Haslach im Kinzigtal

Haslach im Kinzigtal
Haslach im Kinzigtal
Coordinates
Administration
Country Germany
State Baden-Württemberg
Admin. region Freiburg
District Ortenaukreis
Mayor Heinz Winkler
Basic statistics
Area 18.71 km2 (7.22 sq mi)
Elevation 220 m  (722 ft)
Population 6,979 (31 December 2010)[1]
 - Density 373 /km2 (966 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate OG
Postal code 77716
Area code 07832
Website www.haslach.de

Haslach is a small city in south-west Germany, in the district Ortenaukreis, Baden-Württemberg. As of 2010 it had a population of 7,010.

History

During World War II Haslach had a sub-camp of the concentration camp Natzweiler-Struthof. Many French citizens were deported to this camp for their "crimes" against the Germany Reich. Among these prisoners was Alexis Dechaux, a Catholic priest, who was pastor of his church in Héricourt, France. In 1944, Walter Menzel of the Gestapo arrested Father Dechaux, who was eventually deported to the camp at Haslach, where he remained until being liberated in 1945. While there, he devoted his time to helping many unfortunate and dying camp prisoners by giving them spiritual comfort, smuggling in extra bread, and giving them solace and courage. He himself was tortured by the camp administration, made fun of because he wore his priestly cassock, and was marked for death more than once. However, due to his fortitude and strong will to live, he was able to survive the camp and return to his beloved parish where he was received with open arms and great fanfare.

The site of the former World War II underground factory at Haslach was used for an explosive seismic test in 1948.[2]

Notes and references

External links