1. Auschwitz-Birkenau

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2020 > 15. Holiday in Kraków-02-06.03.20 > 2. Auschwitz-Birkenau & Kraków Glówny > 1. Auschwitz-Birkenau

I have only included the pictures with a railway element to them. Of course, the railways were key to moving the millions of people to the death camps being at the core of the Third Reich's operations.

Click here to search The Archive Files

Images 1-10 of 10 displayed.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau
A typical view of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau (Po. Oswiecim) death camp taken from inside looking towards the railway entrance archway.
Keywords: Auschwitz II-Birkenau Death camps

Auschwitz II-Birkenau 1
I am not sure if this is the actual track that carried the tens of thousands of wagons containing the oppressed people of Europe into the death camps or if they have been re-laid subsequent to the liberation in 1945? Either way, they are a poignant feature of the photograph leading one's eye towards probably the building so synonymous with the death camp at Auschwitz II.
Keywords: Auschwitz II-Birkenau 1

Auschwitz II-Birkenau 1
Using Photoshop to work on the previous photograph I present my image to remember the estimated eleven million people who were murdered during the Holocaust. This appalling time in history must never be forgotten and must never be repeated in any way whatsoever ever again. As my wife pointed out to me, this was not a long time ago in ancient history but only eighteen years before she and I were born.
Keywords: Auschwitz II-Birkenau 1 Death Camps

Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Although the angle is not quite the same, this image is very similar to the one that I took here before when visiting Auschwitz II-Birkenau, see.... https://allthatsinteresting.com/buried-auschwitz-letter The tracks were where the trains arrived and where the people were disgorged to await their fate. Those deemed fit for work were selected at the whim of a doctor and were then 'processed'. Those not selected were sent straight away to one of the two gas chambers located behind me where I am taking the picture from.
Keywords: Auschwitz II-Birkenau Holocaust death camps

Former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Behind the wire and the remains of the many huts at Auschwitz II-Birkenau a former German railway cattle truck sits poignantly on one of the sidings inside the complex. This example was typical of the type used to undertake the transportation from all areas of Nazi-occupied Europe. Towards the end of the atrocities in 1944, Auschwitz II-Birkenau became the main destination for many Hungarians who travelled from their home country, with large numbers from the ghettos created by the Nazis, in packed wagons with no lights and in stifling conditions. Many died during the journey.
Keywords: Former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Axle box, former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau
An axle box cover from a four-wheel wagon sitting on a section of track inside the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp.
Keywords: Axle box, former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Details, former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Details stamped on the frame of the former German Railways' wagon on display inside the Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp. As can be seen, as well as some sort of identification number, it bears the name Essen, the second-largest city in the Ruhr.
Keywords: Details, former German Railway`s wagon Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp

Plaque, former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau
As can be seen from the plaque attached to the wagon on display inside the Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp it has a bit of history to it. Of course, it cannot be established if this was one of the actual wagons used in the transportation.
Keywords: Plaque, former German Railway`s wagon, Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camps

Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Looking back to the entrance building and archway of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp creates a chilling image to match the weather. The track outside the entrance is new with concrete sleepers and is now not rail connected according to the most recent Google Earth images of the area. It is staggering to realise that at one point three million people passed through this small and unassuming gateway to be 'processed' by the Nazis. By far the majority were murdered with the rest being put to work to support the war machine of the Third Reich with most only surviving for two months.
Keywords: Auschwitz II-Birkenau

Branch into Auschwitz II-Birkenau
The remains of the branch line from the main line where the prisoners were brought into the Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp. The cattle wagon trains full of people trundled relentlessly over this small single section of track marking the final few metres of the indescribable journey made by those packed inside.
Keywords: Branch into Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp

Images 1-10 of 10 displayed.