A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

The Aviator · 13-11-2007, 01:46 AM

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.

marcus69x · 13-11-2007, 12:47 PM

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?

Owen · 13-11-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

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

Just what I was about to ask.

The Aviator · 13-11-2007, 09:04 PM

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.

Owen · 13-11-2007, 10:36 PM

We had a thread awhile back about visitors to the camps mentioning that old cliche about wildlife avoiding the site.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/holocau...witz-true.html

The Aviator · 13-11-2007, 11:31 PM

Hmmm OK

Owen · 14-11-2007, 09:43 AM

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

CROONAERT · 15-11-2007, 12:59 AM

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

dave

The Aviator · 15-11-2007, 09:37 AM

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.

stevew · 21-11-2007, 11:44 AM

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

13-11-2007, 01:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
The Aviator Discharged Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth Posts: 288	A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau 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.

13-11-2007, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Aviator Discharged Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth Posts: 288	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. Last edited by The Aviator; 13-11-2007 at 10:25 PM.

13-11-2007, 11:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Aviator Discharged Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth Posts: 288	Hmmm OK Last edited by The Aviator; 14-12-2007 at 12:07 PM.

15-11-2007, 12:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
CROONAERT Vejovis Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 619	The display of suitcases is what got to me. Most had names and return addresses - hope when there was none. Sad. dave __________________ In memory of 1440313 Gnr.Michael O'Mara, 155th Bty, 52nd (East Lancs) L.A.A.Regt (TA) R.A. - severely wounded near Arras in May 1940 and who took nearly 21 years to eventually die of his injuries. website: http://pathsofglory.co.uk

15-11-2007, 09:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
The Aviator Discharged Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Perth Posts: 288	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. Last edited by The Aviator; 04-12-2007 at 11:22 AM.

13-11-2007, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
marcus69x Very Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Middlesbrough, UK Posts: 1,238	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?

13-11-2007, 10:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,242	We had a thread awhile back about visitors to the camps mentioning that old cliche about wildlife avoiding the site. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/holocau...witz-true.html

14-11-2007, 09:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,242	Unfortunately to a lesser extent is has happened again in Europe . Srebrenica being just one place.

21-11-2007, 11:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
stevew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 244	I am hoping to visit next year, now there are some cheap flights to Poland from Bournemouth __________________ In memory of 1891923 Sgt Albert George Edward Mount RAFVR, 115 Squadron Bomber Command, whose Lancaster was shot down on 8th June 1944 over Montchauvet, Yvelines.

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