Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is near Oranienburg, just outside Berlin, Germany, and is proof of the horrors of the Second World War. Originally constructed by Nazis in 1936, this camp was also used in persecution of millions of people during the holocaust.

Sachsenhausen – Its Function and Functioning

Intended for housing political prisoners, Jews, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and anyone else the Nazi regime deemed unfit, Sachsenhausen entered the scene of the horrifying German concentration camps early on.

The camp was in existence from 1936 until 1945 and had been used as a prototype of the other Nazis concentration camps. Constructed to house about 6 000 Matabeleland prisoners, the structure reached humiliating crowded density of over 30 000 prisoners from time to time. Inmates were evidently engaged in forced labor, and given medical experiments and harsh torturing.

Sanitation in Sachsenhausen

Living conditions of the inmates were extremely difficult in Sachsenhausen. They were starved, sick degenerate, and exposed to regular physical and mental brutality. Surprisingly enough the camp had mini-divisions; there was the section that housed the camp management, then there was a section that housed the sick and the injured, and then the quartermaster’s – he was the supplier of all goods, was housed separately.

Inside the compound, there were many barbed wired barracks in which prisoners were put to sleep in congested and dirtyplace. Inmates received very low quality food and had only limited access to clothing, much of it insufficient for the severe German winters.

Living Conditions:

Details:

• Food
• Rations Where These Crops Were Consumed Were Insufficient And Of Very Poor Quality
• Sanitation
• Lack of access to easily accessible basic sanitation infrastructures
• Hygiene
• There is scarce soap, absence of fresh and clean water.
• Medical Care
• Limited access to healthcare, no medicines

Notable Events and Tragedies

Death Marches

When the Soviet Army arrived at Berlin in 1945, the Nazis had been evacuating surviving prisoners of Sachsenhausen and other camps on death marches. These forced marches had prisoners walking long distances under severe weather, and which prompted the death of thousands of the weakened prisoners.

Soviet Special Camp

Sachsenhausen was used as an NKVD special prison after the Second World War as the Soviet Union carried on using the camp for housing political prisoners. Most of the Nazis and collaborationists, after the end of the war were imprisoned in this prison. The Soviet administration used the camp until 1950 when it was transferred to the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

The Memorial and Museum

Since the German reunification in 1990 Sachsenhausen became a memorial and museum to the horrors that took place in the camp. Now, people can read various sections that describe the history of the camp, the life and suffering of the prisoners. The memorial could therefore be used for contemplation, learning as well as paying tribute.

Several things to do when visiting Sachsenhausen.

Ensure you have adequate time on your side, there is alot to see and discover with regards to the museum.

That’s why do not forget about the shoes and most importantly clothes – depending on the area, it might be difficult to walk.

Guided tours should be taken since they usually provide more details concerning the camp than is offered on a basic tour.

The lessons that one learns at the memorial should be ideas of respect and having a dignified air when visiting the site.

Take breaks if you are feeling overwhelmed and be ready for a highly charged event emotionally.

The facility at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is unforgettable, which is probably one of the reasons why people should always be reminded of the incident. It is a depiction to the fate of the victims and it is a sign of call for positive world with no any hatred, discrimination or persecution.