An argument between authorities and historians over the fate of an old countryside army barracks called Vogelsang, situated in Eifel near Germany’s borders with Belgium, has recently rapidly intensified in bitterness, reports the Independent.

The argument began because the area surrounding the barracks has just been formally designated as a national park. Although the barracks are currently being used by the Belgian army, it is due to withdraw at the end of 2005, which would then leave Vogelsang open to tourists.

However, during the 1930s, the barracks were used to train thousands of elite members of the Nazi party into ‘apostles of National Socialism’ with taught subjects including race theory and total obedience.

Adolf Hitler twice stayed at the barracks while Goering was a frequent visitor. Post-war, both NATO and now the Belgian army have used the site as a training ground – until now.

The bitter controversy looks unlikely to be easily resolved. One side fears that the barracks could turn into a European neo-Nazi shrine and is demanding that the site is demolished. The other side, including some local politicians, has countered that Vogelsang couldn’t be demolished or left simply to rot because of its position at the heart of the new national park.

Meanwhile, suggestions for Vogelsang’s future are being discussed and considered. These have included turning the site into a youth hostel, national tourist centre or golf course, although these ideas have been met with more criticism that any such transformation would fail to deal in any way with the issues raised by the site’s Nazi past. The debate continues. Details: www.zentralratdjuden.de or www.eifel.de