Auschwitz

From Poland

We visited Auschwitz in southern Poland a few days ago. We didnt realize that Auschwitz is actually made up of 3 different camps. The original Auschwitz was a small military baracks that was converted into a prison and torture camp in 1939. Once the Nazi's decided they were going to exterminate people in mass they needed a larger camp. This is when they built Burchenau AKA Auschwitz 2. We started the tour by visiting the original camp that is completely intact as it was 60 years ago. It is fairly small and was mainly used for political prisoners, prisoners of war and a few Jews. Over the entry to the camp is the words in German "work will set you free" A very misleading saying.

We spent a few hours at the first camp and then we took the free shuttle bus the 3 Kilometers to Auschwitz 2. As you drive towards the camp the huge fenced off area comes into view. It is amazing how large it is. Almost 500 acres of torture, terror, and death. Many of the wooden buildings have deteriorated over time and all that remains are the brick chimneys. This just adds to eerieness of the place.

We were let off in front of the famous brick entry know as the gate of death. Through this gate the train cars rolled into the compound to the unloading dock. The Jewish passangers were then unloaded and seperated into 2 groups by the Nazi SS guards. Those that were to live and become slave laborers were stripped of their clothing shaved bald deloused and given striped uniforms. Those that were destined to die were taken straight to the gas chambers. Approximately 75 percent of the people that arrived were taken right to the gas chambers.

The place is absolutely horrible. I cant image a worst place on the planet. Up to 2 million people were murdered at this small part of the world. I had chills running up my spine on numerous occasions. We walked up to gas chambers 4 and 5 and stood in the trees where people had to wait to be led into their death. In any other part of the world it would be a beutiful spot, but knowing the horrors that took place here. It is so unreal.

About 30 or so of the original barracks surrived and are open to walk through. Some of them still have their original bunks in them. Up to 1000 people were shoved into each one. The horror of it is too hard to express with words. I stood looking out one of the windows thinking about all the people 60 years ago who stood right where I was standing, looking out this window upon all the horror and wishing it was just a bad halucination. But it wasnt, it was reality for them. It is very unlikely that any of the prisoners looking out that window surrvived. Absolutely terrible.