D a y s a t A u s c h w i t z
Extracts from the diary of SS Dr Johann Kremer
| Introduction The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was opened in May 1940 and closed in January 1945. Mass executions started in the summer of 1941 and continued until fall of 1944. During the time the site was in operation between 1 to 1.6 million people are believed to have lost their lives. Average number of executed per day was about 1,000, but the actual numbers varied, from only a few to about ten thousand. At the time of this diary the average number of executed per day are believed to have been over 1.500. |
| 29 August 1942 Received orders to report to Auschwitz concentration camp, which reportedly is one doctor short due to illness. |
| 2 September 1942 3.00 a.m. attended my first Sonderaktion*. Dante's Inferno seem to me almost a comedy compared to this. They don't call Auschwitz the extermination camp for nothing! *Sonderaktion = special action, meaning extermination; in this case gassing. |
| 5 September 1942 In the morning attended a Sonderaktion from the women's concentration camp (Muslims*); the most dreadful of horrors. Army doctor Thilo was right when he said to me that this is the 'anus mundi'. In the evening towards 8.00 attended another Sonderaktion from Holland. Because of the special rations they get of 20 cl of schnapps, 5 cigarettes, 100 g salami and bread, the men clamour to take part in such actions. Today and tomorrow (Sunday) work. *Prisoners in state of acute starvation were called "Muslims". |
| 9 September 1942 This morning received excellent news from my lawyer in Munster, Prof. Dr Hallermann: from the first of this month I am divorced from my wife. I can now see life in all its colors again. A black curtain has risen from my life! Was later present as the doctor at corporal punishment of eight prisoners and an execution with small-bore rifle. . . . In the evening went to a Sonderaktion (4th). |
| 17 September 1942 Today ordered all-weather coat from the Kleiderkasse in Berlin, measurements: neck to waist 48, total length 133, half back/back top 22, shoulders to elbows 51, whole-arm length 81, chest 107, waist 100, seat 124. Enclosed a uniform coupon, i.e. for a weatherproof coat. Today visited women's camp, Birkenau, with Dr Meyer. |
| 27 September 1942 Today, Sunday evening, 4-8 o'clock, Community House social evening with supper, free beer and tobacco. Speech from Commandant Höss and musical, as well as theatrical presentations. |
| 3 October 1942 Today fixed fresh living material from human liver and spleen as well as pancreas, also fixed lice from typhus-fever patients in absolute alcohol. In Auschwitz whole streets have gone down with typhus. Today had myself administered with the first serum injection against abdominal typhus because of this… "I had for an extensive period of time been interested in the changes of the human organism as the results of starvation... At Auschwitz I was able to get competely fresh materials for my research... I used to observe prisoners and if one of them aroused my interest, owing to his far advanced state of starvation, I asked the orderly to reserve him for me, and to let me know, when he would be killed... At the time fixed by the orderly... the prisoner was put upon the dissecting table while he was still alive. I asked several questions about such details which pertained to my research... When I had collected my information the orderly approached the prisoner and killed him with an injection..." Dr Kremer in a testimony at a trial in Crakow, Poland, July 30th 1947. |
| 6 October 1942 Obersturmfuerhrer Entress had an accident on his motor bike. Applied dressing, Commandant Höss fell from his horse. Wirths still not back. |
| 7 October 1942 Attended 9th Sonderaktion (foreigners and Muslim women). Wirths back at work. Replacing Entress in men's camp (examinations, etc). |
| 11 October 1942 Today, Sunday, there was a roast hare for lunch - a real fat leg - with dumplings and red cabbage for 1.25 RM. |
| 12 October 1942 Second inoculation against typhus, later on in the evening severe generalized reaction (fever). Despite this in the night attended a further Sonderaktion from Holland (1,600 persons). Ghastly scenes in front of the last bunker! (Hössler!) That was the 10th Sonderaktion. |
| 15 October 1942 Tonight the first hoar-frost has appeared outside. In the afternoon it was sunny and warm again. Extracted fresh live liver, spleen and pancreas material from an abnormal individual. |
| 17 October 1942 Attended trial and eleven executions. Extracted fresh live material from liver, spleen and pancreas after injection of pilocarpin. Went to Nikolai with Wirths. Before we went he informed me that I would have to stay longer. |
| 18 October 1942 Attended 11th Sonderaktion (Dutch) in cold wet weather this morning, Sunday. Horrible scenes with three naked women who begged us for their lives. |
| 13 November 1942 Extracted fresh liver material (liver, spleen and pancreas) from a previously photographed, severely atrophied Jewish prisoner aged eighteen. Fixed as always, liver and spleen in Carony and pancreas in Zenker. Prisoner No. 68,030.* *Before he is killed Dr. Kremer also has his photo taken. The prisoner is identified as the Jew Hans de Yong, born February 18th 1924 in Frankfurt. He was sent to Auschwitz October 14th 1942. |
| 14 November 1942 Today, Saturday, variety show in the communal house (really big!). Particularly popular were the dancing dogs and the two bantams which crowded to order, the wrapped-up person and the cycling group. (This day about 4,000 Jews arrive from the gettos in Poland. After the selection about 1,500 people are admitted to Auschwitz as prisoners. The remaining about 2,500 people are killed in the gas chambers.) |
Sätila June 1998, Lennart Grebelius.
your comments
here.