Louis Peacock-Young, Year 12, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys.

"Although I knew something of Auschwitz prior to the visit I did not know what to expect when experiencing it first hand nor did I know how I would react to it. The town itself, Oswiecim, was quiet and the muddy patch of land where the Great Synagogue had once stood was a particularly striking reminder of the effect on the whole town. "Upon arrival at the camps the image is bleak and the buildings cut very austere shapes into the surrounding landscape. What became apparent from our guide's talk and was emphasised by the articles on show was the systematic coldness of the killing and entire disregard for human dignity.

"In spite of the size of the camp, the living quarters were in no way large enough for the masses of people who were forced to live there. Although it is expected because of its nature, the way the camp was entirely geared towards the annihilation of its inhabitants was shocking even with the expectations you have to prepare yourself for. Possibly the most imposing features were the masses of human hair and belongings preserved, the moments viewing these were particularly moving and shocking, in many ways exemplifying the change undergone from the individual to the subject of life in the camp.

"The impact of the camp is escalated when you try to consider that everyone involved was an individual, with a life before the war, completely shattered by the holocaust. The numbers suddenly have an even greater, harrowing significance yet even after visiting the camp it is still impossible to comprehend the sheer scale of the suffering and devastation caused at Auschwitz-Birkenau and in the whole Holocaust. "