Liberté Chérie in Nacht und Nebel - Emslandlager VII Esterwegen - Esterwegen, Germany
Posted by: 
dreamhummie
N 53° 00.465 E 007° 38.351
32U E 408693 N 5873998
Masonic Lodge #45 "Liberté chérie" on former POW Camp "Emslandlager VII" at Hinterm Busch in Esterwegen, Germany.
Waymark Code: WM10GTM
Location: Niedersachsen, Germany
Date Posted: 05/06/2019
Views: 3
Liberté chérie was one of three Masonic lodges founded within a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. (
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After the war from 1953 to 1959 Esterwegen served as a refugee transit camp, before it demolished in the late 50s / early 60s and the site was taken over by the German Armed Forces. Until 2001, a part was used as a Bundeswehr depot. (
visit link)
That is why the original Lodge no longer exists but there is a Monument (
visit link) and a book about it.
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Book presentation:
Masons in the Nazi camp Esterwegen.
"In darkest time, in an even darker place - in the camp Esterwegen. From 1933 to 1936 concentration camp, until the end of World War II internment camp for political prisoners and prisoners of war in the marshes of the Emsland.
Breaking mind and soul, tormenting the body to death, that was what National Socialism in its camps held for people who were different, who thought, believed, felt, acted, and acted as collectivized to a national community. And yet, there was always light here, never extinguished. Always rekindled by the glow of freedom, burning in the consciousness of equality and supported by the power of brotherhood.
Thus, in the spring of 1943, in a barrack of the Esterwegen camp, some men who combined a courageous one met their firm reliance on a light even in the darkest of times. Their nationalities and human barriers overcoming lifestyle, Freemasonry. Despite harassment, suffering, agony and death, they all found the courage to band together in the camp.
They found the lodge "Liberté Chérie" and started their Masonic work. They lit a light and set a sign of hope that still today gives us an impulse. Therefore worth reading the book of one of the last eyewitnesses."
(
visit link)