Construction of Dachau concentration camp

Dachau was the first concentration camp established by Nazi Germany, opened a few weeks after Adolf Hitler became chancellor, on the grounds of a disused munitions factory near the town of Dachau, outside Munich. It was set up under Heinrich Himmler to detain political opponents, mainly communists and social democrats, and later held Jews, Roma, clergy, homosexual men and prisoners from many occupied countries. Under its commandant Theodor Eicke, it became the model for the SS camp system, including its rules, guard organisation and training. Prisoners were subjected to forced labour, abuse, starvation and medical experiments, and many thousands died. American troops liberated the camp, and since 1965 the site has been a memorial and museum.

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