Should I take my 13 year old to Auschwitz?

[Greg Masters]

Strange thing is even though i know about the atrocities that went on in Auschwitz I've no real interest in it...maybe due to no one i know of having died in it.
If i had to pick a place for a teenager to see I'd pick the likes of the Somme as it relates more to British loss of life (but even then they need to have an interest in going)... I've never been but i know I'd be in bits if i did visit ( It's one of the reasons i don't go... it could be too overwhelming)

At least three British people died at Auschwitz. They were Jewish women deported from the Channel Islands. They were Marianne Grunfeld, Auguste Spitz and Therese Steiner.

My younster will be heading off to the Somme on a school trip later this academic year.

When I floated the idea of Auschwitz with her, she was already familiar with the nature of the place. However, she rather baulked at my suggestion that we should invite her history teacher along for the trip!

As it happens, I don't think that we'll go - but only because it'll all be a bit of a rush.

Greg

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

They built a gas chamber, which they didn't find when the camp was liberated, nor were there any records of one(most unusual given the paperwork and plans and anally accurate records you see exhibited right through the whole place)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way a holocaust denier........it happened, it was awful and it should be remembered......but what really pissed me off about it was the way they'd stage dressed it all......new buildings , built some years after the war, but with scrapings on doors ( the young Jewish guide said 'look, you can see where they were trying to claw their way out in desperation) and even fingernail marks in the plaster of the 'new' gas chamber

That's what I mean by fake

Anyway, that's a bit ..sorry Greg

Thanks Bill - I hadn't realised that.

Andres

 

[Taff]

They built a gas chamber, which they didn't find when the camp was liberated, nor were there any records of one(most unusual given the paperwork and plans and anally accurate records you see exhibited right through the whole place) ... That's what I mean by fake

I never knew that the Auschwitz gas chamber has been constructed after the war. I must admit though that I found it strange that the 1 comparatively small gas chamber in Auchwitz camp was left intact, when the massive ones at nearby Birkenau had all been blown up by the Germans before liberation.

 

[Matt splat]

Ive decided im off tomorrow

So if anyone see's a 1200ADV with a belgium plate on, say hello, im doing this alone because the misses says its too depressing.

Back in 5 days

 

[PhysioJo]

Holocaust

At least three British people died at Auschwitz. They were Jewish women deported from the Channel Islands. They were Marianne Grunfeld, Auguste Spitz and Therese Steiner.

My younster will be heading off to the Somme on a school trip later this academic year.

When I floated the idea of Auschwitz with her, she was already familiar with the nature of the place. However, she rather baulked at my suggestion that we should invite her history teacher along for the trip!

As it happens, I don't think that we'll go - but only because it'll all be a bit of a rush.

Greg

As you are London based, probably worth a trip to the Imperial War Museum. They have an excellant permanent holocaust exhibition, which explains a lot of the background and context as well as the concentration camps. The added advantage is that there are 'escape routes' if the experience all becomes too much.

Certainly took our eldest there at around 13, she had asked to go but still found it difficult to comprehend man's inhumanity to man. That said, at 19 she is now studying history at university and currently delving into the atrocities of the slave trade!

Jo

 

[Alex Poole]

I took my daughter to the somme and the British legion Centre there just before she took her GCSE History exam. to quote her" thanks dad it all makes sence now".

The Legion Centre at Theipval gives a thirty minute presentation on the first world war and why it happened.

The question you have to ask yourself is will she benefit from the experience. I know mine would have at that age if she is going to study history and remembers even a little bit of your journey it will be worth while.

as for the dam I used to live about 30 minutes from it and the roads round there are fantastic for bikes what a pitty your in a car

 

[Gipsy]

Whose holiday is this! If it's yours then go and enjoy it. Don't impose your wishes on your daughter.
At some point in the future it's important that children are made aware of what has happened in the past, and IMHO the holocaust should never be forgotten, but as a holiday for a 13 yr old it really sucks.

 

[STUBBS]

i took my eldest there last year, shes doing modern history and had learnt about auschwitz so she found the visit very interesting if theyre interested then take them.

 

[Trippy]

They built a gas chamber

new buildings , built some years after the war,

scrapings on doors ( the young Jewish guide said 'look, you can see where they were trying to claw their way out in desperation) and even fingernail marks in the plaster of the 'new' gas chamber

Is that really true?

I have always wanted to go there and have thought about taking Euan as you can fly from Bristol to Krakow on the cheap.

The above does kind of put me off.

 

[Arsey]

Greg,

I don't think you can do the Colditz tour anymore as it has been redeveloped.

I went about 15 years back and it was very good,but I think you're too late now.

 

[ironandsteel]

Should you take your 13 year old daughter to Auschwitz?

No - just give her a good telling off for now.

 

[Gaulois]

They built a gas chamber, which they didn't find when the camp was liberated, nor were there any records of one(most unusual given the paperwork and plans and anally accurate records you see exhibited right through the whole place)

I did wonder why Auschwitz 1, a work camp, had a gas chamber. I'd still go, I found it really moving. It was a direct confrontation with man's inhumanity to man (excuse the cliche).
When we visited we were allowed to wander around at will. It was a little surreal as it was a couple of days before the 50th anniversary of the liberation in January 1945. Every time we went into a room we came across a different tv crew.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Greg was that really 4 years ago TOSSERS on TOUR

I would take her as anytime with such a knowlageable father would be good