in february 1946, the british military government in allied-occupied germany told the local authorities of the county of soltau to expect substantial numbers of refugees. since allied bombing raids on major cities had caused an acute shortage of housing even for the existing population, the additional influx of people put a massive strain on housing resources in the occupation zones. to accommodate some of these refugees, the military authorities provided the former airfield buildings at reinsehlen. there was a total of around 60 buildings, including a large number of so-called "protektoratsbaracken", which measured 42 metres long by 12.5 metres wide. importantly for a potential refugee camp site, reinsehlen sported a water works and primitive sewage systems leading to a sump some two kilometres from the centre of the camp. however, the buildings had been totally stripped of all furnishings (including windows, doors and wiring) by canadian and british troops and by german civilians. local authorities provided a basic supply of ovens, beds and other furniture.