Introduction – part 2

Below are photographs showing various features of Birkenau. Birkenau was designed by German architects but built by Soviet prisoners of war.

Below: Birkenau’s vast size.

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Barbed wire fence - with electrodes. Note the sturdiness of the construction. These were meant to be permanent fixtures. The numerous electrodes suggest that the fence was electrified. In the background to the right are the ruins of some of the barracks.

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Birkenau is now a ruin. Millions of persons were imprisoned in this facility; many were systematically murdered. Currently Birkenau is a museum; it is immense, covering an area approximately the size of Central Park. If transformed into an archaeological dig, the number of artifacts this place could yield that could shed light on what occurred here is virtually limitless.

Below: Ruins of one of the crematories. Birkenau had four crematories. They were demolished in January 1945 by the SS.

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Below: The barbed wire fence. Note the electrodes, evidence that the wires were electrified.

Barbed wire fence base- with electrodes. Note the sturdiness of the construction. These were meant to be permanent fixtures. The numerous electrodes suggest that the fence was electrified.

Barbed wire fence - with electrodes. Note the sturdiness of the construction. These were meant to be permanent fixtures. The numerous electrodes suggest that the fence was electrified.

Barbed wire fence - with electrodes. Note the sturdiness of the construction. These were meant to be permanent fixtures. The numerous electrodes suggest that the fence was electrified.

Birkenau contains several miles of barbed fencing. It was one of Birkenau’s more ubiquitous features.

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Below are pics of the waste treatment plant (never went into operation), proof that Birkenau was meant to be a permanent phenomenon.

Waste treatment plant (never went into operation). At Birkenau there was a shortage of drinking water.,

Waste treatment plant (never went into operation). At Birkenau there was a shortage of drinking water.,

Waste treatment plant (never went into operation). There was a shortage in drinking water.

Waste treatment plant (never went into operation). At Birkenau there was a shortage of drinking water.,