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Westerbork (camp)
Camp Westerbork ( nl, Kamp Westerbork, german: Durchgangslager Westerbork, Drents: ''Börker Kamp; Kamp Westerbörk'' ), also known as Westerbork transit camp, was a Nazi transit camp in the province of Drenthe in the Northeastern Netherlands, during World War II. It was located in the municipality of Westerbork, current-day Midden-Drenthe. Camp Westerbork was used as a staging location for sending Jews to concentration camps elsewhere. Purpose of Camp Westerbork The camp location was established by the Government of the Netherlands in the summer of 1939 to serve as a refugee camp for Germans and Austrians (German and Austrian Jews in particular), who had fled to the Netherlands to escape Nazi persecution. However, after the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940, that original purpose no longer existed. By 1942, Camp Westerbork was repurposed as a staging ground for the deportation of Jews. Only one-half square kilometre (119 acres) in area, the camp was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Westerbork (village)
Westerbork () is a village in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe in the Netherlands. It is located in the middle of the eastern province of Drenthe. During World War II, the Westerbork transit camp was located near the village. The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope and the Camp Westerbork Museum are now situated at the site. History The village was first mentioned in 1206 as Burch. It is unclear whether it is "western castle" or "western forest (of birch trees)". Westerbork is an '' esdorp'' from the Early Middle Ages which developed on higher ground. The 12th century chapel was elevated to church in 1240, and it became an independent parish. Westerbork contained four ''essen'' (communal pastures). The tower of the Dutch Reformed church dates from the 13th century and contains a bell from the 13th or 14th century. The gothic nave and choir are probably from the 15th century. The spire probably dates from 1884. Westerbork was home to 396 people in 1840. In 1939, the refug ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
