Interrogation of a prisoner held at Auschwitz September - November 1941 during the construction phase. Note: although the sketch map below refers to G, "incinerator building with one gas oven and chimney," the prisoner makes no reference to liquidations or gassings. Source: National Archives, Washington, Record Group 332, Mis-Y, Box 4.

 

[rubber stamp:] SECRET

C.S.D.I.C. (U.K.)
S.I.R. 938

[rubber date stamp:] 27 SEP

 

THIS REPORT IS SECRET

Report on further information obtained from PW/60333, O/Trupfü KUSSACK OBL (Nord), deserted Chateau de LOIRE 9 Aug 44

CONCENTRATION CAMP AT AUSCHWITZ (OSWIECIM)
(Ref GSGS 4081/128)

PREAMBLE	1.	See S.I.R. 957.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF PW'S IMPRISONMENT	2.	Owing to his political convictions and to his refusal to collaborate with the Nazi regime, PW fell under the observation of the Gestapo. In Sep. 41 he was recalled from his civilian work and ordered to report to the SS HQ outside the SS barracks at LICHTERFELDE whence he was sent on a seven weeks "education" course to AUSCHWITZ.
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF CAMP	3.	See Annex.
RECEPTION OF PW	4.	On arrival at the camp PW reported to the educational "advisers", Obersturmbannführer WEILER, who told him he was there to be taught the German greeting. He was issued with a rimless hat, a pair of clogs, and a thin suit of pyjamas. That was all the equipment he received. Straw was available for sleeping in the huts, but PW could not sleep owing to the black eye administered to him while he was changing.
PERSONNEL AT CAMP	5.	Prisoners. In the camp were about 700 prisoners, German and Polish. The prisoners were either Jews or else persons whose political views were in conflict with National Socialism. There was also a small contingent of Nazis who had fallen into disfavour with the party.
	6.	Camp Staff. This consisted of two SS officers and 150 SS NCOs and men. In addition there were 70 overseers at the camp. These were convicts, sentenced to some 15 years imprisonment, who supervised working parties in the camp. An overseer who drove many prisoners to death might expect release as his reward.
DAILY ROUTINE	7.	After breakfast, which consisted of coffee and dry bread, prisoners went to work in gangs of 10 men, with one convict over-seer attached to each gang. They had to clear a flat area of 30 square km. All houses had to be pulled down and huts erected. Each prisoner had to carry a stone weighing about 30 kg. If a prisoner fell down his comrades were forced by the overseer to walk over him. If a prisoner dropped the stone he had to pick it up again. If a prisoner collapsed he was left lying on the ground. Many prisoners collapsed at their work; some died immediately, others lay there unconscious.
	8.	At 1900 hrs trucks drove out to the scene of work to collect the dead or living bodies. Prisoners were detailed for this work, and on one occasion PW himself was selected for this duty. PW's party was forced to load up 35 bodies (many of whom were still living). They were taken to one of the camp buildings, where they were fed into the incinerator. This was a daily event in PW's seven week's "course".

  - 2 -

PERSONALITIES.	9.	Obersturmbannführer WEILER (the name may be a pseudonym)
		Educational adviser at AUSCHWITZ Camp. 55 years old. Well built, fairly dark, large chest, deep black eyes; hair greying, formerly 1.75 - 1.78 m high. Broad shoulders, good teeth.
	10.	Truppführer Otto HEGLE, OBL (Nord) This man is 49 years old and comes from Baden. He is a fanatical Nazi. When PW worked with him in BREST in Mar 43 he boasted how he personally had killed 10 political prisoners in a concentration camp in BAVARIA. He was in RENNES with the OT supply services in Oct 43 and may be a PW.
		Description: Long face, false teeth (both jaws), Hitler moustache, hair parted in centre. 1.56 - 1.60 m. tall slightly bow-legged, broad-shouldered.
C.S.D.I.C (U.K.)14 SEP 44		DISTRIBUTION: M.I.19 (a) War Office (50 copies) N.I.D.          Admiralty ( 4    "  ) A.D.I.(K)   Air Ministry  ( 6    "  )

The legend (box, top right) reads:

CONCENTRATION CAMP - AUSCHWITZ, LEGEND:

A. Platform with two sentries and MG
B. Sentry post and two men
C. Oberstubaf Weiler's office
D. Prisoner's huts
E. Large SS hut
F. Hut for Convict Oversee-ers.
G Incinerator bldg with one gas oven and chimney
H. wire fence around camp, 3 m high

Map Ref:- Rough enlargement from GSGS 4081828 ...