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Was There A Concentration Camp In Berlin

by | Mar 7, 2024 | Concentration Camp

Want to explore sachsenhausen concentration camp? Come and join us on the Original Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour.

Yes, there was a concentration camp in Berlin, Germany during World War II. This camp was referred to as the Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp and it was the first being formed after the invasion of Poland the following the year 1939. The camp was near the town of Spandau that is today within the borders of Berlin and it was functioning from 1940 until 1945.

The History of the Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp

Berlin-Spandau Concentration camp was created in 1940 by the Third Reich – Nazi Germany – as a form of detention for political prisoners and other political undesirables. At first, it was not an alleviation camp and by 1945, it had become one of the biggest death camps in Germany and hundreds of prisoners died there.

It was directly operated by HEINRICH A. HIMMLER the head of S.S and Gestapo and was managed by S.S officers. The camp was also in part an educational site, where several SS officers were trained; and a site for medical experimentation as well.

There were two parts in the camp: one for the political prisoners and another for common criminals. The political prisoners were detained in isolation in cells and, therefore, they were interrogated often. The victims were also exposed to forced labor until their death, torture and even experimental psychological deprivations. The criminal section accommodated inmates who were prisoners with different charges such as theft, murder and rape.

The situation in Berlin-Spandau Concentration camp

It was very hard in the Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp due to hard conditions. Under this regime prisoners were actually tied to strict disciplinary measures which included solitary confinement and physical abuse. Provisions for food were low, medicine and medical facilities were very scarce and hygiene was very disgusting. Most of the prisoners succumbed to ailments or hunger.

The Liberation Of Berlin – Spandau Concentration Camp

Spandau was one of the atrocities liberated by the Red army on the 30th of April in 1945. When liberated, the Soviet troops found out that majority of the inmates had been transferred by the SS or freed themselves during the last days of the war.

The Consequences of Liberation of Women from Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp

After the release of the survivors of Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp, they were transfer either to hospitals or refugee camps. Many were pursued by the Soviets and the survivors arrested and deported to Soviet Gulag labor camps.

After the second world war in 1949 the camp was made a prison by the east German Government, and functioned as a prison until 1989.

Conclusion

The case on Berlin-Spandau Concentration Camp was one of the worst examples of the Nazis’ policies in World War II. It was rather home to many a genocide and its destructive influence can picked up today. They serve as a indication that often today we are requited to face yesterday’s atrocities and never repeat them.

Want to explore sachsenhausen concentration camp? Come and join us on the Original Berlin Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour.

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Was There A Concentration Camp In Berlin

Mar 7, 2024