Headquarters of the High Command of the Land Forces in Mamerki

Medal available in the medal vending machine at the Wolf’s Lair near the main building!

The Field Headquarters of the German Army High Command (Oberkommando des Heeres) in Mamerki is the largest complex of intact WWII bunkers in Europe. Some of the fully preserved concrete shelters reach up to 9 meters in height, making them unique fortification relics from the Second World War on a global scale. One of the bunker types open to visitors was personally designed by Adolf Hitler.

Alongside the Wolf’s Lair, the Mamerki headquarters was one of several military and political command centers of the Third Reich built in East Prussia to oversee the war against the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa).

Construction in Mamerki began in early autumn 1940. Work was completed by May/June 1941, but due to the prolonged war, intermittent construction continued until late 1944.

Across approximately 250 hectares of mixed, partially marshy forest, over 200 structures were built—ranging from wooden and brick buildings to concrete bunkers with walls and ceilings up to 2–7 meters thick.

Codenamed Mauerwald (“Forest Wall”), the headquarters was divided into three security zones:

“Quelle” (“Source”) housed the Army Logistics Command.

“Fritz” (“Frederick”) was designated for the Army High Command structures.

“Brigitten Stadt” (“Bridgetown”) accommodated support services (primarily staff and communications personnel), including the headquarters’ communications center.