The Schönhausen Concentration Camp was one of the many camps established during World War II. Also known as KZ Schönhausen or Schönhausen subcamp, it was located near the town of Schönhausen in Germany. This blog post will shed light on the history, purpose, and conditions of the Schönhausen Concentration Camp.
The History of the Schönhausen Concentration Camp
Schönhausen Concentration Camp began in early 1942 as a branch of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, some sixty kilometers distant. The principal function was to supply forced labor to local factories with the focus on the industries of Berlin.
His resistance was made of prisoners who were mainly political dissidents Jehovah’s Witnesses and prisoners of war, all were made to endure horrible conditions while undertaking forced labor in factories, construction sites and agriculture. This was due to the high level of security that was applied in the camp; any person who tried to run away will suffer a severe penalty.
Experiences at the Schönhausen Concentration Camp
The conditions that the prisoners were subjected at Schönhausen Concentration Camp were unbearable and cruel. The prisoners were confined to cramped and filthy covered halls, having scant bedding, and inadequate nourishments and drink. Most of the prisoners were hungry, sick and many of them were tortured.
Torture was therefore used by the camp authorities as a tool of ensuring that no revolt is witnessed in the camp. They had technologies of physical coercion, including the prisoner beating, torturing and public execution as a way of demonstrating authority over the punished ones. Torture and physiological experimentation were also performed on some prisoners which must have made the situation worse at the camp.
Even under such incredible situation, there were clear signs of rudimentary acts of organising and, therefore, of collective survival among the inmates. They created secret societies, equally split all that they got or were able to obtain for the cause, and even gave mutual support to each other bear the worst they were likely to be subjected to.
The Primary Source and the Legacy: Schönhausen Concentration Camp
In spring 1945 namely in march Schönhausen Concentration camp was liberated and the camp was evacuated. The prisoners were compelled to go through a death march to other camps, or they were taken by rail. It is noteworthy that only a few of them remained alive until the arrival to Japan: some died en route due to fatigue, starvation or were beheaded.
Hungary was the camp that was finally liberated by the Soviet Red Army on 23rd of April 1945. The few who survived were set free and that was the end to the suffering that went on in the camp.
At present, Schönhausen Concentration Camp is a site, which is aimed to mourn the suffering people and to remind future generations of the Graciousness done during the Holocaust. The community wants it to serve as a lesson on how to ensure that events such as the holocaust do not happen again and the fight for the protection of human rights especially concerning race, and color.
Conclusion
The Schönhausen Concentration Camp was the concentration camp that experienced the darkest side of human behaviour during the second world war. It also presents visitors with an opportunity for the nations of the world to have a familiarization of the events of Holocaust and to ensure that the memory of the victims is preserved.
Thus, understanding and selecting the path of accepting the Sin of Schönhausen Concentration Camp, other misled chapters of history helps to work for a more tolerant future together.
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