Breendonck : a nazi hellhole
In 1906 the Belgian military built a fort at Breendonk, on the road from Brussels to Antwerp. During the German occupation in World War II, the gloomy pile became a Gestapo 'reception centre' for members of the Resistance captured by the Nazis. It was soon entrusted to Belgian Nazis, one of whom would greet new prisoners woth the words 'This is hell and I am the devil.'
The SS man wasn't exaggerating. Breendonk was a medieval torture house, replete with pulley blocks, thumb screws, red-hot iron bars, wooden wedges, head vices and as a modern touch, electric needles. If the victims survived torture, they were shipped off to the death camps in the East.
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| Section | Subjects: Documentary & Journalism |
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Pascal Bruyland 04/07/2006 22:21
It is indeed the exit through there Oliver...Thanx for your comments :-)
Oliver Suhr 04/07/2006 20:53
A great photo with a good combination of darkness and soft light. The shadow of the gate reflects the drastic history.Only the light at the end of the corridor is not in line with the history of the building, or is it the exit?
regards, Oliver
Maguire 03/07/2006 17:26
A very moving and poigniant description that is conveyed in the image. A foreboding and terrible looking place.Maguire