The prisoner of war camp in Barkniewko (Barkenbrügge) near Borne Sulinowo

Barkniewko, a small village located near Borne Sulinowo, hides a painful history related to World War II. A German POW camp operated on its territory, which was a place of captivity and suffering for thousands of people.
The history of the camp in Barkniewko is closely connected with the establishment of the German Groß Born training ground. The training ground, built in 1935-1936, became a place of intensive military exercises, and at the same time a place where the Germans built an extensive system of POW camps.
The camp in Barkniewko was a branch of the main camp, which was located on the training ground. Thousands of POWs of various nationalities, mainly Poles, Russians and French, passed through its walls. The conditions in the camp were extremely difficult. The POWs were subjected to hard labor, starvation, and often brutality from the German guards.
Everyday life in the camp was a struggle for survival. The POWs were forced to perform hard physical labor, often during the construction of military facilities. They lacked basic necessities such as food, water and medicine. Diseases were common and the mortality rate was very high.
The camp was dominated by an atmosphere of terror and violence. POWs were often beaten, humiliated and intimidated. Executions were common. The harsh living conditions and mental and physical torture left permanent marks on the prisoners' psyche.
After the end of the war, the camp was liquidated and its inhabitants left the place. However, the memory of these tragic events has been preserved. In recent years, many actions have been taken to commemorate the victims of the camp.
In Barkniewko, there is a symbolic grave, an installation depicting barbed wire gates and a memorial stone from 2018 erected by the Institute of National Remembrance. The monument bears the inscription: "In memory of those imprisoned and tortured in the German POW camp Barkenbrügge during World War II".
Why is it worth remembering?
Remembering the camp in Barkniewko is extremely important. It reminds us of the cruelty of war and that such events should never happen again. Through commemoration, we can honor the memory of the victims and also educate younger generations about the history and meaning of freedom.
The camp in Barkniewko is a place that obliges us to reflect on the past and build a better future.