The Sobibor Perpetrators

An overview of the German and Austrian SS and Police Staff

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.

Party at Stangl's House in Sobibor

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 always 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

Consignment Note

Click for enlargement

The SS-garrison only comprised of twenty to thirty men who were stationed there together at a given time.

This list contains the names of men - mainly SS - who were assigned duties at Sobibor 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 components were transferred between Aktion Reinhard camps and may have been in Sobibor only briefly. It cannot be ascertained if this list contains all the staff that served at the camp as not all 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 and therefore only those whose background concerning T4 is known, are pointed out.

After the three Aktion Reinhard camps have been demolished, most of the staff was posted to Trieste (Italy), assisting with the roundup of partisan activities there. As the war drew to a close, the Nazi command realised that the staff and commanders could incriminate their superiors and they were sent consequently 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, 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

The Sobibor 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.

SOBIBOR CAMP COMMANDANTS

Stangl with his children in front of a house near Sobibor

Stangl near Sobibor  *

STANGL, Franz SS-Hauptsturmführer, NSDAP-number: 6.370.447, SS-Number: 296.569

26/03/1908 - 28//06/1971

BACKGROUND:

Belonged to the Waffen-SS.

He was born in Altmünster, Austria. Profession: first a master weaver changing his career to become a detective in 1931 (political division). In November 1940 deputy head of office at the euthanasia centre Hartheim, successor of Reichleitner and Wirth. In Hartheim he served as policeman and registrar. Later sent to euthanasia centre Bernburg.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

He was the first commander of Sobibor from March 1942 until September 1942. He had very little direct contact with the people sent to their death or with the Jewish prisoners. He was seen only on rare occasions. When transferred to Treblinka his command post was taken over by Reichleitner.

SERVICE AT TREBLINKA:

At Treblinka from September 1942 until August 1943.

He received an official commendation as the "best camp commander in Poland". After the Treblinka revolt he was posted and stationed in northern Italy. For a short time at the concentration camp San Sabba. Mainly served as commander of Einsatz R II in the areas of Fiume and Udine, where he was engaged in actions against partisans and local Jews.

FATE:

Stangl (middle) in custody after being extradited

At the end of the war he fled to Austria, where he was interned by US Forces because of his SS membership. Since late summer 1947 imprisoned in Linz. Accused of having killed mental patients at Hartheim. In May 1948 he escaped from prison and made his way to Rome / Italy. There he got help by bishop Alois Hudal who made it possible for him to get a Red Cross passport and money for his flight to Syria. There he got a job as engineer in Damascus.

In 1951 he migrated to Brazil where he met his family. In Sao Paulo he worked in the Volkswagen factory. It was not until the mid-1960's that Simon Wiesenthal learned of Stangl's whereabouts. For a total of $7,000 ("one cent for every Jew killed") the informant agreed to divulge Stangl's address and was arrested in Brazil, 1967 and was extradited to the West German authorities. At his first hearing at the West German court, Stangl declared that while it was true that he had been the commander at Treblinka; he had had nothing to do with the killing of Jews. His task, he said, had been solely to supervise the collection and shipment of valuables brought into the camp by the victims. The individual responsible for the killings had been Wirth. Stangl was the only commander of an extermination camp who had been brought to trial. He was tried in the Second Treblinka Trial (1970) in Düsseldorf, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison a few months after the end of the trial on 28 June 1971, of a heart attack.

Photos: GFH

T. Jørgensen *

REICHLEITNER, Franz SS-Hauptsturmführer

02/12/1906 - 03/01/1944

BACKGROUND:

Born in Ried (Tirol / Austria). He was Kriminalsekretär (criminal secretary) at the Gestapo (Secret State Police) in Linz (Austria). Became member of the NSDAP (no. 6.369.213) in 1936 and SS (no. 357.065) in 1937. Served as chief of the office at the euthanasia killing centre Hartheim near Linz. Together with his colleague Stangl he was ordered to eastern Poland in order to manage the extermination of Jews. He was a known heavy drinker.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

He was posted here in September 1942 as commandant in the rank of Polizeihauptmann to replace Stangl. In Sobibor he was primarily responsible for the death of more than a hundred thousand Jews. After Himmler visited Sobibor on 12 February 1943, he was promoted SS-Hauptsturmführer. He ruled the camp more strictly than Stangl. In the camp itself he was hardly seen and not concerned in what was happening around him. Only once was he present during the arrival of transportations. During the revolt he was on leave.

Survivor Smajzner described him as being obese.

FATE:

After dismantling of the camp he was ordered to Italy (according to Schelvis it was after the revolt). In the Fiume region he fought together with other Aktion Reinhard men against partisans and helped killing Jews. There he was killed in January 1944. He is buried at the German Military Cemetery at Costermano, near Verona, Italy (grave no 1,192).

Photos:

Dokumentationsstelle Hartheim des Oberösterreichischen Landesarchivs (Original: NARA II, RG 549, Records of Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), War Crimes Branch, War Crimes Case files ("Cases not tried"), 1944 - 48, Box 490, Case 000-12-463 Hartheim (P) VOL I / A

Lower ranking SS Camp Personnel

Listed in alphabetical order.

Spelling of surnames is used as listed in authorative sources like trail files etc.

Surnames with alternative spelling as found in various other sources are denoted.

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.

BAUCH, Ernst SS-Unterscharführer

30/04/1911 - 04/12/1942

BACKGROUND:

Born in Berlin. Served at Bernburg and Sonnenstein.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

According to evidence of Frenzel and Ittner he served at Sobibor.

FATE:

Committed suicide in Berlin in 1942. His funeral was attended by Frenzel.

BAUER, Hermann Erich SS-Oberscharführer

26/03/1900 - 04/02/1980

BACKGROUND:

Born in Berlin. Tram conductor. Member of SA and SS. T4 driver. Early 1942 ordered to Treblinka and Sobibor. According to Sobibor survivor Philip Bialowitz: the name Bauer reminded him of death.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

Introduced by Fuchs in operating the gassing motor. He called himself "gas master of Sobibor". In the last phase when no more transports came through he was the lorry driver of the camp. He confirmed after the revolt, the deaths of a number of SS-men: "I transported eight coffins to Cholm (Chelm). The rest went by train".

FATE:

In 1946 he worked in Berlin, clearing the ruins. There he was recognised in the street by an ex-Sobibor prisoner, Samuel Leer who informed the police. He was arrested and sentenced to death on 8 May 1950 in Berlin-Moabit for his behaviour in Sobibor. After capital punishment was outlawed, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1971. He died in the Berlin-Tegel prison.

Photo: GFH

BECHER, Werner SS-Unterscharführer

26/04/1912 - ?/?/1977

BACKGROUND:

Born in Annaberg / Aue (Sachsen). Affiliation to squad or detachment unknown. Member of NSDAP. Served as driver at Sonnenstein. It was only in 1993 that a photo appeared of him in the book "Der Euthanasie-Prozess Dresden".

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

In Sobibor he was supervisor of the sorting barracks in camp II from August 1942 until late 1942 or early 1943. Served too at the gas chambers.

FATE:

Was sent to Italy. No more details known.

BECKMANN, Rudolf SS-Oberscharführer

20/02/? - 14/10/1943

BACKGROUND:

Born in Osnabrück. NSDAP member (NSDAP No. 305 721) and SS-man. Served perhaps in Hartheim.

Photos

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

He was in charge of the sorting commando in Camp II where he was also in supervision of the horses. He also managed the administration in the Forsthaus (forester's house) where he was killed during the revolt.

FATE:

Killed during the revolt in the Forsthaus. Bauer testified that he brought his corpse to Lublin.

BEULICH, Max

09/03/1905 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Born perhaps in Hubertusburg. Male nurse at Sonnenstein. Member of NSDAP and SA.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No details known.

FATE:

No details known.

BLAUROCK, Günter Erich Werner

25/01/1897 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Male nurse at Sonnenstein. Member of NSDAP.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No details known.

FATE:

No details known.

BOLENDER, Heinz Kurt SS-Oberscharführer

21/05/1912 - 10/10/1966 (??/12(1965 BDC)))

BACKGROUND:

Born in Duisburg. "Burner" at Sonnenstein. Served at Brandenburg, Hartheim and Hadamar too. Member of NSDAP and SS.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

Arrived on 22 April 1942 at Sobibor together with Stangl, Frenzel, Gomerski and others. He testified: "I was during my service in Sobibor constantly in Camp III and was there among others also supervisor of the Jewish working command. It is correct that Jews were gassed there. I sorted the Arbeitshäftlinge (working prisoners) into groups. After the gassings took place, a group of them had to empty the gas chambers. Another group took the corpses to the mass graves."

In July 1942 he was arrested for perjury during his divorce case. He was punished by an SS-court in Krakow on 19 December 1942 and sent to the SS-penal camp Matzkau near Gdansk. Shortly after the revolt in Sobibor he was called back to help dismantling the camp.

After Sobibor he was ordered to DAW (Deutsche Ausrüstungswerke) in Lublin.

For his services he was awarded the Iron Cross second class on 18 January 1945.

FATE:

Sent to Italy. After the war his wife declared him as dead. As he had a number of criminal offences to his name, he found it better to disappear off the records. He lived under the false name "Heinz Brenner", the name he went by at Hartheim. The justice department came to know of him and arrested him in May 1961.

Instead of a notorious mass murderer he professed to be a "fighter against partisans in the Lublin area".

During his trial he constantly maintained that there were no sick and cripple people executed in Sobibor - only when he was cross examined he admitted that everything was true.

During the first Hagen trial, he committed suicide shortly before his judgement was pronounced.

BÖRNER, Gerhardt SS-Untersturmführer

28/10/1905 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Chief of economics at Sonnenstein. Member of NSDAP and SS.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No details known.

FATE:

Ordered to Italy. No further details known.

BREDOW, Paul SS-Unterscharführer

?/?/1902 - ?/12/1945

BACKGROUND:

Belonged to police detachment. Apparently from Silesia. Profession: Male nurse. Served at Grafeneck and Hartheim.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:

Came to Sobibor with the first group of T4 men together with Stangl. He was a real killer and was known amongst the prisoners as a bully who did not hesitate to mistreat them. During the arrival of transports he waited upon the invalids, whom he, directly after arrival on the ramp, took to the chapel. Here they were executed by him and a platoon of Ukrainians at the Lazarett, of which he was in charge and where his "hobby", fully approved of by Wirth, was "target-shooting". He had set himself a daily quota: shooting fifty Jews a day with his pistol.

Served here until spring 1943.

FATE:

Served at San Sabba, Trieste in Italy. Was killed in an accident in Göttingen.

BREE, Max SS-Scharführer

?/?/? - 14/10/1943

BACKGROUND:

Born in Lübben (Spreewald). Served at Grafeneck and Hadamar.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR AND TREBLINKA:

After his service in Treblinka, he came to Sobibor in June 1943. There he supervised the Ukrainian guards, and the Jews working in the sorting barracks.

FATE:

Killed during the revolt.

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.

DIETZE, Erich

02/11/1905 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Worked in the office at Sonnenstein.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No details known.

FATE:

No details known.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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".

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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

In Italy

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

MATTHES, Heinrich Arthur SS-Scharführer

11/01/1902 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Belonged to SS squad. Joined the SA in 1934 and the NSDAP in 1937.

At Sonnenstein

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

SCHUMACHER, Ernst

?/?/? - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

No informations.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No informations.

FATE:

No informations.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

WERNER, Kurt

?/?/? - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

No informations.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No informations.

FATE:

No informations.

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

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).

ZASPEL, Fritz

31/10/1907 - ?/?/?

BACKGROUND:

Male nurse at Sonnenstein.

SERVICE AT SOBIBOR:

No details known.

FATE:

No details known.

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.

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)

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