 Opened in July 1941, it was initially designated Stalag 318, but was renamed Stalag VIII-F towards the end of the year.In June 1943, it came under the control of the nearby Stalag VIII-B, and the complex of camps were in turn redesignated Stalag 344 in November.The camp was known locally as the "Russenlager" ("Russian camp"), but also held Poles, Italians, Yugoslavs, and Greeks, as well as small numbers of French and Romanians.