THE Dachau concentration camp was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in Germany. Located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory, the camp was opened in 1933 by Heinrich Himmler and was a central focus of the SS-training during World War 2.
Today, a memorial camp exists there and regular tours are carried out at the premises that serves as a reminder of the atrocities that humankind can commit.
The author toured the area and felt compelled to share her experience and learnings, from that visit.
I visited Dachau on a beautiful autumn day, with browning leaves and a cool 20 degrees centigrade.
The Dachau Camp Memorial tour began with an explanation of the overall grounds encompassing the camp, depicted on a diagram of the aerial map. It had been clear from the beginning that this was to be the headquarters and training grounds of Nazi work camp, a sort of training centre for trainers for the SS. Or a centre that becomes the guideline for other camps around Germany and its territories to emulate.
The existence of this camp has never been a secret from public knowledge even in its early years and foundation. Dachau was chosen as the site for this labour camp as well as the SS training camp due to the presence of the previously abandoned armament factory, which had, until the end of World War I, been an active if not the largest economic contributor to this quiet, unassuming countryside.
Its initial function was as a labour camp, focusing on incarceration and a centre of "correctional behaviour" for political oppositions of the Hitler ideologies. On its gates, the words "Arbett Macht Frei" or "work shall set you free" were proudly displayed. No falser propaganda has existed in the Nazi reign of rule during that time. Whether it be the smoke screen created by the Nazi party via the Münchener Illustrierte Presse which models the Dachau centre as an institute where politically misguided men were trained to become good citizens, or the public at large, turning a blind eye (or two) to the real functions of the centre, this camp stood functional for a record of 12 years.
This group of men who were found to be misfits of society quickly grew in size to include other, less affectively defined (more broadly if not discriminatively) individuals. Hence the incarceration and sentence to hard labour (most often than not, to the point of death) of "professional criminals", the Romas, Jehovah's witnesses or any ardent students and practitioners of the religion, Jews, homosexuals and those loosely fit into the category of "asocials" (asocial is not similar to anti-socials, which is an entirely different topic that needs to be discussed regardless). The persecution of these men was racist and at best arbitrary. Anyone who were deemed difficult or resistant to the Nazi movement were persecuted, many more, for just being born the way they are.
No matter who they are, and the background they come from, all were greeted with the worst type of humiliation as part of their welcome package. In the sorting room of sorts, they were stripped naked, forced to queue up for labeling and sorting, according to their supposed transgression and screamed at, belittled and set off to hard labour. There were daily roll calls where everyone, regardless of wellbeing, age and the weather outside, were made to stand in the court yard for hours on end. If there were any cases of attempted escape, they were made to stand longer. Anything could possibly be a transgression, punishable by any means. Late for roll call? One could get a beating. Helped a sick fellow inmate? Extra time standing in the cold, or perhaps have dogs set upon you.
In the initial years of the 12 that Dachau was in business, the number of inmates were significantly less than the SS officials. Subsequently, a certain elite, "functional inmates" were put to use as officials to help run the camp. These so deemed functional inmates, were in fact, quite the opposite. Usually the most psychopathic of all inmates, one particular inmate was described by others as particularly blood-thirsty. He would call upon random nighttime roll calls, setting his dogs upon the inmates around the compound. The latter running to a point of exhaustion or be at the mercy of the hounds.
The camp also has barracks of solitary confinement rooms, too small for a grown man to fully stretch out lying or standing. There were kept alone for weeks on end, fed only on every fourth day on some occasions. Then there were the gruesome wee hours of the morning execution by firing squad, just beyond their walls. Such were the treatment for some of the more "defiant" political oppositions of the regime.
As arbitrary as their incarceration had been, so were their release. Most had perished due to overworking, diseases, famine, execution and the occasional trial run of the gas chamber prototype. On some occasions, be it New Year or any other local holidays, some would be set free. There were no discernible system or set of laws to determine who gets out and who doesn't. With these types of uncertainty, it isn't surprising that some sought the suicidal way out. Stepping on to the grass area, surrounding the inner part of the camp's barbed wire and electrified gates were considered an act of attempted escape which were, of course, punishable by death. An immediate headshot would ensue from any of the surrounding watch towers.
Our tour headed off to another, more peaceful looking area of the camp. Such serenity belied the true nature of the said set of buildings. We were brought to the crematorium which, conveniently also acts as a gas chamber test site. The inmates would be lead to a changing room area where their clothes would have been fumigated to cleanse it of parasites using the very same poisonous gas used in the lethal gas chamber. They would then be lured into a room with shower heads under the pretext of being given baths, when in fact, it was a gas chamber, emitting the deathly poison. Such was the function of the room designated "Barrack X". However, hitherto, there are no credible evidence that any prisoner was executed this way. At least not in the Dachau camp. It was a test site and remained true to its nature. For now.
What actually happened, proven by documented evidence, were more of the deceased (by unnaturally natural cause of death) and the executed (via hanging or firing squad) being cremated en masse in the large multi-bodied ovens of the new crematorium. Their ashes were then scattered among the woods behind the camp. Towards the final months of the camp's reign, hundreds more bodies where sent there to be cremated from the surrounding sub-camps.
Despite the fact that the camp has never been surrounded by more occupants than it is currently, it is hard to dismiss noticing a large area of your neighbourhood cordoned off, where carriages of train cars drop off groups of men to walk into its gates. Harder still to dismiss the continuous puffs smoke or the smell of burning flesh and hair of the deceased in the air.
The tour rounded up to an end amongst an exhibition of art and sculpture dedicated to the memories of those lost to us all here, at the camp. It was jarring and interesting to note that even in the post-World War II, albeit non-contemporary depiction of art and commemoration of the past, some groups of inmates were not represented. Pictured, a sculpture sans the patches used to label and categorise the homosexuals, the so-called professional criminals and the asocials. An inkling of worry took root. Is this a sign of past lessons about discrimination, racism and blindly labeling our own, not learnt?
As I look around, I found comfort in knowing that the Germans, at least, do not shy from trying their best to learn from the past. Around me, many school-going children were going through the same guided tour as we were, as a part of their school field trip. I could not help but be reminded of how many other nations' history lessons that were burnished to be more palatable to the younger generation but run a high risk of making lessons not well learnt. Or worse still, teaching them the wrong idea about our past. With so many triggered nations, some rich with strife or abundant with disenfranchised youths, it is not an unrooted fear to imagine the past repeating itself.
The chill I felt could've been the breeze of the late München afternoon, but the artistic side of me preferred to think it was the souls resting amongst the trees, reaching out to remind us to never forget the past. To learn and not let history repeat itself.
* Mastura Rosly is a psychiatric trainee with the Malaysian Health Ministry. Her work includes mental health advocacy and community improvements in psychiatric care.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Astro AWANI's.
Mastura Rosly
Mon Oct 23 2017
The gates to the Dachau concentration camp in Bavaria, southern Germany. - All pics by Mastura Rosly
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.