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Q. Dr. Braus, did the construction site at Auschwitz differ
fundamentally from other construction sites?
A. I have seen many
construction sites both in Germany and abroad. Auschwitz was an enormous one.
It was distinguished by its phenominal organization, by the large number of
machines and devices for making the work easier, which were hardly to be
expected, seeing that we were in the middle of a war.
Q. These machines
were used to do the work mechanically as far as possible?
A. Yes.
Q. In the part of the construction which was under you, were the
inmates, insofar as any worked there, worn out to the point where they were no
longer able to do the work?
A. No, never. The inmates working in the
plant without exception had light work assigned to them. They were assistants
in laboratories, for instance; they kept lists; they helped in the glass
warehouse, in the chemicals warehouse. Those were the most important places
where they worked. Inside, where it was warm and quiet.
Q. There has
been a great deal of talk here about weak inmates, who were unable to work,
being selected and sent away to be exterminated. Do you know of any such thing
happening at the Auschwitz plant?
A. I never learned of it, and I
consider it absolutely impossible for such a thing to have happened in the
Farben plant at Auschwitz.
Q. Did you visit the labor camp Monowitz?
A. No.
Q. Did you hear anything of the gassing of human beings
in the concentration camp Auschwitz?
A. No.
Q. Did you ever
have any occasion to report to Dr. Buetefisch directly about abuses in the
employment of inmates?
A. No |
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| CROSS- EXAMINATION |
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| * * * * * * * * * * |
| |
MR. SPRECHER: Did you ever see any inmates from the concentration
camp who were no longer able to walk by their own initiative and energy but who
had to be helped by other people so they could walk?
A. Occasionally, I
saw prisoners limping and who were supported by their fellows, but I didn't see
that any more frequently than I saw workers of other nationalities limp or even
German national workers. On construction sites, as is in the nature of things,
there frequently occur light and serious accidents and it also happens that
people become sick and unwell. This did not take place to an extent that might
have been considered conspicuous. |
837 |
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