Visit to the SS Concentration Camp Herzogenbusch in Vught

As some of you know, I share an interest in WWII with two former colleagues. Over the years we visited quite a few sites that relate to WWII.
On December 30 2008 we visited the remnants of the SS Concentration Camp Herzogenbusch, in Holland known under the name Camp Vught.
The camp existed from January 1943 till September 1944. During this period, the camp held nearly 31,000 prisoners: Jews, political prisoners, resistance fighters, gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, homeless people, black market traders, criminals and hostages.

Due to hunger, sickness and abuse at least 749 children, women and men died in the concentration camp. 329 of them were executed at the execution site, just outside the camp. The camp was liberated on September 1944, by the 4th Canadian Armored Division, and the 96th Battery of the 5th Anti-Tank Division.

Entrance:

A model of the concentration camp:

A monument for the more than 1800 Jewish children who were deported from Camp Vught:

jaar = year, mnd = months

From this place, over 1800 Jewish children were deported to destruction camps. Only a few survived. The names of 1269 children are listed here.
They were deported with the Children Transport on June 6 and 7 1943, to never return again. In them we commemorate all children who were deported from Camp Vught, and never returned. May their sould be bundled in eternal life.

The area where bodies were cremated.

The execution area, just east of the camp. 329 people were shot here. Their names are listed on this wall.

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Respect all, fear none!
Conscia mens recti, famae mendacia ridet.

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting the pictures...it would seem like an very interesting place to visit , but a very tragic loss those who lost their lives for their beliefs. These ones will always be greatly remembered.

Also you are an amazing photographer...you have such an amazing eye for detail.

Thanks again. Smile

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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:

Thanks Amok for those moving photos. How could anyone deny what went on?
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+SC+

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

It always amazes me just how cruel people can be to others. It is good that such a place exists that we may not forget that cruelty and thus hope to prevent it ever happening again. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
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Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:00 am Post subject:

You're welcome, and thank you for the comments.

It really was very impressive!
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Respect all, fear none!
Conscia mens recti, famae mendacia ridet.

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting the pics.
will be doing my fair share of visiting ww2 sites when im there next year.

Some random Info i know from them lol
A month Before hand in the 4th Armoured Divion was fighting in the Falaise Gap, David Vivian Currie Was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional command of The South Alberta Light Horse at St. Lambert-sur-Dives, as the Final action in closing of the battle. Was the Only VC awarded to a Canadian in the Normandy Campaigne and the only VC awarded to the Canadian Armoured. My Cousin is serving with the Regiment right now based in Medicine hat Alberta.
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject:

Thank You for sharing the pics. It is something some of us will probably never be able to see in person.

We should never forget about the terrible things that occured in WW2

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the contribution Amok. That shot of the barbed wire is amazing.
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