I have had World History courses and a clear understanding of World War II, the tragedy, terror, and inhumane behaviors that occurred throughout Germany, Austria, and Poland. Nothing in the textbooks compares to the magnitude of seeing Dachau in real life. As soon as we walked in, a silence washed over, everyone was taking the site in and processing the emotions that come with that. I felt my heart drop as I stood before the acres of land where humans were used as slaves and treated terribly. You could see the outlines of where the tens of barracks used to be and they had a model one that we walked into. The tour guide explained that four people used to sleep in one small wooden bed, with some barracks housing hundreds or thousands of people. There were only a handful of sinks and toilets, the living conditions were nowhere near appropriate. We also walked into the SS quarters where the real ovens that they used to cremate bodies still stood. They were so big they could cremate multiple bodies at a time. That’s how many deaths there were in the concentration camp from starvation, disease, or being beaten. I could not believe what I was seeing, there was a pit in my stomach the entire visit. As we walked out there was a black statue that looks like people who are interconnected and serves as a reminder that we should all be united as one.
The tour guide mentioned how large companies like BMW were forced to run camps and have prisoners build the airplanes they used to make at the time. I was shocked to hear that and wondered how a company like that survived the wrath they likely faced. They might have been forced to do this, but it makes me look at them in a different light because it’s disappointing. The memorials at the camp were very well made. I took a walk into the Jewish memorial which had a cylinder opening at the top where the light shined in. It reminded me that in dark times you have to find the light. The Catholic and Protestant memorials were also very nice and all three memorials are a reminder of this world’s past.
I think Dachau serves as a reminder of our history and to treat everyone with respect. All beings should be treated equally and it serves as a reminder to ensure that nothing similar to this ever happens again. As I stood there today I felt like I was mourning for all the lives lost at Dachau and all the other camps. I walk out having a deeper understanding of history and the actions that occurred.