Sat 21 Mar
REIMAHG Former underground National Socialist armament factory near Kahla / Thuringia
Documentation, research, and commemoration at the Großeutersdorf Walpersberg in Thuringia.
Historical Context
What was the REIMAHG?
The REIMAHG – the abbreviation stands for REIchsMArschall Hermann Göring – was an underground armament factory and bunker complex at Walpersberg near Kahla in the Saale-Holzland district of Thuringia, not far from Jena. Expansion began in April 1944 and continued until April 1945. Messerschmitt Me 262 jet aircraft were to be assembled for the Luftwaffe in extensive tunnel systems. Construction and operation took place under extreme conditions using more than 12,000 forced laborers. Today, the site serves as a memorial and place of remembrance, exemplifying the violence, exploitation, and contempt for humanity of the Nazi system.
The Walpersberg History and Research Association (Geschichts- und Forschungsverein Walpersberg e. V.) has been dedicated to researching and conveying this history for many years. On its platforms and during local guided tours, historical backgrounds, research results, and personal fates are made accessible in an understandable and fact-based manner.
Guided Tours
All Dates What is there to discover?
The guided tours at Walpersberg explain the REIMAHG at its historical location and make the dimensions of the facility comprehensible. You can see preserved tunnel entrances, remains of infrastructure, and traces of the former camps and work areas. Using photos, plans, and eyewitness accounts, we explain how the underground factory was structured, how work was carried out there, and the role forced labor played.
The tours are conducted by the Walpersberg History and Research Association and combine vivid presentation with current research results. They are aimed at those interested in history as well as visitors without prior knowledge.
Sat 30 May
Sat 25 Jul
Sat 26 Sep
Sat 28 Nov
Groups & Institutions
Individual special tours and workshops for schools, associations, and groups.
Request Special TourDeepen & Understand
The Deepen & Understand section bundles offers, exhibitions, and archives for in-depth information.
Research Platform walpersberg.com
Information site with databases on underground relocations, bunkers, and forced laborers
walpersberg.com
Walpersberg Documentation Center
Models, relics, and historical objects
Dorfstraße 7 · 07768 Großeutersdorf
Opening hours and more
Nebenan-Zwangsarbeit.de
Digital exhibition on the subject of forced labor with examples from the REIMAHG armament factory
nebenan-zwangsarbeit.de
Publications & Materials
Illustrated book REIMAHG – Werk Lachs
€17.95
DetailsThe NS armaments plant REIMAHG in the Walpersberg near Kahla
€5.00
DetailsVoucher for historical tour around the Walpersberg
€10.00
Details
From alabaster to cement
€5.00
Details
Walpersberg-REIMAHG plant “Lachs”: relics of the NS armaments plant near Kahla
€5.00
DetailsNews & Media
News & Media summarizes updates, notices, and press reports from the association's activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about REIMAHG
The FAQ page answers the most important questions about REIMAHG, the history of the site, and the association's offerings.
History & Background
What does REIMAHG stand for?
REIMAHG is the abbreviation for REIchsMArschall Hermann Göring and refers to the underground armament factory at Walpersberg near Kahla in Thuringia.
Is 'REIHMAG' or 'REIMAG' correct?
No. REIHMAG and REIMAG are common misspellings. REIMAHG is the correct term.
What exactly was produced at REIMAHG?
The factory was intended for the assembly of Messerschmitt Me 262 jet aircraft for the Luftwaffe. Modern Nazi armament technology was developed within the extensive tunnel systems at Walpersberg.
When was the factory built?
The expansion of the underground bunker complex began in April 1944 as part of the National Socialist armament program for underground relocation during World War II.
What role did forced labor play at Walpersberg?
The construction and operation of REIMAHG took place under inhumane conditions through the mass use of forced laborers. The association documents these fates to remember the suffering and exploitation.
Visit & Sightseeing
Where is the documentation center located?
The Walpersberg Documentation Center is located at Dorfstraße 7, 07768 Großeutersdorf. Models, relics, and historical objects are on display there.
Are there offers for school classes or associations?
Yes, the association offers individual special tours and specialized workshops for schools, associations, and other groups to process the history of the site educationally.
Are the tours suitable for people without prior knowledge?
Yes. The tours are designed to convey historical backgrounds and research results in a way that is understandable for both experts and visitors without prior knowledge.
What can be seen during a tour of the site?
The tours show preserved tunnel entrances, remains of infrastructure, and traces of the former camps and work areas at Walpersberg.
Research & Media
Where can I research REIMAHG in more depth online?
On the research platform walpersberg.com, the association offers extensive databases on underground facilities, bunkers, and information about the forced laborers who worked there.
Is there a way to learn about the subject of forced labor digitally?
Yes, at nebenan-zwangsarbeit.de you will find a digital exhibition that examines the topic of forced labor in detail using the example of the REIMAHG armament factory.
Can I purchase information materials or books on the subject?
Yes, various publications are available in the online shop (or on site), including the illustrated book 'REIMAHG – Werk Lachs', the annual 'Walpersberg Journal', and information brochures about relics of the factory.
Association & Engagement
Who is responsible for the memorial and research?
The 'Walpersberg History and Research Association' (Geschichts- und Forschungsverein Walpersberg e. V.) is a volunteer organization dedicated to researching, documenting, and maintaining the memory of this historical site.
Where can I find current news from the association?
Current updates, press releases, and information on projects (such as the Peace Bell) are regularly published on www.walpersberg.com.