Ash pit

 memorial, Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, memorial plaque

At the end of the war the area at the bottom of the camp called the “ash pit” was preserved. At first it was the septic ditch of the barracks’ toilets, but as the death rate soared the SS also started dumping the deportees’ ashes there. When Struthof became a penitentiary, it was separated from the bottom of the camp by a fence. A cross and temporary marker were erected there. Then, as part of the plan to turn the camp into a place of remembrance, Bertrand Monnet created an “ash pit” with the inscription “Honour and Country, Ossa Humiliata”, as well as a Wall of Remembrance intended for commemorative plaques. During the ceremony of 23 July 1960, General de Gaulle bowed before the one bearing the inscription “Here lie the ashes of unknown martyrs, victims of the Nazis, 1944”. Afterwards, a number of plaques were affixed to the Wall of Remembrance, which became the main place to pay respects inside the camp.