The kaserne in Bad Kissingen was completed in 1937 and first occupied by a battalion of motorcycle troops that drew its lineage from the 5th Cavalry Regiment which in the Franco-Prussian war was commanded by Colonel (later Field Marshal) Edwin von Manteuffel - hence the name, Manteuffel, given to the kaserne at its opening.  Later, in 1939, the kaserne was occupied the 7th Panzer Aufklaerer (armored reconnaissance) Regiment.  The photograph below is of a ceremony underway on the parade ground.

Some observers reckon that the soldier at this end of the front rank was a Hauptfeldwebel (aka First Sergeant)

During World War II Bad Kissingen serving as a hospital center for more than 3000 wounded was undamaged.  After the war a USAF headquarters was based in the city until 1948.  From 1948 to 1950 the kaserne was the headquarters of the IRO (International Refugee Organization).

All told the kaserne stood for 62 years.  We understand that the decision to begin its construction in 1936 was brought on by a request of the Lord Mayor who saw it as a potential boost to the town's economy in the winter months when there were few Kurgaeste.  It was reckoned that the soldiers would be spending a considerable amount of Trinkgeld (drinking money).  (For more background click here)  From that economic condition the city has moved to the opposite end of the spectrum.  By 1998 the demand for building sites in Bad Kissingen was so great that it paid to raze the kaserne making way for new construction rather than to undertake the cost of converting barracks buildings to commercial use.