Renaming of the barracks: Friederike Krüger becomes a role model for the Bundeswehr!

Renaming of the barracks: Friederike Krüger becomes a role model for the Bundeswehr!

In a significant decision, the Hindenburg Barracks in Munster will be renamed “Unter Officer Friederike Krüger Barracks” from September 10, 2025. This event, which not only represents a new name but also an important symbolic turning point for the Bundeswehr, was decided on April 30, 2025. The step is part of the comprehensive maintenance of tradition within the armed forces, which aims to move away from problematic historical figures, such as former Reich President Paul von Hindenburg, who is viewed critically for his anti-democratic stance and his role in the National Socialists' rise to power NDR.

The namesake, Friederike Krüger, lived from 1789 to 1848 and was a courageous non-commissioned officer in the Prussian Army. She volunteered for the military in 1813 and fought in the Battle of Dennewitz, where she was wounded. For her efforts, she was awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class, and her career is highlighted by the Bundeswehr as a model of courage and dedication in service, as Augengeradeaus notes.

A historic step

With this renaming, the Bundeswehr is sending a clear signal for equal rights and an identifying role model. For the first time, a German barracks is being named after a soldier, and this is happening as part of a multi-stage involvement of soldiers and the garrison. This highlights the growing role of women in military contexts.

If you look at the previous names of barracks, they were mostly only indirectly related to women; for example the Augusta barracks in Koblenz, which was named after the wife of Kaiser Wilhelm I, or the Countess von Maltzan barracks in Ulmen, which refers to a veterinarian in the resistance during the Third Reich. In contrast, the new name represents a direct tribute to an active female soldier and shows a clear rejection of the ideology that Hindenburg represented.

A look back

The decision to rename is also in the context of the traditional decree, which aims to encourage the Bundeswehr to distance itself from National Socialist ideas and to develop a new tradition. Historical figures with problematic pasts are increasingly viewed critically. The traditional decree, signed in 2018, places an emphasis on the Bundeswehr's own values, including human dignity, the rule of law and democracy, according to Wikipedia.

Overall, the renaming of the Hindenburg Barracks is not just a new name for a barracks, but also a significant step towards a contemporary and inclusive military tradition that engages with its history while celebrating the achievements and courage of soldiers like Friederike Krüger.