As with all of the Wehrmacht era kasernes in Darmstadt, work began at Kelley
Barracks in 1936, as Leibgarde Kaserne. In October 1938 the kaserne opened when a battalion of the 115th Infantry Regiment,a
part of the 33rd Infantry Division, occupied the kaserne.
Leibgarde Kaserne was named in honor of the traditional name for the 115th Infantry Regiment.
The Gross Herzogliche Freiherr Leibgarde Infantry Reiment 115 is the oldest military unit in the German army. Dating back
to 1650, the regiment was the traditional Life Guards Regiment of the Grand Dukes of Hessen, who made Darmstadt their home.
This regiment, as well as the other units of the 33rd Infantry Division became the backbone of the Afrika Korps in August
1940 when the division provided the primary units for the 15th Panzer Division. The regiment became the 115th
Panzergrenadier Regiment.
