Overview of Auschwitz II: Birkenau
Since news of the Auschwitz death camp reached the world, it has become synonymous with death and horror. From its first transport of prisoners in June 1940 until its liberation on January 18, 1945, an estimated 1.1 million people were murdered there.Most of Auschwitz's killing, torture, and medical experiments took place in Auschwitz II: Birkenau. This section was built nearly two miles from the main camp, Auschwitz I. Large transports of Jews were brought from all over Europe in cattle cars and unloaded upon the dreaded ramp where SS officials, most notably Josef Mengele, made selections. Loved ones were parted, families were split. Some were destined for Birkenau's gas chambers and one of its four crematoria.
Those not selected to die immediately in the gas chambers were sent to a particular Block within the camp. These men and women worked long hours knowing that their families had just been murdered. Many of these prisoners died from overwork, hunger, sickness, or were chosen for the crematoria in one of the many selections. These prisoners were sectioned from each other with sixteen foot high electrified barbed wire fences, living only feet from the smokestacks of the crematoria.
Auschwitz II was an ever evolving and ever growing death camp. Below, represents the layout of Auschwitz II in May 1944.
