I feel that a little backstory is necessary. Sometime between 1974 and 1976, The World at War first aired on American television (PBS I think). Remember, at this time, most households had one TV, so you watched what was on. Well, Dad wanted to watch The World at War, so we all watched. Dad also bought the Encyclopedia of World War Two, and a series of WW2 cards that explained every weapon, battle, vehicle, and personality. I read all of it, more than once. Dad seemed obsessed with WW2, none of the other wars, just WW2. Was it due to that fact that he was a Marine, or the solid German ancestry? I’m not sure, never asked, and he never told.

Fast forward to 2017, while I’m planning a vacation to Germany. A trip to Dachau was one of the first stops on the list. I’ve seen the pictures, and read the stories since I’ve been 11 years old. I still watch The World at War. No problem seeing some history….. Wrong! While the pictures were not new, the camp not complete, the story unfolds in the museum, and the visitors cry. It’s an unbelievable feeling walking through a place of such horror.
Here are the pictures.

Work sets you free.

The map of the camp system, with all of the sub camps.

Entering this grass lead to being shot.

There are now a Jewish Memorial, Catholic Chapel and Protestant Church

The Crematorium Area

Decontamination Chamber

There was a “shower” that was never used.

When the old oven could not keep up demand,

Four new ovens were constructed.