#252 Garand Picture of the Day - Dachau

[Mark in Rochester]

A soldier from the U.S. 7th Army examines the door to a gas chamber in the Dachau concentration camp. (April 30, 1945)




Main Gate

[Sako]

My neighbor was a medic and one of the first into the Dachau. I sure would have liked to have known this before his death. His son is going to show me some pictures that his father had of the camp.

[Sully]

Are you certain that this second photo was the main gate to Dachau? I don't recall such a "nice" gate there in 1980, nor the adjacent building.

Thank you for the photos.

best,

Sully

[Embalmer]

I dont know how safe id feel in that little pill bix if under attack... firstly to get in, you would be exposed to fire as its in front where likely attack would come from, secondly, once up close, would just take a thompson or a grenade in one of those slots to turn the insides into a food processor...

[Mark in Rochester]

The gate shown in the photograph below is where "the Germans were ready to surrender, not fight." It was about 75 yards from this gate, located on the southwest side of the Dachau complex, that 2nd Lt. Heinrich Wicker surrendered the Dachau concentration camp to Brig. Gen. Henning Linden of the 42nd Infantry Division. This photo was taken after the liberation; it shows two American soldiers guarding the gate.

[Sako]

Matt, that isn't a pillbox. Haven't you ever seen a heavy duty crapper house before?

[Embalmer]

must be some spicy foods there


seriously though, was thinking of replicating that as a place to hide when gf gets mad at me... lol

[Luger1914]

As an aside to your Dachau photo, I was able to acquire the M1911A1 issued to the commanding officer of the 13th Armored Division, 135th Ordinance Maintenance Battalion which participated in the liberation of Dachau. Along with the pistol, I received a letter signed (also notarized) by the Major stating that this pistol was issued to him while in southern Germany. The Colt M1911A1 is in 99% condition. I also received a 70 page U.S. Army booklet (8 1/2 x 11), probably put together in 1945, with a complete history of the camp and horrors--including pictures. Your picture appears on page 4.

[Johnny P]

The internet has conflicting information on what was the main gate. This link has pictures of what is suppose to be gate into the concentration camp, and the gate into the SS garrison.

http://www.scrapbookpages.com/dachau...uterGates.html