Terezin (Theresienstadt) Czech Republic

 Terezin - A Fortress

 Theresienstadt - A Nazi Prison Camp

Terezin, also known as Theresienstadt, was a Nazi concentration camp located in the Czech Republic, about 30 miles north of Prague. Originally a fortress town, it was converted into a ghetto and concentration camp by the Nazis in 1941. Terezin served as a transit camp for Jews who were eventually sent to extermination camps like Auschwitz and Treblinka.

The camp held primarily Jews from Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Over 150,000 Jews passed through Terezin, including 15,000 children. 

Before the Nazis, Terezin was originally a fortress town built by Emperor Joseph II of Austria in the late 18th century. It was named in honour of his mother, Empress Maria Theresa. The fortress was designed to protect Prague from potential invasions by Prussia. Later, in the 1880s, Terezin served as a prison.

My photos of the fortress tunnel system.

Hanging

Terezin was also used for Nazi propaganda. The Nazis presented it as a "model" Jewish settlement to deceive the international community, even allowing a Red Cross inspection in 1944. Despite the façade, the reality was grim, with many prisoners suffering and dying.

The Nazi commander of Theresienstadt, Karl Rahm, was arrested by the Allies after the war. He was tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Rahm was found guilty and hanged 30 April 1947

Where Nazis slept and played

The camp was notorious for its overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, leading to the deaths of around 33,000 inmates due to malnutrition and disease.

From 1943 onwards, more than 250 prisoners were executed there, with the last execution of 51 people taking place on May 2, 1945.

Scenes from the museum

A famous prisoner from World War I who was held at Terezin was Gavrilo Princip. He was the Serbian nationalist responsible for assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, an event that triggered World War I. Princip was imprisoned at Terezin and died there in 1918 from tuberculosis.

Princip Cell

LINK TO -->> THE NAZI TRAIL OF TERROR

RESOURCES

Books

The Last Ghetto: An Everyday History of Theresienstadt by Anna Hájková (2020) - This book offers a detailed look at daily life in the Theresienstadt ghetto, exploring the social dynamics and coping strategies of its inhabitants.

Theresienstadt: Hitler's Gift to the Jews by Norbert Troller (2004) - Written by a survi-vor, this book provides an insider's account of life in the Theresienstadt ghetto, in-cluding the propaganda efforts and harsh realities.

Somewhere There is Still a Sun: A Memoir of the Holocaust by Michael Gruenbaum with Todd Hasak-Lowy (2015) - A memoir that recounts Michael Gruenbaum's childhood experiences in Theresienstadt and his survival during the Holocaust.

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Geoffrey W. Sutton has a PhD in psychology and writes about psychology and culture.

Website: https://www.suttong.com/

Amazon Author: https://author.amazon.com/home

ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoffrey-Sutton-2

Academia Page: https://evangel.academia.edu/GeoffSutton

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Google Map of Terazin

Imperial War Museum-North Manchester England, UK

 The Imperial War Museum-North is in Manchester England. The museum focuses on telling the story of Britain at war since the First World War.

The storyboards, photos, and objects are organised in a timeline. The museum uses more than 2,000 objects, photos and interactive displays to reveal the history and impact of war.

Large objects like the following fill spaces between large pods focused on specific topics.

A letter of welcome to Americans expresses gratitude.

Cultural events mix with war news as in this 1918 poster.

This contact sea mine is a reminder of the war surrounding the UK.

The legacy of war has many dimensions. The tower of luggage reminds us of the homeless, refugees, and immigrants.

There's a café and gift shop with some unique items.

Periodically during my visit, a special 360 presentation was announced. This takes place in a large open area where the walls of the pods serve as giant screens. Some seats are better than other to follow the action or read the captions.

As with many museums, the lighting causes a glare for items under glass and is sometimes too dim to read posted texts.

Some notable items

• Tolkien's First World War Revolver
• The field gun that fired the first British shots in 1914
• A 7-metre piece of steel from the World Trade Center attack in NYC of 911

The 5 IWM (Imperial War Museums)

IWM LONDON

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, LONDON

IWM DUXFORD

IWN NORTH- MANCHESTER

HMS BELFAST, On the Thames in London

 

Link to Website for more information

Address

IWM North, The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ

In 2021, I took the X50 bus from central Manchester

Google Map for IWM North Manchester

Examples of IWM books

First World War -Poems from the front

World War 2-The Definitive Visual Guide

The First World War Retold

War Report - From D-Day to Berlin as it Happened

Cenotaph Whitehall in London England

Cenotaph London Nov 2018/ Geoff Sutton

The Cenotaph is a monument on Whitehall in London, England. It has been a symbol of honouring "The Glorious Dead" since World War I. At 11:00 on 11 November, Armistice Day, there are two minutes of silence, a ceremony, parade of veterans, and laying of wreaths.

I attended the 100th anniversary of the first armistice on 11 November 2018, which was a particularly poignant ceremony. Armistice Day is a well attended event so visitors will need to arrive early to get near the monument.

Read more at the BBC article.

A few photos from the 100th anniversary event.

Veterans at near Cenotaph 11 November 2018

View of the Cenotaph following the parade.





















Following is a brief video clip showing the people in line waiting to place their wreaths at the Cenotaph.

Here's a brief video clip featuring the Royal Marine Band

Learn more about places to see in London at VISIT LONDON ENGLAND

And my web page is suttong.com

You may be interested in Mind the Gap...Between British and American Language and Culture.

Available on Amazon and Google

Related Posts

Imperial War Museum- London

The Western Front - A British Tour of World War I Battles

Imperial War Museum London England

Imperial War Museum London / Sutton 16 April 2016

Britain has been a part of the world's wars for centuries. The Imperial War Museum in London is worth a visit to understand the life of soldiers as well as the lives of those at home. Because the wars involved many world powers, there's much to learn about other nations as well. Of course, the machinery of war is also on display in the air and on the ground. Well worth a visit.

The presence of RAF planes hanging from the ceiling illustrate the size of the museum.

There are tanks and other large war machines and vehicles on display.

A number of story boards and posters explain or illustrate various exhibits.

From the simulated trench exhibit during the WWI centennial.

Exhibits include allied nations

Hours: The museum is open 10 - 6 daily except for 24, 25, 26 December

Admission: Free

Refreshments: A Cafe is available.

Toilets: They were well maintained when I visited.

Exhibits: These vary so check the website for details

Storage: Only small lockers are available.

Accessibility: See the website

Locations: This post is about the London site. There are other locations--see the website

London Address: Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ

Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

Mind the Gap on AMAZON  and  GOOGLE