NPEA. Ballenstedt . Part One. April 22

NPEA: 'Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalt'...... National Political Educational Institute.

Ballenstedt was one of 39 elite boarding schools formed by the Nazi Party.

Here, more than 350 students from the ages of 10-18 yrs were "taught" to be loyal National Socialists. Graduation of pupils was expected to be into the SS or Police

The discipline was extreme; before each meal, for example hands, fingernails and hair were checked for cleanliness. Even so the institutions could afford to set high standards - the numbers of applicants were high.

Source

Only those considered to be "racially flawless" were admitted to the schools any children for example with hearing or vision problems were also excluded. There was a requirement for above average intelligence, those looking to be admitted had to complete 8-day entrance exams

Source

My good god almighty, this place really is huge, construction was started in 1934 and handed over to the National Socialists in 1936

Just got to find a way in, should have brought a camp bed this could take days, wandering aimlessly but with a purpose; well it makes sense to me.

Ever hopeful always with a glass half full.....

..........can you see what I see?

Heeeeeeeeere we go!!!!!!!!!

A list of "in case of emergency numbers"

I seem to be in some sort of server room or telephone exchange.

Pretty common to find these posters where there is electrical apparatus.

Ticks a health and safety box I suppose, no other reason

" Hang on don't die yet I am just halfway down the first column reading up on how to save your life"

"Oh fuck, you're dead, sorry about that."

From 1971, A packing consignment note of various telecommunication items delivered from a company in Sofia

Bollocks and double bugger what I thought as going to be an opening to the whole building turned out just to be a self contained area. Guess it is time to climb out and se what else we can find.

Glass still half full. I continued.

1945 and the end of WW2, the premises were taken over by another dictatorship, that of the GDR, the institution was run by the Socialist Unity Party who used it as a district party school,

Between 1956 and 1989, over 16,000 loyal party members passed through the school. Teaching at the district party school ended in November 1989.

The district party schools had the task of training indoctrinating young people to become potential leaders in the GDR party and state apparatus.

Guess we won't be going any further

Ballensted was close to the border with the FDR, in 1966. A combat group battalion was formed from among the party students.

The area was also completely fenced off, and had an on site security service consisting of five uniformed police officers and 25 armed civilian men, an armoury was also established, equipped with infantry weapons, hand grenades and anti-aircraft machine guns enough for 250 fighters.

In 2018, two Chinese investors bought the site. They plan to develop the area into a center for traditional Chinese medicine , martial arts and culture. The facilities are not scheduled to open until 2024.