Ranging from Bavarian practice grounds to extensive international training fields
Grafenwöhr: A Century of Military Training and Nature Conservation
Nestled in the picturesque Bavarian Forest, Grafenwöhr has a rich history as a military training area that spans over a century. The region, which was established in March 1908 by Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria, has witnessed significant transformations and played host to numerous international forces.
Between 1950 and 1953, several large camps were constructed in Grafenwöhr, including Aachen, Algier, Normandie, Tunesia, Cheb, and Kasserine. These camps were built to accommodate the III. Bavarian Army Corps from Nuremberg and a new combat unit of over 3500 soldiers and approximately 5000 family members.
The first artillery shot in Grafenwöhr was fired on June 30, 1910. During World War I, the region served as a training area for the Bavarian Army. In fact, Grafenwöhr became the largest prisoner-of-war camp in Bavaria with around 24,000 inmates during the war.
The American occupation of Grafenwöhr began on April 19, 1945. Over the decades, high-ranking visits, such as that of the later US President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1950, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1984, German defense ministers, and US counterparts like Ashton Carter in 2015 and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2019, underscore the importance of the Grafenwoehr training area.
Under the leadership of the 7th US Army Training Command, international exercises with partners from up to 38 guest nations take place, with Grafenwoehr serving as the hub of the American Army in Europe. Notable units established in recent years include the 41st US Field Artillery Brigade, which was established in 2018.
The expansion of the training area in 1936 resulted in the displacement of 3,500 people from 58 villages, hamlets, and farmsteads. In response to the need for housing, a new city was created on Netzaberg in a private rental housing project. The barracks and private rental housing construction amounted to nearly one billion euros.
The "Training Area Grafenwöhr" has evolved over the years into a vast nature reserve, home to large red deer populations and many protected species. This transformation is a testament to the region's commitment to balancing military training with environmental conservation.
In 2004, the U.S. Army initiated the "Efficient Basing Grafenwoehr" program for optimizing their locations in Europe. The program aimed to improve infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of life for troops stationed in Grafenwöhr.
In 2010, the 100th anniversary of the training area was celebrated with parades, a grand tattoo, international stars, performances, and guided tours. However, in May 2012, the 172nd US Infantry Division was disbanded, marking a significant change in the American presence in Grafenwöhr. New deployments have since occurred, ensuring that Grafenwöhr continues to play a crucial role in military training and international cooperation.
