Hirschtory
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Picture Credit: Me
Picture Credit: Me
Picture Credit: Me
Picture Credit: Me
the man who designed the furnaces to burn the bodies did so on his free time as a project to please Hitler.
Actual Blue Prints
Actual Blue Prints
Picture Credit: Me
I hope this gave a brief introduction to the horrors of Auschwitz on the anniversary of its liberation.
For more about this, please look up the writings of my friend and associate Robert Jan van Pelt. The foremost expert on Auschwitz today.
zeusdemigod131
Is there a court/legal reason they use the term 'liquidate' in the trial?
therealpopkiller
My great grandmother was murdered at Auschwitz. My great grandfather and great aunt at Dachau. The residual pain is still felt in my family.
SamuraiChemist
"If there is a god, he will have to beg my forgiveness" These pictures make me feel ill. Thanks for posting them.
Gryphonosiris
It angers me to no end when idiots try to say that the holocaust is fake, and that this was just like an internment camp. Fucking Nazi's...
AbeFromanSausageKingOfChicago
Senior year of college I took a History of the Holocaust class. Rattled me so hard.
SensualMeatball
I felt a helpless rage building the whole time I was there. Especially when I saw the scratch marks inside the gas chamber. Then grief.
powerrangerpl
We, as Germans, shall never forget and be reminded for eternity of the monstrosities Nazi-Germany committed.
Stesyla
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl gives insight into life in Auschwitz. A recommended read for sure. He was a psychiatrist.
Respectablecrazy
I now live about an hour away. Have visited. The Nazis called it Auschwitz bc they couldn't pronounce the real name Oświęcim. The visit 1/2
Respectablecrazy
2/2 should change your views on the world and the human condition. Only a savage and dumb mind takes nothing away. I had tears.
ruint
There was a time we said 'Never again' and meant it.
JonathanTheHeMan
There was camp for children in Poland. For children 2 years and older. And some think nazis did nothing wrong! It's heart crushing.
davegsm82
I visited a few years ago, even in summer there's an air of utter desolation and hopelessness. Such a sad place, hopefully history remembers
KidBionic
Iaimtomisbehave
They shut it down on Christmas.
Hirschtory
The Nazis took off from the killing for their own celebrations over the birth of a Jewish guy
ComcastLover
Also some of the spelling is off. Might wanna do a proper spell check next time
Icecreaman
This is why no one likes you
ComcastLover
A lot of people like me. I'm pretty great. Also, looking at your comments on this post... Yikes
yuhlow
Zyxs975
So this is a patent for a sanitation / delousing chamber for clothes and bed sheets, but they copied the design for some gas chambers.
dancingbarefootonlego
They got a fucking PATENT.
DreamingOfDistantShores
And if you can still sleep after that, read something like The Nazi Doctors to find out about all the medical atrocities and justifications
DreamingOfDistantShores
for genocide: https://www.amazon.com/Nazi-Doctors-Medical-Psychology-Genocide/dp/0465093396
zeusdemigod131
If I remember correctly from a few documentaries I've seen, even other Nazi leaders/'scientists' were disturbed by some of what Mengele did.
Miller16of16
Japan's Unit 731 was (if possible) even worse. Incredible what depths a human can sink to...
ruint
Europe and the world shares the sins of the holocaust. It was a final solution because the moden world closed it's borders to german jews,
[deleted]
[deleted]
ruint
tldr:
Spiegelberg
The blueprint cynically call the construction a "delousing chamber"
Zyxs975
It’s not wrong, it was not designed as a gas chamber, these were meant to clean clothes but they reused the design.
Zyxs975
They had these installed in the camps to clean clothing, so they were familiar with them.
Elmarrr
Went there years ago. The bunk beds you see in the picture are small and uncomfortable for 1 person, they had to sleep in it with 2/3 people
Elmarrr
... which is just.. No words. I really didn't and don't know what to say when seeing this.
WeCanRebuildhim
I was told it was by design - prisoners got so emaciated they had to pile together or freeze to death. Humanity has a lot to answer for.
Codyroo500
The worst place in the world for a hell of a lot of people. They should've killed everyone who was ever even associated with this place.
Colarix
Wouldn't recommend checking Unit 731 then. Americans pardoned everyone involved for the collected data from their human experimentations.
SerenePrincess013
I really wish they did. Only bc of familial ties to the camp. Murdering bastards. If there is a hell, I hope they are suffering.
DumbbellsDogsDinosaursAndDoughnuts
By any chance is this interview available to read/listen to?
makeSX
Honestly if there is a god, he/she/it is a major cunt for allowing all the suffering in the world.
Keairan
If there is a god, they deserve hell the most.
makeSX
That would be the japanese equilevant, those guys were the worst on so many different levels. And the US let them go.
Hirschtory
Trust me, you would want to do worse if you ever talked to a survivor. I interviewed& recording one of mengle's test subjects from Auschwitz
Hirschtory
the story of the Nazis coming in, the Ghettos, the deportations, being selected as an experiment at Auschwitz, and liberation. Very chilling
Gryphonosiris
I'm a non-violent person by nature... but the things I'd willing do to these monsters for what they did...
PassiveAggressiveHotdogVendor
I believe in prisoner rehabilitation. I’m willing to forgive murderers. But people who want to go back to Nazi Germany deserve a bullet.
Gryphonosiris
A bullet is what they get to end it, but they will live a lifetime of pain before that. That's how much I hate Nazi's.
Kringon
The ideology that fuels the Republicans these days is frightingly similar to the fascist ideology of nazi Germany
thereitis101
Don’t forget this was just one camp. There were others. Treblinka. Bergen-Belsen.
mercyPandaRunner
Auschwitz, Belzec, Majdanek, Sobibor, Treblinka. Those were the 5 Extermination Camps. Tnose 5 camps are responsible for 3 million deaths.->
somnif
I thought Auschwitz was the forced labor camp, and Birkenau was the death camp.
mercyPandaRunner
A "Concentration Camp" was not usually a single "Camp". It was a system of a "Stammlager" (Main/Original Camp), the administrative centre >
mercyPandaRunner
of the Camp system, where deportees were registered and distributed to the different "commandos" in the Stammlager and its Nebenlager(Side/
mercyPandaRunner
subsidiary camps). In the end, there were 24 Stammlager that governed a system of over 1.000 Nebenlager. The Lagerkomplex (Camp complex) >
mercyPandaRunner
Bergen-Belsen was a Concentration Camp mainly for POWs but also other prisoners who were used as forced laborers. Bergen-Belsen rose to ->
mercyPandaRunner
infamy, because the retreating Nazis tried to take the inmates of KZs with them to prevent them from being liberated. Many died in death->
mercyPandaRunner
marches to another camp. Bergen-Belsen was the destination for many "evacuated" KZ-imnmates, leaving the camp stuffed with several times its
mercyPandaRunner
capacity. Camp infrastructure collapsed and in the end, the starving and ill inmates were just left to their fate by the guards, not even ->
RoadskiN
Even the devil himself would be sickened by what happened there.
Gryphonosiris
When Patton, old 'Blood and guts' visited Dachau, he was physically sickened by what he saw. That man was made of cast steel practically.
Sm9yCg
Just as important: Learn about how it came to be and compare that to current affairs.
GnomeDeGuerre
Ethno-nationalists with a scapegoat will want "solutions".
Justchillindylan
I enjoyed the information and the topic but anytime you put text over a picture it’s helpful to use white with a thin black border on it
kievanmereel
Also, non-sighted people who use text-reading software can't have images read to them without text captions or ALT tags. Accessibility
Hirschtory
will make a note of that in the future, and see how it looks and possibly consider doing it that way. Thank you for this critique
stripedmarlin
ArkoneAxon
The most important thing of all to remember: a lot of people knew what was going on, and DID NOT CARE. Just like how too many are quiet on>
ArkoneAxon
the current genocides, like the ones being perpetrated by West Taiwan.
otterkrylon
Engineers have a duty to be ethical.
amergin
Looked up Kurt Prufer. He was arrested and convicted in 1948 by Soviets to 25 years of gulag. He died in that labor camp in 1952.
egoAristippos
Every human has that duty; btw the patent for the gas chamber is titled „delousing chamber“ a way to make it less obvious while still clear
ImGoingToGoFallAsleepOnABench
Strategic division of labor combined with euphemistic or innocuous labeling.
HisBabes
Thank you. I don’t think I could ever visit or tour Auschwitz. I tend to feel things deeply but am willing to learn. Be a witness.
parabolic000
the Holocaust museum in DC was fucking sobering. It's a must-visit. IIRC (it's been like 20 years), there's a part where you have to walk--
parabolic000
thru a replica train car and I'm not sure there's words to describe the feeling it engenders.
HisBabes
If I ever get a chance I intend to see that.
SirLantsBojangles
Why bother with the barracks? What's the point of housing people you're going to kill? Serious question; not trying to offend.
GnomeDeGuerre
One thing was the gassing, it's easier when people are guessing that they are to live in a barracks after the "wash".
couldntremembermypassword
It was a “work” camp
BallsackHippo
Slave labor was a big part of this God-forsaken place. Also, it takes time to gas tens of thousands of persons, if you give them shelters1/3
BallsackHippo
you give them hope which makes them comply.
Gutpilegutezeit
Labor. The starved and the weakest were then exterminated.
xtraa
As already said labor, and secondly logistics. They simply were not able to burn more than 8.000 killed humans per day.
Iamnotwhoyouthinkyouare
at first, they were taking jews and just killing them off, but it eventually messed with the minds of the nazi soldiers and they broke down
Iamnotwhoyouthinkyouare
so the architects of the final solution understood that cramming people in trains and barracks like that will make sanitary conditions
Iamnotwhoyouthinkyouare
starvation etc will do the work for them. also it'll take fewer soldiers to keep order, and will mess them less then shooting people
PrincessPicklebricks
Because if 1.1 million people knew they or their families had no chance of survival they would have revolted.
dasklaus
There have been multiple attempts at revolts.
PrincessPicklebricks
That’s true but most were smaller in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Hirschtory
There were several Camps, 3 main: 1 Death, 1 death and labor hybrid, and 1 labor. And 40 sub-camps. Those were for slave laborers. If you
Hirschtory
notice, I mentioned the IG Farben plant there, which was one of the biggest users of slave labor. But also they took in more prisoners than
Hirschtory
they could kill sometimes, so prisoners would be stationed there for weeks till they could be killed. Then there were those who were in
Hirschtory
transit to other camps, as Auschwitz was on a major rail junction. My grandmother was there for a few weeks till she was transferred to
Hirschtory
a different labor camp. It was a major sorting center for the Nazis. I actually have 3 hours of interviews with a survivor from there
simplemanmakingmywayintheuniverse
I’ve always wanted to visit to pay my respects. Any advice for a first time visitor?
Colarix
Don't wear striped clothes.
oldernowiser
Be silent. Newspaper articles inside (translations available and accurate) reflect CEO/money support, anti gay, just like we’re experiencing
explainer
Get a really good tour guide and prepare to cry your eyes out
straha242
If you want to do some regular vacationing nearby, say in Krakow, do that first. You probably won't be in the mood for fun afterwards.
wwilddoge
Krakow is beautiful!
Loof13
It is horrifying nobody talked the whole time and the realization that you are walking in the ashes of million people who did die there
Loof13
just heartbreaking
thegirlnamedalex
Parts of it look like a college campus from the outside. And then there is ground still soaked in blood.
AdmiralBabyHands90
Take tissues. You are very likely to cry. As mentioned, be respectful. Be prepared for an eerie feeling.
FelonyRaptor
Don't march in wearing anything too wehrmachty. I think that's it.
glitterandplaydough
It’s ok to cry. I did. A lot. The shoes of the infants and toddlers… I’ve definitely changed as a person after experiencing that.
explainer
For me it was the hair
dasklaus
Speak up (calmly, politely) when the visiting school classes have their asshole or two that is making fascist jokes.
SmQr
Buy tickets in advance, in the summer it can be sold out.
emeraldimage
Get a tour bus to bring you there and back. They will book it all in your preferred language. Be respectful. Don't take selfies.....
emeraldimage
Don't take photos of the rooms you are asked not to. Ask questions of your guide. I visited years ago. Can still feel the dread in my chest
ilhares
Don't show up in the Camp Auschwitz t-shirt.
THUNDERSTORE
Don't plan any other activities after.. I was in no mood to do anything else that day. Just let it sink in what happened there...
Nalianna
be respectful, and you will be fine/
Toqom
Pay your respects when voting by.never voting for religious people. Look at Israel, using the Holocaust to make everyone feel bad for them but they are murdering innocent people. Religion is always corrupt when used for power and control, mainly because religion is 100% fake. Made up by shitty humans
frotzie
I remember reading a post by someone who went in a long black leather coat (I think they were goth or emo), it was not appreciated 1/
frotzie
IIRC also avoid camouflage clothing. /2
XuncuTheTiger
There's lots of photos as posters around. Only one has plexiglass over it. Guess who's.
TheBantha
Go there before you have kids.
siegenot
If you can, spend some time at the pile of toys and suitcases from children.
ProfXomox
I read this and teared up.
GnomeDeGuerre
Read before going, don't destroy anything and take the time to put yourself in the shoes of a victim. Shield your heart.
FairylandTrashCollector
When I was in Buchenwald I wasn't prepared for all this terror happened there. There was a "excercise field". A circle roughly 20m diameter>
FairylandTrashCollector
> with gravel on the ground and several rolls to flatten the gravel. The prisoner had to mill the gravel plain in circles, behind each >
FairylandTrashCollector
> other and noonbe was allowed to stop. The exhausted which couldn't keep the pace were crushed by the roll behind them.<
siegenot
Expect to swim in a large group of visitors. I could not spend the proper time at each exhibit. But you should definitely go!
HenryLongfellowIII
Just do it. I've seen Auschwitz, Unit 731 and the hell that was Cambodia. Deep impressions.
haadyy
I've been to Dahau. I couldn't even leave the bus at the high school in Cambodia... Didn't even go to the killing fields. Our guide told us
haadyy
How he survived by going into the jungles. But we also travelled by bus from Angkor wat to Pnom Pen and saw stuff... So much stuff
DorianBlack
It blows my mind that in Europe they rightfully memorialize death camps but in America slave plantations are wedding destinations lol
Somethingclever321
Europe was horrified & came to terms that this was wrong. America did not. And Black ppl still aren't totally humanized in the eyes of all
GrimNyrah
Don't take selfies. This might seem like common sense, but it really isn't. Just. Don't.
BobberAnne
Be respectful, take tissues, & don't go alone.
ImSpenny
Don't go alone?
BobberAnne
It's a very moving & impactful experience. I can't imagine having to process it alone. I'm grateful my brother was with me.
shorey66
It's good to talk about it with someone
MieLArisch
Do not go alone, this experience will make your want to talk about it afterwards. It will impact you very differently than seeing pictures.
rubypilgrim
second this. Do not be surprised if your guide becomes emotional. Many people have family who died in these camps.
xjsxjs
Very much this. It was soul crushing and you need to talk with someone after.
edwinodesseiron
I was there on a school trip when I was 14, and even the edgy teenage me was impacted by it. I still feel the weight of this place
fineletsdoeverythingyouwannado
I went to a genocide/torture location in Cambodia. I was not having the best of feelings after. It's so fucked up.
nenotlep
Counter: if you are like me, go alone to experience the maximum impact and ponder the experience properly. I somewhat regret going in group
MieLArisch
I would also not recommend going in a group. Just take one person that has equal respect for what happened.
MieLArisch
And if you have the time, please read 'Man's search for meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl. A psychiatrist who survived Auschwitz.
rubypilgrim
everyone should make the time to read this book. It's not very long.
Hirschtory
Just be respectful, use one of the official tours (I paid extra for a private guide to interact with as scholars), and that's it.
haitamimama
Pretend you are at Arlington national cemetary in DC. Quiet and respectful
Hirschtory
Also visit some of the other Nazi camps in Poland, visit the old Warsaw Ghetto, etc. Plus tour Poland, it is a gorgeous country
potshot
Honestly the paid tour ruined it for me, but YMMV. It was it was incredibly condescending and dumbed down.
MadamPuddifoot
What is ymmv? I keep seeing it but cannot figure out what it stands for
potshot
Your mileage may vary.
blackneomil
We had one of the longer tours (both camps), and really liked our tourguide. Guess it's just luck who you get.
Hirschtory
Oh and be aware of Poland's laws about mentioning Polish Collaborators so you don't get arrested.
AntivanMilkSandwich2
Random tourists are VERY unlikely to get arrested for something like that.
FlyingFrisbeesAreHardToCatch
Which is worrying. The main lesson from the nazis is that it was so many people who accepted or aided them. On all sides.
Imademyselfsquirtle
Fuck you Poland you Nazis!
MieLArisch
And if you have the time, read 'man's search for meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl
HandoB4Javert
Profound book
allthenamesaregone
Are they suppressing that history? Or am I misinterpreting that?
ILikeFugu
Poland's stance is basically "never forget.... except that one part"
Hirschtory
yes, they have punished scholars who mention polish collaborators. In their official history they are only victims of occupation
KatieIsALady
Yikes... and I thought they were getting fascist with the whole abortion ban. They've just been fascist longer than I thought is all.
ComcastLover
Don't forget to take selfies on the tracks leading in to the death camp
Stuntbuck4
Everyone keeps hating in this girl. It's probably a total fake
StellaBananaBlue
I too thought of this asshole when scrolling
MarioBoon
But that's not a selfie...
GnomeDeGuerre
Can't care about it. Too trivial.
IronicDancing
That's a very impressive selfie, how did she take it from that far away?
therealpopkiller
If she was blonde and white they’d give her a show on Fox News. Fuck her regardless
IfIthoughtItWasImportant
Are you fucking serious? Disrespectful much?!!!
slovak
I don't know if I upvote this or downvote
Deadhorsedoctor7
Is that actually a thing? How far removed from sense must you be to do that?
ComcastLover
Sure is, bud! And you gotta be pretty darn daft to do it.
IWasACatAllAlong
What a fucking moron.
Foire
Think she's a descendant of a survivor? That's probably some kind of strange justification. If not, I vote she doesn't get a free cat. :|
MieLArisch
This makes me sad. It's like dancing on a grave. Many places need joy again, Auschwitz isn't one of those places.
ilhares
Absolutely true, but some graves do deserve a little dancing. (this is not one of them)
DrIvoRobotnik
The place where Hitler died is a parking lot now. That's pretty funny.