Eerie photos reveal the decaying remains of a WW2 camp where Italian, Austrian and German PoWs were put to work in the English countryside

  • Italian, Austrian and German prisoners of war were sent to POW Camp 116 - or High Hall - near Epping, Essex
  • They were put to work in local farms where they helped grow food supplies needed to sustain the war effort
  • Haunting images of Camp 116 reveal the remains of abandoned cars, dorm rooms - and even cod liver oil

By AMIE GORDON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Haunting photographs have captured the decaying remains of a prisoner of war camp hidden within the English countryside. 

POW Camp 116, otherwise known as High Hall, in Hatfield Heath, Essex, housed Italian, Austrian and German soldiers captured in battles across Europe and Africa.

Once brought to England, the prisoners were sent to the camp and put to work in farms where they would help grow vital food supplies to fuel the war effort.  

The hastily constructed prison is now overgrown, with tools used by Italians and Germans lying abandoned and rusting 1950s cars and tractors languishing in the woodland.

A water tower that would have provided a perfect vantage point to look out for the enemy sits 40ft tall looming over the camp while a Massey Ferguson combine harvester has been left to rust in an outhouse.  

And the soldier's personal belongings - including a rusting tin of cod liver oil - have been left behind in the dilapidated dorm rooms. 

The moss-covered dorm rooms where Italian, Austrian and German soldiers slept, are now dilapidated and eerie

The moss-covered dorm rooms where Italian, Austrian and German soldiers slept, are now dilapidated and eerie

The rusting remains of a 1950s saloon car covered in leaves and moss, sits in the yard of the camp which once housed dozens of prisoners

The rusting remains of a 1950s saloon car covered in leaves and moss, sits in the yard of the camp which once housed dozens of prisoners

Abandoned farm machinery, including a Massey Ferguson combine harvester, now lies in a dilapidated barn near a decaying British-made Hillman Minx car

Abandoned farm machinery, including a Massey Ferguson combine harvester, now lies in a dilapidated barn near a decaying British-made Hillman Minx car

Hut number 63: POW Camp 116, otherwise known as High Hall, in Hatfield Heath, Essex, housed soldiers captured in battles across Europe and Africa

Hut number 63: POW Camp 116, otherwise known as High Hall, in Hatfield Heath, Essex, housed soldiers captured in battles across Europe and Africa

An old grindstone - a round sharpening stone used for grinding or sharpening ferrous tools - in one of the sheds on the camp 

An old grindstone - a round sharpening stone used for grinding or sharpening ferrous tools - in one of the sheds on the camp 

An abandoned truck believed to be from the late 1950s or early 1960s, which appears to have crashed and wrapped itself around a tree, sits in the camp grounds 

An abandoned truck believed to be from the late 1950s or early 1960s, which appears to have crashed and wrapped itself around a tree, sits in the camp grounds 

Hidden within the Essex countryside, the now-forgotten camp was a prolific prison during the Second World War

Hidden within the Essex countryside, the now-forgotten camp was a prolific prison during the Second World War

The crumbling walls in the separate outbuildings are now covered in moss and reclaimed by nature

The crumbling walls in the separate outbuildings are now covered in moss and reclaimed by nature

A four cylinder petrol engine in a rusting vehicle is among the many items exposed to the elements after soldiers and prisoners hastily left the Essex site

A four cylinder petrol engine in a rusting vehicle is among the many items exposed to the elements after soldiers and prisoners hastily left the Essex site

Sinks in a kitchen area provide a haunting reminder of what was once a busy camp, home to soldiers from across the world 

Sinks in a kitchen area provide a haunting reminder of what was once a busy camp, home to soldiers from across the world 

Brick buildings with moss-covered roofs languish in woodland and rusting cars and tractors are being reclaimed by nature

Brick buildings with moss-covered roofs languish in woodland and rusting cars and tractors are being reclaimed by nature

While the chilling images give the camp a ghostly feel, conditions were reportedly good and many local people even invited the former soldiers into their homes and cooked them meals

While the chilling images give the camp a ghostly feel, conditions were reportedly good and many local people even invited the former soldiers into their homes and cooked them meals

Twisted remains of cars have simply been left to rot and gather moss in Hatfield Heath, in the Essex countryside

Twisted remains of cars have simply been left to rot and gather moss in Hatfield Heath, in the Essex countryside

Among the personal items left behind in the abandoned camp include a rusting tin of Solvitax cod liver oil

Among the personal items left behind in the abandoned camp include a rusting tin of Solvitax cod liver oil

The buildings lie off a path in the forest, and a water tower that would have provided a perfect vantage point to oversee the enemy still sits 40ft tall looming over the camp

The buildings lie off a path in the forest, and a water tower that would have provided a perfect vantage point to oversee the enemy still sits 40ft tall looming over the camp

Some at the camp even decided to stay in the UK after the war as their homeland had been captured by Soviet forces and made a new life

Some at the camp even decided to stay in the UK after the war as their homeland had been captured by Soviet forces and made a new life

World War II

Most watched News videos