On Auschwitz "On Auschwitz" (6): the first crematorium and the Sonderkommando in Auschwitz
Jul 22, 2021
The podcast uncovers the chilling history of Auschwitz, focusing on its evolution from a concentration camp to a site of mass extermination. Listeners learn about the establishment of the first crematorium and the harrowing experiences of the Sonderkommando. It also delves into the grim adoption of Cyclone B, transforming it from a sanitizing agent into a tool of execution. The conversation reveals the bureaucratic struggles behind these horrific changes and the psychological toll on those forced to incinerate their fellow prisoners.
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Auschwitz's Unique Crematorium Setup
- Auschwitz was the first concentration camp designed with its own independent crematorium from the start.
- This was highly unusual due to German laws requiring crematoria to be controlled by local registry offices.
Legal Bypass for Camp Crematoria
- Himmler issued a special decree in February 1940 to allow crematoria inside camps with independent civil registry offices.
- This bypassed previous regulations preventing crematoria in concentration camps.
Early Crematorium Work Was Temporary
- A prisoner named Michalik related how his relative sought crematorium work for warmth but quit soon due to the job's difficulty.
- He was able to transfer to another commando and was deported later, showing early crematorium work was flexible.