The Prisoners' Pillar – Memorial Site of the Lichterfelde Subcamp

The Prisoners' Column

The construction of the Lichterfelde concentration camp subcamp takes place in full view of the public from 1941 onwards. The prisoners have to build barracks, buildings for the camp management and an SS construction yard. The camp on Wismarer Strasse at the corner of Teltowkanal is one of around 80 subcamps of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. The 1,000 to 1,500 prisoners from almost all occupied European countries move through Lichterfelde on foot and by S-Bahn and tram to their work assignments throughout Berlin. They do forced labour for ministries, SS and police departments under miserable conditions. They are also exploited by private companies, such as Telefunken in Lichterfelde. Since 2000, the Prisoners' Column has reminded people of their fate.