Auschwitz I
Prisoners were confined to brick barracks. Hundreds of three-tier bunk beds were built in the barracks, where prisoners were cramped side by side. The over crowding led to basements and attics to be used as living spaces as well.
Prisoners were confined to brick barracks. Hundreds of three-tier bunk beds were built in the barracks, where prisoners were cramped side by side. The over crowding led to basements and attics to be used as living spaces as well.
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
There were two different types of barracks built at Birkenau.
Brick barracks were built rather unstably on marshy ground in the Birkenau concentration camp. They did not have insulation, heating, or sanitary facilities. Approximately 700 prisoners were allotted to each barrack.
The second type of barracks were wooden stable-barracks, called Pferdestallbaracken. They were originally designed to encompass 52 horses. Three-tier bunks were installed, and several hundred prisoners were forced to live in each barrack.
These barracks were horrible and disgusting. Disease flourished due to dampness, leaky roofs, and the straw mattresses. Prisoners suffering from illness such as diarrhea made the living conditions worse, since there were no sanitary facilities. There was always a shortage of water. The barracks were crowded with vermin.
There were two different types of barracks built at Birkenau.
Brick barracks were built rather unstably on marshy ground in the Birkenau concentration camp. They did not have insulation, heating, or sanitary facilities. Approximately 700 prisoners were allotted to each barrack.
The second type of barracks were wooden stable-barracks, called Pferdestallbaracken. They were originally designed to encompass 52 horses. Three-tier bunks were installed, and several hundred prisoners were forced to live in each barrack.
These barracks were horrible and disgusting. Disease flourished due to dampness, leaky roofs, and the straw mattresses. Prisoners suffering from illness such as diarrhea made the living conditions worse, since there were no sanitary facilities. There was always a shortage of water. The barracks were crowded with vermin.
Auschwitz III-Monowitz
The living conditions in Auschwitz III resembled those of the other two camps. Many barracks were crowded full of prisoners and vermin alike. Disease killed many people, who lived in filth.
The living conditions in Auschwitz III resembled those of the other two camps. Many barracks were crowded full of prisoners and vermin alike. Disease killed many people, who lived in filth.
Clothing
After arriving at Auschwitz, prisoners were forced to take off their clothing and were given a shirt, pants, jacket, hat, and underwear. The jacket had the matriculation number on the front.
Identification triangles were sewn onto the jackets to show why each prisoner was in Auschwitz.
Jews were given yellow and red Stars of David, which included their home countries. Children most often wore the red triangle, if they were allowed to live. Letters and numbers represented different nationalities.
After arriving at Auschwitz, prisoners were forced to take off their clothing and were given a shirt, pants, jacket, hat, and underwear. The jacket had the matriculation number on the front.
Identification triangles were sewn onto the jackets to show why each prisoner was in Auschwitz.
- Red triangles stood for political reasons.
- Pink triangles represented sexual offenders.
- Green triangles showed common law offenses.
- Black triangles represented sabotage.
Jews were given yellow and red Stars of David, which included their home countries. Children most often wore the red triangle, if they were allowed to live. Letters and numbers represented different nationalities.
Food
There were no variations in the meals at Auschwitz. Everyday, prisoners were given miniscule rations of things such as coffee, soup, meat, bread, and water. Occasionally, they were given milk, or an extra piece of meat.
The lack of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, caused malnutrition. Starvation was a rampant killer among the camp.
There were no variations in the meals at Auschwitz. Everyday, prisoners were given miniscule rations of things such as coffee, soup, meat, bread, and water. Occasionally, they were given milk, or an extra piece of meat.
The lack of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, caused malnutrition. Starvation was a rampant killer among the camp.
Sterilization and Children
Many prisoners were sterilized against their will because the Germans did not want their prisoners to reproduce. It was mostly done in the middle of the night, and it was experimental. German physicians experimented with these procedures to gain knowledge and to be assured they would never threaten Germany.
Children that arrived at Auschwitz were automatically sent to the left, with the sick, elderly, and disabled, to their deaths. Any pregnant women that arrived at Auschwitz were killed instantly. If a woman hid her pregnancy and gave birth, her newborn was taken away from her, and both were killed. Many children hid throughout the camp.
Many prisoners were sterilized against their will because the Germans did not want their prisoners to reproduce. It was mostly done in the middle of the night, and it was experimental. German physicians experimented with these procedures to gain knowledge and to be assured they would never threaten Germany.
Children that arrived at Auschwitz were automatically sent to the left, with the sick, elderly, and disabled, to their deaths. Any pregnant women that arrived at Auschwitz were killed instantly. If a woman hid her pregnancy and gave birth, her newborn was taken away from her, and both were killed. Many children hid throughout the camp.
Labor
Labor was an integral part of the Nazis plan to kill their weak prisoners. They forced their starved, already half-dead prisoners to help build the camp by leveling the ground, building new buildings, laying the roads, and digging draining ditches. Many sub-camps were located near the mills, mines, and factories.
Labor was an integral part of the Nazis plan to kill their weak prisoners. They forced their starved, already half-dead prisoners to help build the camp by leveling the ground, building new buildings, laying the roads, and digging draining ditches. Many sub-camps were located near the mills, mines, and factories.
Roll Call
Roll call was one of the most important events at Auschwitz. Every prisoner was expected to be present in front of the barracks. They were counted, and if a prisoner was missing, an alarm would be sounded. Guards would search for hours for the missing prisoner; meanwhile, the rest of the prisoners were to wait in front of the barracks; often times, they were forced to wait all night.
"Pleasure"
The Nazis had a sick sense of humor. They absolutely loved torturing the prisoners. They often released dogs on victims who could not run away. They verbally and physically abused the prisoners, often whipping them or threatening their lives. They often killed prisoners without reason as well.
Roll call was one of the most important events at Auschwitz. Every prisoner was expected to be present in front of the barracks. They were counted, and if a prisoner was missing, an alarm would be sounded. Guards would search for hours for the missing prisoner; meanwhile, the rest of the prisoners were to wait in front of the barracks; often times, they were forced to wait all night.
"Pleasure"
The Nazis had a sick sense of humor. They absolutely loved torturing the prisoners. They often released dogs on victims who could not run away. They verbally and physically abused the prisoners, often whipping them or threatening their lives. They often killed prisoners without reason as well.