Auschwitz death camp sign stolen

It must have been cut into three pieces at the scene in order to transport it away.

Glad it is found and can be returned to its rightful place.

It may not be a good symbol, but it is a piece of History.

Regards
Tom

 

I wonder now after this if the original will find it's way back above the gates.

I would think the original maybe better kept inside a secure museum type building on the camp grounds and leave the copy in situ....

I was thinking the same thing. Actually I was surprised the original sign was still kept outside in the first place.

 

Are you sure it wasn't Irving's crew trying to dismantle evidence bit by bit?

 

I'm now fascinated by the motives.
30-odd Kilos of Iron does not a midnight scrap-deal justify .....

Has to have been heading for the 'collector' market somewhere doesn't it?

Me too.

Speaking from long, personal experience, Adam; Iron is simply picked up, by the truck load, from what people chuck out and are sorely glad to be rid of. No one steals iron. It'd be an insane proposition. And, as for That particular bit of iron? As ye say ..... Leave it out!


That said; I've been a 'Collector' much of my life. I'm sure many here 'Collect'. And, surely; One of the most important things, to a Collector, is that the item be in 'Original' condition? Chop something into three bits, then weld it back together again?! Worthless to a Collector! I'd sooner just have a Blacksmith make me a replica.

I think there must be something going on here which none of us has tumbled yet. I also wonder if we'll ever know the truth :mellow:

 

Hi all,

A little good news....the famous sign from Auschwitz that was stolen last week has been recovered, albeit a bit worse for wear (cut into three pieces!):

The Associated Press: Polish police recover Auschwitz gate sign, damaged

-Daniel

 

I would say good news... but three pieces?

 

The current thinking is that it was stolen 'on order' for a collector of Nazi items, and it was cut up to make it easier to smuggle out of the country. The 5 men under arrest have no known ties to Neo-Nazis or such, but there is suspicion they know more than they are telling about the theft.

If I see any updates that give clarity I will add them to this thread.

-Dan

 

EDIT:Threads merged.

 

I wonder now after this if the original will find it's way back above the gates.

I would think the original maybe better kept inside a secure museum type building on the camp grounds and leave the copy in situ....

I totally agree.

Cheers
Paul

 

Excellent its back. I just think those who stole it deserve a month of time in there for what they took...

I totally agree Von Poop, my parents went to Poland with some Polish friends, and the Poles didn't want to go anywhere near Auschwitz due to their hatred of it and what it did... a fake sign there takes a bit (but a lot in many ways) of the horrror away of what happened in that most evil of places.

 

That's a good point, James. There's something more sick about breaking INTO Auschwitz.

Perhaps...

How British PoW swapped uniforms to sneak IN to Auschwitz so his Jewish pal could slip out | Mail Online

 

It goes to prove that nothing is sacred to some people.

 

An unexpected clue?
Auschwitz sign was stolen for wealthy British Nazi - mirror.co.uk

 

If he stole the camp signpost, at least it shows he would not deny it ever existed...

 

to say i'm gobsmacked would be a understatment, i just hope its found before its sent overseas, things like this are usualy stolen to order

 

from the Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/poland/6942518/Swedes-masterminded-Auschwitz-sign-theft.html

 

Im sure i read another discussion were it was bought up that the sign is not actually the original one. It might have been on militaryphotos.net

 

Three men have admitted stealing the sign, and have been sentenced to between 18 and 30 months in prison by a Polish court. Two others remain in custody. A Swede who instigated the crime is to be extradited to Poland.

BBC News - Polish court jails three men for Auschwitz sign theft