Last edited by CARL; 11-04-2013 at 01:40 PM.
I think the photos were taken after the time when Dachau was transformed into a Displaced Persons camp in May 1945 and UNRRA teams moved in. This might help explain the national flags posted on some of the camp blocks and the various national emblems visible on some of the men's caps all of which would help various nationalities find their own DP assembly points, registration and aid centres. The photos were most probably taken by one of the UNRRA team members I have seen quite a few colour transparency photosets taken by UNRRA teams and Church missions stationed at various DP camps.
©Vintage Everyday
Above: Is the man in a military uniform and cap standing with his back to the photographer with his arms clasped behind his back in the centre of the photo wearing a Yugoslav uniform?
©Vintage Everyday
©Vintage Everyday
I collect, therefore I am.
Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.
Could be , I was wondering the same thing... at first i thought he could be a block chief or KaPo, but I doubt he'd still be alive at this point! The inmates would surely have had revenge.
I collect, therefore I am.
Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.
My great grandfather liberated Dachau. He said some of the inmates were so happy to see him and the other soldiers, they were crying on the ground holding his legs. He also said they gave the inmates some cheese and coffee and other food they had. The inmates would gorge and then throw everything back up because the food was too rich for their systems..
He said they made either the kommandant or one of the guards ( I can't remember) stand on a pile of dead inmates bodies for three days. On the third day, he went out and shot him. This is all in a book I read many years ago, I can't remember what the title was...Ill see if I can find it .
From July 1945, the camp was used as a US administrated site for holding members of the SS and National Socialist functionaries due for criminal processing. This lasted until the summer of 1948 when the area of the former camp was returned to the Bavarian state. Then, a housing development was established at the site for refugees and those left homeless. The camp itself was liberated earlier by the US Army on the 29th April 1945. As with other concentration camps, the repatriation process took a long time due to the numbers involved and chaos throughout much of Europe.
A common problem in the immediate aftermath of liberation. Many former inmates unfortunately died due to such an intake of high caloric food, which can be dangerous when it follows lengthy periods of malnutrition.
Earlier this year, I met and spoke with a Belgian veteran who arrived at KZ-Aussenlager Holleischen, former sub-camp of KZ-Flossenbürg as part of my recent work concerning the former camp. He spoke of how the US forces that his unit were attached to informed them not to give any food to the women at the camp, despite the patent natural urge to do so. The medical staff undoubtedly saved more lives that day in doing so.
I believe those trees, which are Poplar, were planted deliberately on the orders of the Germans who ran the camp for purely practical reasons associated to controlling the moisture in the ground and avoiding flooding and the soil turning to thick, clinging mud, that in turn encourages pests like mosquitoes and other disease carrying insects.
The Poplar is a fast growing tree that draws a tremendous amount of water from the ground daily. A 100ft tree can easily suck up 100 gallons+ in a single day. They are deliberately planted in long stands as shown in the photo to keep soil drained, and to control underground springs, stopping them from breaking the surface, especially after heavy rainfall. They are also planted in this fashion to act as wind breaks on large open spaces, and to combat soil erosion. The unseasoned timber is also very poor for using as fuel due to the water content, and burns with little heat and much spitting and acrid smoke. Therefore it would be of little use to prisoners who may think of using it for firewood to keep warm or cook on.
It would be nice to think that these were planted by prisoners as a symbol of life and hope, but in reality their purpose was purely utilitarian.
Regards, Ned.
'I do not think we can hope for any better thing now.
We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker of course, and the end cannot be far.
It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more. R. SCOTT.
Last Entry - For God's sake look after our people.'
In memory of Capt. Robert Falcon Scott, Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers, Lawrence Oates and Edgar Evans. South Pole Expedition, 30th March 1912.
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