These ruins are part of the Haustenbeck desert, which can be found in the Senne military training area in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its history is closely linked to the military use of the area during the 20th century. The gradual integration of Haustenbeck into the military complex began as early as 1934 and led to the resettlement of the local community.
Of particular note is the establishment of the Henschel Tank Testing Station 96 in 1935, which was a key site for the testing and development of tanks, including the famous Tiger tank. The station used the challenging terrain for extensive testing, which gave Haustenbeck an important role in the military research and development of the German Reich.
Another notable structure within the desert is the Haustenbeck Tower, built between 1940 and 1941. This observation tower, which was originally built to monitor target practice and for the early detection of forest and heath fires, is now a listed monument. The tower, whose design is deliberately based on the architecture of the Church of St. Kilian in Brenken in order to avoid spoiling the landscape, stands as a testimony to the history and military past of the region.
The Haustenbeck desert and its remains offer an impressive insight into Germany's military history. For cyclists and history buffs, the area around Haustenbeck offers numerous opportunities for discovery, embedded in the natural beauty of the Senne.
Translated by Google •
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