Barracks Street Vloethemveld - Zedelgem

This is one of the silent witnesses of the barrack streets that were located within the fenced perimeter of the ammunition depot Zedelgem and served as a prisoner of war camp between February 1945 and September 1946. There were four highly guarded camps : camp numbers 2226, 2227, 2229, and 2375. Although they were under the overall command of the commander of Camp 2226, they were separate entities that differed greatly in operational time and the number of POWs they housed. The camps were far from the entrance , hidden from view by the surrounding fields and woods. The four rectangular zones of elongated barrack streets along the existing railway lines were provided with double fences and watchtowers.

The camps 2226 and 2227 were each further divided into three strips. These cages of compounds , (L. 850m. x Br. 85m.) were independent units, each equipped with their own sleeping facilities, kitchens, washing areas and water towers. These cages could each house up to 5,500 prisoners of war,

Willem Vandenameele