Visiting Auschwitz: advice please?

margaretclare

I could not bear to go there. I've read enough about it, and even then, I can't watch films like 'Schindler's List'.

I look at my DH and I can't stop thinking that he would not have had the chance to live a busy, active, useful life and now be in happy, contented retirement with me. If we hadn't 'stood alone' in 1940, if we hadn't had a leader like Churchill, if 'The Few' hadn't fought the Battle of Britain (and it's Remembrance Day very soon) he would have been swept up clutching his teddy-bear, a little lad of 5, and he and all his family from the East End of London would have been shipped over the Channel to places like that. There's a most haunting picture of a little boy coming out of the Warsaw Ghetto surrounded by jeering soldiers, poor little thin legs and terrified dark eyes, that picture has haunted me for years. No, the like of those camps can't be described as an 'enjoyable holiday destination'. Although, perhaps, it's essential to keep them there 'lest we forget'. I recently saw a programme on UK History about a village in France called Oradour sur Glone (sp?) and the French have left that exactly as it was.

Frightening stuff.

Margaret

donnie_darko_3

Joe

Travel broadens the mind and for some of us we cannot imagine what it was like so the opportunity to visit is an opportunity to proprerly understand the evil that existed. It is no different to visiting other "war zones" like the tunnels in vietnam, or even tianamen square china. After my visit and education of what happened in all of the above it has made me realise what a fragile world we live in. A world bestowed with evil and also a world where people who do not appreciate those who fought for our existence, abusing it.

DonGotti

Hope you have a pleasant trip...it will be a harrowing experience. I hope to go one day. What gets on my nerves are the anti-Semites who try denying the holocaust happened (I'm not Jewish btw).

margaretclare

DonGotti wrote:

What gets on my nerves are the anti-Semites who try denying the holocaust happened (I'm not Jewish btw).

Can't understand how anyone can say 'it never happened' because there is enough documentary evidence. The perpetrators kept their own meticulous records, they photographed, filmed and all these records still exist...and then there are the survivors' harrowing testimonies. I watched part of a programme last evening in a series called 'Hitler's Holocaust'. Whether you go to where it was all played out, or whether you don't, the evidence is all there. How does anyone who 'denies' it explain all that? The only thing that I do think sometimes is that the Jews are an articulate and intelligent people - what about all the others, the mentally ill, the gipsies, anyone else who, although not Jewish, opposed the regime and ended up with the same fate? These, I think, may be played down and the impression may be given that it was ONLY the Jews - not the case.

Margaret

curtic01

margaretclare wrote:

I recently saw a programme on UK History about a village in France called Oradour sur Glone (sp?) and the French have left that exactly as it was.

Frightening stuff.

Margaret

I visited Oradour sur Glane a few weeks ago - it's near Limoges airport - and i very much hope to visit Auschwitz. Oradour was emotionally overwhelming - prams lying in the road riddled with bullets, burnt out car shells in garages, knocked over sewing machines.

I think these places should be compulsory to visit personally - "lest we forget" both the evil mankind is capable of and the sheer sacrifice our grandfathers made.

Stormybay

Hi SpeedyJoe, I see you quoted me earlier "Wey Hey..............etc", Yes I am taking hubby as a surprise birthday pressie.....but, we are going to see this beautiful city, culture and meet Polish people, we have decided NOT to visit Auschwitz at this time for many reasons. One being that there is so much suffering in the world today as it is, and yes, we already know about the suffering in the past and feel humbled by it, and also we are taking our 10 year old daughter and don't think this is suitable. But, we are excited about taking a trip away to a lovely place.......thus, the 'Wey Hey'. We intend to have a lovely time. I hope I haven't offended.

Stormy

sixtyplus

Auschwitz definitely not suitable for a 10 year old, but it is the most moving and informative experience ever. I have found myself trawling for more and more information since my visit and still can't understand how the Holocaust happened.

Entry to Auschwitz/Berkenau is free, but if and when you go DO take the guided tour, and DO go early.

whereishergar

In the paper it said Chris Tarrant has booked to go soon, in order to reflect on recent events in his life!

rio

We went about six years ago, I have read a lot of books on the Second World War and The Holocaust and thought I was prepared, and I wasn't. It was definately the most moving and upsetting place I have ever been to. We went because we were on holiday in Poland, and felt it appropriate to go to recognise that part of the country's history. To my mind it is not a tourist attraction anymore than The Somme battlefield is, it is a place where people struggled against evil and innocents died, and should be regarded as such. In the group of people I went there was a certain amount of antagonism to a youngish couple who started taking photographs, it was if that very act was demeaning to the place. You may have all sorts of ideas and preconceptions about death camps, but once you go through the entrance your ideas will change forever.

Mihangel

donnie_darko wrote:

Joe

Travel broadens the mind and for some of us we cannot imagine what it was like so the opportunity to visit is an opportunity to proprerly understand the evil that existed. It is no different to visiting other "war zones" like the tunnels in vietnam, or even tianamen square china. After my visit and education of what happened in all of the above it has made me realise what a fragile world we live in. A world bestowed with evil and also a world where people who do not appreciate those who fought for our existence, abusing it.

I think that sums up my opinion too. I had read the history books in school but never really understood the levels and what it must of been like till i had visited. I also found flight 93 intresting as i was around when it happened but again didn't appreciate the extent till i saw the film.