Auschwitz - Hooper And Whistle

Continuing our adventure, we drove to Osweicim, Poland, where we stayed in another Airbnb apartment. One of the first things we noticed about the area is the smell. The air is heavy with the smell of burning coal. The area looks like any other small town, the architecture of some of the houses and the signs are the give-a-ways. The houses are not fancy, more just function squares, two and three levels.
Our apartment was only 1.2km from Auschwitz I. We did not pre-book our tour…not recommended, but doable. We were able to purchase tour tickets for an English-speaking tour, as well as acquire entry tickets (which are free, but needed to walk around) first thing after they opened. We had a couple hours to explore and read their tour book prior to the start of our tour. Our guide was born in the area, spoke English with a heavy Polish accent, was very quiet, and seemed dispassionate even though she has been doing this for 20 years and felt it was important to share the story and facts of what happened. There were several tours happening, one of top of the other, in many languages to include several others in English. Other guides seemed to be talking without breathing. We were thankful we already had much knowledge of the history and were able to explore before and after on our own. Even knowing the history, there are no words to express the gravity of what happened here. Shocking, unfathomable, heartbreaking only scratches the surface. The inhumanity of the Nazis is incomprehensible!! Never to be forgotten as to not come close to be repeated. Prayers to all that suffered.

: One of many quotes throughout the area…one of the most important!

: Sunrise over Auschwitz I. This is just on the outside before the gate.

: Sunrise on the outside. This is the gate into Auschwitz. Arbeit macht frei – a German phrase meaning ‘work sets you free’.

: A view seen by thousands…inside looking out.

: On this site, which is just inside the gate, the men’s orchestra made up of prisoners played marching music as the prisoners left for the working day.

: These were pre-war Polish barracks. There was 20 buildings already standing.

: Some of the building were added onto to adapt to the needs of the camp.

: Over time prisoners were used to build 8 more buildings.

: This area is where prisoners were tortured and interrogated. It is also the site of the execution by hanging of the first commandmant of the camp SS Rudolf Hoss.

: The largest room started out as a morgue and later used for a gas chamber.

: The ovens were able to reduce 340 corpses to ashes a day.

: Before the war this was the Polish amunition bunker. It is located just outside the camp boundries. After the camp was set up it was turned into a morgue and crematorium and later a gas chamber.

: Some of the buildings are set up with displays and artifacts to educate the visitors.

: Some of the photographs found were taken by the SS men of each step that they put the prisoners through.

: Some of the photos were covertly taken by Jewish Sonderkommando (German for special working detail) members. They have them on display along with descriptions.

: They kept records of most of the prisoners that came through the camp as well as those that were executed after being registered as prisoners. Those that faced extermination immediately upon arrival were never recorded.

: They actually sold train tickets that the prisoners had to purchase to Auschwitz.

: SS soldiers used cans upon cans of Zyklon B.

: Some of the evidence the Nazis did not get rid of before being caught shows that the prisoners were not aware what awaited them at Auschwitz. Here you see common household goods.

: Everyday items the prisons brought along, not aware what would become of them.

: These items they brought along were what they figured were the basics of what they would need.

: Overcrowding was a common occurrence.

: In the first few months of the camp, prisoners would sleep on the floor on straw or straw beds.

: With over 700 prisoners, the facilities were taxed. Often the prisoners would not get the chance to use them or the guards would allow too little time for the prisoners to relieve themselves.

: The bath houses were the same, not enough for the number of prisoners.

: Eventually they replaced the straw beds with three tier bunks having two or more per bunk.

: The gas chamber was not the only form of extermination. In the courtyard between building 10 and 11 is the Death Wall. This is where the prisoners were shot as a form of execution.

: This camp was the second camp erected by the Nazis using prisoners to build the buildings.

: The entrance gate to Auschwitz II – Birkenau.

: TToday they have rebuilt chimneys to represent each building that housed the prisoners.

: This is the typical rail car that transported the Jews. They would transport 700 men, women, and children in these cars.

: Jews would arrive to the camp by way of rail.

: Image of Crematorium III.

: The remains of Crematorium III.

: In attempt to cover up their crimes, the SS blew up everything they could not take.

: At the site of Crematoriums II and III you can see what they looked like prior to their destruction.

: The ashes of some of the prisoners were spread in a pond outside the crematorium. Here is a memorial in honor of those that died.

: The barracks housed the prisoners as well as served as the bath house and kitchens.

: The bunks in the barracks typically would have 4 or more per bunk.

: Each barracks had tiered bunks down the both sides and back to back in the center.

: While we were exploring on our own after the tour, we saw a group of students on a tour placing roses at some of the spots. This is the end of the rail, between crematorium II and III.