Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/New-Old-Pictures/_MG_0934_edited-1.jpg.html "Here was the site of the MISBURG Camp, a branch of the Concentration Camp Neuengamme (in Hamburg), from June 1944 to April 1945. People of many nations who fought of their own free will against Nazi supremacy were interned here. Here they were exposed to horrific deprivation of their basic rights and physical violence. They were forced to clear damage caused by allied bombing at the Oil Refinery. A large number of them died as a consequence of exhaustion and beatings. We should never forget that they sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom in the spirit of human rights." The plaque at the monument to the Concentration Camp (about 500 yards from our house) here in Misburg was erected by the people of Misburg (Once an important industrial centre and SPD (labour party and extremely anti-Nazi) stronghold at the edge of Hannover. The internees were mostly Polish, French, Italian, Belgian and Dutch forced labourers. Misburg was virtually totally destroyed in numerous air raids towards the end of WWII in attempts to destroy refineries, cement works, a carbon factory, the canal and railways. Our neighbour, Bodo, 7 or 8 years old at the time, remembers having been caught and beaten by guards for throwing apples and turnips over the fence to the starving prisoners. He also tells that older youths made a game of throwing bread-crusts over the fence to watch the prisoners fight for them. During the bombing, prisoners were not allowed into the air raid shelters - luckily in one case - the refinery shelter sustained a direct hit from a 5000 pounder which killed most of the guards. Douglas