Havelbiwak: open day of the Bundeswehr

Vehicles of Panzerpionierbataillon 803 on the training ground, badge 803 on the crane — Equipment display at the Havelbiwak on the pioneer training ground at Nitzow.

The Havelbiwak is the open day of Panzerpionierbataillon 803. It does not take place in the Elbe-Havel barracks, but on the land-and-water pioneer training ground north of Nitzow, right on the Havel. There the garrison shows what pioneers can do on water and on land: bridges and ferries, vehicles, demonstrations and stations you can join.

The date is not fixed in every calendar year. After single years with a pause the event came back. Once town or battalion name the next day, you will find it in the events calendar.

Getting there

At the water ground itself the car parks for private cars do not suffice. Free parking sits in Havelberg at the Haus der Flüsse. From there buses run on behalf of the Bundeswehr, with further stops in town, to the training ground. There and back is free.

In some years extra spaces in Bahnhofstraße were signed. On the day follow the signs „Havelbiwak“. Do not park at the woodland edge near Nitzow.

What to expect

Typical is a large display of vehicles and kit, plus demonstrations on land and on the Havel. Depending on weather and safety, rides in armoured vehicles and pontoon boats can be possible. That can be robust. Take sturdy, better water-shedding clothes and firm shoes.

Stations to join include military face paint, camouflage and tracking in the ground, and climbing into vehicles. There are demonstrations, a field kitchen, food and drink. In the mobile career centre of the Bundeswehr you can ask about paths into the service.

Recurring items in recent years were the building of a folding floating bridge over the Havel, dynamic displays with pioneer kit and stations of the pioneer divers. The exact run changes. Entry and close usually sit between morning and later afternoon; the shuttle starts earlier and runs back once more after the end.

Gallery

Visitors on the concrete ramp at the Havel bank during the Havelbiwak, pontoons in the water — Bank at the pioneer training ground Nitzow.

Transportpanzer Fuchs with open doors and an information board on the equipment display — Display: Transportpanzer Fuchs.

Visitors at the open rear of a tracked vehicle on the Havel bank — A look into the vehicle by the water.

Two children looking out of the cab of a Bundeswehr vehicle — Climbing in is part of the day.

Child in the driver’s seat of a sand-coloured protected vehicle with open doors — Taking the seat in the cab.

Soldiers and children at a campfire in front of tents in the pine wood at the Havelbiwak — Bivouac station in the wood.

Child at a hands-on station with blue training kit in a sand hollow — Hands-on station with training kit.

Tracked pioneer kit with a large blade in the wood — Pioneer kit on the ground.

The Bundeswehr in Havelberg

Havelberg is a garrison town. Today’s Elbe-Havel barracks sit at Wilsnacker Straße 50. The core unit is Panzerpionierbataillon 803. It belongs to Panzergrenadierbrigade 41 and provides the pioneer tasks for that brigade. The job includes movement over water and ground obstacles, support by pioneer divers and help with heavy kit when town and district need it, for example in high water.

Around 850 soldiers serve in the battalion. In the same barracks further offices have their place, among them the medical centre Havelberg and further pioneer and supply parts. From 2002 until the end of 2014 Führungsunterstützungsbataillon 382 was also based in Havelberg.

The line of the present unit begins after reunification. In 1991 Schwimmbrückenbataillon 803 was formed in Havelberg from the former Pontonregiment 5 of the NVA. Via a pioneer bridge battalion and a heavy pioneer battalion the unit was reorganised in 2003 into Panzerpionierbataillon 803.

For the town the garrison is more than an employer at the edge. Families of the soldiers live in Havelberg and the countryside, oath ceremonies draw relatives from across the country, the battalion turns up for civil help and at fixed dates in town life. In January town and garrison invite to a joint New Year reception for invited guests. The link between Hanseatic town and barracks is regarded as close on the ground.

Practical notes

Entry is free. The day is outdoors. Weatherproof clothes pay off, even in late summer.
A ride in a vehicle or boat depends on weather and safety. Plan robustly, not on one particular trip.
Do not count on a private space at the training ground itself. Use the shuttle.
Food and drink are on site.
A place to stay in Havelberg is practical if you want the day without a rush. The shuttle starts in town.

Climbing in

Open doors, a look into the cab, girl and boy behind the glass. That is the part of the day children look for first.

Climbing in on the open day.