Arbeit Macht Frei

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"Work shall set you free". Which I suppose is the slogan of Hitler's Final Solution, as it was also marked on the gate at Dachau (see "Four Super Boys").

In trying to write this blog, once again, I am at a loss of words. Dachau hit pretty hard: standing in the open courtyard where hundreds of thousands of prisoners lived the end of their days, watching a documentary and seeing rooms with piles of bodies and then actually entering these very rooms, seeing the untouched crematoriums, or entering the 'showers' which were never used, but were intended to be.

Auschwitz is by far the most famous of the 'death camps', and its size geographically, and in lives lost, looms over Dachau. While at first it almost seemed like a tourist attraction with the large groups of teenagers texting and laughing and eating popsicles, certain aspects certainly kicked in over time.

There are several books on the Holocaust, World War II, and the plight of the Jews that would make for an excellent source of information on Auschwitz. Wikipedia, is also a fairly reliable source that could sum up the events and the site rather well. (In fact, check out Penner's blog at http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Penner/ for additional pictures). But to me, just standing looking at the photos of those people lost struck rather deep. A couple families even have an entire wall dedicated to telling their story.

However, ruin and books can only tell so much. But seeing the pictures, the countless pictures of the millions that were lost in this insane crusade and then being in the very location where it happened is a real grounding experience.

We spent most of our day at the major camp (Auschwitz II, Auschwitz-Birkenau) but managed to visit the museum (Auschwitz I) which was the original camp before overcrowding took place. Both sites were extremely daunting and I'm glad I took the time to visit both, even though it got rather depressing.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the tale as we move forward to Prague, the home of Jaromir Jagr's mullet...

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Photos

Auschwitz I sign - Halt!
Near the entrance which states "Arbeit Macht Frei" translating to "Work shall set you free".

Death Wall
Where public executions were held prior to the 'efficiency' of the gas chambers were established. Primarily, it was Polish Intellectjia and military personnel who were murdered in this way.

Another death sign
Near the death wall, warning prisoner to not get too close to the fences.

Commemorative sculpture
I'd say it does a pretty good job of symbolizing the strife of all those murdered at Auschwitz I.

Museum picture
Generally, I don't take pictures of pictures, but this was just too powerful to not have.

Auschwitz memorials
The hardest part of Aucshwitz-Birkenau was seeing all the pictures of all those lost at the 'camp'.

Death Gate
The entrance to Auschwitz II (aka Auschwitz-Birkenau). Trains brining in prisoners (90% Jewish) came in through these gates. 70-75% of Jews would be sent immediately to the gas chamber.

Death rails
Trying to capture the size of Auschwitz-Birkenau. And I feel like its a good shot.

Barrack beds
Standard sleeping space for the prisoners, each 'floor' would house dozens of prisoners, although it could probably only comfortably fit 4/5.

Barbed wire
Surrounding the entire camp as well as separating each region of the camp.

Pond of ashes
Ashes were thrown into this pond after the bodies had been sent to the crematoriums. A tour group from Israel had dropped off some flowers in memory of those lost.

In memorium
Plaque located at the Auchwitz memorial which was probably built by Soviets as it was completely cemented and not that attractive.

Monument
The aforementioned monument to those lost.

Crematorium ruins
Unlike in Dachau, the gas chambers were used at Auschwitz. These are the ruins of the underground crematoriums whereby the Jews and Non-Jews were disrobed, disinfected, gassed, and burned. When it was heard that the war would be over, the SS demolished the crematoriums in "evidence of their attrocities."

Comments

[Uncle Bruce]

Sobering and disgusted
I am certain of my thoughts and emotions at this time. I find it sobering, i.e. bringing to life many stories and films and photos I have seen before but you capture it with a few very poignant and cryptic snaps. I worry that we have not learned our lessons from this history and continue to permit such atrocity in our time. Thanks Stephen you may have mobilized me to do something. I hope so!

[David Rathband]

Arbeit Macht Frei
Well I have just come back from the two camps, what a sad place to know what went on here my lifes sad and evil monsters. Yes we should never forget that man or woman continue to shows these traits today. For all those soles murdered by the Germans, Here is one human which will never forget, RIP this is not a holiday trip it is and should always be a tribute to those murdered>>

[Hulkshaw]

I'd like to clarify that it was the Nazis and SS that were responsible for the attrocities at Dachau, Auschwitz, and the numerous other 'deathcamps', not the Germans...