Auschwitz I
Auschwitz I, the original camp, first began in April 1940 under the leadership of Adolf Hass. This camp later became the head of all the sub camps and other Auschwitz additions. Auschwitz was first created to hold Jewish prisoners. Thousands of Jewish and Polish people from the area were evacuated from the Oświęcim area in Germany. In May 1940, the first prisoners arrived. The first prisoners included 728 Polish citizens. By March 1941, over 10,900 prisoners lived in the Auschwitz I camp. The camp was surrounded by large barb wire fences and watchtowers with SS soldiers in them.
Auschwitz II- Birkenau
The Auschwitz II camp was built in 1941 by Himmler in order to try and reduce the overload of prisoners at Auschwitz I. This camp was to not only be a labor camp, like Auschwitz I, but also an extermination camp. Auschwitz II held four crematoriums and two gas chambers. These extermination methods were operating by June 1943.
Auschwitz III
Auschwitz III was created also created in 1941 by Himmler. This camp was built as a type of work factory that held rubber and other needed supplies for the war. Many prisoners would wake up and walk to this camp each day and perform certain jobs in the factory. Many, many prisoners died at the factory due to malnutrition, disease, and overwork load.
Total Deaths
- About 1.5 million deaths at all Auschwitz's camps
Above is a pile of clothing from the prisoners.