Auschwitz was very distinct from the others. In other camps, the SS, Hitler’s army, were the ones in charge of killing the prisoners. But in Auschwitz, it was Jewish prisoners, considered the “lucky ones” who had to kill their own comrades in the crematories. Hitler also requested that these “lucky” prisoners be forced to burn their relatives as well, if they were in the same camp. It is unbearable to imagine the emotions which one must feel, being demanded to kill their own family.The next notorious camp on the list was Buchenwald. Buchenwald was created in 1937, in Weimar. This camp was smaller, and also much “cleaner” than the others. Here, the total known death count was of 56 thousand. It was a labour camp, overworking the prisoners to death, although many others died due to the conditions within the camp, starvation, and lack of hygiene. Few prisoners ever committed suicide, because of their strong faith. Therefore, they went through extreme horror, without ever losing their faith, although they knew their time was approaching. Buchenwald was built in two years, by five hundred of Germany’s prisoners.In March of 1933, Dachau had been opened. It was a death camp, for a different group of people. This camp was made for political prisoners such as Communists or Social Democrats who were considered as “threats to the state”. In this camp, the total amount of deaths was unsure. The major problem with this camp was the disposal of the bodies, which on average would reach up to 4,176 within 24 hours. The mass graves, containing from 300 to 400 people were taking up too much space, and so the process of cremation began there. It was very common in this camp. The skin of the Jewish people was peeled off before they were burned, and their skin was used for items such as lamp shades for Hitler and his officers. These lamps did not last very long, as the smell of decomposing skin is...
