European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 12, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Facing the Pas France keeps concentration Camp open to Public by Steve scholar staff writer less than 45 minutes from medieval Strasbourg High in the Vosges mountains lies a testament to the Darker Side of human nature a the nazi Gatzwiller Struthoff concentration Camp. The world War ii Camp is not touted As a tourist attraction and May be inappropriate for children but it is open to the Public monday Friday from 9  to noon and 2 to 5 . The Camp s admission is 8 French francs and allows admission to three of the four remaining buildings. Of the approximately 25 original Camp buildings Only four remain but those Are sufficient to Shock a person into the realities of what happened there. The original front Gate remains and passing through it will put you into a world that knew no moral Bounds. The Camp is surrounded by a barbed and one time electrified Fence with guard shacks scattered every 50 Yards. One is Able to walk the perimeter of the Camp As the nazi Shock troops once Dio. Walking the perimeter allows you to get a sense of perspective while at the same time preparing you for what lies in the buildings. Block one was originally used to House detainees but now contains a museum. Artefacts in the museum include photographs clothing worn by the inmates Beds torture tools and written personal recollections of Many former detainees. Explanations of exhibits Are written in French. Many visitors to the museum find it difficult to keep their emotions in Check and it is not unusual to find a visitor or a couple sitting quietly in the Corner crying. Next to Block one is the former Kitchen Block which is closed to the Public. The Camp was built in a tiered setting on the Side of a Mountain and it is possible to look Down from blocks one and two past Stone markers indicating where other blocks once sat to the crematorium and the cell Block. A Gallows lies Between the former Kitchen and Block one. The crematorium is easy to spot because of its tall Chimney. Reports from detainees say the crematorium was always in use and the Chimney glowed red a an eerie sight on a dark moonless night. The crematorium is exactly As it was when the Camp was evacuated because of advancing Allied forces in August 1944. Many of the implements used to carry out Hitler s orders hang next to the now cold oven. The fourth building contains the Cellblock. The Cellblock were used to House prisoners who defied Camp rules. A first offence would place a person in the cell up to three Days on a wooden bunk with Only bread and water. Subsequent offences brought tougher punishments with a third degree offence bringing three Days in a standing position with no possibility of sitting or lying Down. Between the crematorium and the Cellblock is the Quot Ash  the ashes of those cremated were disposed of there and a memorial Cross now stands in the Middle of the dump. Outside the perimeter of the Camp lies an innocent looking building that served As the Gas chamber. People were lured into the building by being told they were going to be showered or Quot Del used Quot after their death they would be taken to the crematorium. At the top of the Camp is a Large Stone memorial built by the French government that commemorates the lives lost at Struthoff. Row after Row of White crosses serves As testament to what happened there. The number of detainees of Many faiths and nationalities who passed through the Gates of Struthoff is estimated to be Between 200,000 and 300,000. Of those it is thought that As Many As 38,000 May have survived. A Monument to those who died dominates the amp. The Stone crosses stand where buildings used to be. The hanging platform stands near the Center of the Camp. The crematorium remains exactly As it was when the Camp was evacuated in August 1944. The Camp s main Gate with its barbed wire and steel stands As it did a half a Century ago. A amps photos by John Bohmer november 12, 1992 stripes Magazine "13