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England Visit Auschwitz Concentration Camp And Oskar Schindler's Factory (GALLERY)

GALLERY: England Visit Auschwitz And Schindler's Factory
Samuel Luckhurst
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England squad members were humbled as they visited the Auschwitz concentration camp on Friday ahead of their opening Euro 2012 fixture against France.

Seven players, including Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney, visited the Nazis' infamous death camp after an open training session in Krakow in the morning.

The largest of the Nazis' death camps, an estimated 1.3million Jews were died there between 1942 and 1944, as they were transported to the Polish base to the gas chamber.

The other 15 footballers remained in Krakow and went to Oskar Schindler's factory. Schindler is credited with saving over 1,100 Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

England Team Visit Schindler Factory Ahead Of UEFA Euro 2012
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Phil Jones during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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(L-R) John Terry and Steven Gerrard during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Glen Johnson is seen during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Scott Parker during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Ashley Young, Glen Johnson, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Scott Parker and John Terry during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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(L-R) Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard and Joleon Lescott during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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John Terry and Steven Gerrard during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Sir Trevor Brooking and Steven Gerrard sign the guest book during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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(L - R) Scott Parker, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones, Stewart Downing, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Danny Welbeck during a visit by an England Football Association delegation to the Schindler Factory, ahead of Euro 2012, on June 8, 2012 in Oswiecim, Poland. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Last week, England were addressed by Holocaust survivors Zigi Shipper and Ben Helfgott before their friendly match with Belgium.

Captain Steven Gerrard told the Football Association website: "It was very moving and very inspirational for us. To come and share their experience with us shows great bravery and character."

Already this week the German, Italian and Dutch national sides visited the site, with some reduced to tears by the eerie and emotional surroundings.

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Italy became the third side to visit Auschwitz this week

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Holland's Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay, Nigel de Jong and Jetro Willems observe the death camp's interior

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German head coach Joachim Loew places a candle during Die Mannschaft's visit

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