Birkenau Krematorium II

“Located outside the fencing around the barracks at Birkenau, the crematoria in a certain sense constituted a separate complex of equipment for mass destruction. Crematoria II and III had their own barbed-wire fencing with two gates leading into the grounds of Crematorium II, and one to Crematorium III.

Trees and bushes planted around them formed a green belt (“Grüngürtel) that camouflaged them from unwelcome eyes, above all those of the prisoners in nearby barracks.”* * Franciszek Piper, 2000. Auschwitz 1940-45, Volume III. Oswiecim: Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. p.164

Krematorium II in a “Green Belt” (Grüngürtel)

You are Inside the collapsed roof of Krematorium II at Birkenau.

As the Russian army drew closer the Nazis, in an effort to hide their crimes, blew up Krematorium II, and also Krems III and V, ample proof they were well aware they had committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

As you scroll you will notice the steel shoring. This is used to hold the original brick in place. Past the pile of bricks is again, BIa, the women’s camp. Sometimes women would be brought here for gassing along the path, visible here on the other side of the bricks.

The structure below is the collapsed roof, dynamited by the SS. The Sonderkommando, that is special prisoner workers, lived in the attic of this part. On the first floor were rooms for fuel storage and for workers.

This is the roof and space where the ventilation system and the single chimney were; immediately behind the five large ovens of Krematorium II. The plans, blueprints and other documents show with what precise determination this instrument was designed and constructed.

Krematorium II Surrounding Area Video

The first view is of the rear of the women’s camp, BIb. Scrolling right is a sewage treatment cistern. Scroll further to the right, this is what Remains of Krematorium II as the SS blew it and the underground gas chamber up as the Russian Army approached; in an obvious and futile attempt to hide their crimes.

Scrolling further right, you can see a portion of the Memorial. Scroll still further to barely make out the ruins of Krematorium III on the other side of the ramp. Moving on you can see the barbed wire fence posts of the ramp. All photos and videos are Copyright Alan Jacobs and Remember.org.

Jacobs’ First Visit To Auschwitz

“Even here the sun finds its accustomed resting place, just there, past the wire, over the ruins of Krematoria, II and III.

All life comes from the sun, from the fires of creation. But just over there where it is setting, there were other flames, reaching high into the night sky, after the sun had set. Yes there was a sun in this night, but it didn’t come from the sky.

Now all is quiet here, and in the light of peace there is more… the silence.”