December 8, 2025, 2:29 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Anyone traveling near the town of Meppen in the Emsland district might rub their eyes in disbelief. But no, it’s not a mirage; 24 old tanks stand in the landscape on an active Bundeswehr training ground. The Tank Cemetery Sögel was especially popular in the past with fans of abandoned places. However, entering the area or approaching the tanks is strictly prohibited. This recklessness could even cost violators their lives.

TRAVELBOOK reached an insider on the topic by phone. Initially, he spoke freely about the Tank Cemetery Sögel but insisted on remaining anonymous in the article. We also cannot name his employer for security reasons. The man said, “The tanks are located in the middle of a shooting test area used by the Bundeswehr. Almost all types of material are tested here. This can be particularly dangerous because you never know when such a test will occur.” Around the approximately 50-kilometer area, there are barriers, traffic lights, and signs to clearly warn unauthorized persons against entering.

Severe Fines

“Since then, an area of about five kilometers around the tanks has been fenced off, and a security service patrols there.” This was not the case until June 2020, allowing anyone bold enough to simply enter the area. Certain websites even advertised the Tank Cemetery Sögel and provided official directions. Anyone who now trespasses risks severe fines. “Not only does the area pose a danger, but the vehicles themselves do as well.” Since the fencing, things have calmed down considerably on site.

What few people know: The Tank Cemetery Sögel is a place with a dark past. Used since World War I, the site belonged to the Krupp company during the Nazi regime. According to “NDR,” Adolf Hitler personally visited it on June 10, 1936, and made a consequential decision. He decided that the large area should be expanded, and for that, the village of Wahn with all its residents had to be cleared. 177 families were forcibly relocated by 1943, and the village was leveled. Even the St. Antonius Church was demolished.

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“During this time, heavy naval guns were tested here,” the insider reveals. “These were really the big calibers.” Tragically, the Nazis abandoned the current Tank Cemetery Sögel as a training ground in 1944. Since 1957, the Bundeswehr has used it. Every third Sunday in June, former residents of Wahn or their descendants still gather to commemorate the more than 1,000-year history of the place until its destruction. Those seeking a deeper insight into this dark chapter can find historical images and publications on the website “Erinnerungsort Wahn Hümmling.”

In online forums, the closure of the Tank Cemetery Sögel is still hotly debated. Not only was it implemented due to the acute danger, but also because of theft and vandalism. However, tips on how to enter the area can still be found. One user suggests simply crawling under the fence. “Within 5 seconds, you’d be standing right next to a tank,” the user says. Therefore, the TRAVELBOOK editorial team once again strongly urges: Stay away from the fenced area and the tanks. No photo is worth risking your health or even your life.