In this post I want do share some of the photos I took during my visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 2011. The sunny beautiful weather and silence made a big contrast to the horrible actions that took place there during WW2. It's hard to imagine how humans can do something like this to other humans. I post this under #travel because it's a place everyone (who can) should visit, because it's an important piece of our history that must never be forgotten.
June 14th 1940 - The gate to hell opens
Auschwitz was not the first concentration camp, but certainly the most infamous. Over one million people died there.
People were brought from all over Europe
Most of the people were murdered in the gas chambers once they arrived to the camp. Those who were considered fit to work were used as slave labour, but most of them died within six months due to starvation, disease, hard labour, torture, beatings and horrible executions. People were executed by shooting, hanging or gassing.
Things that were taken from the prisoners
The prisoners lost everything they owned, and were given prisoner uniforms. Even gold teeth and women's hair were taken and sold when prisoners died. After the camp's liberation they found 7 tons of hair in the camp's warehouses. they also found cloth made of human hair.
The black wall
A black wall was constructed in front of a brick wall. Thousands of executions by shooting took place here.
Empty Zyklon B canisters
Zyklon B was used in the gas chambers. The gas chamers had showers and water pipes so that it looked just like a shower room. The prisoners were told that they would get a shower and delousing. The women and children were sent first. Zyklon B were dropped into special shafts that opened in the ceiling. People closest to the openings died immediately, the rest within half an hour. The corpses were transported on trolleys to the crematorium right away.
The biggest chambers could execute as many as 2000 prisoners at one time. This operation would require between 5 and 7 kilos og Zyklon B.
Prisoner barracks
Over 1000 prisoners could be placed into a single barrack. The conditions were horrible, and it was close to impossible for the prisoners to sleep. Many died there.
All photos by Dieter Schneider (2011)
What a terrible story these places tell.. really stunning photos, and nice work capturing all of this though
Yes, it's hard to imagine what happened there, even when you are there. Thanks for reading
Terrible place, very interesting article and pictures.
Yes, that's for sure. Thanks
Congrats @dieterschneider, Your photo made it on the Top Photographs Daily Selection today :) Upvoted and Resteemd!
https://steemit.com/photography/@mycamerashots/best-photos-trail-9th-aug-2017-201789t15181727z
Thanks
wonderful photography
Thank You
Great history lesson with strong photography @dieterschneider. Thank you very much. Upvoted, resteemed & DPS.
Thanks, appreciate it :)
Amazing photos. Thanks for sharing. Were you able to visit Dachau or any other concentration camps?
Thanks. No not enough time.
Sad story but great photos!
It sure is. Thanks for your comment
So, so sad to watch this pictures, But it is past and this is the museum. Thanks !
That's true. Thanks for watching
That's awful!
But really good pictures! Congratulations!
I dont know if i'd be able to take photos when i go there. Feels sad just thinking of it. But i'd love to visit it one day though. Thanks for sharing!