Unfortunately, the historical memory - a short-lived thing.Less than seventy years after the end of World War II, and many have a vague idea what the Auschwitz concentration camp Auschwitz, or as it is called in the world.However, more vividly generation who feel themselves to the horrors of Nazism, hunger, mass extermination and how deep can be the moral fall.On the basis of preserved documents and testimony of witnesses who know firsthand what the concentration camps of WWII, modern historians are now going on, which of course can not be exhaustive.Count the number of victims of the Nazi infernal machine seems impossible since the destruction of documents by the SS, and simply lack of thorough reporting of the dead and wounded.
What is Auschwitz?
complex of buildings for the maintenance of prisoners of war, was built under the auspices of the SS Hitler's directive in 1939.Auschwitz is located not far from Krakow.90% contained therein were ethnic Jews.The rest of the - Soviet prisoners of war, Poles, Gypsies and other nationalities, which in the total number of those killed and tortured were around 200 thousand.
full name of the concentration camp - Auschwitz Birkenau.Oswiecim - the Polish name, it is common to use mainly in the former Soviet Union.
history of the concentration camp.Prisoners of war
Although Auschwitz notorious mass destruction of peaceful Jewish population, originally thought of a few other considerations.
Why was chosen in Auschwitz?This is due to its convenient location.First, it was on the border, where it ends the Third Reich and Poland began.Auschwitz was one of the key commercial sites with comfortable and well-established transport routes.On the other hand, right up moving forest helped to conceal the crimes committed there from prying eyes.
first buildings erected on the site of the Nazi barracks of the Polish Army.For the construction they used hard-hitting them in podnevole local Jews.Initially sent to the German and Polish political prisoners, criminals.The main objective of the concentration camp was the content of dangerous isolation for the welfare of the German people and the use of their work.Prisoners worked six days a week, and Sunday was the weekend.
In 1940, local people living near the barracks, were forcibly expelled by the German army for the construction on the liberated territory of additional buildings, which were subsequently crematorium and the camera.In 1942 the camp was fenced with solid reinforced concrete fence and wire energized high voltage.
However, such measures have not stopped some prisoners escape although cases have been extremely rare.Those who have encountered similar thoughts, knew that any attempt them all inmates will be destroyed.
In the same 1942 on the NSDAP conference concluded on the need of mass destruction of the Jews and the "final solution of the Jewish question."At first to Auschwitz and other German concentration camps of WWII cited German and Polish Jews.Then Germany agreed with the allies to conduct "cleansing" in their territories.
It should be mentioned that not all easily agree on that.For example, Denmark was able to save his people from certain death.When the government was informed about the planned "hunting" SS, Denmark organized a secret smelters Jews in a neutral state - Switzerland.Thus, it saved more than 7000 lives.
However, the overall statistics of murdered, tortured by hunger, beatings, overwork, disease and inhuman experiments 7,000 people - a drop in the ocean of blood spilled.Altogether during the existence of the camp were killed by various estimates from 1 to 4 million people.
In mid-1944, when the Germans unleashed a war made a sharp U-turn, the SS tried to smuggle prisoners from Auschwitz to the west, in the other camps.Mass destroyed documents and any evidence of the ruthless massacre.The Germans destroyed the gas chambers and crematoria.In early 1945, the Nazis had to release most of the prisoners.Those who could not run, wanted to destroy.Fortunately, thanks to the advance of the Soviet Army was able to save several thousand prisoners, including children, on which experiments are conducted.
Structure camp
total of 3 large shared Auschwitz camp complex: Auschwitz Birkenau,null, Auschwitz-Monowitz and 1.The first camp and Birkenau were subsequently combined and is a complex of 20 buildings, sometimes several floors.
tenth block is not the last place in appalling conditions of detention.There was carried out medical experiments, mostly of children.Typically, these "experiments" were not only of scientific interest, as were another way of sophisticated bullying.Especially among the buildings stood eleventh block, it caused consternation even from local security guards.There is a place for torture and executions, were sent here the most negligent, plagued with ruthless brutality.It is here were the first attempt of mass and the most "effective" extermination with poison "Zyklon B".
Between these two blocks was constructed a wall for execution, where, according to scientists, were killed about 20 thousand people.
also on the territory of several gallows were installed and furnaces for burning.Later it was built gas chambers, capable of destroying up to 6000 people a day.
arriving prisoners were distributed to the German doctor who is able to work, and those who are immediately sent to their death in the gas chamber.Most often attributed to the weak disabled women, children and the elderly.
survivors were kept in cramped conditions with little or no food.Some of them dragged the bodies of dead or cut off the hair that went to the textile factory.If concluded on this service managed to hold out for a couple of weeks, we get rid of him, and took a new one.Some fall into the "preferred" category, and worked for the Nazis tailors and barbers.
deported Jews were allowed to take home no more than 25 kg.People took with them the most valuable and important.All things and money left over after their death, went to Germany.Before that, their belongings had to be dismantled and sorted everything valuable than prisoners involved in the so-called "Canada."This place has got the name because of the fact that the earlier "Canada" called prizes and goodies, sent from abroad to the Poles.Work on the "Canada" was relatively milder than in the whole of Auschwitz.There's working women.Among the things you can find food, so that "Canadian" prisoners not suffering from hunger.The SS did not hesitate to pester beautiful girls.Often here the case of rape.
first experiments with "Zyklon-B»
After the conference in 1942 the concentration camps are starting to turn into a machine, whose aim is the mass destruction.Then the Nazis first tested power of influence "Zyklon B" in public.
«Zyklon B" - a pesticide, poison, based on hydrocyanic acid.In a bitter irony, the tool was invented by famous scientist Fritz Haber, a Jew who died in Switzerland a year after the arrival of Hitler.Haber relatives died in concentration camps.
poison was known for its strong effect.It was convenient to store.Used to kill lice "Zyklon B" was available and cheap.It should be noted that gas "Zyklon B" is still used in the United States for the death penalty.
The first experiment was conducted in Auschwitz-Birkenau (Auschwitz).In the eleventh block and Soviet POWs were herded through the holes filled poison.Within 15 minutes, it was the incessant cry.The dose was insufficient to destroy all.Then the Nazis bombarded with more pesticides.This time worked.
method proved to be extremely effective.WWII Nazi concentration camp began to actively use the "Zyklon B", erecting a special gas chambers.Apparently, not to create panic, and perhaps out of fear of retaliation, the SS said that the prisoners need to take a shower.However, for the majority of prisoners was no secret that this "soul" they never come out.
The main problem for the SS was not to kill people, and in getting rid of the bodies.Initially they were buried.This technique was not overly effective.When burning stench was unbearable.Hands prisoners of the Germans built a crematorium, but the incessant cries of terrible and terrifying smell became commonplace in Auschwitz: the traces of the crimes of this magnitude would be very difficult to hide.
Living conditions in the camp SS
Auschwitz (Oswiecim, Poland) is a real town.It was all for the life of the military: a dining room with ample good food, cinema, theater and all human good for the Nazis.While the prisoners did not receive even the minimum amount of food (many perished in the first and second week of hunger), SS continually feasting, enjoying life.
concentration camps, particularly Auschwitz, has always been a desirable place for the life of a German soldier.Life here was much better and safer than those who fought in the East.
However, there was no place more corrupting the whole of human nature than Auschwitz.Concentration camp - is not only a place with good content, where a military killing innocent people is not threatened, but also a complete lack of discipline.There could be up soldiers everything they wanted, and to which it was possible to go down.After Auschwitz were huge cash flows due to stolen property from the deportees.Accounting was conducted in a slipshod manner.Yes, and how you can calculate exactly how much should replenish the treasury, even if you do not take into account the number of arriving prisoners?
SS men did not hesitate to take himself precious belongings and money.They drank a lot, drink often found among the belongings of those killed.In general, employees in Auschwitz did not restrict itself in what driving is quite an idle life.
doctor Josef Mengele
After Josef Mengele was wounded in 1943, he was considered unfit for further service and a doctor sent to Auschwitz, the death camp.There he had the opportunity to carry out all their ideas and experiments that were frankly insane, cruel and senseless.The authorities ordered a
Mengele conducting various experiments, for example, on the topic of exposure to cold, or the height of a man.Thus, the experiment on thermal effects Joseph spent, obkladyvaya prisoner on all sides by ice, until he died of hypothermia.So it turned out, at what temperature the body irreversible consequences and death.
Mengele liked to conduct experiments on children, especially on twins.The results of his experiments was the death of almost 3 thousand minors.He did forced sex change surgery, organ transplants, carried out painful procedures, trying to change the eye color, which eventually leads to blindness.This, in his opinion, is the proof of the impossibility for the "mongrel" to become a true Aryan.
In 1945, Joseph was forced to flee.He destroyed all records of his experiments, and by issuing false documents, had fled to Argentina.He lived a quiet life without the hardship and oppression, and not being caught and punished.
When collapsed Auschwitz.Who freed the prisoners?
In early 1945, the situation in Germany has changed.Soviet troops began an active attack.The SS had to evacuate, which later became known as "death march."60 thousand prisoners were told to walk to go to the West.On the way, thousands of prisoners were killed.Weakened by hunger and unbearable labor prisoners had to walk more than 50 kilometers.Anyone who fell behind and could not go any further, were shot immediately.In Gliwice, where the prisoners arrived, they were sent in freight cars to concentration camps on the territory of Germany.
Liberation of concentration camps, occurred at the end of January, when the Auschwitz there are only about 7,000 ill and dying prisoners who could not leave.
after release
victory over fascism, the destruction of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp and, unfortunately, does not mean complete punish all perpetrators of atrocities.Happening at Auschwitz is not only the most bloody, but also one of the unpunished crimes in human history.Only 10% of all those who directly or indirectly, was involved in the mass destruction of civilians, were convicted and punished.
Many of those who are still alive, and not feel guilty.Some refer to the propaganda machine, which is dehumanizing image of the Jew, and made it the cause of all misfortunes of the Germans.Some say that orders are orders, and war is no place for reflection.
As for the survivors of the death camps of prisoners, it seemed to be, and we wish them no longer needed.However, these people are, as a rule, left to fend for themselves.Houses and apartments where they lived for a long time been assigned to others.Without property, money, and relatives who died in the Nazi death machine, they needed to survive again, even in the post-war period.One can only marvel at the strength of will and courage of people who passed through the concentration camps and managed to survive them.
Museum Auschwitz
After the war Auschwitz, the death camp, entered the UNESCO World Heritage List and became the center of the museum.Despite the huge number of tourists, there are always quiet.This is not a museum where things can please and surprise.However, it is very important and valuable, as the incessant cry of the last of the innocent victims and moral decline, the bottom of which is infinitely deep.
Museum is open to all, entrance is free.For tourists guided tours in various languages.In Auschwitz-1 visitors are invited to look at the barracks and storage of personal items the dead prisoners who were ordered to the German pedantry: rooms glasses, mugs, shoes and even hair.Also be able to visit the crematorium and the firing wall, which still bring flowers.
On the walls of blocks, you can see the inscriptions left by prisoners.The gas chambers still remain on the walls traces of nail accidents, dying in terrible agony.
Only here you can fully feel the horror of what was happening, to see with their own eyes the living conditions and the scale of destruction.
Holocaust in art works
One of the works denouncing the fascist regime - "Asylum" Anne Frank.This book tells the letters and articles in the vision of the war the Jewish girl who with his family was able to find refuge in the Netherlands.Diary was conducted from 1942 to 1944.Entries are interrupted by August 1st.Three days after this whole family arrested by the German police.
Another famous work is "Schindler's Ark".This is the story of a factory owner Oskar Schindler, who, being struck by the horrors taking place in Germany, decided to do everything possible to save the innocent people and sent thousands of Jews in Moravia.
According to the book made into a movie "Schindler's List" won many awards of various festivals, including 7 Oscars, and highly regarded community of critics.
Politics and ideology of fascism led to one of the biggest disasters of mankind.The world does not know more than just a mass of cases, unpunished killings of innocent people.The history of errors that led to the enormous suffering that has affected the whole of Europe, must remain in the memory of mankind as a terrible symbol of what never should not be allowed.
