jarek.pski Posted April 17, 2015 Share Hello Forum, During my tour of Europe 2 years back I have visited a few concentration camps, and places of mass death caused by the Nazi Germany during WW2.I have been across Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria and have seen my share of misery, pain and suffering caused by human beings. When I visited Mauthausen camp in Austria in 2013 I have come across a very peculiar exhibit, and since this is a cycling forum, I'd like to share it with everyone.What I saw was an old bicycle that was used by a ex-prisoner shortly after liberation by the Americans in 1945. The bicycle was given to survivor Stanislaw Kudlinski by nuns in Linz, Austria, after the liberation, on which he set off for his home town of Poznan in Poland (by modern standards and roads that's approximately 700km away) Shortly after liberation of the camps in Europe there were millions of 'displaced' people that basically needed a ride home. Stanislaw could not wait weeks (even months in some cases) to get a lift back home. So he cycled. Bearing in mind that Stanislaw probably weight quarter of his weight, and still very much frail he took on this journey to get home http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae176/crObar/IMG_278897702498123_zpsc6yyfwhp.jpeg http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae176/crObar/IMG_278919598066971_zpsrdew0ywm.jpeg Not much is known of Stanislaw's life afterwards, but looks like he lived for quite a few years, and the bike returned to Mauthausen as a permanent exhibit in 2013, by his grand daughter. Sorry if this is a bit morbid, but this story has been very much stuck in my head ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted April 18, 2015 Share Not morbid, actually inspirational. He is lucky that he had something to go back to. Most of their homes were destroyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oufy MTB (Roadie) Posted April 23, 2015 Share Nice story, can't even begin to imagine what went through his head whilst cycling that distance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamgigglz Posted April 23, 2015 Share An amazing story, especially considering the physical condition he must have been in after spending time in the camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Karma Posted April 23, 2015 Share nice on J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.png.75d6381975d6e967f7f244707be5c209.png)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.