Today’s Treacherous Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
Sachsenhausen prison camp was established in 1936. It was located 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Berlin, which gave it a primary position among the German concentration camps: the administrative centre of all concentration camps was located in Oranienburg, and Sachsenhausen became a training centre for Schutzstaffel (SS) officers (who would often be sent to oversee other camps afterwards).
The initial prisoner population at Sachsenhausen consisted primarily of political enemies. On November 10, 1936, the SS murdered Gustav Lampe, a communist and member of the Reichstag. An SS Block Leader had thrown his cap over the sentry fence, and while Lampe was trying to retrieve it, as he had been ordered to do, he was “shot while attempting to escape”.
Sachsenhausen “No Go Zone” as seen during my 2014 visit.
Culled from: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp 1936-1945
If you’re interested in learning more about Sachsenhausen, please take a look at the travelogue of my 2014 visit. I need to go back. It’s a fascinating place.