Salzgitter - Die neue Stadt

Thousands of workers were initially housed in quickly erected barrack camps. Poor living space, major communication problems among the workers and physically very hard work meant that many workers left the Salzgitter area after just a few weeks. In order to retain these workers, construction of the new housing estates began in 1937. The planned large housing estate "Watenstedt-Salzgitter" was ultimately to become home to over 100,000 people.

Until the end of the Second World War on April 10/11, 1945, however, Watenstedt-Salzgitter remained a torso in every respect. It lacked everything. After the town's population, together with trade unions, churches and political parties, had prevented the total dismantling of the Reichswerke, Salzgitter was able to be rebuilt with initial federal funds. A modern transport network, administrative buildings, schools, hospitals and apartments were built and further industrial companies were established.