At Marienplatz, a wall erected after the Cold War ended which
commemorated the US Army for their part in liberation during the WWII.
commemorated the US Army for their part in liberation during the WWII.
Our guide narrated that Hitler came to Munich in 1913 on the pretext of becoming an artist. However, in actual fact he was trying to avoid joining the Austrian Army. Here is one of his art drawings.
The Hofbrauhaus where Hitler joined an evening with the National Socialist German's Workers Party as a speaker which gradually propelled him to fame for his rousing speeches. Its said that he often turns up late for such events. Only when the audience have drunk enough in the beer house, he will make his appearance to sweep the men off their feet with one of his charismatic speeches.
On 8 November 1923, Hitler staged a failed coup attempt here at the Odeonplatz, right outside the Residenz. It also became known as the Beer Hall Putsch. During the coup attempt, 16 Nazis and 4 policemen were killed. Hitler was arrested and it was during this imprisonment when he wrote the "Mein Kampf".
From 1933, the date 8 November was later reinterpreted as a triumph, as a heroic act with the memory of the "martyrs celebrated the movement".
Odeonplatz
The Residenz
During the tour, we also visited other landmarks in the Odeonplatz and Konigsplatz:
The English Gardens
Commemorating the first world war
Rich supporters of Hitler who contributed to his "nation building fund" used to live in this buildings
Seizing the opportunity of the Reichstag Fire Decree, Hitler first sent people to prison for what they have done (e.g. for political difference, Anti-Nazi beliefs, disloyalty, etc). Later on, people were sent to prison for what they are (i.e. Jews).
The Nazis wanted a place to imprison its political opponents. Hence, Dachau became training ground for new SS guards. It was considered to be the "model camp" during the WWII.
Hitler's governmental office
In the afternoon, we headed to the Dachau Concentration Camp via the S-Bahn. On this trip there was a friendly Taiwanese lady who spoke basic German. She accompanied me on the train ride and shared with me some of her Munich travelling tips.
Upon reaching our destination, we were all eagerly looking out for the famous "Arbeit Macht Freit" (i.e. Work makes you free) gate at the entrance of the concentration camp. Unfortunately, the guide informed us that the gate was stolen about a month ago... What are they going to do with that stolen gate?! Decorate their garden? Anyway, you will probably have to google it if you want to know how it looks like.
After entering the front gate, we were greeted by the sight of a large sandy parade square. Apparently the prisoners of wars were lined up here every day to receive their orders from the Schutzstaffel ("SS") guards.
It had been snowing / raining the past few days, but thankfully today when we were visiting Dachau it was bright and sunny. Imagine the POWs having to stand at attention in the cold winters in their bare feet on gravel and slush. How cold and terrible that must be...
In the Dachau museum there were various exhibits showcasing the life of the POWs.
"No smoking"
All belongings of the POWs were removed.
In essence they lost 3 things: Freedom, Civil Rights and Dignity
In essence they lost 3 things: Freedom, Civil Rights and Dignity
Each POW received 20 strokes of the cane for any wrongdoing. If you couldn't count to 20 in German, the canings restarted all over again. So everyone learnt German (at least to count to 20). If you fainted during the caning, they splash water on you to "revive" you. If you forgot where you ended when you regain consciousness, your beatings start all over again as well.
POWs were chained to ceilings and beaten.
Doctors involved in the invention of the gas chambers.
POWs in front of their barracks hearing about the end of WWII
We visited the barracks that used to house these POWs. These barracks are replicas of the past.
The first barracks built by POWs.
Everything was done by the POWs, the SS guards never had to lift a finger.
Everything was done by the POWs, the SS guards never had to lift a finger.
Subsequent beds were joined to save space and fit more POWs.
However, the close proximity of these POWs resulted in a more rapid spread of diseases.
However, the close proximity of these POWs resulted in a more rapid spread of diseases.
POWs were kept busy from thinking traitorous thoughts through never-ending tasks.
They had to ensure the barracks were spotless or it will result in 20 strokes of the cane.
They had to ensure the barracks were spotless or it will result in 20 strokes of the cane.
Tracking of the number of prisoners in each barrack
Toilets in the barracks
We walked down the camp. The barracks have all been pulled down as materials from the barracks have been used by the residents living near that area to build up new homes after the war ended. Currently, they have marked where the barracks previously used to stand so that ex-POWs who return will know where their ex-barracks used to be located.
Approximately 30 barracks were marked
Where barrack 4 used to be
Moving further into the camp, we reached the gas chambers. The chambers were constructed much further away from the barracks as they were meant to be a secret. POWs who participated in the building of the chambers were never allowed to walk away free to spread word of the chambers to other POWs.
"Bathroom"
Furnaces to burn the dead bodies
We ended our trip in front of the sculpture that was done by an ex-POW to commemorate the end of the WWII. The sculpture actually shows barb wires (which previously surrounded the entire camp to ensure nobody escapes). On these barb wires there were people electrocuted, because the easiest way to die was to run into any of the barb wires that were charged with electricity. Instant death assured. The bodies charred and contorted into weird shapes due to the high electrical voltage were left on the barb wires by the SS guards to warn other POWs from doing the same.
The entire trip today made me realise how precious our peace is. It may all seem very cliche, but having relieved the traumatic experience of these POWs today, makes me hope that I never ever have to go through this in my life ever.
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