery captured in 4.

Very cool. This kind of thing is a rare find,and your narrative makes it even better. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Awesome find and really great shots!