The "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign theft from Oswiecim, Poland

Not really!
Like the Swastika it became notorious because of the holocaust but it's just another german saying like "Jedem das Seine" or similiar...

I'm not sure why they put it up there...probably because Auschwitz was planned and used as labor camp first before it became a death camp after the Wannsee conference...

I thought it was there because, at first, people could earn their freedom through work, and that changed...

Freedom through work at a death camp??? Do you understand first thing about Hitler's extermination policy, PP?

For most of the war it was the administrative and punishment section. It is the oldest part. Inmates of various nationalities, mainly Poles were there. Birkenau, down the road was built specifically to murder Jewish people. Though Jews were also killed by gas in the 'Arbeit Macht Frei' part, and Poles were also imprisoned and worked to death in some of the other parts.

Expect more signs to disappear: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbeit_macht_frei

I'm not sure if I'm honest...not even that it was meant as a mockery.
You mustn't forget it started out as a labor camp for criminals (under Nazi law that is).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp

It wasn't a death camp, originally. Seanus, you should read back through the thread...

Originally or not, it came to be rather quickly. Like the thread is the definitive authority, LOL.

They built the gate when it was still a labor camp. Maybe they were planning to release people after hard labor but things went from bad to worse.

I suspect they put people there who they expected to work to death. The Nazis weren't known for compassion towards their prisoners.

Not in the beginning, no...

Besides the "enemy of the state" most criminals (under Nazi law) got normally sentenced.
So even if one was sentenced to 10 years of hard labour in say....Dachau...he could expect to come free afterwards.

I think that's why they put this saying at the gates...it was surely also sold as a kind of re-education for "asocial elements" (under Nazi law that is).

Meaning some time hard labour and he is all new and again a proper member of our new Volksgemeinschaft!

Didn't had the Soviets similiar usings for their Gulags? And now the North Korean....or the Chinese...

Notice that the sign is placed to be read from the outside.

Come on Brat Boy say something nice about something other than Germany, you can do it....

Well, I'm just guessing...

But I doubt all those Poles, Jews, Russians and others from everywhere about to killed as the Holocaust started seriously could understand enough german to appreciate this saying, so I doubt it was meant for them!

Bratwurst Boy

That's what I was thinking.

I agree, it makes me think that it was a commissioned robbery by Neo-Nazis, of course this is purely speculation.
It is not the same as robbing the Mona Lisa or some other world famous object, we all know the horror it signifies.


What exactly are you talking about?
Post a link if possible, I am just curious.


I think it is more to do with what it became to represent, the third-reich.


The only people that would want it would be Neo-Nazis though, no?
As you mentioned before, it'd be reported if it were just rich people.
I am of course just speculating, I can't see anyone else bragging about it.


Yes but it is not like a famous piece of art, that most people would like, it represents something completely different, a time, a power and a genocide.


They have another one that they used when this one was begin restored or repaired.

Honestly I doubt that....I rather think about a prank by some idiots!

With Neo-Nazis there should be some political gain behind it and I can't see any.
They must stay hidden, the rather useless sign must stay hidden...nothing to show for the "cause" at all.

But I can see a group of drunken yobs sitting right now giggling in some pub and enjoying all this international media bruhaha!

Quite. Students.

It may well have been people wanting a ransom though.

A prank?
I doubt that even more, the tools involved, the method of transport, all had to be planned with precision as capture would mean prison.
Imagine getting caught with it now, you'd be up the creek without a paddle.

Edit*


A trophy would be enough, no?

Again, I am only speculating.

the camp is not in the middle of town.

So, despite it being 2 or 3am no-one noticed two geezers walking down the road with 3m of the most famous sign in the world
or
Security didn't notice a truck waiting at the gate at 2 or 3 in the morning.

No, if it was dropped on my doorstep right now, id give them a few hundred zloty and store it quick smart. Thats worth thousands, id stash it good and proper, sell to the highest bidder, wouldnt you?

As I read about it I got the impression that it was quite easy as Auschwitz isn't secured.
There is even talk about an inside job...help from someone who works FOR the museum!

And there's a hostel for visitors and a convent both very close, and people living across the road. It must have been very well planned indeed.

That is what makes me think it was precision planning and the tools to get the thing off and what it represents to Polish people too.


There is only one type of person that would make such a bid, a Neo-Nazi, no?


I heard on the radio this morning that it was a proffesional job but I have no confirmation on that.


Yes, it does make me think that.

Of course its one of the easiest jobs going they probably didnt even use a blow torch, just bend it lose. Steeling a car stereo would have been more difficult.

What i wnat to know is were there any cameras on it?

Apparently there were, and the police are investigating why they didn't work.

No, its worth money regardless.

Manno...this tension is killing me! :)
Hopefully we will know soon...


Yes, I read about one but it didn't catch anything...

where is the gate ? Isn't it within the museum grounds ?

I seem to remember walking around with a guide for a few minutes before I got to it.

I doubt it, they would have said by now.

Remember this Norway offers aid for Auschwitz upkeep about Poland basically left to fit the bill for Auschwitz. It is free in, so this might be a good time for interested parties to insure the security and maintenance of the museum.

Personally, I think there should be an admittance fee, like other death camps in the world.


I know but I would not deal with anyone who wanted to by this sign because it represents genocide, no amount of money would be worth that for me. But you have a point, less scrupulous people just see it as a sign for sale.