AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU

THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

- 1 - CONTENTS:

BEFORE AUSCHWITZ 3 NAZI IDEOLOGY 3 OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II 3 NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS 4 AUSCHWITZ 1940-1945. AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE CAMP 4 ESTABLISHMENT 4 EVICTION OF THE LOCAL POPULATION 5 EXPANSION 6 AUSCHWITZ SUB-CAMPS 7 CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD 7 RESISTANCE IN THE CAMP AND ITS ENVIRONS 7 AUSCHWITZ AS A CONCENTRATION CAMP 8 AUSCHWITZ AND THE EXTERMINATION OF JEWS 9 LIBERATION 12 VICTIMS OF KL AUSCHWITZ (FIGURES AND NATIONALITIES) 12 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL 13 BEGINNINGS 13 CALLED INTO BEING 13 MUSEUM SURFACE AREA 14 FINANCIAL SUPPORT 14 INTERNATIONAL AUSCHWITZ COUNCIL 15 PROGRAMME COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION ABOUT AUSCHWITZ AND THE HOLOCAUST 15 MUSEUM ACTIVITIES 16 COLLECTIONS 17 ARCHIVES 17 CONTACT WITH FORMER PRISONERS 18 DIGITAL REPOSITORY 19 LIBRARY 19 PRESERVING THE COLLECTIONS AND MUSEUM STRUCTURES 20 CONSERVATION STUDIO 20 RESEARCH AND WORK ON THE HISTORY OF AUSCHWITZ 20 EXHIBITIONS AND MEMORY 22 MAIN EXHIBITION AT FORMER KL AUSCHWITZ I 22 COMMEMORATING BIRKENAU 23 NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS 23 TEMPORARY AND TOURING EXHIBITIONS 24 PUBLISHING 24 INTERNET 25 EDUCATION 25 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION ABOUT AUSCHWITZ AND THE HOLOCAUST (ICEAH) 25 VISITING THE FORMER EXTERMINATION CAMP 26 OPENING HOURS 27 VISITORS – GENERAL COMMENTS 27 FORMER CAMP AT AUSCHWITZ I 28 FORMER CAMP AT AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU 28 GUIDES 28 GUIDEBOOKS 28 DOCUMENTARY FILM 29 MOVING BETWEEN THE FORMER CAMPS 29 MUSEUM ADDRESS 29 HISTORY OF AUSCHWITZ – CALENDAR 30

- 2 - BEFORE AUSCHWITZ

“JEWS ARE A RACE THAT MUST BE TOTALLY EXTERMINATED”. Hans Frank, Governor General of occupied Poland.

“WE MUST FREE THE GERMAN NATION OF POLES, RUSSIANS, JEWS AND GYPSIES”. Otto Thierack, Reich Minister of Justice.

“THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK IS TO ROOT OUT ALL POLISH LEADERS [...] IN ORDER TO RENDER THEM HARMLESS. [...] ALL SPECIALISTS OF POLISH DECENT WILL BE EXPLOITED FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR WAR INDUSTRY. AND THEN ALL POLES WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH”. Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer SS.

NAZI IDEOLOGY

The basic elements of Nazi ideol- War II was the Nazi ambition to gain ogy were: hatred of Communism, Jews new territory on which Germans were Photo: Heinrich Hoffman and democracy, and the conviction that expected to settle. In November 1937 Nazi Party Convention the German nation was superior to all Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Third in Nuremberg in 1937. other nations. In their attempt to cre- Reich and the founder of the Nazi Members of the Hitlerjugend greet Adolf Hitler, who addresses ate a “racially pure” society the Nazis Party (NSDAP) which gained power them as follows: “We will educate planned the extermination of Jews, as in Germany in 1933, summed up war our young so that the entire well as Slavs, Gypsies (Romanies), and objectives in the following manner: “In world will shake in front of them. others. our case it is not a matter of vanquish- I want the young to be capable One of the reasons behind German ing people, but of exclusively gaining of violence, imperious, aggression and the outbreak of World space for agricultural purposes.” indomitable, cruel.” OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II

After the German invasion of Poland aged by the Nazi administrative and po- countries, which led to the majority on 1 September 1939, and the occupa- lice apparatus. The territory to the east, of Europe being occupied by Germa- tion of the country by German soldiers, in accordance with the German-Soviet ny. In April 1940 the German army followed by the Soviet invasion of 17 treaty of August 1939, was incorporat- attacked and occupied Denmark and September, Poland was divided. One ed into the Soviet Union. It was only in Norway, in May 1940 it attacked part, Oświęcim and its surroundings, June 1941, after the German invasion Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg was incorporated into the Third Reich. of the Soviet Union, that these lands and then started occupying France. In The central part of Poland became the were occupied by the Germans. April 1941 it turned on Yugoslavia and so-called Generalgouvernement, totally The occupation of Poland was fol- Greece. In June 1941 it struck its ally controlled by the Germans and man- lowed by aggression against other – the Soviet Union.

- 3 - MOSCOW

BERLIN

Auschwitz was located PARIS almost in the heart of occupied Europe. The Third Reich

and the satellite countries ROME were marked black, the wartime occupied or controlled territories were marked grey. State borders prior to 1939. NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS

The Germans started creating con- tion camps in other countries they oc- Central Economic-Administrative Of- centration camps in Germany in 1933. cupied. fice (Wirtschaftsverwaltungshauptamt, The political opponents of the Nazi Konzentrationslager (KL) Auschwitz, WVHA) whilst human deportation regime, people seen as “undesirable much the same as other Nazi concen- to the camp and extermination was elements”, and Jews were imprisoned. tration camps, was a state institution, the responsibility of the Reich Secu- After the outbreak of World War II the managed by the German state central rity Main Office (Reichssicherheits- Germans started opening concentra- authorities. It was run directly by the SS hauptamt, RSHA). AUSCHWITZ 1940-1945 AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE CAMP ESTABLISHMENT

The world has come to associ- The immediate reason for creating KL Auschwitz personnel comprised ate the Nazi German concentration the camp was the growing number of SS members (Schutzstaffeln). These camp Auschwitz as the symbol of the Poles arrested by the German police, units were created to act as an elitist Holocaust, of genocide and terror. It which lead to prisons becoming over- guard, whose initial task was to offer was set up by the German occupying crowded. At first, this was to be yet an- protection at NSDAP assemblies. Over forces in mid-1940 in the suburbs of other concentration camp, created as the years the meaning of the SS in the Oświęcim, a Polish town that the Na- part of the Nazi terror machine active Third Reich grew immensely; the or- zis incorporated into the Third Reich. since the early 1930s. This was indeed ganization took over many state ad- Its name was changed to “Auschwitz”, the function of the camp throughout its ministration functions, as well as the which also became the name of the existence, even when – from 1942 on- role of the police and army. SS units camp: Konzentrationslager Ausch- wards – it started becoming the largest also acted as personnel at concentra- witz. centre of mass murder of Jews. tion camps.

- 4 - AUSCHWITZ WAS SET UP BY THE GERMANS IN THE SUBURBS OF OŚWIĘCIM, A POLISH TOWN THAT THE NAZIS INCORPORATED INTO THE THIRD REICH. ITS NAME WAS CHANGED TO AUSCHWITZ WHICH ALSO BECAME THE NAME OF THE CAMP: KONZENTRATIONSLAGER AUSCHWITZ Photo: SS SS camp staff. During its existence the camp saw more than 8,000 members of the SS.

The SS acted as camp management deutsche, i.e. citizens of other states and guard authorities, and also par- with proof of German decent who had ticipated in the mass extermination of signed the Volksliste. Throughout the Jews and in executions. Only Germans existence of KL Auschwitz the camp could be members of the SS. Later on saw more than 8,000 SS male and fe- recruits included the so-called Volks- male supervisors. Unknown photographer

EVICTION OF THE LOCAL POPULATION Tarnów. Polish political prisoners guarded by the Germans prior to being deported to In 1940-1941, the Germans evict- of the buildings, left behind by the KL Auschwitz. The first transport arrived ed the inhabitants of one of the dis- evicted, were occupied by SS offic- at the camp from the prison in Tarnów tricts of Oświęcim where the camp ers and NCOs employed at the camp, on 14 June 1940. was set up as well as the local popu- many of whom resided there with lation of eight villages in its vicinity. their families. Other buildings were All the Jews, who constituted about allocated to German families of re- 60% of pre-war Oświęcim, were also settlers, clerks, and policemen. The evicted and sent to ghettos, whilst Germans took over pre-war local in- many Poles were deported to Germa- dustrial plants, some of which they ny and submitted to forced labour. expanded, whilst others they closed Unknown photographer One thousand two hundred hous- down in order to create new space es were demolished in the town and for the Third Reich war production. the surrounding area. The immedi- These factories, particularly the huge ate surroundings were developed as IG Farbenindustrie chemical plant, the camp’s technical support sector were filled by 11,000 forced labour with workshops, warehouses, of- workers, mainly Poles, Russians and Uprooting the Polish population from fices and barracks for the SS. Part French. areas around the camp. Wartime photograph.

- 5 - EXPANSION

The location of the camp – almost Polish population was expelled in the centre of German-occupied Eu- from the village and its houses were rope – and its good communication demolished. In Birkenau, the Nazis

Unknown photographer routes led to the German authorities built their largest installations of April 1941. expanding it on a massive scale and mass murder in occupied Europe Germans displacing Jews from Oświęcim. deporting people to it from virtu- – the gas chambers – and extermi- Before the War this town of 12,000 ally the whole of Europe. At its peak, nated the majority of Jews deported was inhabited by 7,000 Jews. KL Auschwitz comprised three main to the camp; sections: – the third part was Auschwitz III- – the first and oldest was Auschwitz I, -Monowitz (also called Buna; in the so-called Stammlager (the number the summer of 1944 it held more of prisoners here was between 12,000 than 11,000 prisoners). Initially it

Photo: SS, 1943 and 20,000), created in mid-1940 in was an Auschwitz sub-camp. It was pre-war Polish barracks which was set up in 1942, in Monowice, six gradually expanded according to the kilometres away from Oswięcim, needs of the camp; next to the Buna-Werke synthetic rubber and fuel factory, built dur- – the second part was Auschwitz II- ing the war by the German IG -Birkenau (in 1944 the camp had Farbenindustrie concern. In No- more than 90,000 prisoners). This vember 1944, the Buna sub-camp The building of a camp bath. was the largest in the complex. The became independent, and was In the background Gas Chambers Nazis started building it in the au- called KL Monowitz. Most of the and Crematoria Nos. IV and V tumn of 1941 in Brzezinka, a village other Auschwitz sub-camps were (amongst the trees). 3 kilometres from Oświęcim. The controlled by it.

Aerial photograph taken by the Allies in 1944. The photograph includes Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, Auschwitz III-Monowitz, and the IG Farben chemical plants. National Archives in Washington National Archives

Arbeitslager Trzebinia. One of dozens of Auschwitz sub-camps. Unknown photographer

- 6 - AUSCHWITZ SUB-CAMPS

In 1942-1944 a total of 47 KL tablished mainly in the vicinity of Ger- Auschwitz sub-camps and external man coal mines, steelworks, and other commands were established, using industrial plants in Upper Silesia and prisoner slave labour. They were es- near stock and crop raising farms.

IN 1943 THE AUSCHWITZ CAMP COMPLEX COMPRISED THREE LARGE CAMPS: AUSCHWITZ I, AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU, AUSCHWITZ III-MONOWITZ AS WELL AS DOZENS OF SMALLER SUB-CAMPS.

CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD

The Germans isolated all Auschwitz rimeter. It occupied approximately complex camps and sub-camps from a further 40 square kilometres (the so- Photo: SS Photographs of prisoners registered in the outside world and surrounded called Interessengebiet – zone of in- the camp: a Jewish boy, a young Gypsy them with towers and barbed-wire terest), extending around Auschwitz I woman and a Polish girl. fencing. All contact by prisoners with and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Further- the outside world was strictly forbid- more, dozens of sub-camps, some Personal Card of a Polish prisoner den. However, the area managed by of which were located at a consider- arrested for helping Jews. the Commandant and controlled by able distance from the main camp, KL Auschwitz SS personnel went be- were subject to Auschwitz administra- yond the fenced-off barbed wire pe- tion. RESISTANCE IN THE CAMP AND ITS ENVIRONS

Despite the difficult conditions in the cil was called into being. Its objectives State Museum Archives Auschwitz-Birkenau camp and the constant terror prisoners included the preparation of an armed tried to maintain their human dignity. uprising. One example of this was the resistance An important aspect of camp resist- movement, which was either spontane- ance activities involved informing the Witold Pilecki, a Polish political prisoner, one ous or organized. Camp prisoners main- world about Nazi atrocities in Ausch- of the instigators and leaders of the resistance ly concentrated on saving their fellow witz. This was possible thanks to contacts movement at the camp, responsible for secret comrades from death. There were vari- with the active resistance movement dispatches sent outside the camp. ous forms of resistance, such as military, alongside the camp. This movement political, cultural and religious. participated in transferring to the out- The first camp resistance organiza- side world information gathered in the tions started forming in the latter half camp. of 1940. These were mainly founded From the beginning of the exist- by Poles, who were the largest group ence of the camp the Polish population of prisoners at the time. Irrespective of of Oświęcim and its surroundings em- the Polish groups in late 1942 and early ployed every method, and even risked 1942 Stanisław Gutkiewicz. Auschwitz, 1943 other nationality prisoner organi- their lives, to help prisoners by provid- zations were also created. In 1944 the ing them with food, medicine and or- international Auschwitz Military Coun- ganizing escapes.

- 7 - AUSCHWITZ AS A CONCENTRATION CAMP

Throughout its existence, Auschwitz gentsia, representatives of culture and in Auschwitz. During selection by SS always functioned as a concentration science, people in the resistance and doctors, those classified as fit to work camp. With time, it became the largest officers. or selected to undergo criminal medi- German Konzentrationslager. Initially, The first transport of Polish politi- cal experiments, were registered in the mainly Poles were sent there by the oc- cal prisoners, 728 prisoners in total, camp. cupiers. The Nazis chose those whom arrived at the camp from the prison in Of the more than one million peo- they regarded as a particular threat: Tarnów on 14 June 1940. It is regard- ple deported to Auschwitz, around members of the Polish elite, political, ed that the camp started operating 400,000 people were registered and social and spiritual leaders, the intelli- from this date on. The Nazis sent Poles placed at the camp: approx. 200,000 to the camp throughout its existence. Jews, almost 150,000 Poles, approx. Among them were also people round- 23,000 Romanies (Gypsies), approx. ed up and taken to the camp during 15,000 Soviet POWs and 25,000 pris- Photo: SS street raids or during operations to oners belonging to other nationali- remove people from their homes, in- ties. Of these more than 50% died in cluding entire families from locations Auschwitz of hunger, excessive forced earmarked for German settlement such labour practices, terror, executions, ap- as the Zamość area and from Warsaw palling conditions, illness and epidem- Zofia Stępień-Bator. Auschwitz, 1944 Auschwitz, Zofia Stępień-Bator. during the 1944 uprising. ics, punishment, torture and criminal With time, the German authorities medical experiments. Some 200,000 also started deporting groups of pris- prisoners were transferred by the Ger- Edward Galiński (a Polish political prisoner) oners from other occupied countries as mans to other concentration camps, and Mala Zimetbaum (a Jewish woman from well as Romanies (Gypsies) and Soviet where a significant number of them Belgium) escaped from Auschwitz during the POWs. They were registered and giv- died. At the time of liberation, there summer of 1944. Two weeks later the young were about 7,000 people still in the couple who were in love with one another were en a number. From 1942, Jews were caught and sentenced to death by the Gestapo. transported en masse to be executed camp.

CATEGORIES AND MARKING OF PRISONERS AT KL AUSCHWITZ

– from 1942 they were the most numerous group of prisoners in the camp. About 200,000 were Jews registered.

– totalled around 160,000. Most of these were Poles arrested during various repressive operations, or for Political prisoners their activities in the resistance movement.

Asocial prisoners – this category mainly included registered Romanies (Gypsies) – more than 21,000.

SU Soviet POWs – approx.15,000, of which 12,000 were registered.

EH Correctional prisoners – imprisoned for real or alleged breach of discipline at work. They are estimated to number 11,000.

– these were exclusively Poles. They were not formal KL Auschwitz prisoners. As a result of the nearby Gestapo prisons in Katowice and Mysłowice becoming overcrowded these prisoners were directed to PH Police prisoners the camp, where they were tried by summary court and usually sentenced to death by shooting. Their number is estimated to range in the thousands.

– primarily with German nationality and calculated at a few hundred. The camp authorities frequently Criminal prisoners chose from among them functionary prisoners to help the SS maintain order at the camp.

– these were imprisoned in the camp for their religious behaviour and attitudes. There were at least 138 Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses, mainly of German origin, registered in this category.

Homosexuals – at least several dozen prisoners, mainly of German origin.

- 8 - Photo: SS KL Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Jews from Hungary on the unloading ramp. The gas chambers and crematoria can be seen in the background. AUSCHWITZ AND THE EXTERMINATION OF JEWS

In 1942, the camp was given of their age, sex, profession, citizen- These included the ill, the elderly, a second role – it became the centre ship, or political convictions. After pregnant women, and children. These of extermination for European Jews. selection most of the new arrivals were never recorded in the camp as The only reason that they died was classed by SS doctors as unfit for work they were never registered and given because they were Jews, irrespective were murdered in the gas chambers. numbers. Photo: SS Photo: Ryszard Domasik Photo: Ryszard

An empty Cyclone B canister and clods of diatomaceous earth The furnace hall area in the Gas Chamber and Crematorium No. II building in Birkenau. from which gas was released.

- 9 - IN MAY AND JUNE 1944 THE NAZIS DEPORTED TO AUSCHWITZ ALMOST 440,000 JEWS FROM HUNGARY. DURING THIS PERIOD GERMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS TOOK ALMOST 200 PHOTOGRAPHS AT AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU. THESE PHOTOGRAPHS INCLUDE IMAGES OF THE SS CARRYING OUT SELECTIONS ON NEW ARRIVALS, PEOPLE GOING TO THE GAS CHAMBERS OR AWAITING DEATH, AS WELL AS THE SORTING OF THINGS WHICH BELONGED TO THE MURDERED.

- 10 - COUNTRYa LIST OF JEWS TRANSPORTED TO AUSCHWITZ Hungary 438,000b Poland 300,000 France 69,000 Holland 60,000 Greece 55,000 Bohemia and Moravia – Theresienstadt 46,000 Slovakia 27,000b Belgium 25,000 Germany and Austria 23,000 Yugoslavia 10,000 Italy 7,500 Latvia 1,000 Norway 690 Concentration camps and unknown locations 34,000 Total: 1,100,000 a pre-war borders Prepared by Franciszek Piper b borders during the war

- 11 - LIBERATION

Towards the end of 1944, in the ated between 17 and 21 January face of the Red Army offensive, the 1945, deep into the Third Reich. camp authorities decided to cover At this time, Soviet soldiers were up all traces of crime. Documents just 60 kilometres from the camp, were destroyed, some buildings liberating Cracow. About 7,000 pris- were demolished, whilst others were oners, left behind by the Germans, burnt or blown up. Those prisoners were liberated by the Red Army on capable of marching were evacu- 27 January 1945.

VICTIMS OF KL AUSCHWITZ (MINIMUM DATA)

No. No. Nationality No. registered of deportees murdered

Jews 1.1 million 200,000 1 million

The photograph was taken illegally by the Sonderkommando in the summer of 1944 illegally by the Sonderkommando The photograph was taken movement. resistance and smuggled out of the camp by Polish Birkenau. The corpses of Jews gassed to death.

They were later burnt in the open air. Poles 140,000 -150,000 140,000 70,000 -75,000 Romanies 23,000 23,000 21,000 (Gypsies) Soviet 15,000 12,000 14,000 POWs

Others 25,000 25,000 10,000 -15,000 Total Approx. 1.3 million Approx. 400,000 Approx. 1.1 million Prepared by Franciszek Piper

Apart from Jews, Poles, Roma- ans, 1,500 Russians, 800 Slovenians, by Soviet cameramen. nies and Soviet POWs the Nazis also 600 Ukrainians; smaller numbers of sent the following minimum num- prisoners (ranging between a handful bers of prisoners to the camp: 7,000 and a few hundred) were sent to the

A scene from a film shot after liberation A scene from Czechs, 6,000 Byelorussians, 4,000 camp from virtually every country in French, 2,500 Germans and Austri- Europe.

Liberated prisoners leaving Birkenau. by Soviet cameramen. A scene from a film shot after liberation A scene from Amongst the 7,000 Auschwitz prisoners liberated on 27 January 1945 there were more than 500 children.

- 12 - ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL A scene from a film shot after liberation A scene from by Soviet cameramen. BEGINNINGS Mass grave of Nazi victims uncovered after the liberation of the camp. A few months after the end of the Prior to the official opening of the war and the liberation of the Nazi Museum, former prisoners prepared camps, a group of former Polish pris- an exhibition on its premises. The oners started publicly propagating the exhibition opened on 14 June 1947. idea of commemorating the victims of About 50,000 people participated Auschwitz. As soon as it was possible, in the opening ceremony, includ- a number of them arrived at the former ing former prisoners, relatives of the camp in order to protect the remaining murdered, pilgrims from almost every buildings and ruins. They organized the corner of Poland, official Polish dele- so-called Auschwitz Permanent Protec- gates, representatives of the Supreme tion Scheme and looked after the thou- Commission for the Investigation of sands who came flooding in soon after Nazi Crimes, the Central Jewish His- the end of the war in order to search torical Committee, and delegates from for traces of close ones, to pray, and to the British, Czechoslovak and French A scene from a film shot after liberation A scene from by Soviet cameramen. pay homage to those murdered. Embassies Funeral of those who died in the last few days of the camp.

CALLED INTO BEING THE MUSEUM WAS CALLED On 2 July 1947, the Polish Parlia- the Oświęcim-Brzezinka State Museum. INTO BEING IN JULY 1947. ment passed an Act on the preserva- This name was changed in 1999 into IT COMPRISES THE TWO tion “for All Time of the Site of the the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum FORMER CONCENTRATION Former Camp” and called into being in Oświęcim. CAMPS: AUSCHWITZ I AND AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU, MUSEUM OR MEMORIAL? WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 191 HECTARES. IN 1979 IN KEEPING WITH THE ACT PASSED BY THE POLISH PARLIAMENT IN 1947, THE TASK OF THE MUSEUM WAS TO SAFEGUARD THE FORMER CAMP, ITS BUILDING ON POLISH APPLICATION, AND ENVIRONS, TO GATHER EVIDENCE AND MATERIALS CONCERNING GER- THE AREA OF THE FORMER MAN ATROCITIES COMMITTED AT AUSCHWITZ, TO SUBJECT THEM TO SCIENTIFIC SCRUTINY AND TO MAKE THEM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. CAMP WAS ENTERED ONTO THE DESPITE THIS, THERE IS STILL MUCH DEBATE AMONGST FORMER PRISONERS, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST. MUSEUM EXPERTS, CONSERVATIONISTS, HISTORIANS, TEACHERS AND THE MASS MEDIA ON HOW TO ORGANIZE, MANAGE AND DEVELOP THE MUSEUM. EVEN BEFORE THE MUSEUM WAS OPENED, PEOPLE WONDERED WHETHER IT SHOULD LIMIT ITSELF TO RECONSTRUCTING HISTORY, OR RATHER EXPLAINING Shoes of those who died in AND CLARIFYING THE PRINCIPAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE CRIMINAL SY- Auschwitz, found after liberation STEM. VIEWS ON THE MATTER DIFFERED RADICALLY: SOME BELIEVED THAT THE (fragment of the exhibition). SITE SHOULD BE PLOUGHED OVER, OTHERS DEMANDED THAT EVERY SINGLE OB- JECT BE RETAINED AND PROTECTED. THE VERY WORD “MUSEUM” IS ALSO A TOPIC FOR DEBATE. NOT EVERYONE AC- CEPTS THE NAME “AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM”. SOME BELIEVE THAT THE FORMER CAMP IS A CEMETERY, OTHERS THAT IT IS A PLACE OF MEMORY, A MONUMENT, OTHERS STILL REGARD IT AS A MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, A RESE- ARCH AND EDUCATION CENTRE ON THOSE WHO WERE KILLED. THE MUSEUM Zieliński Photo: Wiesław IN FACT FULFILS ALL OF THESE FUNCTIONS, AS THEY DO NOT CANCEL OUT, BUT RATHER COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER.

- 13 - MUSEUM SURFACE AREA

The Museum comprises two parts every item of equipment used for the camp. Some structures were disman- of the KL Auschwitz complex – the mass murder of Jews. It also included tled or destroyed in 1944 and Janu- main camp (Auschwitz I) in Oświęcim more than 150 different types of origi- ary 1945, when the camp was being and the Birkenau camp (Auschwitz II) nal camp structures, such as blocks, closed down and the SS were covering in Brzezinka. prisoner barracks, latrines, camp ad- up their crimes. Some of the wooden The actual surface area of the Mu- ministrative and management build- barracks were dismantled after libera- seum and how much it should cover ings, SS guardhouses, buildings for the tion. caused heated discussion in Poland in intake of new prisoners, watchtowers, In 2002, the Museum extended the latter half of the 1940s. Various camp gates, several kilometres of camp the site to include the location of the Auschwitz sub-camps were located doz- fencing and in-camp roads, as well as first gas chamber in Birkenau, the so- ens of kilometres from the main camp. the rail ramp in Birkenau. The Museum called Little Red House. In 2004 it fur- It was finally decided to place under also includes a mass grave of hundreds ther included the so-called Old Theatre protection Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II- of prisoners, who died before the Red building (where the camp stores were -Birkenau, covering 191 hectares of Army marched in or who died after the located during the war) and the sur- land. camp had been liberated. rounding area (the former Gravel Pit, Finally established, the Museum A large number of structures were the location of inhumane labour and occupied an area that included almost destroyed before the liberation of the the site of frequent executions).

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The Museum is run under the au- Lauder Foundation the Museum was private individuals has facilitated con- thority of the Polish Ministry of Culture able to open its professional conserva- servation work on a selection of items and National Heritage and is supported tion workshops. Support offered by requiring repair and projects commem- by Poland. It was only in the 1990s that Germany, other states, a number of as- orating victims. international financial support started sociations – including the French Fonda- 2008 saw the founding of the Ausch- coming in: thanks to the Ronald S. tion pour la Mémoire de la Shoah – and witz-Birkenau Foundation. The objec- tive of the Foundation is to guarantee resources for the conservation of the Contemporary aerial photograph of the former Auschwitz I camp. Museum and Memorial so as to permit future generations visiting the remains of Auschwitz to witness with their own eyes this place of crimes perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II. It will be possible to carry out the

Photo: Wojciech Gorgolewski Photo: Wojciech above objective thanks to the special establishment of the Perpetual Fund which should amount to 120 million euros. By gathering this amount at one time it will be possible to maintain the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Me- morial for future generations. These re- sources will constitute an inviolable and secure deposit of capital, whilst profits will permit necessary conservation work to be carried out each year. It will be possible to embark on a comprehensive

- 14 - conservation programme on the follow- spread over an area of 200 hectares, ing as well as other post-camp elements ing post-camp remains: 155 structures 300 ruins (including the ruins of gas of infrastructure, archive documents and (including barracks and watch towers) chambers), kilometres of road and fenc- objects comprising the collections.

INTERNATIONAL AUSCHWITZ COUNCIL

In 1990, the Polish Minister of mented on in Poland and abroad (for Ministers in matters concerning the Culture and Art called into being example the proposed construction of conservation and management of not the International Council of the Mu- the supermarket, the Carmelite Con- only the former concentration camp seum. The Council comprises former vent and the crosses on the Gravel at Auschwitz, but also of other Monu- KL Auschwitz prisoners, historians, Pit). ments of Extermination throughout and experts from various countries. In 2000, the Prime Minister of Poland. The Council acts as an advisory and Poland announced the creation of In 2006 a new Council was ap- opinion-making body. The Museum the International Auschwitz Council pointed, comprising members from consults the Council on important whose term lasts 6 years, and which France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, decisions concerning the functioning took over from the previous Council. Poland, Ukraine and the USA. Once of the Memorial and on controver- The role of this Council was different again, Professor Władysław Bartosze- sial matters not directly relating to in that it became the opinion-making wski, a former Auschwitz prisoner, was the Museum itself, but widely com- and advisory body of the Council of appointed Chairman of the Council.

PROGRAMME COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION ABOUT AUSCHWITZ AND THE HOLOCAUST

In 2005 the Polish Minister of Cul- Holocaust which was established in younger generation about Auschwitz ture called into being the Programme the same year as part of the Museum. and the Holocaust and maintaining the Council of the International Centre for The Council supports the Centre which memory of those who died. Education about Auschwitz and the mainly concentrates on informing the Contemporary aerial photograph of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. Photo: Wojciech Gorgolewski Photo: Wojciech

- 15 - MUSEUM ACTIVITIES

THE STATUTORY DUTIES OF THE MUSEUM ARE TO GATHER, STORE AND PRESERVE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS AND STRUCTURES, TO PREPARE THEM AND TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE.

Following liberation, thousands of ings and graphics produced by former objects belonging to Jews deported for prisoners in the immediate years after extermination were found in the camp liberation. These works show scenes of and its environs, including suitcases camp life and are like a report drawn (some bearing names and addresses up by those who survived. The majori- of those murdered), Jewish prayer ty of works were painted by artists who shawls, artificial limbs, glasses, shoes were engaged in establishing the Mu- etc. Currently, these objects constitute seum and who were its first designers. a fundamental part of the Museum’s In addition, the Museum gathers

The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Collection. The Auschwitz-Birkenau collections. Many of these objects can Nazi documents and materials gener- Franciszek Jaźwiecki, Self-portrait. be seen in camp blocks at Auschwitz I, ated during the existence of the camp where there is also a general exhibition (including those produced by the resist- depicting the history of events at the ance movement in the camp and in its camp. vicinity), as well as post-war materials. Museum exhibits include docu- These include accounts and testimonies ments, photographs, and works of art of former prisoners, as well as state- – some prepared illegally by prisoners ments made during the trials of Nazis during the camp’s existence, and some in a variety of countries. There is also after liberation. Of considerable im- a rich collection of world literature on Suitcases, the property of Jews portance is the rich collection of paint- KL Auschwitz and the Nazis. deported to Auschwitz. Photo: Magda Emilewicz-Pióro yszard Domasik yszard Photo: R The Collections Section contains almost 6,000 works of art, of which 2,000 were made during the war at the camp by Auschwitz prisoners.

- 16 - COLLECTIONS

The Collections Section mainly gath- - 570 items of camp clothing, the so- ers and stores camp-related items as called “striped” clothing of concen- well as objects stolen from deportees tration camp prisoners; and the murdered, found in the camp - 260 items of civilian clothes; or near it after liberation. In addition, - 260 prayer shawls (talliths); the Museum receives exhibits in the - 40 m3 of melted metal objects from form of gifts and donations. the “Canada” warehouses in Birkenau The Museum collections include: (where items stolen from the victims Photo: Henryk Makarewicz - more than 80,000 shoes belonging to of mass extermination were kept); Burning camp stores, deported civilians; - 6,000 pieces of art (including approx. set on fire in January 1945 by - approx. 3,800 suitcases, of which 2,000 items made by prisoners in the Germans retreating under attack from 2100 are labelled; concentration camp). the Soviet army. Despite their efforts - approx. 12,000 pots; The Museum also houses almost two the Nazis were not able to destroy all - approx. 40 kg of spectacles; tons of human hair shaven from women the evidence of crimes committed - 460 artificial limbs; deported to the camp. in Auschwitz.

ARCHIVES

THE ARCHIVES INCLUDE SURVIVING CAMP DOCUMENTS, AROUND 39,000 NEGATIVES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEWLY ARRIVED PRISONERS, AND ALMOST 2,500 FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS BROUGHT TO AUSCHWITZ BY JEWS, MAINLY FROM THE BĘDZIN AND SOSNOWIEC GHETTOS.

The Archives contain original camp tation of Jews from Hungary in 1944, documents of German origin, copies a number of photographs taken ille- of documents obtained from Polish gally by members of the Sonderkom- and foreign institutes, case documents mando near the gas chambers of Birk- concerning Nazi perpetrators, wartime enau, around 500 photographs of documents generated by the resistance different structures and KL Auschwitz movement in the camp and in its vicin- taken by the SS when the camp was ity, post-war source materials (mem- still operating, almost 2,500 fam- oirs and accounts of former prison- ily photographs brought by persons ers and other persons), photographs, deported to Auschwitz (mainly by microfilms, negatives, documentaries Jews from the Będzin and Sosnowiec State Museum Archives Auschwitz-Birkenau and archival films, studies, reviews, Ghettos), several dozen aerial view List of prisoners who arrived at the camp papers, exhibition and film scenarios, photographs of the camp area taken in Auschwitz on 26 September 1941. and inquiries. by American pilots in 1944, as well as photographs taken after liberation by - 248 volumes of documents of the The present collection includes the fol- Museum employees and other per- Central Construction Board of the lowing items sons; Waffen SS and Police in Auschwitz - about 39,000 negatives of photo- - camp documents and documents (Zentralbauleitung der Waffen SS graphs of newly arrived prisoners, related to the camp, including: und Polizei Auschwitz), containing taken by the camp authorities prior - 48 camp volumes of “Death technical and design documents to the introduction of tattooing as Books”, containing almost 70,000 referring to the building and ex- a means of identifying prisoners; death certificates of those who pansion of the camp, its infrastruc- - about 200 photographs taken by died or were murdered in Ausch- ture and reconstruction plans con- the SS in Birkenau during the depor- witz; cerning the town of Oświęcim;

- 17 - - 64 volumes of SS Hygiene Institute more than 30,000 pages; documents; - 251 volumes of “Recollections”, - 16 volumes of personal data docu- containing more than 1,400 recollec- ments on prisoners; tions of former concentration camp - 8,000 letters and postcards sent prisoners, forced labour workers and out from the camp by prisoners; inhabitants of the Oświęcim region - around 800,000 microfilm stills etc., totalling more than 45,000 (mainly copies of camp documents pages; Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Archives Auschwitz-Birkenau or documents obtained from other - 78 volumes of trial documents sources); concerning the camp Commandant - more than 2,000 sound recordings Rudolf Höss and KL Auschwitz per- containing accounts and testimonies sonnel, totalling more than 16,000 of former prisoners; pages; - more than 1,000 video cassettes - 192 volumes of “Questionnaires” about the camp and the war; filled in by former prisoners, approx. - around 130 short and feature 20,000 pages; films (film reels) about the camp - 27 volumes of topic question- and the war; naires, filled in by former prisoners, - 161 volumes of “Statements”, con- approx. 8,000 pages; taining more than 3,500 statements of - 7 volumes of documents and recol- former concentration camp prisoners, lections concerning the evacuation forced labour workers and inhabitants of KL Auschwitz prisoners in 1945, The Archives include original camp of the Oświęcim region etc., totalling more than 1,000 pages. documents: (from the top) registration card of a Polish prisoner arrested for activities in the resistance movement; fragment of a dead prisoner register from the so-called Auschwitz Daily Prisoner Count Books (Stärkebücher). CONTACT WITH FORMER PRISONERS

GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT FORMER PRISONERS

The Former Prisoners Relations Sec- Fragment of a secret message, dated tion establishes and maintains contact 4 September 1944, addressed to with former prisoners; it also gathers the Polish resistance movement in Cracow, and draws up documentation about in which the authors – Józef Cyrankiewicz Archiwum Państwowego Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau Państwowego Archiwum them. Section employees also prepare and Stanisław Kłodziński – inform about surname and number lists of former “gas campaign” photographs being sent and prisoners on the basis of post-war ar- the possibility of taking more photographs. chive materials (accounts, recollections, testimonies etc.). In addition, they note down the accounts of former prisoners and persons involved in helping camp prisoners; they carry out preliminary archival inspections, R & D and educa- tional activities. Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Archives State Museum Archives Auschwitz-Birkenau

- 18 - INFORMATION ABOUT FORMER PRISONERS

It is possible to obtain informa- concerning a vast number of Ausch- tion about former KL Auschwitz pris- witz victims – most of the documen- oners. Information can be obtained tation was destroyed by the Germans personally or by letter by contacting before the liberation of the camp and the Former Prisoners Information Of- the majority of those deported were State Museum Archives Auschwitz-Birkenau fice. Office employees answer with never registered. This mainly con- the support of surviving camp docu- cerns Jews directed by the SS during ments. Unfortunately, there are vir- selection to the gas chambers imme- After the war wartime notes were found tually no traces left in written form diately on arrival at the camp. at the camp by Sonderkommando Jewish prisoners, forced to incinerate in the crematoria the corpses of those DIGITAL REPOSITORY murdered. Apart from prisoner statements these documents constitute important proof The setting up of a KL Auschwitz more than half a million entries with of Nazi crimes. The photograph depicts prisoner database is of fundamental information from 56 camp document a handwritten fragment by an unknown importance in commemorating those collections. Electronic storage offers author. Written in Yiddish the manuscript was dug up near the ruins of Gas Chamber who were imprisoned and murdered quick access to information and per- No. III in 1952. It includes a description of at the camp. Currently, the constantly mits the analysis of source material the extermination process of Jews in the gas developed digital databases contain on the computer screen. chambers.

LIBRARY The Digital Repository Team generates digital The library collection reflects the cals. The Special Collection comprises databases about KL Auschwitz prisoners and overall character of the Museum. books and periodicals published in deportees. The Library mainly contains publica- the Third Reich. tions on World War II, the Holocaust, prisons and concentration camps with particular emphasis on KL Auschwitz, anti-Semitism and racism. a consider- able part of the collection, compris- ing more than 30 thousand volumes, includes publications on the World War II resistance movement, the histo- ry of the Third Reich, and neo-Nazism. There is also an abundant collection of books on the history and traditions of the Jewish nation. Apart from documentary litera- ture and research works the library collection also contains belles-lettres (memoirs, novels, short stories, poet- ry, and drama), maps, atlases, ency- clopaedias, dictionaries and periodi-

- 19 - PRESERVING THE COLLECTIONS AND MUSEUM STRUCTURES

THE CONSERVATION SECTION IS IN CHARGE OF MORE THAN 150 STRUCTURES, AROUND 300 RUINS, INCLUDING THE REMAINS OF THE FOUR GAS CHAMBERS AND CREMATORIA IN BIRKENAU, MORE THAN 13 KM OF FENCING WITH 3,600 CONCRETE POSTS, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT.

The Conservation Section is in ditches, railway tracks with sidings and 4,000 items of post-camp works of art, charge of more than 150 structures unloading ramps, two camp sewage- which are successively restored. (e.g. blocks, barracks, camp buildings), treatment plants, and fire service and Cooperation with higher institutes around 300 ruins and camp traces, in- water tanks etc. Furthermore, low-ly- of education (The Nicolaus Coperni- cluding of particular historical signifi- ing vegetation, historical and post-war cus University in Toruń, The Academies cance for the history of Auschwitz – the wooded areas (including about 20 hec- of Fine Art in Cracow and Warsaw, ruins of four gas chambers and crema- tares of forest) are protected and man- Fachhochschule in Cologne, Germany, toria in Birkenau, more than 13 km of aged on a permanent basis. The Silesian University of Technology, fencing with 3,600 concrete posts, and Conservation work is also carried The Kielce University of Technology, a wide variety of additional items of out on archived documents, objects of Warsaw Agricultural University) per- equipment. In an area covering almost everyday use, photographs and works mits the elaboration of innovative res- 200 hectares, there are many kilome- of art. The Museum contains about toration projects and the organization tres of hard-surface roads, drainage 2,000 works of camp art and about of student practical training. CONSERVATION STUDIO

The Conservation Studio, opened parts of the crematoria in Birkenau; in 2002, is one of the most mod- conservation of the gynaecological ern and best equipped preservation chair from the research laboratory of studios in the country. The Studio the German doctor Clauberg, dozens has already carried out a number of of suitcases, drawings, graphics and important tasks. These include the pictures, some of which can now be cleaning and safeguarding of more viewed at exhibitions in Poland and than 80,000 shoes, confiscated by abroad. Some original documents the SS from Auschwitz deportees; housed in the Museum Archives were conservation of the remaining metal also preserved. Photo: Ryszard Domasik Photo: Ryszard One of the camp watch towers. The Preservation Studio protects RESEARCH AND WORK and preserves the site, as well as post-camp structures. ON THE HISTORY OF AUSCHWITZ Historians at the Museum carry unknown areas concerning specific out research on the history of the parts of the camp and SS structures camp in Auschwitz. Currently they are related to Auschwitz; working on three topics: – a source publication on the history – identifying victims; of Auschwitz. – exploring the hitherto relatively Conservation work carried out at one of the barracks at Birkenau. Conservation Laboratory. Photo: Mieczysław Stec Photo: Nel Jastrzębiowska

- 20 - Research was begun in the mid- transports and camp fatalities but also – 1950s. At first, publications concen- wherever possible – attempts were made trated on basic historical sources about to establish the identities of victims. the camp, prisoner recollections and a similar approach was adopted in the topics relating to Auschwitz. One of the case of a collective work entitled Ludzie first important works, written by Danuta dobrej woli. Księga Pamięci mieszkańców Czech, was Kalendarz wydarzeń w obo- Ziemi Oświęcimskiej niosących pomoc zie koncentracyjnym Oświęcim-Brzezinka więźniom KL Auschwitz [People of Good (Auschwitz Chronicle). This work, re- Will: Memorial Book of Oświęcim Land vised and supplemented, was published Residents Who Aided Auschwitz Con- independently in Germany in 1989 and centration Camp Prisoners] (ed. Henryk later in Poland (1992) and the United Świebocki), and two albums: a compila- States (1997). tion entitled Zanim odeszli (Before They Perished) dedicated to Jews from Będzin, In the latter half of the 1960s and and a work by Helena Kubica dedicat- One of the most important works on the in the 1970s, research focused on ed to children entitled Nie wolno o nich history of KL Auschwitz is Kalendarz wydarzeń KL Auschwitz sub-camps, the resistance zapomnieć. Najmłodsze ofiary KL Ausch- w KL Auschwitz (Auschwitz Chronicle) by movement at the camp and the camp witz (We Should Never Forget Them: the Danuta Czech, Museum historian. at Birkenau. At the same time research Youngest Victims of Auschwitz). concentrated on other fields, such as the employment of KL Auschwitz prisoners Other important topics researched (Franciszek Piper), and the evacuation, by Museum historians include: the death liquidation and liberation of the camp toll at KL Auschwitz (Franciszek Piper), (Andrzej Strzelecki). KL Auschwitz escapee reports (Henryk In later years, research shifted to new- Świebocki), the resistance movement er fields such as the general history of the in the camp and its vicinity (Henryk camp, but also to more specific topics. Świebocki), plundering the property of This research resulted in an abundance victims (Andrzej Strzelecki), Buna sub- of publications: Księgi zgonów z Auschwitz camp and the history of IG Farbenin- (Auschwitz Death Books), Księga Pamięci. dustrie (Piotr Setkiewicz), criminal medi- Cyganie w obozie koncentracyjnym Ausch- cal experiments (Irena Strzelecka), the witz-Birkenau (Memorial Book: Gypsies history of specific sections of the camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau) and three inde- (Irena Strzelecka), the fate of Jews de- pendent Memorial Books, dedicated to ported from Łódź Ghetto to KL Auschwitz Poles: Księga Pamięci. Transporty Polaków (Andrzej Strzelecki), the extermination z Warszawy do KL Auschwitz 1940-1944 in Auschwitz of Poles expelled from the (Memorial Book: the Transports of Poles Zamość Region in 1942-1943 (Helena from Warsaw to KL Auschwitz 1940- Kubica), the fate of Gypsies (Roma- 1944), Księga Pamięci. Transporty Po- nies) in Nazi occupied Europe and their laków do KL Auschwitz z Krakowa i innych extermination in Auschwitz (Wacław miejscowości Polski południowej 1940-1944 Długoborski), Jehovah’s Witnesses at KL Auschwitz (Teresa Wontor-Cichy), and (Memorial Book: the Transports of Poles After many years of research the historian the biographies of resistance movement to KL Auschwitz from Cracow and Other Helena Kubica publishes her album, members, including the figure of Cavalry Parts of Southern Poland 1940-1944) and entitled: Nie wolno o nich zapomnieć Captain Witold Pilecki and Second Lieu- Księga Pamięci. Transporty Polaków do KL (We Should Never Forget Them), tenant Stefan Jasieński (Adam Cyra). Auschwitz z Radomia i innych miejscowości dedicated to the memory of children Kielecczyzny 1940-1944 (Memorial Book: The fruit of many years of research deported to KL Auschwitz. the Transports of Poles to KL Auschwitz at the Museum was the comprehensive The majority of them were murdered by from Radom and other Parts of the Kielce five-volume publication, available in the Nazis upon arrival at the camp. Region 1940-1944). a number of languages, entitled Ausch- In the Memorial Books analysis was witz 1940-1945: Central Issues in the His- carried out not only on the number of tory of the Camp.

- 21 - EXHIBITIONS

Photo: Lidia Foryciarz AND MEMORY

SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF THE MUSEUM THE ORIGINAL AREA INCLUDING THE BUILDINGS, RUINS AND TRACES OF THE HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE POINT AT THE UNIQUENESS OF THE PLACE. IT CONTAINS AREAS WITH HUMAN ASH, THE RUINS OF GAS CHAMBERS AND CREMATORIA, Photographs of Jews deported to Auschwitz, PLACES WERE SS DOCTORS CARRIED OUT SELECTIONS, found at the camp after liberation. THE ROUTES ALONG WHICH PEOPLE WERE LED TO THE GAS CHAMBERS, Fragment of the exhibition in the building PLACES WHERE ENTIRE FAMILIES AWAITED DEATH, containing the former baths at Birkenau. PLACES OF PRISONER MUTINY AND PLACES OF EXECUTIONS.

THE MAIN EXHIBITION AT FORMER KL AUSCHWITZ I

In 1947, the first permanent exhi- The exhibition depicts the two basic bition was opened in the former prison functions of KL Auschwitz: the concen- blocks of Auschwitz I. In 1955 it was tration camp for prisoners of various Photo: Ryszard Domasik Photo: Ryszard replaced by a new exhibition which nationalities and the largest centre continues to exist with only minor for the mass extermination of Euro- changes. pean Jews.

THE CONCENTRATION CAMP

The Museum exhibits one of the most shocking – the exhibition shows the living This Block also contains exhibitions images of crime – almost 2 tons conditions offered to Auschwitz prison- dedicated to the resistance movement of hair shaven from victims. ers, who died in the camp as a result of at the camp, punishments and execu- torturous hard labour, hunger, disease, tions as well as the fate of the police experiments, executions and a range prisoners. In the punishment cells lo- of punishments and torture. It is here cated in the cellar, the SS put prison- that the photographs of prisoners who ers who were found guilty of violating died in the camp, documents, and the camp regulations. In 1941, those works of art depicting life at the camp sentenced to death by starvation were can also be seen. The Block which has put there. In the cellar of this Block been opened to the public and which the Polish monk Maksymilian Maria

Photo: Stanisław Momot served as a camp arrest area depicts Kolbe died. It was he who exchanged the original rooms and cells, where places to save a prisoner, putting him- prisoners were held as well as others self in the group of those sentenced to from outside the camp, arrested for death by starvation. In the basement attempting to help the imprisoned. of this building in the autumn of 1941 Some of the walls, doors and window the SS carried out the first attempt of Gas Chamber No. I at Auschwitz I. sills contain drawings and inscriptions mass killing of people by means of Cy- Its present appearance. dating back to the time of the camp. clone B gas.

- 22 - CENTRE FOR THE MASS EXTERMINATION OF EUROPEAN JEWS

– the exhibition illustrates the ter liberation and include talliths, extermination process, starting with spectacles, suitcases with names and the arrival of Jews on the unloading addresses of victims, shoes, artificial ramp, through selection by SS doctors limbs, children’s clothes, bowls and and death in the gas chambers. One other items. These objects are just of the most shocking examples of a small part of the belongings which these crimes is almost 2 tons of hair the German camp authorities did not Mensfelt Photo: Jarko cut from the heads of victims. Equally manage to send deep into the Third Birkenau. The ruins of Gas Chamber moving are the original belongings Reich or destroy before the evacua- and Crematorium No. III. of deportees. These were found af- tion of Auschwitz. COMMEMORATING BIRKENAU

IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF AUSCHWITZ VICTIMS WERE MURDERED IN BIRKENAU, IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO CREATE A MUSEUM EXHIBITION THERE AND TO LEAVE THE AREA UNTOUCHED.

The only existing exhibition at Birk- nected with the history of deportation enau was opened in 2001 in the so- and extermination, were commemo- called Sauna building. It was here that rated: new camp arrivals were registered and – the location of the first gas chamber, disinfected. One can learn about the started up by the Germans in the function and history of these premises spring of 1942, in the vicinity of the Mensfelt Photo: Jarko Birkenau. A memorial plaque by walking from one room to the next camp at Birkenau, known as the Lit- at the ramp, where trains stopped in exactly the same order as once the tle Red House; with camp deportees. In the foreground victims were forced to do. The final – the siding located between Auschwitz German wartime photographs. room contains about 2,000 photo- and Birkenau (the so-called Juden- graphs, found after the liberation of rampe), where between the spring the camp. These were brought by Jews of 1942 and May 1944 transports deported to Auschwitz. with deported Jews, Poles and Rom- Birkenau contains a monument anies arrived. At the Judenrampe the commemorating camp victims. newly-arrived Jews were subjected In 2005 two tragic locations, con- to selections by SS doctors. NATIONAL EXHIBITIONS The former Auschwitz I camp also The first such exhibition was organ- contains other permanent exhibitions, ized in 1960. Over the decades, some Domasik Photo: Ryszard the so-called national exhibitions, set of the exhibitions were closed down, up initially by former prisoners from some were partly or entirely modified, a number of countries and associated and new ones were mounted. These under the International Auschwitz Com- exhibitions are the work of teams of mittee. The purpose of these exhibitions specialists, appointed by various coun- is to spread knowledge about Nazi oc- tries whose citizens fell victim at Ausch- cupation of the countries from which witz. They are prepared in cooperation people were deported to Auschwitz and with the Museum and approved by the The Wall of Death where the Nazis executed to present the fate of the citizens. International Auschwitz Council. thousands of people by shooting.

- 23 - At present, the following exhibitions are open to the public: - “The Martyrdom, Struggle and Extermination of Jews in 1933-1945”; - “The Struggle and Martyrdom of the Polish Nation, 1939-1945”; - “Extermination of European Roma”; - “The Tragedy of Slovak Jews”; Photo: Wiesław Zieliński Photo: Wiesław - “Prisoners from Bohemia at Auschwitz”; - “The Citizen Betrayed. To the Memory of Holocaust Victims from Hungary”; - “People Deported from France to Auschwitz”; - “Belgium 1940-1944. Occupation and Deportation to KL Auschwitz”; - “Persecution and Deportation of Jews from Holland in 1940-1945”; - as well as exhibitions prepared by the following countries: Austria, Italy, Russia (presently being amended) and Yugoslavia.

Fragment of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. Barracks in TEMPORARY the quarantine section and the remnants of other prisoner barracks can be seen. AND TOURING EXHIBITIONS

In its more than 60-year history also been presented in e.g. Austria, the Museum has organized almost (former) Czechoslovakia, Germany, 300 temporary and touring exhibi- Great Britain, Netherlands, Hungary, tions. These have been visited by Israel, Italy, Japan, (former) Soviet more than 15 million people. Apart Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and the

Photo: Jarko Mensfelt Photo: Jarko from Poland the exhibitions have USA. PUBLISHING

THE PUBLISHING HOUSE HAS PRINTED HUNDREDS OF ITEMS WITH A TOTAL PRINT RUN OF AROUND 8 MILLION. Fragment of the exhibition entitled: “The Citizen Betrayed. To the Memory of The main aim of the Publishers The research periodical Zeszyty Holocaust Victims from Hungary”. is to commemorate camp victims, to Oświęcimskie (published in Polish and document the Holocaust and the crimes German) has been published since perpetrated in the camp by the Nazis 1957. The publication contains find- and to widely circulate topics relating to ings of Museum research staff and Auschwitz. other researchers on aspects of camp Publications are in a number of lan- history. Photo: Tomasz Pielesz Photo: Tomasz guages and they include academic and The information bulletin PRO ME- popular research, belles-lettres, mem- MORIA has been published since 1994. oirs, albums, catalogues, guidebooks, The purpose of the periodical is to offer poetry, posters and documentaries on comprehensive information on Muse- the history of the camp. um activities from a research, political, The most important publications in- and social point of view. As opposed clude the Kalendarz wydarzeń w KL Ausch- to the academic character of Zeszyty witz (Auschwitz Chronicle) by Danuta Oświęcimskie, the bulletin targets as Czech and a five-volume joint history of wide a readership as possible: from re- The main objective of the Publishers the camp entitled Auschwitz 1940-1945. searchers to high school students. is to pay homage to those who died Węzłowe zagadnienia z dziejów KL Ausch- All of the above publications at the camp, to document the Holocaust, witz (Auschwitz 1940-1945: Central Is- can be bought on site in the sales the atrocities committed by sues in the History of the Camp). This points, located on Museum premises. the Nazis and to disseminate information key work on the history of KL Auschwitz They can also be purchased online about Auschwitz. is published in a number of languages. (www.auschwitz.org.pl).

- 24 - VISITOR NUMBERS IN 2009 INTERNET ACCORDING TO CONTINENT The Museum’s website (www. auschwitz.org.pl) allows visitors to ac- quaint themselves with the history of KL Auschwitz and gives access to achieve materials containing the names of al- most 100,000 prisoners murdered at Europe with Russia and Israel 1.150.000 KL Auschwitz. The Museum can also North America 60.000 be contacted via e-mail (muzeum@ Asia (without Russia and Israel) auschwitz.org.pl). The website may also 65.000 Africa be used to prepare visits – it contains 2.000 useful information on how to get to the South Museum, prices, booking a guide and America 3.000 accommodation in Oświęcim. Australia and Oceania The website also contains informa- 15.000 tion on the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust and the things that the Cen- tre offers. Additionally, there is access to information on the most important events at the Memorial, the structure For a number of years now the former camp of the Museum and the way its various has been visited each year by a million sections function. There is also a gallery people from all over the world. of old and modern photographs. EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION ABOUT AUSCHWITZ AND THE HOLOCAUST (ICEAH) The website is visited by hundreds of thousands from all over the world, THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION ABOUT AUSCHWITZ interested in learning more about AND THE HOLOCAUST (ICEAH) ORGANIZES POST-GRADUATE STUDIES, the history of Auschwitz. SEMINARS, SPECIAL TOPIC CONFERENCES, STUDY TOURS AND TRAVEL, WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIA FOR TEACHERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE FROM The Centre of Education is actively POLAND AND ABROAD. LECTURES AND CLASSES ARE GIVEN BY MUSEUM interested in the younger generation. RESEARCH STAFF AND TUTORS AT HIGHER INSTITUTES OF EDUCATION. Pupils from Moscow at an exhibition THE CENTRE ALSO HELPS IN THE ORGANIZATION OF VISITS. dedicated to the Romanies.

On 27 January 2005 during the people and teachers from Poland and 60th Anniversary of the liberation of abroad, as well as with Polish and for- KL Auschwitz several hundred former eign research institutes. prisoners singed the founding act of As part of its educational activities the International Centre of Education the Centre organizes lectures, talks, les-

for Auschwitz and the Holocaust, of- sons at the Museum, workshops, con- Photo: School No. 653 in Moscow ficially called into being by the Polish ferences for teachers, symposia, the Minister of Culture in May 2005. screening of films, drawing competi- One of the basic activities of the tions, and essay competitions for the Centre involves cooperation with young best piece of writing about the camp.

- 25 - THE ICEAH ORGANIZES: – POST-DIPLOMA STUDIES concepts of racism, anti-Semitism and – SPECIAL TOPIC CONFERENCES Tri-semester post-graduate studies intolerance. It considers crucial aspects One-day special topic conferences for teachers, recognized by the educa- of World War II and its impact; it con- are dedicated to the most important tional authorities, are organized jointly siders the culture of the Jewish nation events in the history of KL Auschwitz. with the Academy of Pedagogics. An and its role in literature, art and phi- These are designed for teachers who interdisciplinary approach is adopted losophy. are graduates of ICEAH, interested in towards camp and prisoner topics in Well-known historians, sociologists, increasing their knowledge on Ausch- the broad context of Nazi terror and specialists in literature as well as other witz, the Holocaust and World War II. genocide, particularly concerning Jews, scholars and Museum research staff These conferences offer extra detail but also Poles, Romanies (Gypsies) and give classes. on topics already referred to in semi- other victims. This course of study re- – SEMINARS nars and post-graduate study courses. lates to the origins and development Meetings lasting a number of days They are also a good opportunity to of totalitarian systems and considers with secondary and high school teach- exchange views on how to educate the ers specializing in the humanities, arts, younger generation. and religion are organized in order to – SEMINARS AND STUDY TOURS better prepare young people for their FOR POLISH AND FOREIGN visit at the Museum. These meetings TEACHERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE contain lectures on specific national Seminars and study tours allow Photo: Bartosz Bartyzel and religious groups at KL Auschwitz- participants to learn about the his- -Birkenau. Documentaries are shown tory of Auschwitz in the context of about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, the German occupation of Poland and talks are given in the Archives and Col- Europe. Depending on age, interests lections Section, and there are in-depth and expectations each group of par- visits to the former concentration camp ticipants is offered an individual set of International seminar for European teachers. itself. topics. VISITING THE FORMER EXTERMINATION CAMP AUSCHWITZ – AN IMPORTANT PLACE FOR THE MODERN WORLD

SO FAR MORE THAN 30 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE VISITED THE MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL.

Not long after liberation Auschwitz Ever since the 1990s the number of Homage is paid by numerous became a particularly important Me- visitors has been constantly growing. politicians and heads of state, who morial for the modern world. This is Currently, around one million people regard it their moral duty to visit the borne out by the constantly growing visit the Museum each year from more former camp. This place is seen as one number of visitors. Hitherto the Mu- than 100 countries. Visitors are mainly of the strongest warnings for human- seum and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memo- Poles, but there are also Americans, ity. Władysław Bartoszewski, a former rial have been visited by more than 30 British, Italians, Germans, Italians, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs and million people from all over the world. French and Israelis. camp survivor, had this to say: “Ausch- witz is the world’s largest ever cemetery Each year the Auschwitz-Birkenau without graves, where it is impossible Memorial is visited by a million people to place a stone or flower to commem- from all over the world. In order to orate an individual. It is a cemetery

Centre in OświęcimCentre visit the two camps one may seek the without graves because the corpses assistance of a qualified Museum guide. have been scattered by the smoke in the sky. And this is binding...” Photo: International Youth Meeting Youth Photo: International

- 26 - OPENING HOURS The Museum is open seven days a week: 8 am – 3 pm December – February 8 am – 4 pm March, November 8 am – 5 pm April, October 8 am – 6 pm May, September 8 am – 7 pm June – August The above opening hours are for visiting the former concentration camp. The Former Prisoner Information Office, the Archives, the Collections Section, the Li- brary, the Administrative Offices, and other sections are open (national holidays excepted) from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 3 pm. The Museum is closed on 1st January, 25th December and Easter Sunday.

VISITORS – GENERAL COMMENTS Former Auschwitz I camp.

EACH VISITOR DECIDES HOW MUCH TIME HE WANTS TO SPEND AT THE CAMP, BUT IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY THREE AND A HALF HOURS ARE REQUIRED TO VISIT THE AREA AND THE TWO FORMER CAMPS. GUIDED TOURS CAN BE GENERAL (APPROX. THREE AND A HALF HOURS), SPECIALIST (APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS) OR CAN EVEN TAKE TWO DAYS.

Entrance to the Memorial is free of – the location of the first gas chamber charge. It is possible to visit the exhi- in Birkenau, the so-called Little Red bitions and some original structures of House (a few hundred metres to the both former camps, Auschwitz I and north of Birkenau); Auschwitz II-Birkenau. In Auschwitz I, – the location of the second gas cham- there is no access to some of the Blocks ber in Birkenau, the so-called Little (for example, the administrative areas), White House (a few hundred metres Former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. whilst most of the barracks at Ausch- to the west of Birkenau); witz II-Birkenau are open to visitors. – the siding, the so-called Juden- Birkenau, approx. 1.5 km from the One should remember the four rampe, where between the spring camps); important places of commemoration of 1942 and May 1944 Jews, Poles – mass grave of prisoners who died which are located at some distance and Romanies were deported to just before and just after the libera- from the camp: the camp (between Auschwitz and tion of Auschwitz.

Sites managed by the Museum, located at some distance from Auschwitz I (A) and Auschwitz II-Birkenau (B): • place where the first two gas chambers of Birkenau were located (1, 3); • the siding where deportees arrived (4); • a memorial obelisk commemorating murdered Soviet POWs (2); • mass grave of prisoners who died just before and just after the liberation of Auschwitz (5).

- 27 - FORMER CAMP AT AUSCHWITZ I On the site of Auschwitz I, the SS the majority of people were execut- set up the first camp for men (1940) ed by being shot, that the central and women (1942). It was here that camp detention area for prisoners the first experiments on killing hu- from the entire camp complex was man beings with Cyclone B took located, and that the headquarters place, that the first groups of de- and the majority of SS offices were Photo: Jarko Mensfelt Photo: Jarko ported Jews were murdered, that the placed. From here, the camp author- Jewish prayer shawls. Fragment of the first criminal medical experiments ities managed the further expansion exhibition at the former Auschwitz I camp. on prisoners were carried out, that of the site. FORMER CAMP AT AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU

At Birkenau the Nazis built most and many post-camp remains. The interior of a brick residential of their equipment for mass exter- The vast open space, dozens barracks in Birkenau. mination. About a million European of primitive prisoner barracks and Jews were murdered. Birkenau was hundreds of remnants, more than also the largest concentration camp, 13 kilometres of camp fencing, 10 (with more than 300 primitive, mainly kilometres of camp roads and more wooden, barracks), in which in 1944 than 2 kilometres of rail track all fully more than 90,000 Jews, Poles, Roma- encapsulate the specific camp archi-

Photo: Wiesław Zieliński Photo: Wiesław nies, Soviet citizens and others were tecture of Auschwitz designed for one kept. There are certain areas of the sole purpose: the extermination of former camp that contain human ash humans. GUIDES In order to visit the two former cal context. Guides speak the follow- camps it is best to seek the assistance of ing languages: Croatian, Czech, Dutch, a qualified Museum guide (guides are English, French, German, Hebrew, obligatory for group visits). This will Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Birkenau. International Monument of ensure efficient visiting and appropri- Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, and the Camp Victims. ate explanation of the camp’s histori- Swedish.

Guides may be booked as follows: - via the Internet ([email protected]); - by Phone: (+48) 33 843 20 21 /844 81 00 /844 80 99 – Monday-Friday at the following times: 7 am – 5 pm (April – October); or 7 am – 3 pm (Novem-

Photo: Ryszard Domasik Photo: Ryszard ber – March) ; - by Fax: (+48) 33 843 22 27; - in the Museum at Visitors Reception. All formalities may be seen to at Visitors Reception. As interest and number of visitors is high, early booking is recom- mended. The services of guides are not free of charge. GUIDEBOOKS Before starting to visit one may a brief description of the structures purchase a brief Museum guidebook, and exhibition areas, as well as maps available in a wide selection of foreign of Auschwitz and Birkenau with a sug- languages. The guidebook contains gested route.

- 28 - DOCUMENTARY FILM “MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD Before or after visiting the site terials filmed by Red Army camera- KNOW WHAT AUSCHWITZ WAS of the former camp it is possible to men and which depicts the liberation watch a 15-minute documentary film of the camp by Soviet soldiers, survi- BUT IT IS BASIC THAT (subject to the purchase of a ticket), vors and the uncovering of evidence WE RETAIN IN OUR MINDS which contains a fragment of the ma- of crime. AND MEMORIES AWARENESS THAT IT IS HUMANS MOVING BETWEEN WHO DECIDE WHETHER SUCH THE FORMER CAMPS A TRAGEDY WILL EVER TAKE The distance of three kilometres be- ramps can be seen here. This is where PLACE AGAIN. tween Auschwitz and Birkenau can be the trains arrived with camp deportees. THIS IS THE WORK OF HUMANS covered on foot by walking across the It was here also that SS doctors em- AND IT IS HUMANS ALONE camp premises which during the war barked on the selection process. There were occupied by German industrial is a car park not far from the two former WHO CAN PREVENT plants, workshops, store rooms, offices camps. This permits those with their ANY SUCH RETURN.” and the camp’s technical support – the own means of transport to move about. place where prisoners worked and died. Those who do not arrive by car may use (PROFESSOR WŁADYSŁAW BARTOSZEWSKI, The remains of a number of sidings and the Auschwitz-Birkenau shuttle bus. A FORMER AUSCHWITZ PRISONER). Photo: Jarko Mensfelt Photo: Jarko

Interest in the tragic history of Auschwitz continues irrespective of the passage of time. Photo: Lidia Foryciarz

Prepared by: Teresa Świebocka, Jadwiga Pinderska-Lech, Jarko Mensfelt MUSEUM Translated by: Adam Czasak Graphics and typesetting: Agnieszka Matuła, Grafikon ADDRESS: Printed by: Jaroszowice 324, 34-100 Wadowice, tel. (+48) 33 873 46 20, fax (+48) 33 873 46 22, e-mail: [email protected], www.grafikon.com.pl Graphics used in the folder: Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Past and the Present comes from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum; some materials were made PAŃSTWOWE MUZEUM available thanks to the kindness of Bartosz Bartyzel, Ryszard Domasik, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU Lidia Foryciarz, Wojciech Gorgolewski, Nel Jastrzębiowska, Henryk Makarewicz, ul. Więźniów Oświęcimia 20 Jarko Mensfelt, Stanisław Momot, Rafał Pióro, Mieczysław Stec, 32-603 Oświęcim, Polska Wiesław Zieliński and the International Youth Meeting Centre in Oświęcim tel. (+48) 33 843 20 22 and School No. 653 in Moscow fax (+48) 33 843 19 34 /843 18 62 www.auschwitz.org.pl e-mail: [email protected] © 2010 Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau

- 29 - HISTORY OF AUSCHWITZ – CALENDAR

• 6 July – First prisoner, Tadeusz • 11 November – In the first ex- 1939 Wiejowski, escapes. Throughout ecution at the Wall of Death the • 1 September – Nazi Germany the history of the camp, out of Nazis shoot 151 Polish prisoners. attacks Poland. The outbreak of a total of more than one million World War II. deportees, a few hundred pris- • End 1939 – Resulting from the 1942 oners attempt to escape. These mass arrests of Poles and prisons • Beginning of the year – Start of were mainly Poles, Soviets and becoming overcrowded in Upper mass extermination of Jews in the Jews. About 150 prisoners man- Silesia and Zagłębie Dąbrowskie gas chambers. aged to escape. The vast majority the Higher Office of the SS and • March – Start of deportation to of those who failed were shot by Police Commander in Wrocław Auschwitz of 69,000 Jews from the Germans whilst escaping or decides to draw up a project of France and 27,000 Jews from Slo- stopped and later murdered. a concentration camp for Poles. vakia. • Autumn – Polish resistance in- • 1 March – Auschwitz II-Birkenau forms the Polish Government in starts functioning. 1940 exile in London about the camp. • 27 April – Following a number • 26 March – First 2,000 women • 22 November – The first ex- of inspections at various sites, arrive in Auschwitz (out of about ecution through firing squad. 40 Heinrich Himmler, Commander 130,000 registered in the camp to Poles were executed. of the SS, gives out the order to the end of its existence). establish a concentration camp • March-June – Start-up of tem- in the former artillery barracks in 1941 porary gas chambers alongside Oświęcim, known at the time as • 1 March – Commander of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau. Auschwitz. SS, Heinrich Himmler, pays his • Spring – So-called Judenrampe, • 14 June – German authorities first inspection visit to Auschwitz. located between Auschwitz I and direct the first transport of po- His gives out orders to expand Auschwitz II-Birkenau starts func- litical prisoners to Auschwitz the camp and to supply IG Farbe- tioning. It was here that transports – 728 Poles, including a small nindustrie with 10,000 prisoners to Auschwitz arrived with Jews, as group of Polish Jews. This day is to build industrial plants. well as Poles, Romanies (Gypsies) recognized as the day the camp • 23 April – In reprisal for an es- and prisoners of other nationali- started functioning. In the period caped prisoner the camp Com- ties. 1940-1945 about 405,000 pris- mandant, Rudolf Höss, for the • May – Start of deportation to oners are registered at the camp, first time sentences 10 prisoners Auschwitz of 300,000 Jews from of which 270,000 were men. to death by starvation. Poland and 23,000 Jews from • 19 June – First relocation of lo- • 6 June – First transport of Czech Germany and Austria. cal people in order to prevent political prisoners. The start of • 4 May – SS carry out the first se- them from witnessing the crimes, deportation to Auschwitz of non- lection at the camp in Birkenau. contacting prisoners and helping Polish prisoners. Selected prisoners are murdered them escape. The next waves of • 3 September – First mass mur- in the gas chamber. relocation were connected with der of people with the use of • 10 June – Mutiny and an attempt plans to develop Auschwitz. In Cyclone B. About 600 Soviet and at mass escape of about 350 total, the Germans moved at least 250 Polish prisoners die. Polish prisoners from the penal 5,000 Poles from Oświęcim and • Autumn – Camp authorities start company in Birkenau. 7 managed its nearby villages. In addition, operating the first gas chamber in to escape, 300 died. they deported to nearby ghettos Auschwitz I. • July – Start of deportation to the entire Jewish population of • October – Establishment of a So- Auschwitz of 60,000 Jews from Oświęcim (approx. 7,000). Eight viet POWs camp in Auschwitz I. Holland. villages are destroyed and more – Work starts on building the second • July – Start-up of Golleschau sub- than a hundred buildings demol- part of the camp, Auschwitz II- camp near the cement works of ished, located in Oświęcim and -Birkenau, in place of the demol- Goleszów near Cieszyn – the first of the direct vicinity of the camp. ished village of Brzezinka. almost 50 Auschwitz sub-camps.

- 30 - • 29 July – Edward Schulte, Ger- • End of the year – SS doctors to be transported directly to man industrialist and anti-Nazi, start sterilization experiments on Gas Chambers Nos. II and III at informs the Allies that Himmler male and female prisoners. Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The start was present in Auschwitz in July of deportation to Auschwitz of at the murder of 499 Jews with 1943 almost 438,000 Jews from Hun- Cyclone B in so-called Bunker No. • 26 February – Setting up in gary. 2. This was the first item of in- Birkenau of the so-called family • 10–12 July – Liquidation of the formation from a German source Gypsy camp for Romanies. so-called Theresienstadt family which was so specific about the • March – Start of deportation of camp. The Nazis murder about extermination of Jews in the gas 55,000 Jews from Greece. 7,000 Jews in the gas cham- chambers of Auschwitz. From the • 22 March – 25 June – Camp au- bers. autumn of 1940 the Allies were thorities start up four crematoria • August – Start of deportation to regularly informed about what with gas chambers at Auschwitz II- Auschwitz of 67,000 Jews from was happening in Auschwitz. -Birkenau. the ghetto in Litzmannstadt They were mainly informed by • 7 June – Civilian workers of (Łódź). the Polish Government in exile in Krupps Establishments start as- • 2 August – Liquidation of the London, which was in constant sembling machinery on the shop “family Gypsy camp” – the SS contact with the Polish resistance, floor leased out by the camp murder almost 3,000 Romanies active both inside the camp and authorities. Hundreds of Ger- (Gypsies) in the gas chambers. in its vicinity. man companies were involved • 12 August – Start of deportation • August – Start of deportation to in the building of the camp in to Auschwitz of 13,000 Poles, Auschwitz of 25,000 Jews from Auschwitz. Many of these, as e.g. arrested en masse after the start Belgium and 10,000 Jews from IG Farbenindustrie or Siemens of the Warsaw Uprising. Yugoslavia. drew extra benefits by availing • 7 October – Sonderkomman- • 30 October – Synthetic rubber themselves of camp slave labour. do Mutiny. During the mutiny factory built by IG Farbenindus- • 19 July – Largest public execu- 3 members of the SS die as well trie gave rise to Buna sub-camp, tion. As a reprisal for the escape as 450 Sonderkommando pris- later renamed as Auschwitz III- of a handful of prisoners and for oners, Jewish prisoners forced -Monowitz. In 1942-1944 a total contacting the civilian population to incinerate in the crematoria of 47 KL Auschwitz sub-camps the SS hang 12 Polish prisoners corpses of the murdered. and external work squads came on the gallows. • November – Mass murder of into being. The prisoners who • 9 September – Establishment at Jews in the gas chambers is occupied these mainly worked at Birkenau of the so-called Ther- stopped. German industrial enterprises. esienstadt camp for Jews arriving • October – Start of deportation to from the ghetto in Terezín. 1945 Auschwitz of 46,000 Jews from • October – Start of deportation • 6 January – Last execution of the Protectorate of Bohemia and to Auschwitz of 7,500 Jews from about 70 Poles sentenced to Moravia. Italy. death by a German summary • December – First transport of court. Four Jewish women, sen- Jews from Norway. In total, al- 1944 tenced for helping to prepare most 700 people arrive in two • May – First Ally planes flying the Sonderkommando Mutiny, transports. over Auschwitz take aerial pho- are hanged on the gallows at the • 13 December – First transport tographs, which show the gas last public execution. of Poles evicted from the Zamość chambers and smoke from the • 17 January – Start of the Death region as part of Hitler’s “Gener- burning pits. Three months later Marches – the SS evacuate al- alplan Ost” (General Plan East) American and British planes start most 60,000 KL Auschwitz pris- – the eviction and extermination bombing the synthetic rubber oners. of about 50 million Slavs (Poles, and liquid fuel plant of the Ger- • 21-26 January – Germans blow Russians, Byelorussians, Ukraini- man concern IG Farbenindustrie, up the gas chambers and crema- ans and others) and the coloniza- located just a few kilometres toria in Birkenau. tion by German settlers of Central from Birkenau. • 27 January – 7,000 prison- and Eastern Europe, with Poland • 16 May – Siding which is locat- ers live to see the liberation of being the first territories to be oc- ed inside the camp is released Auschwitz by units of the Soviet cupied. for use. It permits deportees army.

- 31 - PLEASE HELP MAINTAIN THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL

Auschwitz is forever a painful expression of the world’s bad conscience. The remains of the Nazi death camp reminds us of the darkest moments of human history.

It was here between 1940 and 1945 that the Nazis murdered more than a million Jews, as well as tens of thousands of Poles, Romanies and Sinti, Soviet POWs and other innocent people.

We count on your help to support the site of Auschwitz, its buildings and many remains and, by this virtue, the memory of those that died.

Contributions can be made as follows: Bank Pekao SA oddział Bielsko-Biała Bielsko-Biała ul. Grunwaldzka 40a, Poland IBAN: PL15 1240 1170 1111 0000 2418 5907 SWIFT: PKOPPLPW

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

ISBN 978-83-60210-41-3 - 32 -