in 1935 the wehrmacht began to build a large military complex close to the village of belsen, a part of the town of bergen, in what was then the province of hanover. this became the largest military training area in germany of the time and was used for armoured vehicle training. the barracks were finished in 1937. the camp has been in continuous operation since then and is today known as bergen-hohne training area. it is used by the nato armed forces.