Dachau
Concentration Camp
Just a short drive from Munich is the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp.
This is a view of one of the
outer fences from the highway. When the camp first opened, it was used
to house political opponents of the National-Socialist party. In
1933, the list of banned groups
grew to include Jehovah’s
Witnesses. By 1939, inmates included
Jews, gypsies, and clergymen who
resisted the political coercion of the churches. It was usual for all persons who had been
condemned
in a court of law to be
taken to the concentration camp for “re-education” after they had served their
prison sentence.
Paradoxically, drawing a long prison sentence meant to be saved from
imprisonment
in the concentration camp, and that frequently meant being saved
from death.
This is the main gate of
Dachau, where all of the prisoners entered the camp.
The SS made a cruel ritual
of the “welcome”. It was intended to
instill dread and make sure the prisoners understood their status. Blows and insults rained down on the
bewildered newcomers; their remaining possessions were confiscated, their hair
was shaved off, and they were put into striped prison uniforms.
On the gate entering Dachau
was this infamous message:
“Work Will Make You Free”
The center “Main Street” of
Dachau.
The foundations of the
prisoners’ quarters are all that remain.
Straight ahead is the main
building which now houses a museum.
\
The outlines are all that remain
of the prisoners’ buildings.
One of the perimeter fences
and guard towers. If any prisoner were
to step
off the walkway on the left
onto the grass strip, they were shot without warning
before they even reached the
ditch. Many prisoners committed suicide by
walking into this area.
A view from the outside
looking in along the same fence line.
Nestled in the trees along
the backside of the camp was this plain-looking brick building.
Inside was one of the most
horrible parts of Dachau, the Crematorium.
The crematorium ovens still
stand on one end of the building.
Prisoners were hanged from
the overhead beams.
Behind the crematorium is a
quiet, wooded walkway. It is a serene
area with chirping birds.
But along the path are stones
like this that indicate the wall behind
the bushes was a backdrop
for executions by firing squads.
One of the plaques
indicating this was a firing squad execution site.
A wrought-iron memorial to
the people who died at Dachau.
Prisoners at Dachau.
*****
On April 26, 1945, a secret
committee authorized two prisoners to escape from the camp and find their way
to the American troops whose approach could be heard by the roar of the
guns. The prisoners were successful,
and two days later the Americans, who had originally planned to capture Munich
first, arrived in Dachau.
FREEDOM! April 29, 1945
Dachau
Concentration
Camp