Belzec Perpetrators
An overview of the German and Austrian
SS and Police Staff
* Note to our viewers *
|
Unauthorized links to
our
website from the controversial and grossly
inaccurate hate blog
postings of the following persons:
Roberto Muehlenkamp -
Sergey
Romanov - Dr. Nick Terry
Are not condoned by
ARC. We maintain no connection to
Holocaust hate blogs, and would caution all to avoid being misled
by these individuals. |
Last Update 23 September 2006
No study has been undertaken of the social
background of the German and Austrian Belzec perpetrators.
The following brief analysis is based on information disclosed
at the trials of those men who served at the Belzec,
Sobibor, and
Treblinka camps and
who were brought to trial as war criminals.
Almost all of them came from the lower middle class. Their fathers
were factory workers, craftsmen, salesmen, or shop workers. Most of
them had finished extended elementary school, some lower high
school, and a few had attended a secondary school. Some had gone to
commercial schools or had received vocational training. Those who
were former euthanasia programme employees were mostly former nurses,
craftsmen, farm workers, or salesmen. Almost all of the accused
were members of either the
NSDAP (Nazi party), the police, the SS
(
Schutzstaffel) or the SA (
Sturmabteilung). Some had
joined these organizations before
Hitler came to power, others
joined the party later. Their average age was between thirty and
forty at the time they served at Belzec,
Sobibor or
Treblinka.
The personnel who ran the camps and supervised the extermination
activities were absolutely ordinary people. They were not
assigned their tasks because of any exceptional qualities or
characteristics. The anti-Semitism that festered within them was no
doubt part of their milieu and was an accepted phenomenon among
large segments of German society. Many of them were married, and most had
no criminal record.
|
SS men posing in front of
Wirth's villa
|
 |
They had either volunteered to serve in the SS or had been drafted
into its ranks. So it was not unusual that a man wore a SS uniform
but received his salary from his real employer, the German police or
Aktion T4,
the Nazi euthanasia programme.
These men always carried out the murder of hundreds of thousands of
men, women and children loyally and unquestioningly. What
is more, they constantly displayed initiative in trying to improve
the extermination process. An integral aspect of their duties was
that they were also to exhibit cruelty toward their victims, and
many of them contributed their own ideas and innovations for
various forms of torture that served to entertain them all. Under the
Nazi regime, these perfectly ordinary people were
turned into something extraordinarily inhuman. (Arad, p.24)
Source and pertinent material on the daily lives of these men in
Belzec, on their personal feelings about the tasks that they
carried out, and their relationship to their innocent victims
is almost nonexistent.
Men, more than anxious to cover up their past, were not
about to sit down and record their memoirs. Even at the trials at
which some of them were forced to attest to their deeds, very
little was brought out about their personal feelings and
experiences. The primary sources on the behaviour of these perpetrators
and their actual relationship to their victims are the
testimonies of those who survived the camps, as well as some
material and evidence that was submitted during their trials.
The prisoners used to nickname the various men in SS uniform,
and these names were indicative of their reputations and
activities in the camp. These nicknames were also a type of code to
be used as a warning when a particular SS man appeared in a certain
area of the camp. (Adapted from: Arad, p.180-181)
Taking the above restrictions on information into account, it is
nevertheless possible to compile a reasonably comprehensive staff
list of Belzec perpetrators.
The intention of this staff list is to
highlight the number of personnel involved in the running of this
death camp, and how relatively few were actually brought to
trial as perpetrators of a crime against humanity.
The staff list is compiled from known evidence and
information from various sources, however scant, about the
perpetrators. This list is also under constant revision as many
details are incomplete. Any entries if proven inaccurate, will be
edited in future updates (see end of document).
BDC = Berlin Document Center
SS collar tabs, ranks, and abbreviations:
| Reichsführer-SS / RFSS |
= |
General of the army |
| SS-Oberstgruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS / Ostgruf |
= |
General |
| SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS / Ogruf |
= |
Lt General |
| SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS / Gruf |
= |
Major General |
| SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS / Brigaf |
= |
Brigadier General |
| SS-Oberführer / Obf |
= |
Senior Colonel |
| SS-Standartenführer / Staf |
= |
Colonel |
| SS-Obersturmbannführer / Ostubaf |
= |
Lt Colonel |
| SS-Sturmbannführer / Stubaf |
= |
Major |
| SS-Hauptsturmführer / Hstuf |
= |
Captain |
| SS-Obersturmführer / Ostuf |
= |
1st Lieutenant |
| SS-Untersturmführer / Ustuf |
= |
2nd Lieutenant |
| SS-Sturmscharführer / Stuscha |
= |
Sergeant Major |
| SS-Hauptscharführer / Hscha |
= |
Master Sergeant |
| SS-Oberscharführer / Oscha |
= |
Technical Sergeant |
| SS-Scharführer / Schaf |
= |
Staff Sergeant |
| SS-Unterscharführer / Uscha |
= |
Sergeant |
| SS-Rottenführer / Rttf |
= |
Corporal |
| SS-Sturmmann / Strmm |
= |
Lance Corporal |
| SS-Oberschütze |
= |
Private 1st class |
| SS-Schütze |
= |
Private |
|
Belzec garrison
Erwin Fichtner carrying a bouquet of flowers for his
girlfriend whilst visiting Zamosc at the weekend
on leave.
Click for enlargement |
The SS-garrison only comprised twenty to
thirty men stationed in the camp at any given time.
This list contains the names of men - mainly SS - who were assigned
duties at Belzec during the time of its existence.
Members of the SS held key positions in the camp and many of the
staff belonged to a police detachment of unknown origin. A few were
civilians. Staff were transferred between Aktion
Reinhard camps and may have been in Belzec only briefly. It
cannot be ascertained if this list contains all of the staff that
served at the camp as not all of the names of the camp staff or their
specific function could be gleaned from witness reports.
Most of the SS camp personnel first worked in the euthanasia
programme (Aktion T4). However, it cannot be ascertained which of them
were so employed, and therefore only where activity with regard to T4 is
known is this detailed.
After the three Aktion Reinhard camps were demolished, most of
the personnel were posted to Trieste in Italy, to assist with the suppression
of partisan activities. As the war drew to a close the Nazi
command realised that the staff and commanders could incriminate
their superiors and they were consequently sent to dangerous areas
where some of them, such as Wirth, were killed. As
Stangl said afterwards, "we were an embarrassment
to the brass. They wanted to find ways to incinerate us".
EXTERMINATION CAMP HIGH-COMMAND
WIRTH, Christian
SS-Sturmbannführer SS-Number: 345 464
24/11/1885 - 26/05/1944
Inspector of all Aktion Reinhard death camps and in charge
of DAW ( Deutsche Ausrüstungswerke) at Lublin
Airfield.
BACKGROUND:
Born in Oberbalzheim, Württemberg. After leaving school he
trained as a carpenter. Served in the army from 1905 until 1910.
Policeman since 1910. During WW1 in the army again, since 1917 in
the military police. After WW1 to the Stuttgart Kripo, became a
Kriminal Kommissar by 1939. NSDAP 1931 (no. 420.383), SA 1933, SS
1939.
In October 1939 to Grafeneck euthanasia centre. Then in
Brandenburg, Hadamar (chief of registry office) and
Hartheim (head clerk and chief of police until Summer 1941).
In mid-1940, Wirth was appointed as a kind of roving director or
inspector of all euthanasia institutions throughout the Third
Reich. At the Brandenburg euthanasia centre, he experimented in
developing gas chambers for gassing the physically and mentally disabled.
SERVICE AT BELZEC, SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
After the official cessation of the euthanasia programme (September
1941) he was ordered to join the staff of SS- und
Polizeiführer im Distrikt Lublin
Odilo Globocnik. The
experience gained by Wirth in the euthanasia institutions, his
enthusiasm for National Socialism, as well as his innate cruelty
were all put to use when he assumed command of Belzec and later was
appointed inspector of the Aktion Reinhard death camps.
Not only was he the inspector of the death camps and, in this
capacity, the actual commander, but also it was he who developed
the entire system of the extermination machine in these camps. It
was Wirth who introduced the regime of terror and death in the
Aktion Reinhard camps and influenced the daily life and
sufferings of the Jewish prisoners there more than any other
commander. Because of his cruelty he became known as "Christian the
Terrible" by his subordinates. The killing system, as developed by
Wirth, enabled the murder of tens of thousands of Jews every day in
the three death camps under his jurisdiction.
Wirth according to Suchomel:
"if only someone had had the courage to kill Christian Wirth - then
Aktion Reinhard would have collapsed. Berlin would not have found another man with such energy
for evil and nastiness." ( Tregenza, p.7)
FATE:
Wirth was posted to
Trieste (Italy) in September 1943 and commanded
the SS-Einsatzkommando R, which was composed of former Aktion Reinhard members. On
26 May 1944
partisans killed Wirth near Trieste.
His grave (no 716) is marked by a great cross
in the German Military Cemetery at Costermano, near
Verona (Italy).
Photo: Donat
|
 |
The Belzec Camp "Architect"
THOMALLA, Richard
SS-Hauptsturmführer
23/10/1903 - 12/05/1945
BACKGROUND:
Born in
Annahof. Member of NSDAP (no. 1.238.872) and SS (no. 41206).
No further details known.
SERVICE AT BELZEC, SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
"Architect" of all three Aktion Reinhard death camps and their temporary commander.
Richard Thomalla was the "architect" of Belzec. On 1 November
1941 the construction of Belzec started. It ended in March 1942. At first Polish workers were used,
later they were replaced by Jews from the surrounding ghettos.
FATE:
Thomalla was executed by NKWD (Russian Secret Service) in
Jicin, Czechoslovakia on 12 May 1945.
|
 |
BELZEC CAMP COMMANDANTS
WIRTH, Christian
SS-Sturmbannführer SS-Number: 345 464
24/11/1885 - 26/05/1944
Inspector of all Aktion Reinhard death camps and in charge
of DAW ( Deutsche Ausrüstungswerke) at Lublin Airfield.
BACKGROUND:
Born in Oberbalzheim, Württemberg. After leaving school he
trained as a carpenter, after WW1 as a builder. Served in the army from 1905 until 1910.
Policeman since 1910. During WW1 in the army again, since 1917 in
the military police. After WW1 to the Stuttgart Kripo, became a
Kriminal Kommissar by 1939. NSDAP 1931 (no. 420.383), SA 1933, SS
1939.
In October 1939 to Grafeneck euthanasia centre. Then in
Brandenburg, Hadamar (chief of registry office) and
Hartheim (head clerk and chief of police until Summer 1941).
In mid-1940, Wirth was appointed as a kind of roving director or
inspector of all euthanasia institutions throughout the Third
Reich. At the Brandenburg euthanasia centre, he experimented in
developing gas chambers for gassing the physically and mentally disabled.
SERVICE AT BELZEC, SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
After the official cessation of the euthanasia programme (September
1941) he was ordered to join the staff of SS- und
Polizeiführer im Distrikt Lublin
Odilo Globocnik. The
experience gained by Wirth in the euthanasia institutions, his
enthusiasm for National Socialism, as well as his innate cruelty
were all put to use when he assumed command of Belzec and later was
appointed inspector of the Aktion Reinhard death camps.
Not only was he the inspector of the death camps and, in this
capacity, the actual commander, but also it was he who developed
the entire system of the extermination machine in these camps. It
was Wirth who introduced the regime of terror and death in the
Aktion Reinhard camps and influenced the daily life and
sufferings of the Jewish prisoners there more than any other
commander. Because of his cruelty he became known as "Christian the
Terrible" by his subordinates. The killing system, as developed by
Wirth, enabled the murder of tens of thousands of Jews every day in
the three death camps under his jurisdiction.
Wirth according to Suchomel:
"if only someone had had the courage to kill Christian Wirth - then
Aktion Reinhard would have collapsed. Berlin would
not have found another man with such energy for evil and nastiness." (Tregenza, p.7)
FATE:
Wirth was posted to Trieste
(Italy) in September 1943 and commanded
the SS-Einsatzkommando R, which was composed of former Aktion Reinhard members. On 26 May 1944
partisans killed Wirth near Trieste.
His grave (no 716) is marked by a great cross
in the German Military Cemetery at Costermano, near
Verona (Italy).
Photo: Donat
|
|
|
HERING, Gottlieb
SS-Hauptsturmführer
02/06/1887 - 09/10/1945
BACKGROUND:
Born in Warmbronn near Leonberg.
Profession: Policeman (Kriminalinspektor). After WW1 he worked at the C.I.D in
Stuttgart, where he became acquainted with
Wirth. 1940 to
T4. Chief of the registry offices of Bernburg, Sonnenstein and
Hadamar euthanasia centres. Also served at
Hartheim. Member of the NSDAP, and SS since 1943.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
In August 1942 he replaced Wirth as camp commander, because of
Wirth's
appointment as chief inspector of all Aktion Reinhard
camps. Under Hering's rule at least 350,000 Jews were killed in
Belzec.
FATE:
After the liquidation of Belzec in spring 1943, he became commander
of the forced labour camp Poniatowa. On 4 November 1943 all
Jewish inmates of the camp were shot in the course of Aktion
Erntefest. In 1944 he was ordered to Italy, where he again
replaced Wirth as chief of Kommando R 1 in
Trieste after Wirth's death.
On 9 October 1945 he died as a result of illness at the
Katherinen Hospital in Stetten im Remstal, Germany.
Photo: GFH
|
 |
Lower ranking SS Camp Personnel
Listed in alphabetical order.
Spelling of surnames is used as listed in authoritative sources such as trial files etc.
Surnames with alternative spelling as found in various other sources are denoted.
|
BÄR, Rudolf
SS-Unterscharführer
28/03/1906 - ?/?/? (last name perhaps Baer)
BACKGROUND:
Carpenter from Halle. Cook at Bernburg.
Perhaps at Brandenburg.
Belonged to Waffen-SS squad, rank unknown.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
Bookkeeper / accountant in the camp office, located in Stangl's
barrack. Mätzig filled this post when
Stangl became commandant.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Served as auditor.
FATE:
May 1945 in the POW camp Kirchbach in Kärnten / Austria.
Went into hiding. No further details known.
|
|
BARBL, Heinrich SS-Rottenführer (BDC)
03/03/1900 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Sarleinsbach (Austria). Metalworker. Member of NSDAP and
SS. Served at the euthanasia killing centres Grafeneck
and Hartheim, preparing metal discs for the urns with the names of
the deceased. He took the ash from a big heap. Therefore the relatives received urns with
the right name but the wrong contents (Hartheim).
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Here he also installed the gas pipes for the gas chambers.
According to testimony of Bauer he was constantly drunk.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to the East in 1942. Served in Sobibor during the construction
phase. Installed the gas pipes for the gas chambers in Camp III
together with Fuchs. According to his own admission he was only
three months in Sobibor. He called himself "Hausklempner"
(house plumber) in Belzec and Sobibor.
FATE:
Accused in the Sobibor Trial in Hagen
on 6 September 1965. No further details known.
|
 |
|
BOROWSKI, Werner
SS-Untersturmführer
23/10/1913 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Sprottischdorf (Schlesien). Affiliation to
squad or detachment unknown.
Served at Bernburg euthanasia centre as economic chief.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Early 1942 ordered to Belzec together with Niemann, Barbl and Graetschus.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
Became head of economics section. Because of typhus epidemic he was sent back to
Bernburg.
FATE:
Member of the German Airforce, killed in action, missing.
|
|
DACHSEL, Arthur
?/?/1890 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
"Burner" at Sonnenstein. Member of SS. Police rank: Wachtmeister.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND BELZEC:
After Belzec he was ordered to Sobibor
where he supervised the construction of Lager IV (BDC). Promoted Oberwachtmeister by
Himmler.
FATE:
He disappeared in 1945.
|
 |
|
DUBOIS, Werner
SS-Oberscharführer
26/02 (05 BDC)/1913 - ?/?/1973
BACKGROUND:
Born in Wuppertal. Brought up by his grandmother. Eight years
elementary school. Worked as joiner, brushmaker, printer and on a
farm. Member of SA since July 1933, NSDAP and SS since January 1937
(SS-Totenkopfverband Brandenburg). Driver at
SS-Gruppenkommando Oranienburg. Driver and guard at the
concentration camp Sachsenhausen.
In August 1939 to T4. Bus driver in Brandenburg and
Grafeneck. "Burner" and bus driver in Bernburg
(from early 1941 until mid 1941) and Hadamar.
As "burner" he also transported corpses and urns.
In late 1941 OT (Organisation Todt) in Russia as driver for wounded soldiers in
Wjasma.
In early April 1942 he was ordered to Lublin for service
in Aktion Reinhard.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
In Belzec from April 1942 until April 1943. There he worked as a truckdriver and supervised the Jewish special
command at the gas chambers. He gave detailed evidence of how he killed six people in this camp - even remembering
after 28 years that he used a 9mm Belgian FN-pistol. He also supervised the arrival of transports. In one
instance, he shot 6 incapacitated Jews on Wirth's order, and threw them into
the ditch.
Early June 1943, after the liquidation of Belzec, he was transferred to
Sobibor.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Here he supervised the Waldkommando, served at the ramp and the Lazarett. A fellow SS man typified him
as a Draufgänger (daredevil), who stopped at nothing and nobody and was always shooting a lot. He was
responsible for the supervision of the Waldkommando in the forest, when five of the Arbeitshäftlinge
managed to escape.
During the revolt he was heavily wounded at the armoury by axe blows, a knife attack and a shot in the lungs. He had
to be treated at the hospital in Chelm Lubelski.
FATE:
Ordered to Italy, to fight against partisans and to serve in "Aktion R".
In May 1945 he was arrested by US troops. Released in December 1947. Until his final arrest he worked as locksmith.
Notwithstanding the fact that he murdered six Jews, he was acquitted at the Belzec Trial (1963 - 64) in
München.
However in the Sobibor trial (Hagen 1966)
he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment due to his involvement in the murder of at least 15,000 people in
Sobibor.
He died in Münster.
|
 |
FEIX, Reinhold
SS-Hauptscharführer
03/07/1909 - ?/?/1969 (BDC)
BACKGROUND:
From Gablonz (on the Neisse river). Tall, fair, typical
Aryan appearance. Probably policeman. Came from Trawniki.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
According to Franciszek Piper (member of the editorial staff of 2nd
edition of Reder's testimony)
Feix commanded the Ukrainian crew (Trawnikis), numbering about
60 - 80 persons.
Rudolf Reder stated:
" Feix practiced cruelty in a different way. It was said he came from
Gablonz
on the Neisse and was married and the father of two children. He spoke the way intelligent people speak. He talked
quickly. If someone failed to understand him at once, he beat him and screamed to the high heavens like a madman.
Once, when he ordered the kitchen painted, and a Jewish doctor of chemistry was doing it, standing right at the
top of a ladder just under the ceiling, Feix ordered him to climb down every
few minutes and beat him across the face with his riding crop, so that the man's face was swelled up and was covered
with blood. That was how he did his job. Feix seemed abnormal. He played the
violin. He ordered the orchestra to play the Polish melody "Highlander, have you no regrets?" until they
dropped. He commanded people to sing and dance and he toyed with them and tortured them. The beast went amok."
Feix's paybook
FATE:
After Belzec ordered to Budzyn labour camp as Lagerführer in spring 1943.
|
|
FICHTNER, Erwin
12/01/1912 (11/04/06 (BDC))- 23/03/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Trachenberg. Member of SS. 1939 to T4. Cook at
Bernburg.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Camp quartermaster.
FATE:
Killed by partisans on 23 March 1943 near Tarnowatka.
Buried at the German Military Cemetery in Przemysl, Poland.
PHOTO:
Bundesarchiv Berlin, signature: RUS 3.
|
 |
|
FLOSS, Herbert SS-Scharführer
25/08/1912 - 22/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown. Became member of NSDAP
in 1930, SA in 1931 and SS in 1935.
Born in Reinholdshain. Attended extended elementary school. Trained
in textile dyeing, he could not secure a position and consequently
worked in several other jobs.
Since 1 April 1935 he served in the "2. Totenkopfsturmbann 'Elbe'" as SS-Scharführer.
Served at Bernburg.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
Floss was not on the permanent staff of Belzec. He was there only to
start the cremations. After Belzec he was ordered to Sobibor.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
Floss was to make a name for himself as the Aktion
Reinhard cremation expert in which capacity he served at
Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka.
Floss according to Heinrich Matthes,
the commander of Camp II in Treblinka: "At that time
SS-Oberscharführer or
Hauptscharführer (Herbert) Floss, who, as I assume, was
previously in another extermination camp, arrived. He was in charge
of the arrangements for cremating the corpses. The cremation took
place in such a way that railway lines and concrete blocks were
placed together. The corpses were piled on these rails. Brushwood
was put under the rails. The wood was doused with petrol. In that
way not only the newly accumulated corpses were cremated, but also
those taken out from the graves." (Arad, p. 173)
He is also described in the following way: "The burning of corpses
received the proper incentive only after an instructor had come
down from Auschwitz." The specialists in this new profession were
businesslike, practical and conscientious. The instructor in
incineration at Treblinka was nicknamed by the Jews as Tadellos
(perfect); that was his favourite expression. "Thank God, now the
fire's perfect," he used to say when, with the help of gasoline and
the bodies of the fatter females, the pile of corpses finally burst into flames. (Donat, p.38)
By the end of July 1943, the Jewish "death brigade" in Camp II,
supervised by SS man Floss, had cremated about 700,000 corpses.
(Tregenza, p.57)
FATE:
Died in 1943, killed by Ukrainian guards in Zawadowka near
Chelm.
|
 |
FRANZ, Kurt Hubert SS-Untersturmführer SS-Number: 319 906
17/01/1914 - 04/07/1998
BACKGROUND:
Not a member of NSDAP or affiliated organizations. Belonged to the Waffen-SS.
Born in Düsseldorf. Extended elementary school from 1920 - 1928 in
Düsseldorf.
Since 1929 he was trained as a cook, at first in the restaurant "Hirschquelle", then in "Hotel
Wittelsbacher Hof" in Düsseldorf without final examination.
Soldier during 1935 - 1937.
In October 1937 he joined the Waffen-SS ( 3. SS-Totenkopfstandarte Thüringen).
End of 1939 summoned to the Führer's Chancellery and detailed for service as cook in the
euthanasia institutes at Grafeneck, Hartheim, Sonnenstein and
Brandenburg.
As member of the 6th battalion he served at the Buchenwald
concentration camp in 1941 (SS Clothing Department, perhaps cook).
On 30 January 1940 he was promoted SS-Unterscharführer, in 1941 (?) SS-Scharführer.
During Spring 1942 ordered to the Generalgouvernement.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND TREBLINKA:
Kommandant of Treblinka, from 27 August 1943 - November 1943.
In spring 1942 (as SS-Scharführer) to Belzec. On 20 April promoted SS-Oberscharführer.
He worked as cook, and trained the Ukrainian guards there. In August/September 1942 he was ordered to
Treblinka where he took over the Ukrainian guard squads and rose to be deputy
camp commandant. Commandant of Treblinka, from 27 August 1943
until November 1943. Promoted SS-Untersturmführer on 21 June 1943.
Franz was the dominant personality in
Treblinka when it came to the day-to-day running of the camp, and
especially with regard to the prisoners. To the prisoners Franz was
the cruellest and most frightening among the SS personnel in the
camp. His physical appearance was extremely deceiving: he was
nice-looking; he had a round, almost baby- face; and he was younger
than most of the other SS men. He was therefore nicknamed "Lalke"
("doll" in Yiddish) by the prisoners. However, he was a
murderer and a sadist who made the prisoners' lives a nightmare.
FATE:
Ordered to Trieste, where he took part in killing partisans and
Jews. Imprisoned by US Forces after the war. He escaped from
prison and worked again as a cook. In 1959 he was imprisoned again.
Sentenced to life imprisonment by the German Landgericht
Düsseldorf on 3 September 1965. Died in an old people's
home in Wuppertal on 4 July 1998.
See the Franz Photo Story!
|
 |
|
FUCHS, Erich
SS-Unterscharführer
09/04/1902 (19/04/02 (BDC))- 25/07/1980 (1984 (BDC))
BACKGROUND:
Born in Berlin. Elementary school education. Since May 1933 or 1934
member of NSDAP and SA, later member of the SS.
Profession: skilled motor mechanic and automotive foreman. Before the war (1939), he was a driver in
Berlin. Paid the NSDAP fee only a few times (no money)
and received no membership book.
In 1940 or summer 1941 drafted to T4. Worked as Dr Eberl's driver in the gassing
centres Brandenburg and Bernburg, and was,
as he expressed it himself, "an interested spectator" at the gassing of 50 mental patients.
Was driver of a lorry, fetching food for the staff, for a short time. In March / April 1942 he was sent "to the East".
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
In Belzec he installed gassing systems, worked as a truckdriver, in the motor pool
and transported material to the campsite. He was two times in Belzec: From early 1942 until May (?) 1942, and
from November 1942 until December 1942.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In April / May 1942 he, as chief technician of T4, picked up a Russian
petrol driven tank motor in Lviv (together with
Stangl and
Bauer), which he installed together with
Bauer at the gas chambers of Sobibor.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
In July 1942 he was sent by Wirth to Treblinka,
to install another gassing engine.
Fuchs testified about himself at the Hagen
Trial: "Subsequently I went to Treblinka. In this extermination camp I installed a
generator which supplied electric light for the barracks. The work
in Treblinka took me about three to four busy months. During my
stay there transports of Jews who were gassed were coming in daily"(Arad, p. 43).
FATE:
In December 1942 he managed to arrange dismissal from T4. From early 1943
he worked for the German oil company
Ostland-Öl-Vertriebsgesellschaft in Riga. In February 1945
he became a soldier and member of the Waffen-SS, where
he served in a tank transport unit. In March 1945 he was wounded
during a bombing raid. For two months held as POW by the Russians,
subsequently as a POW by US Forces in Western Germany. Employed by
the British Army as a driver/mechanic in Bergen Belsen. Dismissed
in 1946. Until 1962 he worked as assistant worker, locksmith, and truck inspector
at the "TÜv" in Koblenz. Since 8 April 1963 he was in custody.
The Schwurgericht am Landgericht Hagen sentenced him to
four years imprisonment on 20 December 1966 for
being an accessory to the murder of at least 79,000 people. He died in
Koblenz.
|
 |
|
GIRTZIG, Hans Otto Gustav SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at Grafeneck and Hartheim.
In Hartheim he was chief of the canteen.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
Unknown.
FATE:
Unknown
|
 |
GLEY, Heinrich
SS-Oberscharführer
16/02/1901 - ?/10/1985
BACKGROUND:
Elementary school education. Worked on a farm until 1919. From
1929 he worked as male nurse. NSDAP member since 1932, SS member in 1934.
Promoted SS-Unterscharführer in 1937.
Came to T4 on 4 January 1940. At
Grafeneck he transported victims. Served also at
Sonnenstein.
In winter of 1941/42 to Russia. There he served in an
OT ( Organisation Todt) transportation unit for wounded soldiers.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
In mid August 1942 to Belzec where he remained until August 1943. He was on guard duty, worked on the ramp, and
led the Jews to the undressing barracks, where he worked also.
After Belzec he was ordered to Poniatowa labour camp.
FATE:
Ordered to
Italy. Because of illness in late 1944 returned to
Berlin. Served in the SS until end of war. Discharged from POW
status on 29 December 1947. Worked as bricklayer in Münster.
Acquitted at the Belzec Trial.
|
 |
|
GÖCKEL, Rudolf
?/?/? - ?/?/1965 (1960 (BDC))
BACKGROUND:
Unknown.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Reichsbahn official. In charge of Belzec station who drove the trains into the camp.
FATE:
Imprisoned in Zamosc for three years, never charged. Died 1965 in
Laufen/Neckar near Stuttgart.
|
 |
|
GRAETSCHUS, Siegfried
SS-Oberscharführer
09/06/1916 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Tilsit (East Prussia). Eight classes extended elementary
school. Profession: farmer. 1939/40 to T4. Member of NSDAP since
1936 and SS (1935). Served at the Bernburg office.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
After a short time at Treblinka he was ordered to
Sobibor in August 1942. There he became the successor to
Lachmann who was in charge
of the Ukrainian guards. He was all over the camp wherever there
was something to do, as well as present in camp III, to check if all was
according to his instructions.He was promoted Untersturmführer.
FATE:
Killed during the Sobibor revolt.
|
 |
GRINGERS, Karl
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at Hadamar, Hartheim and
Bernburg. No further details known.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Unknown.
FATE:
Killed in Italy 1944. Buried at the German Military Cemetery in
Costermano near Verona, Italy.
|
 |
|
GROTH, Paul Johannes
SS-Unterscharführer
21/01/1918 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Sopot (Zoppot) near Gdansk (Danzig).
Served at Hartheim.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
No details known. Wirth kept transferring him because his drunken
behaviour periodically upset the extermination process (Tregenza).
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
For the first months he supervised the sorting of clothes at Camp II
and he regularly came to Camp III as well. Survivors called him
one of the worst sadists. Witness Margulies: "Every day he killed
someone!". He had an affair with a Jewish girl.
FATE:
In order to obtain a widows pension, declared dead by his wife in 1951.
In 1962 he was still missing. No further details known.
|
 |
HACKENHOLT, Lorenz
SS-Hauptscharführer
25/06/1914 - 31/12/1945 declared to be dead at the instigation of his wife.
BACKGROUND:
Member of NSDAP and SS (1934). Driver at Sonnenstein. Also served at
Grafeneck. Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
SERVICE AT BELZEC, SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
One of Wirth's favourites, he helped to build and operate the gas
chambers at Belzec. Assisted in building gas chambers at Sobibor.
The plans for the new gas chamber at Treblinka were drawn up by
Hackenholt who was then at Belzec, but he also assisted in laying
the gas pipes for the Treblinka gas chambers. (Tregenza, p.5)
Hackenholt as remembered by Suchomel:
"At Treblinka, the Ukrainians at first had led their usual wild and
drunken way of life at the
camp, but were brought to heel by Wirth, Oberhauser and Hackenholt
with an iron hand, that is, whips and punishments." (Tregenza, p.42)
Was promoted SS-Hauptscharführer in September 1943, no
doubt due to his zealous work at the extermination camps.
At Belzec the gas chambers were referred to as the " Stiftung Hackenholt" (Hackenholt Foundation),
above which there was a Star of David similar to Treblinka. (Klee, p.242)
FATE:
Served in Italy. Almost certainly survived the war in the
Allgäu area around Memmingen-Kempten in the German-Austrian
border region (Tregenza). Was spotted by his brother, driving a
cart, but has never been brought to trial. No further details known.
See the Hackenholt Photo Story!
|
 |
|
HIRCHE, Fritz Kriminal-Inspektor
10/06/1893 - 01/05/1945
BACKGROUND:
Born in Penzig (Oberlausitz). Manual worker. Detective assistant
(Kriminalobersekretär). Member of NSDAP since 1933,
1939 to T4. Chief of office and captain of the Schutzpolizei at
Bernburg. Ordered to Hartheim.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
No details known.
FATE:
Suicide.
Photo: Bundesarchiv Berlin
|
 |
|
JIRMANN, Fritz
SS-Oberscharführer
11/01/1914 - 01/03/1943
BACKGROUND:
Unknown.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
According to Franciszek Piper (member of the editorial staff of 2nd edition
of Reder's testimony)
Jirmann served at the reception area and in the Lazarett. Apart from
this he was responsible for training and discipline among the Ukrainian crew (Trawnikis).
Rudolf Reder stated:
"...The sick, the old and the small children, all the ones who could not walk on their own,
were placed on stretchers and set down at the edge of enormous dug graves. Gestapo man Irrman
shot them there, and then pushed them into the grave with the rifle butt. This same Irrman,
a specialist in finishing off old people and small children, a tall Gestapo man, a handsome
dark-haired man with a normal facial expression, lived, like the others, in Belzec next to
the station, in a little house, all by himself and, like the others, with no family or woman.
He appeared in the camp early in the morning, spent the whole day there, and took delivery of
the death transports. As soon as the victims were unloaded, they were assembled in the yard,
surrounded by armed Askars, and here Irrman gave a speech. There was a deathly silence.
He stood close to the crowd. Everyone wanted to hear; hope dawned suddenly in us: If they
are speaking to us, perhaps we're going to live, perhaps there will be some sort of work,
perhaps after all. ... Irrman spoke very loudly and distinctly: "lhr gehts jetzt baden, nachher
werdet ihr zur Arbeit geschickt" (Now you are going for a bath, and afterwards you will be sent
to work). That was all. Everybody cheered up and was happy that they were going to work after
all. They applauded. I remember his words repeated day in and day out, usually three times a
day, repeated for the four months I was there. It was a moment of hope and delusion. For an
instant, the people breathed easy. There was total calm. The whole crowd moved on in silence,
the men straight through the yard to a building on which it was written in large letters: "Bade
und lnhalationsräume" (Baths and Inhalation Rooms). The women went some twenty meters
further to a large barrack, thirty meters by fifteen. The women and girls had their hair shaved
off in that barracks. They entered, not knowing why they had been led there. The calm and silence
lasted a moment longer. Later on I saw that only a few minutes later, when they were given wooden
stools and lined up across the barracks, when they were ordered to sit, and eight Jewish barbers,
robots silent as the grave, approached them to shave their hair down to the scalp with clippers,
the awareness of the whole truth hit them at that instant, and none of them and none of the men
on the way to the chambers could have doubts any longer. ... The SS men ordered the orchestra
to play the tune "Es geht alles voriiber, es geht alles verbei" and "Drei Lilien, kommt ein Reiter
gefahren, bricht der Lilien". They played on violins, flutes and an accordion. This went on for
some time. Afterwards they stood the president of the Zamosc
Judenrat against a wall and beat him
with lead-tipped canes, mostly about the head and face, until the blood flowed. Irrman, the fat
Gestapo man Schwarz, Schmidt, and several Askars carried out the torture. They ordered their victim
to dance and jump to their blows and the music. After several hours, they brought him a quarter-loaf
of bread and forced him with beatings to eat it. He stood there with the blood trickling down,
indifferent, serious, and I didn't hear a single moan. This man's tribulations continued for seven
hours. The SS men stood laughing: "Das ist eine höhere Person, Präsident des Judenrates"
(This is a dignitary, the head of the Judenrat), they called out with loud, cruel bravado. Not
until 6 p.m. did the Gestapo man Schmidt push him along to the edge of the grave, shoot him in the
head, and kick him onto the heap of gassed corpses. ... Aside from him, Gestapo men - four other
bandits - ran things; they supervised and directed the whole slaughterhouse. It is hard to imagine
worse thugs. One of them was Fritz Irrman, a man of about thirty, a Stabscharführer, the camp
quartermaster and a specialist at shooting children and old people. He committed every cruelty with
stony calm, he behaved inscrutably and silently, every day he told the doomed ones they were going
to the baths and then to work. ..."
FATE:
Shot and accidentally killed by Gley on 1 March
1943 in an incident with two Ukrainian guards in the dark. He was buried in
Tomaszow Lubelski, and in
1995 his remains were moved by Germans to the military cemetery in Przemysl.
Unlike all his victims Jirmann has a
grave with his name engraved in stone, at a well-tended German miltary cemetery in
Przemysl.
|
 |
|
JÜRS, Robert Emil Xaver
SS-Unterscharführer
17/10/1911 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Frankfurt/Main. Elementary school education (8 years).
Member of NSDAP since 1930.
SA membership from 1930 until 1935. SS man. Profession: Painter.
Worked as labourer, caretaker, usher at the Frankfurt Opera
and office clerk at the Winterhilfswerk.
Joined T4 in June 1941. The same month he was sent to Hadamar where he was
employed as male nurse, painter and clerk until late 1941.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
In Belzec from June 1942 until February/March 1943. He served throughout the camp as a guard, at the ramp and at
the "Lazarett". According to his statement (interrogation on 18 December 1969 in
Frankfurt/Main) he was in Sobibor
from 1 November - early December 1943, with the same function. In the meantime he served at the
Dorohucza labour camp near Trawniki,
probably from March - November 1943. In Sobibor he helped dismantling
the camp and killing the last Jews there.
FATE:
Ordered to Italy in December 1943. Arrested by US troops on 11 May 1945 in
Kufstein. Released
on 3 August 1945. Arrested again in Frankfurt/M., and imprisoned at
Dachau internment camp until November 1946.
Arrested again in 1947, for 8 weeks. Then he worked as civil servant, businessman, newspaper driver, hotel
janitor, and house superintendent until 1960.
Acquitted at the Belzec Trial in Munich and the
Sobibor Trial.
Photo: GFH
|
 |
|
KAMM, Rudolf SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Teplitz / Schönau. Served at the
Sonnenstein euthanasia centre as "burner".
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
After Belzec he came to Sobibor in autumn 1942. Served at the
sorting barracks. He remained in Sobibor for five months.
FATE:
Ordered to Italy. Discharged on 18 February 1946, then disappeared.
|
 |
|
KILMINSKI, Otto
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Driver at Hadamar.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Employed as driver, delivering provisions. Worked in the camp garage and in Camp 1 unloading transports.
FATE:
Ordered to Italy where he also worked as driver.
Source: Tregenza Archive
|
 |
|
KLOß, Walter
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Driver at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Unknown.
FATE:
Transferred to KZ Majdanek. Killed there in unknown circumstances.
|
|
KRASCHEWSKI, Fritz
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at Grafeneck and probably Hadamar.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Unfit for Aktion Reinhard duties. Sent to KZ Auschwitz by
Wirth.
FATE:
Unknown.
|
|
LORENT, Friedrich
SS-Untersturmführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Chief of T4 economics since 1942. Responsible for supply of gas cylinders.
Served at the euthanasia centre in Hartheim.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Only for a short time at the beginning of camp activities.
FATE:
Survived the war. In 1945, on his escape from Berlin,
Lorent carried
money and cheques worth 1.2 million Reichsmark with him. After the war people were struck by
the unusual amount of money in his possession.
Trial in Frankfurt in 1969 / 1970. See his sketch of the
camp in "Belzec Maps".
|
 |
|
NIEMANN, Johann
SS-Untersturmführer
04/08/1913 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Völlen. Painter. "Burner" at
Bernburg euthanasia centre. Member of NSDAP (no. 753.836) since 1931
and SS (no. 270.600).
Also served at Esterwegen and
Sachsenhausen KZs between 1934 - 1941.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Served in Belzec as SS-Hauptscharführer before he was
permanently posted to Sobibor.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
As a soldier in the Waffen-SS, he served several times in 1942 as
acting commander in this camp. From early 1943 he occupied the
post of camp commander permanently. He was responsible for the
events in Camp III. Promoted SS-Untersturmführer after
Himmler's visit to the camp on 12 February 1943.
FATE:
During the Sobibor revolt he was the first SS-officer to
be killed at the dressmaking barrack.
|
 |
|
OBERHAUSER, Josef
SS-Untersturmführer
20/09/1915 - 22/11/1979
BACKGROUND:
Born in Munich. Day labourer at farms. 7 years elementary school.
Member of SS (no. 288.121)
since November 1935 (Totenkopfstandarte "Brandenburg").
SS-Rottenführer since 1936 and SS-Unterscharführer since 1938.
1939 member of "SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" and involved in the Poland
campaign. Afterwards promoted SS-Oberscharführer.
In November 1939 to T4. At Bernburg as "burner" from autumn 1940
until autumn 1941. Also at Grafeneck,
Brandenburg and Sonnenstein. Ordered to
Lublin in November 1941.
From November until Christmas 1941 staff member of SS- and Polizeiführer
Lublin, Globocnik. From Christmas 1941
constant companion of Wirth, liaison officer to
Globocnik.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
From November 1941 until 1 August 1942 in Belzec as contact to the Lublin
office without a special task but leader
of guard platoon. On 1 August 1942 ordered to Wirth's office. He became chief
of the Ukrainian guards in Lublin. Accompanied
Wirth on his inspection tours
of the three camps (Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka).
Promoted SS-Untersturmführer on 20 April 1943 because of his "merits" in
the course of Aktion Reinhard.
FATE:
In Autumn 1943 ordered to Italy where he was promoted SS-Obersturmführer on
30 January 1945. Captured by British troops in May 1945 in Bad Gastein (Austria).
Sentenced to 15 years in prison by Landgericht Magdeburg.
Amnesty on 28 April 1956. Casual labourer and waiter in Munich.
Then sentenced to 4 years and 6 months by Landgericht
München in 1965.
|
 |
|
ORLIEWSKI, ?
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
A Reichsdeutscher T4 man. Served in Sonnenstein as "burner".
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
No details known. Perhaps in Sobibor too.
FATE:
Wanted since 1946 in the German Democratic Republic, not found.
|
|
SCHLUCH, Karl Alfred
SS-Unterscharführer
25/10/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Lauenburg (Pommern). Spent his childhood with his
grandparents. 8 years elementary school.
Agricultural worker, from April 1930 attendant at the sanatorium on Dr Wiener in
Bernau near Berlin.
Public nursing examination ("very good") in 1932.
NSDAP member since 1936. Duty bound to T4 on 13 June 1940.
Served at Grafeneck and Hadamar.
From late winter 1941 until March 1942 to Russia. There he served in an
OT (Organisation Todt) transportation unit for wounded soldiers.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Schluch was in Belzec from June 1942 until early summer 1943. He served
as a guard at the ramp, and accompanied the naked Jews through the Schleuse (sluice) to the gas chambers.
FATE:
After Belzec to Poniatowa labour camp. In autumn 1943 to Italy,
where he fought against partisans, probably in the frame of "Aktion R".
At the end of war he was arrested by US troops, but released on 6 July 1945. Until 1948 agricultural worker,
from 1948 - 1952 construction worker. From 1952 male nurse again, at the hospital in
Bedburg-Hau.
|
 |
|
SCHWARZ, Gottfried
SS-Hauptscharführer, promoted to SS-Untersturmführer after Aktion Reinhard
?/?/1913 - 19/06/1944 Nickname Friedl
BACKGROUND:
Born in Fürth (Germany). Served as T4 member at
Brandenburg, Grafeneck
and Bernburg as "burner".
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Deputy commander and head of the gassing squad from Winter 1941.
Himmler praised him as one of the most meritful men of Aktion Reinhard.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
According to Erich Fuchs he served also at Sobibor.
FATE:
After Belzec / Sobibor commander of the
Dorohucza labour camp, then ordered to Trieste in
Italy (Einsatz R). He was killed in San Pietro
(Istria / Italy) in 1944. Buried at the German military cemetery at
Costermano near
Verona (grave no. 666).
|
 |
|
SPORLEDER, Erich
SS-Unterscharführer
06/02/1908 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Calbe / Saale, near Bernburg.
T4 member in Bernburg.
SERVICE AT BELZEC, DOROHUCZA, AND SOBIBOR:
Since 1942 in Belzec. He belonged to the permanent staff. SS-Unterscharführer in 1943.
Via Dorohucza labour camp (1943) after the Aktion Erntefest to
Sobibor for winding up the camp. Together with Jührs and Zierke
he shot the last remaining Jews there.
FATE:
Finally sent to Italy (1944).
|
|
TAUSCHER, Friedrich
SS-Oberscharführer
20/05/1903 - ?/?/1965
BACKGROUND:
Detective officer.Worked as supervisor at the registry office of
Sonnenstein. Member of NSDAP and SS. Also served at
Brandenburg and Hartheim.
Then ordered to Poland.
SERVICE AT TRAWNIKI, BELZEC, DOROHUCZA, AND SOBIBOR:
In Trawniki he became instructor in corpse cremation. From October
1942 until March 1943 deputy commander in Belzec. SS-Oberscharführer in 1943.
In charge of cremation of bodies and dismantling of the camp until March 1943. According to statement of Jührs and Zierke he was the
last commander of the forced labour camp Dorohucza. In November 1943 for 14 days in Sobibor for winding up the camp.
FATE:
In 1944 he served in Italy. 1965: Suicide in prison.
|
 |
|
UNVERHAU, Heinrich
SS-Unterscharführer
26/05/1911 (05/06/1911 (BDC))- ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Vienenburg. 8 years elementary school in
Fellstedt. April 1925 plumber's apprentice, after an
accident he lost the sight in his right eye. Then he worked as musician and from 1934 -
January 1940 as male nurse. NSDAP since 1937.
Duty bound to T4, where he worked as male nurse from January 1940 - early 1942 at the
Hadamar and Grafeneck euthanasia
centres. There he escorted victims to the gas chambers, injected sedatives, ventilated the gas chambers and
dealt with the disposal of the bodies and property.
In winter of 1941/42 to Russia. There he served in an OT (Organisation Todt) transportation unit
for wounded soldiers in Wjasma.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
Came to Belzec in June 1942. There he supervised the undressing barrack and was responsible for delivery of all
clothes to the storage room in the locomotive shed.
In November 1942 to Sobibor. Supervised the workers at the
undressing place in Camp II. Served in the sorting
barracks and the Waldkommando. Remained in Sobibor until March 1943.
FATE:
In December 1943 he was sent to Italy to fight agains partisans. On 15 March 1944 he was released from T4, and
on 27 April 1944 he was drafted into the Wehrmacht.
POW in 1945, released from internment on 9 September 1945. He returned to
Frellstedt, and worked as musician.
Arrested on 16 March 1949 because of his involvement in T4. After having been in remand prison for 16 months
he was declared not guilty. Since 1952 he worked again as male nurse at the county hospital in
Königslutter.
Acquitted in the Grafeneck (1948), Belzec (1963 - 64) and
Sobibor (1965) trials. He was the only SS man who,
immediately after the war, spoke voluntarily about his involvement in Aktion Reinhard.
|
 |
|
VALLASTER, Josef SS-Scharführer
05/02/1910 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Silbertal (Austria). Served at
Hartheim as "chief burner". He was allowed to open the gas tap.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Only for in Belzec for a short time. Helped to construct the camp.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
One of the leaders in Camp III. There he supervised the gassing,
burying and cremating. He often drove the narrow gauge locomotive
which transported infirm and old people to Camp III. Frenzel
called him cruel.
FATE:
Killed during the Sobibor revolt.
In 1988 in Silbertal
the German Historian Peter
Witte discovered a monument with the inscription "Die
Gemeinde Silbertal den Opfern der Kriege" (The community of
Silbertal to the victims of the wars), on which
Vallasta's name was inscribed.
|
|
ZÄNKER, Hans
SS-Scharführer
08/09/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served as chief of the kitchen at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND TREBLINKA:
No details known.
FATE:
Also served in San Sabba, Italy. No further details known.
|
|
ZIERKE, Ernst
SS-Unterscharführer
06/05/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Krampe near Köslin.
8 years elementary school. Left school at the age of 13.
Worked as woodcutter and blacksmith. NSDAP and SA member since 1930. From 1934 - January 1940 male nurse
at Heil- und Pflegeanstalt Neuruppin.
Duty bound to T4 in January 1940. Male nurse and driver at Grafeneck,
Hadamar, and Sonnenstein. In winter 1941 / 1942
ordered from the mental home in Eichberg to OT (Organisation Todt)
in Russia, in the Wjasma area.
Early 1942 back to Eichberg near
Rüdesheim.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND DOROHUCZA:
In June 1942 ordered to Belzec. Served as a guard on the ramp and supervised the undressing barrack. Responsible
for the camp forge. Also took part in the execution of the last group of Jewish workers.
When Belzec closed down, he was transferred to Dorohucza labour
camp near Trawniki, in March 1943.
When that camp closed he stayed on with Jührs to supervise
the dismantling of the buildings.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In autumn 1943 ordered to Sobibor to complete the dismantling of
the camp and to shoot the last remaining Jews.
FATE:
In December 1943 ordered to Italy, to fight against partisans and serve at
San Sabba. After end of war arrested in a POW
camp. Rearrested on 31 January 1963. Acquitted at the Belzec Trial
in Munich (1964) and Sobibor Trial in
Hagen (1965). Released for health reasons.
|
 |
The majority of the SS men who served at the
death camps of
Aktion Reinhard were never brought to
trial.
Disclaimer: We have relied on the information provided by the
sources credited at the end of this document. We
therefore cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate or erroneous
details contained in the entries listed above.
Credits to sources other than from listed publications:
Dr Boris Böhm, Sonnenstein Memorial
Dr Ute Hoffmann, Bernburg Memorial
Peter Witte, German historian and author
Schloss Kalkum archive, Düsseldorf
Dr Heinz-Ludger Borgert, Ludwigsburg archive
Klee, Ernst.
Was sie taten - was sie wurden
Bibliography
Information gained from the following publications and material:
Arad, Yitzhak.
Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka: Operation Reinhard
Death Camps.
Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.
Friedlander, Henry.
The Origins of Nazi Genocide: From
Euthanasia to the Final Solution.
Chapel Hill and London: The University of North Carolina Press,
1995.
Hoffmann, Dr Ute and Schulze, Dietmar.
Gedenkstätte
Bernburg.
Klee, Ernst (ed);
The Good old days: the Holocaust as seen by
its perpetrators and bystanders.
New York: The Free Press, 1991.
Böhm, Dr Boris, et al.
Nationalsozialistische
Euthanasieverbrechen in Sachsen.
Dresden, Pirna: Kuratorium Gedenkstätte Sonnenstein e.V.,
1996
Böhm, Dr Boris, et al.
Sonnenstein Heft 3 / 2001.
Pirna: Kuratorium Gedenkstätte Sonnenstein e.V., 2001
Reitlinger, Gerald.
The Final Solution. The Attempt to
Exterminate the Jews of Europe 1939-1945. South Brunswick, New
York: Thomas Yoseloff, 1961.
Schilter, Thomas.
Unmenschliches Ermessen.
Leipzig: Gustav Kiepenheuer Verlag, 1999.
Tregenza, Michael.
Christian Wirth: Inspekteur der
Sonderkommandos, "Aktion Reinhard".
Unpublished English article. (Published in Polish as: 'Zessyty
Majdanka', Vol. XV, Lublin 1993)
Photo Credits
Donat: Photo from Alexander Donat's book,
The Death
Camp Treblinka. Holocaust Library, New York, 1979
GFH: Photo or cropped sections thereof, as found on the website of
Ghetto Fighters House,
http://www.gfh.org.il/
NRW Hauptstaatsarchiv Schloss Kalkum
Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden
Gedenkstätte Pirna-Sonnenstein
All other photos: ARC Archive
© ARC (http://www.deathcamps.org) 2006
