Sinister Terezin Concentration Camp Stone Entrance Gate Liberation PinSinister Terezin Concentration Camp Stone Entrance Gate Liberation Pin Product Description : Sinister Terezin Concentration Camp Stone Entrance Gate Liberation Pin An antique gold coloured, pressed, sheet metal pin from former Czechoslovakia, it is 1.8cm high and has a long, stick pin style fastener to the rear.Featuring the sinister and oppressive stone entrance gate to Terezin concentration camp and the camp liberation date 8.5.1945. The entrance gate was just that; only for entering. Few who entered would ever leave.Historical BackgroundThe fortress town of Terezin was constructed in the 18th century by the Austrian Empire to house a garrison of around 11,000 soldiers and all of the supporting infrastructure this entails. The fortress is approximately 2km by 2km in size. It was used as a POW camp in WW1 and this was again its use in WW2Terezín, better known by the German name Theresienstadt, became a concentration camp. The majority of the Jews sent were scholars, professionals, artists and musicians. Inmates were encouraged to lead creative lives and to take time to adjust to their new home. Within the camp were parks, grassy areas and flower beds a concert hall and shops, the camp even had its own currency.The gestapo invited the International Red Cross to inspect the camp and to see that the inmates were leading full, productive lives. The camp was internationally approved and the Nazis had succeeded in executing the PR coup of the war. Once the inspectors had left the true function of the camp could be resumed.Around 140,000 people were sent to Terezin, mostly Czech Jews. Terezin was used as a holding pen for deportation to Auschwitz in Poland to the north. Terezin lacked the mass murder capabilities of the newly constructed extermination camp there. Approximately 80-90 thousand people were sent to Auschwitz, somewhere in the region of 30,000 died in Terezin itself and there are reportedly around 20,000 survivors when the camp was liberated by the Russian army. Postage and Packing : The item will be sent by airmail from The Czech Republic. Please allow 3-4 days delivery time to Europe and up to 7 days worldwide. Enamel Pin Badge(s)$3.99 Payment Methods : I prefer payment by Paypal Direct Bank Transfer - details available on request No personal checks please. Warranty Terms :This pin is in the condition described above and as photographed. If you are in any way dissatisfied I will happily discuss any problems you have via email. I always strive to provide an excellent service.
