An alley of maples and birch trees will be laid near the memorial in memory of the dead prisoners of the “5th Regiment” concentration camp on the outskirts of Vitebsk, the Belarusian National Youth Union told BelTA.
On the territory of the former concentration camp, order was established; on April 10, about 30 birches and maples will be planted on both sides of the footpath near the memorial. The action will be attended by representatives of the local government, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, public and veteran organizations, members of the regional organization of the Belarusian Association of Former Minor Fascist Prisoners and all who wish. In addition, in the future, on the territory of the "5th Regiment" they plan to erect a monument in memory of the victims of Nazi concentration camps and ghettos, which during the Great Patriotic War were in the Vitebsk region.
The concentration camp of the 313rd guard division was located on the western outskirts of Vitebsk, where before the war there was the 5th railway regiment. On its territory there were two concentration camps: for prisoners of war, in force since the beginning of the occupation of Vitebsk, and for the civilian population. Later the camp became general. Here, from 80 thousand to 150 thousand prisoners of war and civilians died. On the territory of the former camp in memory of the dead prisoners a monument, as well as a chapel with a bell. Every year in April, on the International Day for the Liberation of Prisoners of Fascist Concentration Camps, a requiem meeting takes place here.
