Auschwitz Electrified Fence

The first view is of one of the streets that run almost the entire width of the camp, bordered by the Auschwitz electrified fence..

Scroll and pause in the middle of the double fence This was built by the first prisoners in 1940. It was electrified and warning signs were posted along it.

Note the precision in its construction. Not only is this representative of the German talent for order, but also it indicates just how dedicated the creation of the SS concentrationary universe.

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“These things, you have to hook onto something that gives you hope. Because if you give up hope in that situation that’s it, you might as well walk up to the electrified fence. You’re probably not going to get there because they’ll shoot you before you hit it…You go through the control zone and the guys from up there yell at you, Halt! Bup bup bup bup bup, one more body. So quite a few people passed on that way.” Walter Frank Survivor Testimony, May 15, 1990, Holocaust Oral History Project, San Francisco, California.

“Escape from Auschwitz was made difficult not only by the physical barriers, but by the negative attitude of the general camp population, which suffered after every escape. If an escapee somehow made his way beyond the two electrified barbed-wire fences and watchtowers, blaring sirens alerted the whole countryside. Dogs were put into pursuit, and SS and military personnel began to comb the fields and woods. With his shorn head and prison uniform, an inmate could expect no help from the local populace, for assisting an escapee meant death.” The Alfred Wetzler – Rudolf Vrba Report

All photos and videos are Copyright Alan Jacobs and Remember.org.

More Virtual Tour of Auschwitz

< Appleplatz Roll Call Square | Krankenbrau – Prisoners Hospital >