Brewer
Jedi Master
Twenty-five years ago today, give or take a few days, I was staring in disbelief at a swimming pool in Auschwitz I. I had no idea it was there even though I'd read extensively of the camp's history and it was not marked on the brochure I got from the visitor's centre. From the marked visitors trail I had seen what looked like a diving tower and blocks and had to investigate. I ventured off the track and confirmed that it was a recreational swimming pool. I took in the scene, snapped a photo and turned away, an elderly man, well dressed against the cold was staring at me, leaning on his walking stick.
I thought I was in trouble as I was off the beaten track so I didn’t retrace my steps through the snow but returned to the visitor path at an angle hoping to avoid a confrontation but he limped to intercept me. Busted, or so I thought, I walked straight up to him and apologized for any offence. He was not offended, in accented but perfect English he asked me if there was a memorial to those who died constructing the swimming pool.
I said there was none, he looked sad and said ‘people died constructing that pool, I’d like them to be remembered’ I said I was sorry did you know someone who was here?
‘Yes, I was, I helped construct that pool in November 1944, He drew back his sleeve and revealed his tattoo.
Well, that was my second huge shock, I didn’t know what to say but I offered to help him to see the pool if he wished. Perhaps he could then contact the curators about having a memorial constructed. I helped him to the pool, age and injury had slowed him down, he leant on the rail (pic below) and told his story.
His name was Erling Bauck. The Norwegian survivor of multiple Nazi concentration camps. He was there to take a group of Scandinavian teachers on an educational tour.
We left the pool and he gave me a personal tour of Auschwitz. He showed me where Mengele would conduct his 2-weekly ‘health checks’ to determine whether he’d be sent to the extermination camp. Showed me his quarters and the kitchen where he worked and stole scraps to survive.
It was amazing to observe his face, he would stop and stare, a 1000-yard stare, then point his stick at a place and describe an event that occurred 52 years earlier but there was never a trace of anger, hate or bitterness, he even made emergency room style jokes! He eyes were clear and bright.
Truly an unforgettable day! I returned to Australia later that year, we corresponded briefly but a series of strokes incapacitated him, he died in 2004.
RIP Mr. Bauck. I'll never forget you sir.
Mr. Bauck was disappointed that there was no memorial by the pool and I’m not sure if there is one today but with the internet there is much more information on the subject.
The C’s said somewhere that the Holocaust was a trial run for future events. Well, it looks like that event is upon us. Personally I’ve experienced a lot of high strangeness, some truly nasty stuff. I’ve endured well so far but I hope that I can be as strong and resourceful as Mr. Bauck was and let go if need be.
I wish the same for you too, may you find the strength to endure and let go if the time arrives.
I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past, even had my comments moderated for a while! I hope there’s no hard feelings, I’m here to help in any way I can.
Finally, a big thank you to you all for all the fantastic research you’ve done and continue to do, the resulting information you provide is indispensable!
Peace and love to you all, Brewer
As a postscript, some say this is just a tank converted to fool the allies that Auschwitz was not as bad as depicted. Mr Bauck said it was constructed for the use of the SS and trusted prisoners, was never used as such the camp was liberated before is then.
I thought I was in trouble as I was off the beaten track so I didn’t retrace my steps through the snow but returned to the visitor path at an angle hoping to avoid a confrontation but he limped to intercept me. Busted, or so I thought, I walked straight up to him and apologized for any offence. He was not offended, in accented but perfect English he asked me if there was a memorial to those who died constructing the swimming pool.
I said there was none, he looked sad and said ‘people died constructing that pool, I’d like them to be remembered’ I said I was sorry did you know someone who was here?
‘Yes, I was, I helped construct that pool in November 1944, He drew back his sleeve and revealed his tattoo.
Well, that was my second huge shock, I didn’t know what to say but I offered to help him to see the pool if he wished. Perhaps he could then contact the curators about having a memorial constructed. I helped him to the pool, age and injury had slowed him down, he leant on the rail (pic below) and told his story.
His name was Erling Bauck. The Norwegian survivor of multiple Nazi concentration camps. He was there to take a group of Scandinavian teachers on an educational tour.
We left the pool and he gave me a personal tour of Auschwitz. He showed me where Mengele would conduct his 2-weekly ‘health checks’ to determine whether he’d be sent to the extermination camp. Showed me his quarters and the kitchen where he worked and stole scraps to survive.
It was amazing to observe his face, he would stop and stare, a 1000-yard stare, then point his stick at a place and describe an event that occurred 52 years earlier but there was never a trace of anger, hate or bitterness, he even made emergency room style jokes! He eyes were clear and bright.
Truly an unforgettable day! I returned to Australia later that year, we corresponded briefly but a series of strokes incapacitated him, he died in 2004.
RIP Mr. Bauck. I'll never forget you sir.
Mr. Bauck was disappointed that there was no memorial by the pool and I’m not sure if there is one today but with the internet there is much more information on the subject.
The C’s said somewhere that the Holocaust was a trial run for future events. Well, it looks like that event is upon us. Personally I’ve experienced a lot of high strangeness, some truly nasty stuff. I’ve endured well so far but I hope that I can be as strong and resourceful as Mr. Bauck was and let go if need be.
I wish the same for you too, may you find the strength to endure and let go if the time arrives.
I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past, even had my comments moderated for a while! I hope there’s no hard feelings, I’m here to help in any way I can.
Finally, a big thank you to you all for all the fantastic research you’ve done and continue to do, the resulting information you provide is indispensable!
Peace and love to you all, Brewer
As a postscript, some say this is just a tank converted to fool the allies that Auschwitz was not as bad as depicted. Mr Bauck said it was constructed for the use of the SS and trusted prisoners, was never used as such the camp was liberated before is then.