In 2005 the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th as an international day of commemoration to honour the victims of the German Nazi era. This date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest nazi death camp.
It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.
He did this because he said in words to this effect:
"Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the road of history some people will get up and say that this never happened."
It is now many years since the Second World War in Europe ended, when during it more than 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests were murdered, raped, burned, starved, beat, experimented on and humiliated while the German people, and everybody else, looked the other way!
In September 2008 the UK removed “The Holocaust” from its school curriculum because it ‘offended’ some of the population who claim it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily many countries are giving in to it. We must NEVER hide the truth!
Related links for further information:
DO NOT WATCH THE FILMS BELOW IF YOU ARE OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION.
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN!!
After many years of dedicated fund raising and incredibly hard work, affectionately known as Beth Shalom (the House of Peace) - the National Holocaust Centre and Museum was born. What once was the Smith family home is now the only national museum in the UK dedicated to teaching and learning the lessons from the Holocaust. From humble backgrounds, this inspirational place holds two permanent exhibitions, a memorial and reflective space, education and teaching space, beautiful landscaped memorial gardens and viewing galleries to learn about the Holocaust. We are very proud to host the only museum exhibition dedicated to teaching younger children about the Holocaust.
GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS FACTUAL SURVEY.
This is the film made by the UK Ministry of Information for the Allied Command in 1945 documenting the Nazi atrocities being discovered as Europe was being liberated. It was seen as the damning proof of the criminality of the Nazi machine. For various reasons the film was never seen by the public or by the German public or the German prisoners of war for whom it was made to be seen.
In 1952 the finished film was deposited at The Imperial War Museum. The film remained there until it was recently restored and then released again in its original format by the Imperial War Museum in 2018.
The film begins by explaining the historical context and the making of the film before showing it in its entirety. At the end of the film the IWM have added an ‘orientation’ section where viewers can gather their thoughts and emotions.
Click the link below to see the whole film on the Vimeo video platform.
The following film is NOT suitable for young children
or by those who may be upset at its contents.
Other related links:
The International Holocaust Memorial Day - January 27th.
