Auschwitz 1 (Oswiecim)

"Blocks"

Block 4 - Hall of Living Conditions

This block was turned into a museum-like display with a glass door to each room that exhibited the wooden bunk beds, washrooms, straw-beds,  as well as pictures of prisoners that hanged on the wall with their dates of entrance into the camp and date they were killed.  There was also a big urn that was filled with ashes of victims gathered from the crematorium, this was a memorial for those who died  for remembrance of those who died in the Auschwitz camp. (We were not allowed to take photos of the interior of the blocks)

Block 5 - Material Proof of Crimes

Behind the glass, we could see piles of women’s hair. There was a sign states that there was about 1,950 kg (4,290 pounds) of hair that were found.  Some hair were in braids, some were curly while some were straight, some had ponytails:  whose did these belong to?  They all belonged to people once.  But who were they?  Even after they died, they were not spared, for the Nazis still ordered the prisoners’ hair to be cut and shaven even after they were gassed!!  Prisoners’ hair was sold for money, and they were most useful for to textile industries, especially to be made into blankets.  Some were stuffed into pillows to be used by the Germans. Can you sleep on these pillows?

Also behind the glass were displays of prayer shawls, shoe brushes, combs, clothes, shoes and boots.  There were also crutches and leg braces (people with disability were deemed ‘inferior’ and ‘useless’ and were one of the first to die); kitchen utensils such as pots and pans (families were told they were just being relocated to another place, and were asked to bring essential items.  So to them these pots and pans were essential and practical, although they had no idea they were never going to use these items again); and also, baskets and suitcases (everyone was allowed to only carry one suitcase or basket when told of the relocation).  Many people chose the practical items such as water flask, pots and pans, and other kitchenware, than personal items like photos and other personal items because they did not know that they were actually being sent to a death camp awaiting their unfortunate fate.

Block 10 – Medical Experiments

This is the famous block, where medical experimentations are carried out.  Some of the experimentations include sterilization, experiments on twins and on babies. There was also a story of a pregnant woman who was given special treatment just because she was pregnant, only to discover that as soon as her baby was born they were subjected to an experiment. The newborn baby was strapped to her mother's belly, right above her breasts.  The notorious Dr Mengele wanted to test if babies have an innate ability know that "milk" comes from the "breasts" -- to see if the baby knew where to "focus" to get milk.  The baby was strapped to the mother, who was also tied up - for 3 days.  When he could not find anything substantial about this meaningless experiment, he had no use for the mother and child, and asked the medical assistant, usually a fellow inmate, to kill both of them.  In order to keep the mother alive (as she was still young and capable of labor work), the fellow medical assistant (another prisoner) had to kill the baby.

Block 11 – Heart of the Mechanism of Terror

This block was known as the most frightening block in Auschwitz during the Holocaust due to the horrifying rumors about death and execution, and sounds of screams and gunshots in the air.  The first mass execution was administered here, with Zyklon B in the fateful month of September, 1941.  We were not allowed to take photos in this basement….we (participants and visitors) walked in line to see the cells that were used for confining the prisoners, suffocating them, and torturing them.  One of the most bizarre tortures was the standing cells.  Not only the prisoners were forced to stand without food and water, they had to stand in a 3 X 3 feet standing cell for days together and each time there were up to 4 people assigned to each cell.  During this time, prisoners not only could die of starvation and exhaustion but also through fighting with each other for more standing space….for own personal survival. On the wooden doors of some cells were a small peep holes that the Nazis could look in to enjoy the tortures of prisoners, or to see how prisoners die….To me, it was an eerie, cold, feeling….

 

The Death Wall

This was used for private executions.  Situated just outside Block 11; the area was blocked off from the camp by a gate and also, it was covered by a wall and two blocks on each side. 

More info on Block 11 and The Death Wall (external)

Block 27 – Memorial

They have renovated this block to commemorate the prisoners who died.  Roslyn, the child survivor who was with us on Bus 1 told us a wonderful story of her rescue and survival.   Rosalyn also held a memorial ceremony (Kaddish) for her mother and sister who perished during the Holocaust.

Rosalyn Kirkel, the Holocaust child survivor

Read more about Rosalyn Kirkel

Gas chamber & crematorium

Before the Auschwitz-Birkenau’s bigger crematoriums were built, more than 17,000 people were cremated in this crematorium in Auschwitz I.  We were told by our guide that it took approximately 30 minutes for one to die in the gas chamber.  Zyklon B was thrown into the gas chamber room through the holes that were systematically designed for the sole purpose of killing the prisoners, especially the Jews, disabled and homosexuals.

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Rosalyn Kirkel, Child Survivor

See Ariel MAP OF AUSCHWITZ I and II taken by the Allied forces (June 26, 1944)

For more information about Auschwitz: (external)

Auschwitz I - The Most Infamous Nazi Death Camp

Auschwitz Holocaust Encyclopedia

KL Auschwitz Death Camp in Oswiecim