Saturday 13 April 2013

Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany - April 2013

Driving from Austria to Munch, my family and I visited Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, about 10 miles NW of Munich, Germany.  It was a very chilly April day and was an extraordinary experience.
"Arbeit Macht Frei" - "Work makes you free"



First, a little background.  Dachau was established in 1933 by the Nazi government as the first concentration camp, for political prisoners.  It became the model for all their other concentration camps.  It was built for up to 5000 prisoners and interned German communists, politial dissidents, Romas (gypsies), homosexuals and by 1938, 10,000 Jews.

There were 32 barracks and in 1942 a crematorium was built to dispose of the corpses more efficiently. 

Dachau barracks

Only 2 of the 32 Dachau barracks remain


Although the camp was built to hold a maximum of 5000 prisoners, by 1942 it held 12,000 and at the time of liberation, it held 30,000 people, most of whom were Polish.

It is estimated that between 32,000 and 50,000 people died there, as a result of SS policies of starvation, forced labour, medical experiments and murder, as well as typhoid and suicide; some people 'tried' to escape so that they would be shot and escape only their suffering.  At the time of liberation, the death rate was 200 per day.


So, to our visit; extremely educational and poignant.  The place iteself was stark and pure, without embellishments.  The organisations that have co-operated to create the site have produced something exceptional.  The information is presented without bias or emotional adjectives.  This seems so apt.  The truth is all you need.  There is almost a void of regular emotion, I suppose because it is 'off-the-scale'.


The Gateway at Dachau



Silver birches belie the deadly camp fence



Dachau disinfection chamber

Dachau gas chamber


The Dachau International Monument Sculpture, by Nandor Glid 1968


Everyone should visit a site such as this.  Without remembering, how do we stop if happening again?



Thursday 11 April 2013

Austria in Black and White

Last pix from Austria for now...

Did some black and white shots to show off the textures, contrasts and stunning scenery:







Wednesday 10 April 2013

Ski Heaven in Austria - iPhone Panorama Triptych

Got a little carried away doing iPhone panoramas, but with scenes like these, it has to be done.










Thursday 4 April 2013

Marshmallow mountains to ski

Another absolutely glorious day; breathtaking sight of crystal clear sky above the valley clouds. Great snow, broke a pole but hey, such fun!!



Wednesday 3 April 2013

Definitely not Tavistock, nearer Saalbach

Forgive the rather self-centred nature of this post, but I've just had the best skiing day ever!
Perfect snow conditions, sunshine and happy family.
Had one of those exquisite moments of wonder when I was going up the mountain. It was so quiet save for the sound of my skis skimming the snow on the lift and in the air there were a million ice crystals dancing before my eyes, set against a deep blue sky. Magic.