Auschwitz Photo Gallery by Peter Kwok at pbase.com

Auschwitz

Holocaust - Men’s inhumanity towards their fellow human beings

At least 1.1 million, and possibly as high as 2.5 million persons were exterminated by the Nazis here at Auschwitz.

The Nazis initially turned this former Polish Army barrack into a concentration camp, forcing Polish political prisoners, Russian POWs, and Jews to work as slave labors. In September 1941, the SS experimented with Zyklon B as a mean of mass killing. Afterward, the first gas chamber and crematorium were constructed.

Construction on nearby Auschwitz II (Birkenau) began in October 1941 for the sole purpose of expanding the extermination of Jews to an unprecedented industrial scale. At its peak, more than 20000 persons were gassed and cremated each day. Six days before the Red Army reached Auschwitz in Jan 1945, the Nazis destroyed the Birkenau gas chambers and crematoriums in a futile effort to cover up their horrific crimes.

All the belongings of the victims were recycled to ease material shortage of the crumbling German war economy. We saw piles of sorted, but not yet redistributed objects, including shoes, eye glasses, baby clothes and even human hair.
Out of respect for the victims, taking photos of indoor displays, especially inside the death chamber, is not allowed.

Unfortunately, the Holocaust is not the only genocide in human history. Nevertheless, we must not forget what happened here. For this reason, memorials are erected as reminders that civilized people would not tolerate such crimes against humanity. One of the largest memorials is built by the German people themselves in Berlin.

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Dov 29-Oct-2018 19:42
Few pictures but with powerful message.
I visited this year Auschwitz and also created a gallery about it.
I must admit, your B&W images are more powerful in conveying the tragedy called Auschwitz. Thanks for sharing.

Danny Tuason 09-Dec-2009 21:22
I agree with you Peter!

We must not forget what happened there! Also...we should not forget the atrocities committed throughout human history. None of those should happen again.

The problem is...history repeats itself...over and over again.

V

john king 08-May-2009 04:04
Peter

I could not agree more with your sentiments here expressed.

regards john king

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It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
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help	private comment

Dov		29-Oct-2018 19:42
Few pictures but with powerful message. I visited this year Auschwitz and also created a gallery about it. I must admit, your B&W images are more powerful in conveying the tragedy called Auschwitz. Thanks for sharing.

Danny Tuason		09-Dec-2009 21:22
I agree with you Peter! We must not forget what happened there! Also...we should not forget the atrocities committed throughout human history. None of those should happen again. The problem is...history repeats itself...over and over again. V

john king		08-May-2009 04:04
Peter I could not agree more with your sentiments here expressed. regards john king