# Auschwitz "Arbeit Macht Frei" Sign Stolen **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804 "2009-12-18T23:31:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/1 "2009-12-18T23:31:39Z")
Did anyone else read about the infamous Auschwitz Concentration/Death Camp metal gate sign being stolen? (The translation is “Work Will Make You Free” which the Nazi’s used to give a false sense of hope to their victims) I dont know who would want this sign removed, or why, but it is something that should always be in place for future generations to see, and I hope that they catch the thieves, and when they do, maybe if they were treated the way that the Nazi’s treated common criminals, it would be a deterrant to others so inclined to steal a piece of history. (A piece of history that needs to stand as a warning for all mankind) ETA—Maybe I made a mistake in which forum I posted this in, so if it is better moved, please go ahead. Matthew ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/2 "2009-12-18T23:46:11Z")
I guess somebody did a little _Arbeit_ to _Macht_ that sign _Frei_. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/3 "2009-12-19T00:10:25Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I dont know who would want this sign removed, or why, but it is something that should always be in place for future generations to see, and I hope that they catch the thieves, and when they do, maybe if they were treated the way that the Nazi’s treated common criminals, it would be a deterrant to others so inclined to steal a piece of history. It’s a shitty thing to do, but death camps and slave labour? You’re hardcore, dude, _hard_ _core_! ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/4 "2009-12-19T00:23:55Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > It’s a shitty thing to do, but death camps and slave labour? You’re hardcore, dude, _hard_ _core_! While I am not sure what the Nazi criminal justice system punishment for theft was, I am not suggesting that these thieves should actually be executed, but I imagine that a few years in a Polish prison would be an effective deterrant to others so inclined. I wonder if the thieves have an idealogical statement (neo-nazi?) they are attempting to make? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/5 "2009-12-19T00:36:56Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > ETA—Maybe I made a mistake in which forum I posted this in, so if it is better moved, please go ahead. Matthew It might do better in MPSIMS, so I’m moving it there. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/6 "2009-12-19T00:38:10Z")
It seems likely to me that it was a symbolic act by some neo-Nazis. They could very well be Polish, though, so I’m not sure that the prospect of a Polish prison would be a particular deterrent to them. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/7 "2009-12-19T00:38:23Z")
Why does it have to be neo-Nazis? I’m betting this was a drunken college prank…albeit an enormously tasteless one. Any universities near Auschwitz? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/8 "2009-12-19T00:39:17Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just stupid vandalism, but it’s hard not to wonder if there’s some type of ideology behind this. I can’t imagine there is a lot of demand for this item and it’s highly recognizable. It’s awful regardless. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/9 "2009-12-19T00:40:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It might do better in MPSIMS, so I’m moving it there. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/10 "2009-12-19T00:46:46Z")
You’ve got to admit, it does make a great last-minute stocking-stuffer. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/11 "2009-12-19T00:48:54Z")
Just for background, [here’s an article about the theft](http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/18/auschwitz.sign.stolen/index.html). ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/12 "2009-12-19T01:02:34Z")
Regardless of motive, I think we can agree that “stealing historical artifacts from a death camp preserved as a Holocaust memorial” makes someone a great big jerk. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/13 "2009-12-19T01:46:39Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > Why does it have to be neo-Nazis? > > I’m betting this was a drunken college prank…albeit an enormously tasteless one. > > Any universities near Auschwitz? I’ll put 10 bucks on it being some idiot taking it for his private collection or to sell to some private collector. Basic black/gray market. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/14 "2009-12-19T03:27:15Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Regardless of motive, I think we can agree that “stealing historical artifacts from a death camp preserved as a Holocaust memorial” makes someone a great big jerk. This ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/15 "2009-12-19T06:54:30Z")
If it is any comfort, there is at least an identical gate that was cast from a mold of the original – or that is my understanding at least. It is something that I remember from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/16 "2009-12-19T06:55:04Z")
I don’t know anything about anything, but it surprised me how many people assumed it was the work of neo-Nazis. Is it somehow an endorsement of the camp and its horrors to steal its sign? Could it not just as well be the act of someone angry at the sign and the Nazis more generally who wants to express that anger by defacing the sign? Not that that would justify stealing the historical artifact. I’m just confused by the apparently dominant theory regarding the thieves’ motivation, when, so far as I know, there’s really nothing known about them at all. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/17 "2009-12-19T06:58:06Z")
I honestly don’t care. I wish people in general and the Jews specifically would stop dwelling on the holocaust. Let the remnants of the Nazi death machine rust and fall apart and blow away in the wind, with the rest of history’s bad ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/18 "2009-12-19T07:12:06Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > Is it somehow an endorsement of the camp and its horrors to steal its sign? I believe the thinking is that the thieves might be suggesting the Holocaust didn’t happen. > [@](#): > > Could it not just as well be the act of someone angry at the sign and the Nazis more generally who wants to express that anger by defacing the sign? Angry at the Nazis? It’s a little late! But that aside I find it hard to imagine someone expressing their anger at the Nazis that way. > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Let the remnants of the Nazi death machine rust and fall apart and blow away in the wind, with the rest of history’s bad ideas. Seems like people are still regularly killing each other based on religion and ethnicity, so I don’t think we’ve quite internalized the lesson there. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/19 "2009-12-19T07:14:48Z")
[Here is a photograph of the casting.](http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/media_ph.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10007084&MediaId=5182) I was mistaken. It was not the entire gate that was cast, but the words were. It still gives me chills. **Argent Towers** , there is much to learn about ourselves and about government and powerful leaders from knowing about the Holocaust. That is not just a cliche. One classroom in Tennessee collected 11,000,000 paperclips (6,000,000 representing the Jewish dead) so that students could better comprehend the number of people murdered. I hope that people never put their heads in the sand about such tragedies as the Holocaust, the killing fields of Cambodia, Stalin’s victims, and Rhodesia. But I confess that I know just almost nothing about Darfur. I guess I shouldn’t lecture. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804/20 "2009-12-19T07:18:08Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Angry at the Nazis? It’s a little late! Well, no later than any other reaction to the Nazis, for or against… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen/521804.md?page=2)