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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. Remembered by Thomas Blatt (Sobibor) as one of the less
brutal SS men. He carried a whip but never used it.
FATE:
He disappeared in 1945.
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DIETZE, Erich
02/11/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Worked in the office at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No details known.
FATE:
No details known.
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DUBOIS, Werner Karl
26/02/1913 - ?/?/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:
September 1943 ordered to Italy (BDC), 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.
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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.
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FORKER, Alfred
31/07/1904 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Male nurse at Sonnenstein. Member of NSDAP.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
No details known.
FATE:
No details known.
Photo: Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden,
Personalakten des Reichsstatthalters, Nr. F 238
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FRENZEL, Karl
SS-Oberscharführer
20/08/1911 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Zehdenick / Havel. Extended elementary school from 1918 -
1926 in Oranienburg. Education as carpenter. Member of NSDAP (no.
334948) and SA since 1 August 1930. Became SA man and worked from
October 1933 until 1935 in an ammunition factory in Grüneberg.
Due to his fervent belief in Nazism he received, from Hitler in
person, a dagger of honour. He described it as "his greatest
experience". When in 1939 they were looking for exceptional
reliable party members, he volunteered spontaneously for a
Sondereinsatz (special command). Therefore in the first week
of January 1940 he joined T4.
He was ordered to Grafeneck as guard and worked in the laundry.
Then served for a short time at Bernburg as construction worker. In
Hadamar he converted the cellars of the hospital into gas chambers,
whereupon on its completion he became a "disinfector", or as he
called himself, the "Brenner" (burner). Here he carried out the
gassing of people and the burning of the corpses.
Then he was ordered to Berlin and then to Lublin where he received
the rank of SS-Oberscharführer from Globocnik. On 28 April
1942 he set off on foot to Sobibor.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
He wanted to act in front of his SS-comrades and superiors as a
shining example and was proud of the fact that he became known as
one of the most important and brutal men in Sobibor. This he did by
a personal reign of terror, by the most brutal acts of punishment,
killing and ordering to kill the Jews.
After a while when he had leadership of Camp I and the
Bahnhofskommando (station command), he -next to Wagner- was
responsible for the selection of new arrivals.
During Wagner's absence, he was responsible for whom was to be sent
to the gas chambers and whom was to work for a while.
He accidentally avoided being killed when he was in the shower when
most of the other SS men were eliminated in the beginning of the
revolt. Because commander Reichleitner was not in the camp during the
revolt, Frenzel had to take command of the chaotic camp after the revolt.
FATE:
After Sobibor he was sent to Italy. There he served as member
of Einsatz R in Trieste and Fiume. Arrested by US troops in
a POW camp near Munich. Released late November 1945. Worked at a
film studio in Göttingen. Imprisoned on 22 March 1962.
Sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial in Hagen in 1966. That
judgement was confirmed on 4 October 1985. Because of his bad
state of health he was released and still alive in 1996 at an old peoples home near Hannover.
Photo: GFH
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FUCHS, Erich (Fritz Erhard)
SS-Unterscharführer
09/04/1902 - 25/07/1980
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 Lwow (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.
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GAULSTICH, Friedrich
SS-Unterscharführer (?)
?/?/? - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
No informations.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No informations.
FATE:
Killed during the revolt.
According to P. Witte, German Historian, a "Gaulstich" never was in Sobibor, and
he could possibly have had the name Paul Stich.
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GETZINGER, Anton
SS-Oberscharführer
24/11/1910 - ?/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Oeblarn / Austria. Described by his
Ortsgruppenleiter as "a fanatical Nationalsozialist
and fighter for the ideas of our Führer Adolf Hitler".
Served at Hartheim.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
One of the supervisors at Camp III.
FATE:
Killed some weeks before the revolt in the camp's Nordlager
(northern camp), where Russian ammunition was stacked, by a hand
grenade which he ignited himself by mistake. According to Gomerski,
who was present, "he wanted to test a machine gun and took two or
three hand grenades with him. We wanted to knock a pole in the
ground, broke the hand grenade on top of it, and threw it away.
Toni knocked it and was blown apart". In order to cover up this
shame, an official NSDAP report of 9 December 1944 stated that he
was murdered by bandits in Serbia and it was thus registered as "killed in action".
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GIRTZIG, Hans
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at Grafeneck and Hartheim. In Hartheim he was chief of the canteen.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
Unknown.
FATE:
Unknown
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GOMERSKI, Hubert
SS-Unterscharführer
11/11/1911 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Schweinheim (near Aschaffenburg). Lathe operator. Served at the Hadamar euthanasia killing centre.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor end of April 1942 together with the first group of
T4-men and stayed there until a few days before the revolt, which
he missed due to being on leave.
After he initially was in charge of a group of Ukrainians, he
together with Bolender and
Valasta supervised Camp III. During
incoming transports on the ramp he selected the sick and invalids
and took them to the place of execution. He made a point of it to
place a bottle on the head of an inmate and shot him with a carbine
in the head instead.
He was regarded next to Wagner and Frenzel as very dangerous. He
was also very stupid, however due to his performance in Sobibor he
was promoted Christmas 1942 to SS-Unterscharführer.
FATE:
Shortly before his arrest on 23 August 1949 he attested before
the Landgericht Frankfurt/Main, after survivor Klier was
able to turn him in, "I can only declare that to me a place with this name (Sobibor), is unknown to me".
Sentenced to life imprisonment on 25 August 1950 on account of
the murder of an undisclosed number of people.
Appeal and second trial in 1972. Released because of bad health.
Witnessed in the Frenzel trial 1983, apparently in good health.
Photo: GFH
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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.
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GRÖMER, Ferdinand
SS-Scharführer
07/04/1903 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Austria. Served at Hartheim, perhaps cook.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor as cook and later served actively at Camp III with
the gassing and transportation of the corpses. Also supervisor at
the pits. Sometimes he supervised the Waldkommando. A cruel
boozer. His comrade Bauer described him as a drunkard who loved to
brawl. Because of drinking problems he was punished by Reichleitner
and removed from Sobibor.
FATE: No more details known.
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GROTH, Paul Johannes
SS-Unterscharführer
21/01/1918 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Zoppot near 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.
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HACKEL, Emil
09/11/1910 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in W.Kamn.(?) (Sudetenland). Member of NSDAP and SS. "Burner" at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Unknown.
FATE:
Unknown.
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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!
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HIRTREITER, Josef
SS-Scharführer
01/02/1909 - 27/11/1978 (Also nicknamed: "Sepp")
BACKGROUND:
Hirtreiter was born in Bruchsal. After extended elementary school he
learned locksmith but didn't pass the final examination. Later he worked as
unskilled worker, construction worker and bricklayer. On 1 August 1932 he
became member of the NSDAP and SA.
In October 1940 he was ordered to the Hadamar euthanasia centre where he worked
in the kitchen and the office (according to his testimony). In summer 1942 he
had to join the army. After four weeks back to Hadamar. Then he was ordered to
Berlin where Wirth finally transferred him to
Lublin. There he became SS-Unterscharführer and was ordered to
Treblinka.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
Stationed at Treblinka from October 1942 till October 1943. Mainly
duties in Camp II.
The survivors of Treblinka vividly recalled him for his beastly
manner: "In the centre of the roll-call square, a gallows was built
and all the prisoners were gathered around it. The commander gave a
short speech on the punishment of the escapees, and two boys who
were caught trying to escape, were hung naked by their feet while
they were still alive and repeatedly beaten The boys called out to
the prisoners: 'Jews, escape, because death awaits you also. Pay no
attention to the fact that meanwhile you have something to eat. Our
fate today is your fate tomorrow'. The Germans whipped their
swinging bodies for about half an hour, until the two youngsters
were shot by SS-Scharführer Josef
Hirtreiter." (Arad, p.262)
FATE:
In October 1943 he was ordered to Italy where he had to join an
anti-partisan police unit. After the war he was arrested in July 1946,
and accused of having served at the euthanasia centre Hadamar.
He was the first of the Treblinka hangmen to be brought to trial
and tried in Frankfurt / Main. On 3 March 1951 he was sentenced to
life imprisonment. Among the crimes he was found guilty of were
killing many young children aged one to two, during the unloading
of the transports, by seizing them by the feet and smashing their
heads against the boxcars.
Because of illness Hirtreiter was released from prison in 1977.
He spent his last 6 months in an old peoples home in Frankfurt/M.
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HÖDL, Franz SS-Scharführer
SS-Number: 302 133
01/08/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in 1905 in Aschach near Linz (Austria). Member of SA (1933),
NSDAP (1938) and SS (1938).
Profession: Driver. Chief of Gekrat squadron, drove the Gekrat buses at Hartheim
euthanasia centre from April 1939 to January 1942. Thereafter drafted to a
OT (Organisation Todt) unit in Russia (1941/42) for transportations of wounded
soldiers. Then trained at Trawniki. Driver of Globocnik in Lublin.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor in October 1942 where he operated the gassing motor
at Camp III. Also served as driver of Reichleitner's and
Stangl's car.
Remained for two weeks at the camp after the revolt and helped with the liquidation.
A SS comrade said of him: "He excelled in an outstanding way".
FATE:
Together with Reichleitner ordered to Italy. There he witnessed how
Reichleitner was shot in his car.
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HORN, Otto
SS-Unterscharführer
14/12/1903 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Became member of the NSDAP in 1937.
Born in Obergrauschwitz near Leipzig. Profession: male nurse.
Attended until 14, the extended elementary school after which for
four years he worked on a farm. At 18 he became a miner in
Börte.
Worked in a psychological clinic at Arnsdorf serving two years
apprenticeship as nurse with an examination. Then he served for two
years at the psychological clinic in Leipzig / Dösen*.
Afterwards he was until 1939 again in Arnsdorf.
In 1939 he became soldier attached to a medical battalion serving
in Dresden, afterwards to Poland also as a medic, November 1939
stationed at Geldern and then to France. In August 1941 he was
released from the Wehrmacht, whereupon he was ordered to
Sonnenstein where he served as male nurse (at this time he already
was member of T4).
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
In September 1942 to Trawniki and after two weeks training there,
sent in October to Treblinka where he belonged to the permanent
staff. He supervised the Grubenkommando (piling up the corpses,
covering them with sand and chloric lime) in the extermination
area, at the mass graves and at the incinerator where the corpses
of the victims were cremated later. Horn had the reputation in
Treblinka of being a decent man who never hurt anyone, and this was
in fact confirmed by a number of survivors.
He testified the following during the Demjanjuk trial:
Q. Mr. Horn, what kind of place was Treblinka?
A. It was a camp - an extermination camp.
Q. What if anything happened when you first arrived at Treblinka?
A. People were exterminated there, were gassed.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No details known.
FATE:
He left Treblinka after the uprising in September 1943 and went on
an extended holiday at Arnsdorf with a simulated illness. He was
then posted in January 1944 to Trieste where he refused to work and
sent back to the Heil- und Pflegeanstalt in Arnsdorf. After
14 days in Arnsdorf (in December 1944) he was ordered to the
Landesschützenbataillon in Plauen possibly as a
punitive measure. At the closing of the war he was in the Czech
Republic where the Russians made him a POW.
In the First Treblinka Trial (1965), he was released.
* Dösen is a part of Leipzig
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ITTNER, Alfred
SS-Oberscharführer
13/01/1907 - 03/11/1976
BACKGROUND:
Born in Kulmbach. Became member of the NSDAP (number 30805) already in 1926.
Member of SA in 1936. Served at the T4 office in Berlin
(Tiergartenstraße 4) as bookkeeper and driver.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor on 28 April 1942. During the first five weeks he
was in charge of the office.The Jews had to hand over their
valuables as they passed by a counter next to the Forsthaus in
Camp II, on their way to the gas chambers. Later he supervised the
extracting of gold teeth in Camp III, digging the pits and carrying
bodies to the mass graves. He managed to terminate his service in
Sobibor somehow, and end of June 1942 he could return to T4 in
Berlin.
After the war he declared: "I have seen for myself that the
invalids and sick were shot at the edge of the pits in Camp III. At
these executions I turned my face sideways and therefore cannot
remember who the executioners were. It was there more than a
'Schweinerei' (crying shame)".
FATE:
In the 1966 Hagen Trial he was sentenced to four years imprisonment
for his part in the murder of an unknown but at least 68,000
people. He died in Kulmbach.
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JÜHRS, Robert
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
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KAMM, Rudolf ("Rudi")
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Teplitz / Schönau. Served at 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.
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KLIER, Johann
SS-Unterscharführer
15/07/1901 - 18/02/1955
BACKGROUND:
Born in Stadtsteinach. Afrer extended elementary school he became master baker in 1931.
In 1933 he became member of NSDAP and SA.
From 1934 - 1940 he worked at the Heddernheimer Copper Works Factory. In 1940 he was ordered
to Hadamar where he worked as construction worker and in the cellar, at the heating system.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Early August 1942 to Sobibor. Chief of the bakery and supervisor at the
sorting barrack where the victim's shoes were kept. He estimated
the amount of shoe pairs at 45,000. The inmates regarded him as one
of the more humane in nature. Stayed in Sobibor until a few days
before the revolt. During the revolt he was on leave. He was in Sobibor
until the camp was closed, then ordered to Italy, probably San Sabba KZ in Trieste.
FATE:
From 5 May until 15 June 1945 he was POW in Italy. Interned from December
1945 until February 1949.
His trial took place in Frankfurt/Main. On 25 August 1950 he
was acquitted.
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KONRAD, Fritz
SS-Scharführer
21/09/1914 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Gudellen. Served at Sonnenstein and Grafeneck as male nurse.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor in March 1943. He supervised workers in the sorting
barracks and served at Camp III too.
FATE:
Killed during the revolt. Survivor Zelda Metz testified that
he was killed by a cobbler.
Photo: GFH
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LACHMANN, Erich
SS-Scharführer
06/11/1909 - 23/01/1972
BACKGROUND:
Born in Liegnitz. Police man. No more details known.
SERVICE AT TRAWNIKI AND SOBIBOR:
In September 1941 he was ordered to Trawniki for training Ukrainian
volunteers. Since August 1942 he supervised the Ukrainian guards in
Sobibor for several months. Bauer sketched him as "a boozer and
somebody who stole like the ravens". Survivors Margulies and
Lichman witnessed how he raped young girls. When
Reichleitner took
up command, he sent him back to Trawniki because he was unsuitable
for the service at the camp. From there he deserted with a
girlfriend. He is quoted as saying: "I had nothing against the Jews.
I regarded them as all other people. My suits I previously bought
from a Jew, Max Süssmann, who had a textile firm in Liegnitz".
FATE:
In the Hagen Trial he was acquitted in 1966. The judge
characterized him as mentally less gifted. He died in Wegscheid.
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LAMBERT, Erwin Hermann
SS-Unterscharführer
07/12/1909 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Schildow (Kreis Niederbarnim, near Berlin).
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown. Member of NSDAP since
1933, appointed as Blockleiter. Profession: Mason foreman in Berlin. January
1940 to Gemeinnützige Stiftung für Anstaltspflege*
his first assignment being the renovation of the T4 villa.
Installed the gas chambers at the euthanasia institutes Hartheim,
Sonnenstein, Bernburg and Hadamar. In June 1942 ordered to Lublin for
bricklaying assignments. There he received his SS uniform.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
He was called the "flying architect of T4" because he also made
construction works at T4. From Treblinka to Attersee for
renovations assignments, back to Treblinka again after that worked
at Dohorucza, Poniatowa and finally ordered to Sobibor October
1942 (arrived at Sobibor at the end of September 1942 only for three weeks in connection
with the installation of new gas chambers (BDC)). Back to Berlin and then to Trieste.
Photographed demolishing a factory chimney at Malkinia. The bricks
were used to build the larger new gas chambers at Treblinka, in the
autumn of 1942.
FATE:
He finally was also posted to Trieste.
In the First Treblinka Trial (1965), he was sentenced to four years in prison.
Three years imprisonment at the Sobibor trial in Hagen in 1966 (BDC).
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LUDWIG, Karl Emil
SS-Scharführer
23/05/1906 - ?/?/1963
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
Profession: driver. Initially he was the chauffeur of Reichsleiter
Bormann.
Driver for T4 headquarters.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
He was at Camp III until the beginning of 1943 when he was sent to
Treblinka. He was also numerous times in charge of the
Waldkommando. Outside the camp he single-handedly shot at Jews.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
Assigned to guard duties in Camp II. He treated Jewish prisoners
humanely. It was said that he also helped people escape from Ossowa.
Ludwig as remembered by prisoner
Joe Siedlecki: "There was one SS,
if I saw him today, if there was anything he needed, I'd give it to
him; Karl Ludwig. He was a good good man. The number of times he
brought me things, the number of times he helped me, the number of
people he probably saved, I can hardly tell you. I don't know where
he is now, but I wish I did." (Sereny, p.188)
Ludwig as remembered by prisoner
Richard Glazar: "The casually
elegant, still slim Master Sergeant Karl Ludwig, a bright sort in
his middle years, no more spent than average, has come out of the
death camp on a brief foray to our Kirmes, our Christmas market, to
get a share of the riches as long there are still riches to be
had." (Glazar, p.92)
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| In Italy |
Ludwig on leave at Sobibor, as remembered by
Theresa Stangl ( Franz
Stangl's wife); "And then he suddenly said, 'Fürchterlich -
dreadful, it is just dreadful, you have no idea how dreadful it
is.' I asked him 'What is dreadful?' 'Don't you know?' he asked.
'Don't you know what is being done out there?'- 'No,' I said,
'What?'- 'The Jews,' he answered. 'The Jews are being done away
with.'- 'Done away with?' I asked. 'How ? What do you mean ?' -
'With gas,' he said. 'Fantastic numbers of them.' He went on about
how awful it was and then he said, in that same maudlin way he had,
'But we are doing it for our Führer. For him we sacrifice
ourselves to do this - we obey his orders.' And then he said, too,
'can you imagine what would happen if the Jews ever got hold of
us?'" (Sereny, p.136)
FATE:
Served in Italy. He was among those from the euthanasia
programme who remained alive at the end of the war. Acquitted at his
trial, due to the testimonies by Jewish witnesses.
Photo: GFH
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MATTHES, Heinrich Arthur
SS-Scharführer
11/01/1902 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Belonged to SS squad. Joined the SA in 1934 and the NSDAP in 1937.
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| At Sonnenstein |
Born in Wermsdorf (Kreis Leipzig). He attended extended elementary
school and became a tailor. In 1924 did his apprenticeship as male
nurse and educator and did his examinations at the mental home Sonnenstein
near Dresden. At the psychological clinic in Arnsdorf (near Dresden) he served as male nurse and
educator. In 1930 as educator and welfare worker to a institute in
Bräunsdorf (near Freiburg / Sachsen). In October 1933 back to Arnsdorf. SA member since 1934
(finally SA-Sturmmann). In 1939 ordered to
the Wehrmacht (infantry) where he served as soldier in Poland and France until September 1941.
His last rank was Obergefreiter. Released from the Wehrmacht, ordered to
the KdF ( Kanzlei des Führers) where he was ordered to the T4 organization. A short time in
the photo section of T4. In winter 1941/42, as member of OT
( Organisation Todt), sent to Russia, where he served as male nurse in
the Minsk and Smolensk area. In February/March 1942 he returned from Russia and served again in the
same photo section at T4.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
In August 1942 to Lublin, where he was drafted into the SS and got
the rank of SS-Scharführer whereupon he was dispatched
to Aktion Reinhard. To Treblinka in August 1942. Here he
was appointed chief officer commanding Camp II and the gas chambers
as well as killer at the Lazarett where the Ukrainians called him
"doctor". He shot a prisoner, Ilik Weintraub because, while
transferring bodies from the gas chambers to the pits, Weintraub
Matthes as remembered by
Suchomel: " Wirth installed
Matthes as
chief of Camp II, as far as I know - and I lived with Matthes - against
his will. With further threats he also made Matthes toe the line."
(Tregenza, p.7)
Matthes as remembered by Jerzy Rajgrodzki,
a prisoner in the extermination area: "He used to beat the prisoners with a
completely expressionless, apathetic look on his face, as if the
beatings were part of his daily routine. He always saw to it that
the roll-call area would always be extremely clean. One of the
prisoners had to rake the sand in the square all day long, and he
had to do it with Prussian exactness." (Arad, p.194)
He was posted at Treblinka until September 1943.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
From Treblinka he was posted to Sobibor until the Christmas
holidays, afterwards to Berlin.
FATE:
In 1944 from Berlin
to Trieste as policeman (rank: Oberwachtmeister); served in that
region until end of war.
In the First Treblinka Trial (1965) he was sentenced to life
imprisonment.
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MÄTZIG, Willy
SS-Oberscharführer
06/08/1910 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Belonged to Waffen-SS squad.
Born in Berg (Oberlausitz). First profession: glasscutter. In
October 1933 member of Allgemeine SS, with the rank of
SS-Unterscharführer. In July 1939, for three months in
infantry unit in Freistadt, Schlesien. Early January 1940 posted to
SS infantry in Linz. He contracted septic bone marrow and
consequently was medically suspended and ordered to Berlin. Member
of T4 since February / March 1940. Served as guard at the
euthanasia institute Brandenburg for one year. 1941 to Bernburg as
guard again and administration assistant. In Summer / autumn 1942
from Bernburg to the East.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No details known.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
November 1943 to Treblinka where he was book-keeper/accountant.
With the orderly Stadie,
Mätzig was one of
Stangl's two senior
administrative assistants, their office being in Stangl's quarters.
Mätzig was part of the squad, which received prisoners with
clubs and whips on platform when deportations arrived. After the
Jews disembarked, Stadie or
Mätzig would have a short word
with them. They were told something to the effect that "they were a
resettlement transport, that they would be given a bath and that
they would receive new clothes. They were also instructed to
maintain quiet and discipline. They would continue their journey
the following day".
Stangl relates to Sereny
in the book "Into that Darkness":
"I tried other ways to get them food too. You know the Poles had
ration books which allowed them an egg a week, so much fat, so much
meat. Well, it occurred to me that if everybody in Poland had the
right to ration tickets - if that was the law then our work-Jews
were in Poland too and also had the right to ration tickets. So I
told Mützig the book-keeper to go to the town council and
request a thousand ration books for our worker-Jews. 'What
happened?' He laughed. Well, in the surprise of the moment they
gave him a thousand rations for that week. But afterwards the Poles
- the town council - complained to somebody at HQ and I was hauled
over the coals for it. Still it was a good try and we did get
something out of it; they had a thousand eggs that week. 'Oh yes,
certainly,' said Suchomel. Mätzig
got out of the Polish
authorities what he could; he was a decent bloke. He got the Jews
cereal and marmalade - that I remember clearly. A thousand eggs?
Well, I don't know anything about that - but it's possible." (Sereny, p.168)
FATE:
Since the end of 1943 until end of war in Trieste. No more details known.
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MENTZ, Willi
SS-Unterscharführer
30/04/1904 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Belonged to police detachment. Joined the NSDAP in 1932.
Born in Schönhagen (Kreis Bromberg). Profession:
unskilled worker in sawmill and passed master milkman's
examination. In 1940 took care of cows and pigs at Grafeneck
euthanasia centre and from 1941 to early summer 1942 worked in the
gardens of Hadamar.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
From June-July 1942 until November 1943 posted at Treblinka.
He was assigned first to Camp II and then to Camp I as chief of the
Landwirtschaftskommando (Agricultural Command). Mentz was also
assigned by Wirth to supervise the Lazarett. The victims, seated
or lying together were facing the mass grave and so were forced to
watch the corpses smouldering in the pit before they themselves were shot.
Mentz testified how Wirth
personally demonstrated the correct
technique to him: "He himself demonstrated it to me, and in my
presence shot several Jews. Then, under his supervision, I had to
kill even more Jews by shooting them in the neck. This method was
then adhered to." (Tregenza, p. 8)
In time, Mentz came to terms with his new task at the Lazarett
and became a much-feared figure among the Jewish work-brigades;
Wearing a white doctor's smock he was to shoot thousands of
helpless Jews in the way approved by Wirth, and push their bodies
into the flames at the bottom of the pit. To the prisoners of
Treblinka, Mentz became known as "Frankenstein". (Tregenza, p. 8)
He, apart from Kurt Franz, was the only member of the SS garrison
who knew how to ride and exercised the horses of Treblinka daily.
Mentz as remembered by
Glazar: "Somehow always unkempt and
dishevelled, Willi Mentz, with a black moustache under his nose, is
subordinate to Miete in civilian as well as in military life,
although he too is a sergeant. In real life he is a dairy farmer,
and here he is marksman second class. He is responsible for the
routine shootings that take place in the 'Infirmary' as the
transports arrive. He shoots and shoots, and keeps shooting,
sometimes moving on to the next target even when the previous shot
had not found its mark and a sentient victim simply slipped into
the fires. Messy work." (Glazar, p. 47)
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In December 1943 he spent a short time at Sobibor.
FATE:
After Sobibor he served in Italy taking part in the final
action of Aktion R (persecution of Jews and partisans).
After 1945 worked again as a master milkman. In the First
Treblinka Trial (1965), he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The
verdict stated: "... because shooting was the activity he was
normally engaged in, the Jews simply called him the 'Gunman'". How
many people Mentz killed in the Lazarett in the method described
could never be clearly established. The only thing that is certain
is that the number of Jews from the transports he killed
single-handedly runs into thousands and that over and above these
he liquidated some hundreds of worker-Jews.
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MICHEL, Hermann
SS-Oberscharführer
10/11/1901 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Holzheim (probably on 17/03/1909 in Ruhla or on 23/041912 in Passau).
Probably senior male nurse in Buch (Berlin). As T4 man he served
at Grafeneck and Hartheim.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
In 1942 he was approximately 30 years old. From the beginning until
autumn 1942 he welcomed the victims with a short speech. Wearing a
white overcoat to look like a doctor, he convincingly told the Jews
they have arrived at a labour camp. In order for hygienic
conditions they had to be disinfected and had to take a shower.
No further details known about his use in Treblinka.
FATE:
Detained by the US Army at Bad Aiblingen (Bavaria) but released on 19 April 1946. Cashed a certificate
of credit for $191.60 on 15 January 1948, and disappeared. Believed to have been living in
Egypt in the 1950s (BDC).
Photo: GFH
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MÜLLER, Adolf
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - 10/03/1949
BACKGROUND:
Born in Berlin. No more details known.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor in summer 1943. Served mostly at Camp II, in the
sorting barracks and in charge of the Waldkommando. During the
revolt he kept a group of prisoners of the Waldkommando under armed guard.
FATE: No details known.
Photos: Landesarchiv Nordrhein-Westfalen
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NIEMANN, Johann
SS-Untersturmführer
04/08/1913 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Curriculum Vitae
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,
killed by the Soviet POW Aleksander Shubayev from Minsk
by an axe blow to his head.
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NOVAK (NOWAK?), Anton
SS-Scharführer
12/05/1912 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Janow. Member of NSDAP and SS. Male nurse at Sonnenstein
euthanasia centre.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Together with Bauer he supervised the work in the "Haircutters
Barrack". Sometimes he supervised the Waldkommando. According to
survivor Estera Raab he was small of posture with black hair. "Many
times we saw him going to Camp III. He smelled after corpses".
FATE:
Killed during the revolt (confirmed by Bauer on 13 September 1960
in Berlin).
Photo: Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden,
Reichsstatthalter - Personalakten, Nr. N 181.
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PÖTZINGER, Karl
SS-Scharführer
?/?/1908 - ?/?/1944
BACKGROUND:
Belonged to police detachment. Apparently from Leipzig. At outbreak of war he was a
SA-Scharführer. Posted to Brandenburg and Bernburg
euthanasia centres (incinerated bodies).
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
After serving at the euthanasia centres he was posted to Treblinka
and Sobibor. Was in charge of the cremation in Camp II (Treblinka).
Glazar relates: "... one of the SS, a man called
Poltzinger who worked up at Camp II, came to our shop and asked
which were 'Karel
and Richard', and when we said it was us, he said he'd brought a
message from Zhelo: he was OK and would we like to send a message
back to him. We always thought the SS up there were better than
ours, probably because, after all, they had to live through the
same unspeakable horrors as, the slaves up there." (Sereny, p.11)
FATE:
Pötzinger was killed in 1944, during an allied air attack.
Buried in the German Military Cemetery at Costermano, near Verona, Italy.
Photo: GFH
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REHWALD, Wenzel (Fritz?)
SS-Unterscharführer, SS-Number: 321 745
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Bricklayer. Member of SS. Served at Sonnenstein as "burner", at
Bernburg, Hadamar and Hartheim too.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Since end of December 1942 chief of the women's undressing barrack.
Supervised the construction of barracks. During the revolt he kept
prisoners under armed guard.
FATE:
No details known.
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RICHTER, Kurt
SS-Scharführer
?/?/1914 - 13/08/1944
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
Profession: Butcher, also driver at Sonnenstein. Served at Hartheim too.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
Early 1943 to Treblinka, assigned as cook. After having served at
Treblinka, as cook at Sobibor.
FATE:
Served in Italy, killed by partisans and buried at the German cemetery in Costermano.
Photo: GFH
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ROST, Paul
SS-Untersturmführer, SS-Number: 382 366
12/06/1904 - 21/03/1984
BACKGROUND:
Born in Deutschenbora (Saxony). After extended elementary school,
learned butcher. 1925 to Dresden police. 1937 member of NSDAP. On
21 May 1940 ordered to Sonnenstein, where he served as chief of
police squad and transportation command. Served at Hartheim too.
On 1 December 1940 joined the SS. Early 1942 ordered to Lublin.
His comrades described him as undisciplined as he had an
extramarital affair with a teacher in Warsaw.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In March 1942 to Sobibor. As Meister der Schutzpolizei he
was one of the first to be reported for duty in the camp, initially
as acting commander. After him it was Floss and
Niemann. He had to
secretively spy on the other SS camp staff. In charge of Camp II
with the sorting procedures.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
Since May 1943 at Treblinka.
FATE:
In December 1943 ordered to Trieste (Italy). On 9 November 1944
he was promoted to second lieutenant of the police and received the
Kriegsverdienstkreuz Zweiter Klasse mit Schwertern.
After the war for a short time in a US POW camp, then returned
to his family in Dresden. Imprisoned by the Soviet Military
Authority until summer 1946, then released. Worked unmolested in
Dresden until his death.
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RYBA, Walter
SS-Unterscharführer
18/07/1900 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Heydebreck / Kosel.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Possibly in the garage.
FATE:
Killed during the revolt.
Arad, Yitzhak: Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka (p. 328):
"Pechersky was informed that Engel, a locksmith, had killed
Unterscharführer Walter Ryba when he came into
the garage where Engel was working that day."
According to P. Witte, German Historian, and the BDC Ryba's real
name was Hochberg.
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SCHARFE, Herbert
SS-Scharführer
13/02/1913 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at the economic office of Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Served at Camp II as paymaster and collected valuables from the
victims. Worked on the ramp and in Camp III where he supervised the
barracks of the Jewish Sonderkommando.
FATE:
No details known.
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SCHEMMEL, Ernst (Franz (BDC))
Kriminal-Obersekretär and SS-Scharführer
11/09/1883 - 10/12/1943
BACKGROUND:
Rank and affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
Born in Kirchhain (between Dresden and Berlin). Member of criminal
investigation department.
Administrative head at Sonnenstein. Served at Hartheim too.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
Was at Treblinka for a short time. He served in the administration section.
FATE:
No further details known. He died in Dresden.
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SCHIFFNER, Karl
SS-Unterscharführer, SS-Number: 321 225
04/07/1901 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown. Was member of NSDAP and SA.
Born in Weißkirchlitz under the name of "Kresadlo". Attended
extended elementary school and later public school in
Weißkirchlitz. Did his three years apprenticeship as carpenter
and at the same time at trade school. Served during 1921-1923 in
the Czech Army. Married in 1928. Member of the Sudetendeutsche
Partei, when in the Czech Republic. Became member of the SA
after the Czech Republic was occupied. Changed from SA to SS
"because the black uniforms looked better". Received the
Ehrenwinkel (chevron of honour) because of his membership
in the Sudetendeutsche Partei. Successfully changed his name
from Kresadlo to
Schiffner in 1941. Until 1942 at Sonnenstein as
carpenter after which closure he was posted to
Tiergartenstraße 4 (T4) for repairs, thereafter to Lublin.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA, BELZEC AND SOBIBOR:
From Lublin he was posted to Treblinka where he was issued with the
SS uniform, first without rank but later as
SS-Unterscharführer. In charge of the camp joinery and
building team.
During June/July 1943 he and a group of twelve Ukrainians under his
command went to Belzec after that camps liquidation, to build a
farmhouse there for Ukrainian families.
Also served at Sobibor.
FATE:
From Belzec to Trieste, served there in a police unit against
partisans until the end of the war. Retreated to Kärnten
(Austria) where he was disarmed by the British and made a POW in
the camp Usbach. Released in October 1945, went to Salzburg. No
further details known.
Photo: GFH
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SCHULZ, Erich (Emanuel? Erwin?)
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Berlin. Served at Grafeneck, Hadamar and Sonnenstein as "burner".
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:
Served first at Sobibor and then Treblinka. No further details known.
FATE:
Was sent to Italy. No further details known.
Photo: GFH
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SCHÜTT, Hans-Heinz
SS-Scharführer
06/04/1908 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Dummersdorf. In 1938 he became
SS-Sturmbannverwaltungsführer (chief of a
SS-Sturmbann office). Served as chief of the offices at the
euthanasia centres Grafeneck and Hadamar.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
According to his own admittance he was in Sobibor from 28 April
until August 1942. Served at Camp II as paymaster. Also collected
valuables behind a counter there, from the victims on their way to
the gas chambers. Worked on the ramp and in Camp III where he was
responsible for the cleanliness of the barracks of the Jewish Sonderkommando.
"On the question why I was present on the ramp during the
transports, I declare that it was out of curiosity. I wanted to
confirm myself of the cruelty of the 'Endlösung' and
report my impressions to Berlin in order to be relieved. In no case
I was actively involved in Sobibor. Mostly I had an aversion to the
rough manner in which the Ukrainians went about. They were exceptionally cruel".
He lived outside the camp in Chelm; was in Sobibor until August 1942.
FATE:
For some unclear reason he was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison.
Near the end of the war, Schütt was sent to the Eastern Front.
Survived the war. On trial in 1962.
Photo: GFH
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SCHUMACHER, Ernst
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
No informations.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No informations.
FATE:
No informations.
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SCHWARZ, Gottfried ("Friedl")
SS-Hauptscharführer, promoted to SS-Untersturmführer after Aktion Reinhard
?/?/? - 19/06/1944
BACKGROUND:
Medical Practitoner in Grafeneck, "burner" in Bernburg.
SERVICE AT BELZEC:
Deputy commander.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
According to Erich Fuchs he served in Sobibor.
FATE:
After Belzec / Sobibor commander of Dorohucza labour camp, then ordered to
Italy (Einsatz R). Killed in Istria / Italy in 1944. Buried
at the German Military Cemetery at Costermano, near Verona (grave no 666).
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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).
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STEFFEL, Thomas
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Krummau (Czechoslovakia). Photographer at T4 headquarters.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor in February 1943. Supervised workers in the sorting barracks.
FATE:
Killed during the revolt in Camp II. Franz Wolf, who came from the
same city as Steffl, identified his corpse and attended his funeral.
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STENGELIN, Erwin (Ernst?)
SS-Unterscharführer
10/08/1911 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
Born in Tuttlingen. Served at Hadamar euthanasia centre.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:
In Treblinka he was assigned to Camp I.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
He was transferred from Treblinka, shortly before the Sobibor
revolt. Suchomel is the only person who mentions this SS man by
name and declared that he was killed during the revolt.
FATE:
Killed during the revolt.
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STEUBEL (STEUBL?), Karl
SS-Scharführer
25/10/1910 - 21/09/1945
BACKGROUND:
Senior male nurse at Hartheim.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Served as paymaster after Schütt has left the camp in August
1942. He was present, and most probably took part, in the execution
of the last Treblinka-Jews who were sent to Sobibor after the
demolition of Treblinka.
FATE:
After the war he committed suicide in Linz (Austria).
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SUCHOMEL, Franz
SS-Unterscharführer
03/12/1907 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Belonged to SS squad.
Born in Krumau (today in the Czech Republic). Profession: tailor.
He worked from 1940-42 in the T4 euthanasia programme (photographic section) in Berlin and Hadamar.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
Ordered to Treblinka together with Hirthreiter, Post, Löffler, Sydow, Matthes and two men from Frankfurt/Main.
He worked in Treblinka from 20 August 1942 until late October 1943.
His first duty was at the "Station", then as supervisor in the
women undressing barrack leading the victims to the "Tube". Later
in charge of the Goldjuden and the tailor shop. When Eichmann and
Globocnik were coming to Treblinka for inspection,
Suchomel had to report to them about the Goldjuden.
Suchomel, who, by comparison to some, was relatively decent:
Richard Glazar: "That doesn't mean Suchomel
didn't beat us; all of them beat us."
Suchomel recollects when he arrived the first time in Treblinka:
"So Stadie, the sarge, showed us the camps from end to end. Just as
we went by, they were opening the gas-chamber doors, and people
fell out like potatoes. Naturally, that horrified and appalled us.
We went back and sat down on our suitcases and cried like old
women. Each day one hundred Jews were chosen to drag the corpses to
the mass graves. In the evening the Ukrainians drove those Jews
into the gas chambers or shot them. Every day!" (Excerpt - "Shoah")
Suchomel as remembered by Richard Glazar:
"In a show of patriotic sentiment toward the few 'hard-working boys from Bohemia' who had
somehow landed among the 'pack from Poland', Sergeant
Suchomel, during the peacetime thirties, a tailor and member of a
German-speaking minority in Bohemian Krummau, and here the jovial
head of the Gold Jew Commando has soup and oranges sent to Zelo
from the German mess. Look here, an orange-a genuine orange with a
soft peel, no hint of rot, still emitting scents of the wondrous outside world." (Glazar, p.79)
In late October 1943 he was ordered to Sobibor.
FATE:
After Sobibor to Trieste, Italy. Captured by US troops, arrested as POW, in August 1945 released. Since 1949 he
lived in Altötting (Bayern) where he was arrested on 11 July 1963.
In the First Treblinka Trial 1965 he was sentenced to six years in prison. Released in 1969.
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SYDOW, Franz (Hermann?)
SS-Unterscharführer
?/?/1908 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown.
Profession: Dockworker from Hamburg.
SERVICE AT TREBLINKA AND SOBIBOR:
In charge of the camouflage commando in Treblinka.
Sydow as remembered by Glazar: "A short little guy but very tough,
with an unbelievable appetite for alcohol." (Glazar, p.127)
After Treblinka uprising ordered to Sobibor.
FATE:
Served also in Italy. No further details known.
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TAUSCHER, Friedrich (Fritz (BDC))
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.
In April 1943 he was transferred to KZ Budzyn where according to witnesses he took pot-shots at Jews for amusement (BDC).
FATE:
In 1944 he served in Italy. 1965: Suicide in prison.
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UNVERHAU, Heinrich
SS-Unterscharführer
26/05/1911 (05/06/1911 (BDC)) - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Vienenburg (Harz). 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.
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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.
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VEY, Kurt
12/07/1901 - ?/?/1945
BACKGROUND:
Worked in the office at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND BELZEC:
No details known.
FATE:
Served also in Italy. No further details known.
Photo: Sächsisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Dresden, Personalakten des Reichsstatthalters, V17
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WAGNER, Gustav Franz
SS-Oberscharführer, SS-Number: 276 962
18/07/1911 - ?/10/1980
BACKGROUND:
Born in Vienna. Served at Hartheim.
NSDAP member (No. 443,217).
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Successor of Floss. Due to his strong physique he was called
"Welfel" (wolf). After Gomerski and
Frenzel the Jews feared his
brutal and merciless behaviour most, and he was avoided. Many Jews
he shot without reason. He was made out to be a man who knew how to
interpret important commands the best. In contrast to the other
camp staff he was intelligent. He supervised the camp and appeared
everywhere, putting control measures in place which were to the
detriment of the workers.
Survivor Bachir testified about him: "I saw how he killed two
workers, whom he has selected for work, because they did not
understand his instructions properly. They could not speak German properly".
Almost everybody who testified at the trials mentioned that he had
at least once given them a thrashing. Together with Frenzel he
selected the newly arrived transports for work in the camp.
The prisoners who planned the revolt, knew of Wagner's absence on
leave, and knew the chances of escape were improved, with him not
being in Sobibor. Himmler promoted him to
SS-Oberscharführer after his visit to the camp on 12 February 1943.
FATE:
After the war he went into hiding in Brazil using the pseudonym
" Günther Mendel". In May 1978 he was discovered by
Simon Wiesenthal. He was imprisoned but his extradition to Germany and
Israel failed because, according to the official Brazilian statement, he committed suicide.
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WALTHER, Arthur
Reserveleutnant der Schutzpolizei
22/10/1907 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Reichstein. Served at the economic office of Sonnenstein, at Hartheim too.
Member of NSDAP and SS.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No details known.
FATE:
Served also in Italy. No further details known.
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WEISS, Bruno (Otto ?)
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
No details known.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In the beginning phase he was the commander of Camp I, where the
Jewish inmates lived. At the same time he also was chief of the
Bahnhofskommando (station command) and worked in Camp III. He
made the Jews sing derogatory songs.
FATE:
Early 1943 he left the camp because he has got tuberculosis.
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WENDLAND, Wilhelm (Willi?)
SS-Scharführer
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Served at Sonnenstein euthanasia centre as "burner".
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Came to Sobibor in March 1943. Supervised in the sorting barracks
and the Waldkommando. During the revolt he kept the prisoners
under armed surveillance. He was ordered to Italy when Aktion Reinhard was ceased.
FATE:
No details known.
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WERNER, Kurt
?/?/? - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
No informations.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No informations.
FATE:
No informations.
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WOLF, Franz
SS-Unterscharführer
09/04/1907 (04/03/1907 (BDC))- ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Born in Krummau (Czechoslovakia). Brother of Josef Wolf (see
below). After his education as forester he worked in his father's photo shop until 1939. From 28 August 1939 soldier
in the Reichswehr (Infantry Regiment 130), served as courier in France and Poland. In January 1940 ordered to
the KdF in Berlin, sent to T4, and finally to the T4 killing centre Hadamar. There he had to take photos of the
victims. In autumn 1941 to T4 in Berlin where he continued to work as photographer. From summer 1942 - spring 1943 as
photographer in the mental home Heidelberg. In March 1943 ordered to Lublin.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
Since beginning March 1943, he was together with his brother Josef
in the camp. Served mainly at the sorting barracks. He also was
around the women's undressing barracks and sometimes supervisor of
the Waldkommando. It cannot be ascertained if he was merely
present at the execution of the Jews of the Waldkommando or if he
executed them himself. The Jews feared his whip and that everything
they said to him would be told to Frenzel. He was submissive to his
superiors but acted in a cynical-sarcastic way towards those who were below him.
Two or three days after the Sobibor revolt he was on convalescent leave for 14 days, then back to Sobibor
for a few days until he was ordered to Italy. There he had to register Jewish property, and fought against
partisans occasionally.
FATE:
In course of the German retreat from Italy he went to Austria where he was captured by US troops. POW in the
camp in Weiden. After his release he worked for the US Army as photographer until May 1946.
In the 1966 Hagen Trial he was sentenced to eight years
imprisonment due to his involvement in the murder of at least 39,000 people.
Photo: GFH
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WOLF, Josef
SS-Scharführer
18/04/1900 - 14/10/1943
BACKGROUND:
Born in Krummau (Czechoslovakia). Brother of Franz Wolf (see above).
Photographer in Krummau. Soldier from 1939 - autumn 1941, when he was ordered to T4.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
In beginning March 1943, he came together with his brother Franz to
the camp. He mainly served in the sorting barracks 25, 26 and 27.
FATE:
He was killed during the revolt. His wife received the message that he was killed during
a raid by bandits. Buried in the German Military Cemetery in Chelm (BDC).
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ZASPEL, Fritz
31/10/1907 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
Male nurse at Sonnenstein.
SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:
No details known.
FATE:
No details known.
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ZIRKE, Ernst
SS-Unterscharführer
16/05/1905 - ?/?/?
BACKGROUND:
8 years elementary school education. Left school at the age of 13.
Worked as woodcutter and blacksmith. Male nurse since 1934. Worked as male nurse
at the "Heil- und Pflegeanstalt Neuruppin". NSDAP and SA since
1930. T4 since December 1939. Driver at Grafeneck, Hadamar and
Sonnenstein. Ordered from the mental home in Eichberg to
Organisation Todt in Russia. Early 1942 back to Eichberg.
SERVICE AT BELZEC AND DOROHUCZA:
In June 1942 ordered to Belzec. Served at the ramp and 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.
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:
Ordered to San Sabba, Italy. 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.
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FUNERAL IN CHELM
SS Scharführer Erich Bauer testified after the war, that he
transported seven coffins to the city of Chelm. The rest of the
coffins went to Chelm by train. Those he transported from the
railroad station to the city hall.
In all twenty one to twenty three guards were killed during the revolt.
The killing of so many Germans and escape of prisoners, bearers of
the state secret concerning the death camp at Sobibor, warranted
urgent notification to Berlin. A high ranking delegation from
Hitler's Chancellery in Berlin arrived to attend the funeral on
17 October 1943. The Nazis killed in the revolt were buried in
Chelm with full military honours. (T. Blatt: Sobibor - The Forgotten Revolt)
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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
according to sources as credited at the end of this document. We
therefore cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate or what may
be perceived as blasphemous information about some entries.
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.
Blatt, Thomas. From the Ashes of Sobibor. A Story of Survival.
Evanston / Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1997.
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, et al. 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.
Schelvis, Jules. Vernietigingskamp Sobibor. Amsterdam: De Betaafsche Leeuw, 1997.
Schilter, Thomas. Unmenschliches Ermessen.
Leipzig: Gustav Kiepenheuer Verlag, 1999.
Sereny, Gitta. Into that Darkness - From Mercy Killing to Mass Murder.
London: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1974.
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 Donat's book, The Death Camp Treblinka.
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: ARCFI Archive
© ARC (http://www.deathcamps.org) 2005 |
