A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Discussion in 'The Holocaust' started by The Aviator, Nov 13, 2007.

  1. The Aviator

    The Aviator Discharged

    I went to see Auschwitz-Birkenau a few years ago.
    Of all places in the world that I have been, this would have the most vivid memories.
    There were many sights there that day that would take the immediate eye, but if you looked hard, you could see other things.
    One such thing I remember was walking into a Birkenau hut.
    The huts had a row of glass windows like skylights that ran the length of the buildings. Just above the doorway was a 9mm bullet hole.
    I pictured it as it had happened. A guard had thrown open the doors and shouted for the prisoners to hurry, then drew his pistol and fired it at the ceiling to make his point. The hole remains forever as a testament.

    Another was a rifle rack in Hut 12 at Auschwitz.

    There are others. Go there and see what you can see.
    Everyone should go.
     
  2. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    I would love to go. One day I will, but when.....who knows.

    Just out curiosity, did you notice any birds singing when you went?
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just out curiosity, did you notice any birds singing when you went?

    Just what I was about to ask. :D
     
  4. The Aviator

    The Aviator Discharged

    An unusual and unexpected question Marcus and Owen, it must have some special significance that I am unaware of.
    In fact I didn't, but the area isn't conducive with birds anyway. There are no trees.
    There is open farmland around Birkenau with farmers working. I guess there are birds around and about.

    Everyone is familiar with that infamous building that is the main gate at Birkenau where the trains pass under to unload at the platform inside the camp.
    On a desk facing the siding there is a large photo of the unloading of one of the trains of their human cargo.
    One can look down at the photo and then raise their eyes to look at the empty platform.
    It is awsome.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. The Aviator

    The Aviator Discharged

  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Unfortunately to a lesser extent is has happened again in Europe .
    Srebrenica being just one place.
     
  8. CROONAERT

    CROONAERT Ipsissimus

    The display of suitcases is what got to me. Most had names and return addresses - hope when there was none. Sad.

    dave
     
  9. The Aviator

    The Aviator Discharged

    Yeah, I noticed one prominently displayed with the name A. Frank, Amsterdam.
    Might have been genuine or maybe just placed there for the tourists.
    Whatever it was, it hit home.
     
  10. stevew

    stevew Senior Member

    I am hoping to visit next year, now there are some cheap flights to Poland from Bournemouth
     
  11. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    I would love to go. One day I will, but when.....who knows.

    Just out curiosity, did you notice any birds singing when you went?
    I havent been to Asuchwitz but I have been to Dachau and even though there are trees around there were no birds anywhere in the camp(it was Summer). Nature knows it was an evil place.
     
  12. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    I havent been to Asuchwitz but I have been to Dachau and even though there are trees around there were no birds anywhere in the camp(it was Summer). Nature knows it was an evil place.

    Cheers Gotthard. I've just re-read the 'Auschwitz, is this true' thread, and it gave me a shiver. One day I'm gonna do the full tour, take a month out or something and see the lot. Then I'll be able to add my own testimony to this 'myth'.

    But if Owens bird mates noticed birds, then it can't surely be true. I dunno, there's been so many conflicting responses on that thread, I just don't know anymore. My head hurts :confused: ;)

    marcus
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Birds go quiet late summer as they moult into their new plumage.
    When did you go Gerard?
    What was the surrounding woodland?
    Conifer or deciduous?
    Coniferous woodland isn't the best bird habitat anyway.
     
  14. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    No Owen they were deciduous trees, I think. We went in Early June and it was a beautiful day. What was also noticable was that the courtyards were covered in Gravel with a complete absence of weeds. They have some gardening crew to get this place in order. I also saw an old woman break down in front of a large montage of Jewish prisoners, no doubt recognising someone she thought she knew.
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    deciduous trees, I think. We went in Early June

    Birdlife should've been busing breeding.
    I still don't believe wildlife can pick up on human misery to the extent they avoid sites well after the event.
     
  16. Gibbo

    Gibbo Senior Member

    I went to Dachau in May 2005 & not only did I hear birds singing all round the camp, but I saw a blackbird near the crematorium.
     
  17. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Ok, Ok!!! So there is wildlife around Dachau!!! The day I went it was exceptionally quiet and I thought it was unusual and I commented on the fact. Obviously Dachau is a veritable Hotbed of Nature that is obvious to all except me!!!!!
     
  18. Christos

    Christos Discharged

    I think everyone should make it their business to familarize with, if not see for themselves, Aushwitz-Birkenau......I'm told that only foriegn vistors to Poland are interested.......few if any Polish people visit the site.....not quite sure why, it's somethign my Aunty told me after 5 visits and a Polish husband!
     
  19. The Aviator

    The Aviator Discharged

    I don't think that can be seen as disrespectful in any way Christos.
    Virtually everywhere in the world takes their local attractions for granted.
    Tourism is founded on novelties and differences.
     
  20. Christos

    Christos Discharged

    Yes indeed....The people of DARWIN have this exact attude to their own sites...locals rarely go up to see it, only tourists and ex-servicemen show any interset, or buffs like me...
     

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