KL-Mittelbau-Dora

[António Fragoeiro]

Fantastic Information Carl.
Always great to see your photos.

Thank you for posting.

Cheers
Nuno

[CARL]

Thank you Nuno. Indeed, Mittelbau-Dora is certainly among the more interesting sites of the many Konzentrationslagers that I have visited and studied, largely due to the tunnel complex. The KZ-Gedenkstätte site is kept in fine order too, the staff must be commended for their efforts regarding this important work.

Regards,

Carl

[CARL]

The identification card of a former Czech political prisoner at KL-Mittelbau-Dora. The prisoner, who was also incarcerated at KL-Auschwitz and KL-Buchenwald, survived the war.

[Larry C]

Outstanding work Carl,, with tying the 2 together. I never saw photos of the tunnel site until now. Regards Larry

[CARL]

Outstanding work Carl,, with tying the 2 together. I never saw photos of the tunnel site until now. Regards Larry

Allow me to add a few more images then Larry...

1. This image shows part of the permanent exhibition located within the original tunnel complex. Almost no alterations were made to the period structure, to preserve the site in as close as possible condition to the state in which it was found. This modern addition is a model reconstruction of the entire tunnel complex. The museum staff use a series of lights to indicate the areas being discussed during the tour.

2. An image taken within chamber 44, a former "sleeping tunnel", originally designed as accommodation for many prisoners and later used to manufacture V1 rockets. The tunnel, like many sections of the site today, is flooded. Untouched for many, many years, the atmosphere in this particular section is somewhat eerie.

3. Another view inside the tunnel complex.

[CARL]

Former French diplomat, resistance fighter and survivor of KL-Mittelbau-Dora Stéphane Hessel, who died recently.

Stéphane Hessel, Mittelbau-Dora and Buchenwald prisoner dies.

[CARL]

Another view showing a section of the Häftlingslager (prisoners camp). This image shows the remains of the former Italian POW block, Häftlingsküche (prisoners kitchen), Altmateriallager (scrap metal store) and Kohlenschuppen (coal shed).

[CARL]

Appellplatz (roll call area):

The attachment below shows the former muster area, with the large communist era memorial structure in the background. To the fore, the original narrow gauge rails that ran throughout the camp can be seen.

[CARL]

Arbeitsverwaltung (labour administration):

The remains of the labour administration block. Here, prisoner functionaries would delegate inmates to the various work details. The most arduous tasks were given to the weak, with lighter duties performed by the stronger among the numbers. Ex-inmate Jean Mialet stated that he "fought with all his strength and soul, because he did not want to be counted among the weak ones".



Feuerlöschteiche (emergency water reservoir):

Located at several locales throughout the Häftlingslager (prisoner camp), these constructions held the water reserves for use in emergency.

[CARL]

Effektenkammer (depot / prisoners belongings store):

The remains of the structure used to hold the personal belongings of new arrivals at KL-Mittelbau-Dora.

Wäscherei (laundry):

The large laundry facility, located near the Effektenkammer within the Häftlingslager (prisoners camp).