Scale Model of Oflag 64

Szubin, Poland

The idea for creating a scale model of Oflag 64 was conceived by Dr. Mariusz Winiecki who has been working tirelessly on another Oflag 64 project relating to the Little Theater.  His inspiration was taken from Iowa Gold Star Museum photos of a small scale model of the camp as well as from the well-known sketch of Oflag 64 drawn by Jim Bickers.  With his idea in mind, Mariusz approached his friend, Mieczyslaw Luchowski, who teaches at the school where Oflag 64 was once located and asked him if this would be a worthy project for the boys in the carpentry shop.  He then spoke to the director of the school, Wieslaw Guzinski who enthusiastically accepted the idea and gave permission to proceed.  Mieczyslaw and his workmate, Tomasz Kmiec who is a teacher at the carpentry shop, then began work on the project--drawing sketches, taking measurements, and studying maps; the project was off and running.  What you see below is the dedicated work of several carpentry students and their teacher, which began in the fall of 2012.  When the project is complete, more photos will be added.  Thanks to Mariusz for sharing this project with us, to staff and students of the school for authorizing and working on the project, and to the school for financing it.


As of March 2015, the scale model is complete on on display in the Main Hall of the Boys’ Reform School.  Please see the photos at the end of this page

Sketch with identification of Oflag 64 buildings
Cartographic map with sketch of Oflag 64 buildings
Red: surviving original buildings
Satellite map matched with the current sketch of Oflag 64 buildings
Scale models of Oflag 64 buildings were created using satellite photographs, current cartographic maps, and camp sketches by Jim Bickers
Another view of Oflag 64 scale models in beginning stages
Teacher Tomasz Kmiec and boys from the carpentry shop pose with the scale models
Close-up view of Oflag 64 building models in the carpentry shop
Another close-up view
Grzegorz Hamulczuk examines the buildings
Grzegorz adjusts a guard tower
The chapel before the veneer is applied
Chapel roof veneer
Chapel wall veneers
Comparing the veneer to the model
Chapel
Teacher Tomasz supervises the cutting of veneers
Barracks building
Guard towers in progress
Veneers for the Kommandant’s house
Kommandant’s house located outside the barbed wire
Another view
Teacher Tomasz supervises placement of buildings
Teacher Tomasz looks on
Teacher Tomasz and boys from the carpentry shop taking a look
Checking buildings against model plans
Warehouse
Ground cover
Grzegorz checking the progress of the work
Teacher Tomasz guiding the work
Checking building placement against the cartographic map
More work to be done
Camp fencing is measured
Grzegorz at work
Teacher Tomasz making adjustments
The White House
White House veneers
Working on the White House
White House completed, Grzegorz arranging guard towers
Camp model with grounds nearing completion
Grzegorz checking the work
Teacher Tomasz placing fence supports
Grzegorz and Teacher Tomasz pleased with the work
All buildings in view
Still work to do
Grzegorz checking things over
Grzegorz looking happy about the work so far
Almost done
What's next?
Needs a few finishing touches
Grzegorz figuring out what is still needed
Finishing spray will help keep the gravel in place
Camp entry gate and wire fence

Side view of the entry gate
Hospital
Ball field, lighting double row of wire fencing
Fencing in front of the Kommandant’s house
Steeple on the camp chapel
Close-up of the chapel steeple
Posts for wiring
End view of the front portion of the camp
Double row of wire fencing, end view
Model on display-1
Model on display-2
Model on display-3
Model on display-4
Model on display-5
Model on display-6
Model on display-7
Model on display-8
Model on display-9
Model on display-10
Model on display-11
Model on display with information cards-1
Model on display with information cards-2
Model on display with information cards-3
Dr. Mariusz Winiecki, from Szubin Poland, conceived the idea for the Oflag 64 Scale Model project

Click on thumbnails below to see larger photos.