Nazi sign stolen from Auschwitz gates

[Shaedema]

Link (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/18/auschwitz.sign.stolen/index.html?iref=allsearch)



A sign synonymous with the Nazi work camps of World War II was stolen overnight from the Auschwitz Concentration Camp memorial in Poland, police said Friday.


:collapse:

[memnoch]

I'm sure the black market value of that is ridiculous

[Xander67]

I just can't help but view this as an act of hatred. I don't think it was a prank..

too much was involved in stealing the sign for whatever reason.

or, on the other hand.. maybe it had a significance to someone, either a survivor or decendant. :whatgives

[Shaedema]

I'm sure the black market value of that is ridiculous

But....(and I'm not trying to be difficult just to understand).....how does one just wake up one day and start planning to steal the sign from Auschwitz? :weirdsmil

[Xander67]

I'm sure the black market value of that is ridiculous
Im sure.

[Cunae]

I think it was stolen by dumbshits who probably want to sell it. I'm betting it means nothing to them beyond twisted jollies. I suppose a neo-Nazi group could have taken it, but don't they deny the holocaust? Maybe that's why they would steal it.

Either way, why isn't an eye kept on the camp? It's such an important part of history.

[Xander67]

I guess the guards were asleep? u would think they would have cameras..

but who would have thought that someone would steal the sign.

[memnoch]

But....(and I'm not trying to be difficult just to understand).....how does one just wake up one day and start planning to steal the sign from Auschwitz? :weirdsmil


The same way one would wake up and decide to steal a famous piece of art.

As someone who appreciates something unique and historical I could see the interest in owning something like this, however the risk/reward factor just doesn't add up

[Nicholas]

Does anyone else think of the item in terms of an awesome historical collectible?

[memnoch]

Does anyone else think of the item in terms of an awesome historical collectible?

Very much so, but you probably didn't see my last post before you posted this :p

[Xander67]

Does anyone else think of the item in terms of an awesome historical collectible?

yes of course ...but to those who passed under that sign it had a much grimmer meaning.

Israel sees this as an act of possible rekindleing of the hatred towards jews.

It is a very sensitive issue i guess.

There are things that hit nerves and are considered as hate crimes..

Look what happened when that guy drew a political cartoon about Muhammed.. freedom of expression? sure... but at what price?

[memnoch]

yes of course ...but to those who passed under that sign it had a much grimmer meaning.

Israel sees this as an act of possible rekindleing of the hatred towards jews.

It is a very sensitive issue i guess.

There are things that hit nerves and are considered as hate crimes..

Look what happened when that guy drew a political cartoon about Muhammed.. freedom of expression? sure... but at what price?

For those who lost people in the WTC pieces of the buildings would harbor bad memories, it doesn't mean the historical value of them are any less significant. Same for the Berlin Wall. Same for many pieces of history. History isn't always pleasant, and we tend to remember the unpleasant bits more, which we should. That does not remove the value of such pieces.

I love historical items, I love oddities and unique items, I truly value the idea of that as a collectable. One day I hope to have a collection of such significant pieces of history.

If Israel sees it that way I disagree with them. The reality is though that either of us could be right, or possibly neither of us is right...for all we know it could be some kids thinking of it as a joke.

Hate crimes bother me, always have, the motive of a crime does not matter nearly as much as a crime itself.

Freedom should be upheld at any price

[Xander67]

ok I can see it from your perspective and will respect it.

[Caitlin.ann]

I'm thinking..hmm..that would be awesome framed in my basement.

[memnoch]

I'm thinking..hmm..that would be awesome framed in my basement.

you, Nick, and I could take turns putting it up

[TeamTwig]

you, Nick, and I could take turns putting it up

Could we throw Wisconsin into the rotation? I love history, and pieces of it.

[Nox_Mortus]

I'm thinking..hmm..that would be awesome framed in my basement.

I don't think you could frame it, the sign is pretty damn big, I'm actually wondering how they managed to steal it.

[memnoch]

I don't think you could frame it, the sign is pretty damn big, I'm actually wondering how they managed to steal it.

you can frame anything...it may take a large custom built frame, but it could be done

[Nox_Mortus]

you can frame anything...it may take a large custom built frame, but it could be done

I suppose, but assembled it's about the width of two cars, and I imagine it weighs quite a bit as well considering it's made of iron.

[sarabethv]

I suppose, but assembled it's about the width of two cars, and I imagine it weighs quite a bit as well considering it's made of iron.

So............how did they manage to steel this?

[Laisrean]

This reminds me of a story I read awhile back about a bridge in Russia being mysteriously stolen. I'm not kidding... someone stole an entire bridge.


One reason someone might want to steal a 2-ton Swastika is for the scrap metal. That was the reason the bridge in Russia was stolen. A 2-ton swastika isn't something you can hide very easily, so it would make sense to melt it down and get whatever you can out of the scrap.

[Laisrean]

I don't think you could frame it, the sign is pretty damn big, I'm actually wondering how they managed to steal it.

Probably in pieces. If the sign couldn't be unbolted then they could have used a blow torch to cut it into pieces. Then it is just a simple matter of loading it into a truck and driving off. It is pretty trivial to find something capable of hauling 2 tons... your average car might not be able to pull it off, but any truck most likely could.

I don't think this was some super-human feat or anything. I just wonder why it was done. Again, my theory is for scrap. It could also have been a prank, but while they were pulling off a prank they probably figured getting some $$$ out of it by scrapping it would be a nice bonus. This isn't something you can sell on ebay or anything...

[Laisrean]

An Update: (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/21/auschwitz-nazi-poland)


Polish police said last night that they had recovered the infamous bronze sign to the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz after it was stolen on Friday. They said it had been cut into three pieces, each containing one of the words Arbeit Macht Frei (work sets you free).

Five men, aged between 25 and 39, were detained in northern Poland and taken yesterday for questioning to the southern city of Krakow, about 40 miles from Auschwitz.

A state of emergency involving tightened border controls and a nationwide search was declared in Poland last week after the theft of the sign, which was cast by camp prisoners and stands as a symbol of the suffering millions endured at the death camp.

Thank god that evil thing has been recovered and restored. :thumbsup: