Blueprint of Camp
The main camp was separated into two sections, the camp and the crematorium.
In 1942, two crematoria were constructed. They were referred to as the old crematoria and the new crematoria, also known as Barrack X. The new crematoria housed the gas chamber, although medical experiments, firing ranges, and gallows killed many prisoners.
The main camp area contained 32 barracks for the prisoners to live. One barrack was a designated for clergy prisoners who went against the Nazi regime. Another barrack was designated for medical experiments. There were also a group of support buildings that were used for laundry, showers, workshops, and a soldiers’ bunker. The Nazi administration was located in the gatehouse at the entrance of the camp.
The central area between the support buildings and the barracks was used for summary execution of prisoners. Summary executions happened when prisoners were accused of crimes and killed immediately without trial. Surrounding the camp there was an electric fence with barbed wire at the top, a ditch and a wall with seven guard towers around it to ensure prisoners would not escape (HEART).
As production in the camp increased, subcamps were built near armaments factories in southern Germany. There were more than 30 subcamps by the end of the war (USHMM).
In 1942, two crematoria were constructed. They were referred to as the old crematoria and the new crematoria, also known as Barrack X. The new crematoria housed the gas chamber, although medical experiments, firing ranges, and gallows killed many prisoners.
The main camp area contained 32 barracks for the prisoners to live. One barrack was a designated for clergy prisoners who went against the Nazi regime. Another barrack was designated for medical experiments. There were also a group of support buildings that were used for laundry, showers, workshops, and a soldiers’ bunker. The Nazi administration was located in the gatehouse at the entrance of the camp.
The central area between the support buildings and the barracks was used for summary execution of prisoners. Summary executions happened when prisoners were accused of crimes and killed immediately without trial. Surrounding the camp there was an electric fence with barbed wire at the top, a ditch and a wall with seven guard towers around it to ensure prisoners would not escape (HEART).
As production in the camp increased, subcamps were built near armaments factories in southern Germany. There were more than 30 subcamps by the end of the war (USHMM).