Breendonk

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Today I took a trip to the Fort of Breendonk, not far from Gent. Breendonk was originally built in the early 1900's as part of the outer defense network for Antwerp. During WWII the Nazi's took posession of the fort and used it as a concentration camp. The fort now stands as a memorial to those who suffered during WWII.

The visit to Breendonk was not exactly pleasant. I'm not going to post a lot of photos here, just a few to give you an idea of the place.

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Photos

Breendonk
The Memorial

Breendonk
This was on the wall of the room that the SS soldiers used as their bar/lounge.

Philipp Schmitt
Member of the German SS and head of the prison at Breendonk. Executed at the Mechelen trials.

Philipp Schmitt
I found this photo disturbing. To see him doing something normal like playing with his dog (the same dog that he would set on the prisoners) after hearing about all of the horrible things he did...it was disquieting.

Fernand Wyss
Member of the Flemish SS, he was said to be one of the more violent guards. Executed at the Mechelen trials.

Breendonk
The Memorial

Comments

[Teresa]

great pics..
what a tremendous experience - i agree with you about the strangeness of him playing with the dog...travel safely!

[Timmy]

i must agree
they are very impressive pictures you took there Brian. However, I agree with you and the picture of the dog. Breendonk must have felt like such an unwelcoming experience, especially as a memorial.

[Dannie]

Breendonk leaves you uneasy
I have visited Breendonk now at least 3 times (with students and with people visiting). It left a deep impression on all of them. And even me, who heard the horror stories for a 3rd time, I could not help it that tears came up again. I usually go for a good Duvel beer to wash it away. It sure is a place you should visit if you are nearby. In Mechelen you have another Kazerne you can visit that is connected to the history of the Fort of Breendonk. I still have to visit that one. You took nice pictures. They describes very well the atmosphere there. Dannie (Irisbe)