Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (46 min. 9 sec.) ; 277863077 bytes |
Summary |
In January 1945, as the Red Army resumed its relentless advance towards Germany, the inmates of prisoner-of-war camps in Poland were marched west towards Germany. Amongst them were thousands of British, Australian and Commonwealth soldiers, many of whom had spent the previous four years working in mines and factories with barely adequate sustenance. They were now ordered at gunpoint to march many hours a day through the snow and ice of a Polish winter, alongside concentration and death camp survivors. It was to be one of the forgotten atrocities of the Second World War.In the second episode, ex-prisoners of war tell of their time in captivity. They describe the everyday existence and distractions in the camps, like planning escapes and distilling illicit alcohol, as well as the terrors of forced labour, working for the enemy. Gradually they become aware of the atrocities of Auschwitz and how the Jews and the Russians have been treated.The British and Americans are advancing in a country that is beginning to fall apart, and hopes are raised as Russian liberating forces are heard closing in on the camps. But instead of freedom, a final, unexpected and agonising ordeal is about to be thrust upon the already weakened prisoners. In the winter of 1944/45, the Germans order to the prisoners to gather their belongings and march westward, away from the advancing Russians. (From the UK) (Documentary Series) (Part 2 of 3) PG CC Follow the conversation on Twitter #SBSdoco |
Event |
Broadcast 2012-05-04 at 21:30:00 |
Notes |
Classification: PG |
Subject |
Criminals -- Rehabilitation.
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Forced labor.
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Prisoners -- Conduct of life.
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Prisoners of war.
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World War (1939-1945)
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Germany.
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Form |
Streaming video
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Author |
Saunders, Stephen, director
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Hill, Bernard, host
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Akehurst, John, contributor
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Clark, Robert, contributor
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Cleaver, Reg, contributor
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Dowting, Reg, contributor
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Gibbs, Norman, contributor
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Gratton, Maurice, contributor
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Hawkins, Doug, contributor
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Howland, Jim, contributor
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Johnson, Tony, contributor
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Jones, Maurice, contributor
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Jones, Ron, contributor
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Mead, Mark, contributor
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Miland, Frank, contributor
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Pye, Reg, contributor
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Redman, Ronald, contributor
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Smith, Stancombe, contributor
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Tayler, Frank, contributor
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Virgo, John, contributor
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Vokes, Jim, contributor
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Wade, Stanley, contributor
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Waite, Charles, contributor
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Wenham, Kenneth, contributor
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Whiteman, Mike, contributor
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