Kamp Amersfoort - September 2010

Ok guys, here is my first little report for you (although it didnt involve clambering over anything to see it)

I hope I lay it out ok for you...

So In September the boyfriend & I went to Holland where we visited this Concentration Camp.

The camp was originally a Dutch Army Camp "De Baskamp" built in 1939. It Germans took control of it after the invasion in 194o, using it to keep their prisoners secure. The Germans called it "Durchgangslager" which translated to "transit camp". All held in the camp were due to be shipped to other camps (far worse ones) or would just never leave alive.
The size of this camp was similar Kamp Vught & Kamp Westerbork (places we want to visit next time).

Anyway... on with some photos, and a little more story telling:



The watch tower is original although it has been restored somewhat and it did give you a nervous feeling as you entered the grounds



The foundations of where a second watch tower stood



There were 22 cells where prisoners were locked up as a form of punishment, often allied air crew survivors were kept in them too after being shot down.
Some prisoners were sentanced to kill other prisoners (usually this cruel punishment was used for exposed resistance fighters)
The cells themselves were built in 1942 and only measured approx 2.4m by 1.2m. Quite often more than one person was in each one at any given time.
This photo is actually of a rebuilt cell, cobbles are laid out on the ground marking the layout of each cell and the corridor which joined them.





A lot of the camp is now gone (and burried under an industrial site... including a police station) These murals were discovered behind some wood panelling as the last barracks were being demolished.
The camp commander had these two painted either side of his office. They had then been deliberately hidden in 1951 as something that was best forgotten as the wounds of war were still fresh. the murals were only renovated in 2000 as damp and sudden changed of temperature were taking there toll.



Possibly one the most un-nerving sights there... a book, a record of every single prisoner held at the camp and where they were moved to upon being taken from the camp. Not so chilling? It is when about 75-80% say Auschwitz


**More to follow**

Translation : Those who were killed here in the years 1940 - 1945 hallowed the ground with their blood. Be their sacrifice a shining example for prosterity



This is the shooting range. Guards of the camp used the range for shooting practise but also carrying out death penalties and retaliation for resistance and misdemenors.
The range was dug out by the prisoners themselves, it was started in 1941 & lengthened in 1943 - 1945.
There are stones marking out 100m lengths (the range totals 350ms) At the end well... I will let the next picture do the talking...



The Stone Man is his nickname, the official one is "Prisoner before firing squard. One fist is clenched as a sign of helplessness and anger but unbroken willpower. The open hand symbolises despair. At the base of this monument 5 doves to represent peace... 5 of them to represent the 5 years of war.



The Stone Mand has been placed at the end of the shooting range deliberately to mark the spot where a mass grave of 49 bodies was discovered.
Surviving ex-prisoners paid for the design of this monument themselves.

Despite the shooting range being the obvious place for death and executions, prisoners were killed anywhere and everywhere on this site. Every leaf and stone saw the blood of the innocent.
Some areas of the surrounding woodland still grows oddly and isn't dense like you'd expect it to be.





This is the site of the mortuary.
The dead bodies of prisoners were taken here so they were out of sight. Sometimes the bodies were sent back to their home towns but mainly they were burried in mass graves and covered in lime so they would not be found again.
We did not dare step into the remains as this is considered the last known resting ground of many a victim, respect taught us better than to tread here. We noticed that loads of stones and pebbles were placed on top of the remaining bits of wall.... we have not found out why, but again, in respect we were careful not to disturb them.





Hidden away down a little path in a wooded area is this monument.
101 Russian POWs were brought to Amersfoort, 24 perished of illness, malnutrition.
The remaining 77 were murdered by the SS by a fatal shot to the neck.
This monument is to those Russian prisoners.

Fantastic and sobering first report, Curious. Thankyou for posting...it truly is an amazing memorial to those who died there.
About the stones on the wall remains. At the end of the film Schindler's List, the camp survivors laid stones upon his grave as a mark of respect. I don't know any more than that, but perhaps they were laid there by individuals for a similar reason.

Thank you.

Boy, those are some serious images for eye openers! Great descriptions too!

Aww thanks.

I must admit I did leave in rather sombre mood and did have a little tear. I have such a large amount of respect for this period of history and am not ashamed to admit that I have shed a few tears there while thinking of all the injustice of it all.
You do leave somewhere like that feeling like a completely different person, far more humble and insignificant.

Foxylady I think you have hit the nail on the head with that one with the stones, I may even research into its significance a bit more as you have now got me thinking
I'm so glad instinct told us to leave them well alone as we certainly did not want to offend anyone (even though we were the only visitors at that time).

You'll find I do get a little carried away with my story telling. All of it is fact but because I see history so graphically you will probably see I tell the history in a way that sets a scene and paints a picture... it just seems to be how my brain works. Personally I love nothing more than to capture the imagination.

This is fantastic and very sobering. Thanks for taking the time to add the very informative text. I can only imagine that the atmosphere there would be quite unique.

The placing of stones on a grave is a Jewish tradition - it shows that someone has visited the grave, it's a symbolic thing that signifies 'permanence', I assume it means that although the person is dead they are always here spiritually (maybe).

Thank you to everyone for all the positive feedback... you've all made me a very chuffed bunny And I am glad I could share it with you, its such an important part of everyones history and sometimes we seem to keen to just forget about it and the lessons learnt.

Thanks Walrus for the information on the stones, I think that is such a simple act and yet carries such a strong sentiment. As all the bodies passed through that building it makes sense that stones are left there in memory really.