Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

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SimRob.027
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Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

#1

Post by SimRob.027 » 15 Jun 2016, 15:51

Hello,

I am in the process of translating an eyewitness testimonial by an Auschwitz prisoner who was used for experiments in Block 10. My question is about a certain 'Nidwetzky' whom she refers to as a specialist in taking plaster masks of 'particularly Jewish' victims. As of yet though, I have been unable to trace who this 'Nidwetzky' was. As this testimonial was based on an interview, I assume this is a transliteration based on how the person's name sounded to her. Does anyone have any idea who this could be?

Quoting directly from the testimonial, she identifies him as: Hauptsturmann Nidwetzky [sic].

Thank you so much!

Orinik
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Re: Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

#2

Post by Orinik » 15 Jun 2016, 17:07

SS-Unterscharführer Hans Niedzwiecki ?
see: http://www.auschwitz-prozess.de/index.p ... ech-Danuta


history1
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Re: Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiments

#3

Post by history1 » 15 Jun 2016, 21:28

Orinik wrote:SS-Unterscharführer Hans Niedzwiecki ?
see: http://www.auschwitz-prozess.de/index.p ... ech-Danuta
Hans Nierzwicki is sure a good call when talking about the similarity of the last names.
But I doubt that he did take plaster masks of inmates, that sounds more like the work of an antropologist of the Reichssippenamt or the Rassenhygienische Forschungsstelle or their assistents.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rassenhyg ... ungsstelle

Orinik
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Re: Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

#4

Post by Orinik » 15 Jun 2016, 23:53

[15.06.2016, 23:53 ]
There is no such a name "Nierzwicki"; there is a possibility "Mierzwicki", not popular (ca 500), but existing in old Prussian Partition.
Mme Kapkajew asks: "również sanitariusze, między innymi Józef Klehr, Niedzwiecki i pozostali?" - as well paramedics, among them Józef Klehr, Niedzwiecki and other?
So it looks that Niedzwiecki was a paramedic in Auschwitz.

[edit]
Sorry to say I made a mistake here: name "Nierzwicki" does exist.
Last edited by Orinik on 16 Jun 2016, 09:44, edited 1 time in total.

SimRob.027
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Re: Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

#5

Post by SimRob.027 » 16 Jun 2016, 07:12

So does this mean Nierzwicki has been mistakenly adopted as the correct spelling of Niedzwiecki? Or rather, seeing that Niedzwiecki comes from an interview, that it's spelling has been altered based on understanding? As for History1's comment, I agree that, as an orderly, he seems unlikely to have taken plaster masks of inmates, but then again, does anyone know if perhaps he worked under Mengele for some time?

history1
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Re: Unknown: 'Nidwetzky' - Plaster masks for racial experiements

#6

Post by history1 » 16 Jun 2016, 07:51

Orinik wrote:There is no such a name "Nierzwicki"; there is a possibility "Mierzwicki", not popular (ca 500), but existing in old Prussian Partition.
Mme Kapkajew asks: "również sanitariusze, między innymi Józef Klehr, Niedzwiecki i pozostali?" - as well paramedics, among them Józef Klehr, Niedzwiecki and other?
So it looks that Niedzwiecki was a paramedic in Auschwitz.
Orinik, do NOT argue with me or proclaim wrong informations here!
A quote from YOUR link:
[...]
Vorsitzender Richter:
48. »In Block 20 des Stammlagers befand sich die Infektionsabteilung. Die Selektionen führten auch SS-Männer durch, die im Sanitätsdienst standen (SDG). Im besonderen: SS-Oberscharführer Josef Klehr, SS-Unterscharführer Hans Nierzwicki und andere.« [...]

Translation:
Presiding judge:
48. "In block 20 of the main camp the isolation ward was located. The selections there also SS-men executed who were in charge of medical duties (SDG). Especially: SS - Oberscharführer Josef Klehr, SS - Unterscharführer Hans Nierzwicki and others"
Referring your claim that the last name Nierzwicki did/does not exist take a look here:
https://tinyurl.com/jnf47la
and
https://tinyurl.com/zxwsdlj
If you´re still not convinced I recommend to read the publications of the Auschwitz Museum & Memorial, namely "Zeszyty Oświęcimskie Vol. 20"
http://www.auschwitz.org/rodzaj-publika ... 223.html#1

BTW, the work of the translator Mrs. Kapkajew wasn´t the best. Just an example from your link, I mark green what she translated so that you can recognise the difference of the question by the defense councel and her translation:
Verteidiger Göllner:

Frau Zeugin, ist es richtig, daß Sie diese gleichinhaltliche Erklärung in einer Fußnote in dem »Kalendarium« irgendwo festgehalten haben? Ich finde sie im Moment nicht. Ich habe sie aber irgendwann einmal gesehen.

Dolmetscherin Kapkajew:
Czy to jest prawda, ze gdzies, ja nie pamietam teraz, w jakim miejscu jest tego rodzaju adnotacja, wlasnie to, co pani powiedziala, w »Kalendarzu«?

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