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7. In wintertime there was hardly a detail where a detail where daily
cases of freezing did not occur. During a severe winter day, 30 deaths were
nothing out of the ordinary. The deceased had to be carried past the buildings
of the IG plant management. It was quite impossible for Duerrfeld not to have
seen this. Duerrfeld furthermore inspected these details and therefore must
have been aware of the frequent changes in personnel.
8. The I. G.
Farben did not only have knowledge of the atrocities, which were taking place
but it took an active part in them. I personally saw how Chief Engineer Faust
beat several prisoners with a club because the moving of loaded wagons in road
construction did not function as he desired. I know that it was Chief Engineer
Faust, because I inquired for his name. Master carpenter Wittig of detail 19,
as well as the foreman Richter, frequently beat the prisoners.
9. Upon
the suggestion of the IG plant management, excavation of unexploded bombs was
only carried out by prisoner details under the direction of a fireman.
Prisoners were used because they represented worthless material. Sometimes the
easiest available detail was used for this work, but special details were also
used. Fatal accidents occurred as a result.
10. Hygienic conditions at
Monowitz were bad. The sewage system was insufficient, the garbage pits
overflowed, the water was contaminated so that official warnings against the
drinking of water were issued.
11. Up to the year 1944, sickness for
more than 2 weeks was not authorized. After 1944, up to 6 weeks were
authorized. It was explained that the I.G. Farben would pay only 2 weeks,
respectively 6 weeks, for the sick prisoners. For this reason regular
selections were carried out every 14 days by the camp physician.
Furthermore, not more than 5 percent of the workers at time IG
Auschwitz were allowed to be at the infirmary. If this number was surpassed, a
selection took place, and those who were selected were taken to Birkenau to be
gassed. A sickness report was sent to the plant management of the I. G. Farben.
Furthermore the gassings were discussed with the foremen at the shop-unit.
12. Foreign workers, who violated regulations while at buna [plant],
were sent to a reform training camp [Erziehungslager] for about 2 months
(correction camps). The reform camp consisted of 12-14 huts and was a separate
camp at Monowitz. It had an infirmary, but the treatment in the reform camp was
even worse than at Monowitz The transfer to the reform camp became effective
upon a recommendation.
13. In July 1944, I stressed the fact, in the
name of the so-called Beskide Committee of Liberation that, due to the advance
of the Soviet forces, we could soon count on being occupied by them. We asked
Duerrfeld to surrender the plant and the camp without a battle. |
577 |
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