During World War II, the Nazis established numerous concentration camps throughout Europe. One of these camps was Campo de Concentración Berlin, located in Berlin, Germany.
Overview of Campo de Concentración Berlin:
Campo de Concentración Berlin was used as a concentration camp that detained and annihilated mainly trouncing the minority and political opponents who the Nazis deemed as a threat. The major function of the camps such as Campo de Concentración Berlin was to intern, enslave then exterminate those deemed a burden to the German state and the Aryan race in general.
Context and Establishment:
Fascist regime came into power in Europe in 1933 with the take over of Germany by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party. The government under Hitler made more aggressive actions and discriminations against Jews, Roma people, homosexuals, communists, trade unionists and others. The Nazi emerged in power to dominated Germany and had found it necessary to have institutions that were meant to enslave and dehumanize these targeted groups this led to formation of concentration camps like Campo de Concentración Berlin.
Operations and Conditions:
Detention and Segregation:
As it shall be seen, the prisoners on reaching campo de concentración Berlin underwent a humiliating process of registration. Their belongings were taken and replaced with the clothing of the camp so there is no identity left. The camp authorities then sort the prisoners according to category, race or political persuasion, or threat level.
Forced Labor and Exploitation:
Campo de Concentración Berlin like the other concentration camps were known to highly employ forced labour. A prisoner was obliged to work in concentration camps factories, constructions and many other industries owned by the Nazis. Working conditions were poor, and employees faced long working hours, low and poor quality food, extremely low access to medical facilities. Stress, hunger, sickness or stringent penalties such as flogging, beheading, hanging or stoning eventually killed many prisoners.
Medical Experiments and Atrocities:
The Nazis conducted many cruel and inhumane medical experiments on a number of inmates in Campo de Concentración Berlin, and inflicted great amount of pain and suffering unto them. These experiments were conducted with the intent of promoting the Nazi’s agenda of master race, and in the process of trying to enhance the Nazis military strength. Thousands and tens of thousands of people were killed or psychologically destroyed during these operations.
Death and Liberation:
It is noteworthy that for a large number of prisoners Campo de Concentración Berlin turned into the last station of their suffering. The camp had sections where mass shootings took place and hanging and gassing sections where many people’s lives were taken. And as the Second World War moved on and the allies were making their push forward concentration camps were liberated thus the survivors from the concentration camps could be liberated.
Remembering the Victims:
Like other concentration camps, Campo de Concentración Berlin proves that genocide was a part of the Holocaust. One has to pay respect to the people who died, to make sure no one will forget it.
Therefore, Campo de Concentración Berlin was one of the concentration camps that the Nazis set up during the World War II. The crimes it committed where detainment, enslavement, medical experimentation, and extermination. Recalling the grim part of our history is important so that society does not repeat it.