Camp Erika Ommen

Camp Erika (also known as camp Ommen) was in use between 1942 and 1946. Camp Erika had various functions during that period:

June 1942 - May 31, 1943:
Penal Camp (Justizlager).
1943 - 1944:
Re-education camp and transit camp (Arbeitseinsatz/Durchgangslager).
1944 - April 11, 1945:
Penal Camp (Justizlager).
April 1945 - December 31, 1946:
Detention camp for collaborators (which consisted largely of NSB members).

In June 1942 Erika was put into use as a judicial penal camp. The first prisoners arrived in Ommen on June 19, 1942. The population of the camp consisted mainly of convicts of the Dutch justice system and economic offenders. The internees had to do heavy labor in this Justizlager. Constant harassment, beatings and intimidation were commonplace and often these atrocities were accompanied by murder. When these atrocities came to light in 1943, it meant the end of Justizlager Erika. In that period from June 1942 to May 1943, between 170 and 200 prisoners in Erika lost their lives.

Subsequently, the camp was renamed an education and transit camp. Between 1943 and 1944 people who had volunteered for work in Germany, people in hiding and 'asocials' were housed in the camp. There was less abuse, but the living conditions were bad enough that some internees died.

In the autumn of 1944 camp Erika became a penal camp again. The atrocities increased again and so did the number of deaths. The camp was liberated on April 11, 1945. Immediately after the liberation, Erika was used as a detention camp for collaborators. It continued in this function until December 31, 1946.

A camping/bungalow park is now located on the former camp site. In the forest are four concrete blocks that represent the different periods of camp Erika. The text on one of the blocks:

"Camp Erika Memorial

From 1941 - 1945, the Erika prison camp was a place of hardship, pain, humiliation and much suffering.

From 1924 - 1938 the Star Camps were held here. Krishnamurti attended annually until 1929.

In 1940 the site fell into German hands and first served as a prisoner camp. From May 1943 Erika has been used as an Arbeitseinsatzlager.

After the war, the camp was given the name Erica and served as an internment camp for arrested Dutch people.

Camp Erica was closed on December 31, 1946."

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Kaj Metz & Frank Meijerink
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes