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.[2] 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.[3]