Auschwitz Buildings, “outside the wire”

Geoff Walden · Post by **Geoff Walden** » 09 Dec 2014 13:45

Mods, I wasn’t sure whether to put this here (Architecture), or under “Holocaust.” Please feel free to move it if there is a better section.

There are several original 1941-45 buildings and ruins around the main Auschwitz sites of Auschwitz I main camp, and Auschwitz II Birkenau. Like most concentration camp memorial sites, these auxiliary buildings are not inside today’s memorial areas and are not marked or interpreted.

I am trying to find maps and plans that explain what these buildings were used for during the war. I have not found any books or internet sources that give this information in detail. What I’m looking for, really, is an overall plan that marks all of the Third Reich constructed buildings that were part of the whole Auschwitz zone of control – the associated SS barracks and quarters, warehouses, factory and workshop buildings, etc. Does anyone know of such sources, internet or printed?

For example, this complex of buildings at the lower left (partially cut off in this enlarged view), right outside the main Auschwitz camp. I have seen these on the internet described as SS buildings. Some are restored and in use today, one is abandoned (this appears to be some sort of railroad depot), and beside it is a large one-story wooden building. Also a small house-like building and a wooden shed at the upper right (these are near the Kommandant’s house). Any ideas? (Here is a link to this area - https://maps.google.com/maps?q=50.02705 ... 1&t=h&z=16 … you can also view all these buildings “close up” with Street View.)

auschwitz1.jpg

Also this building, on the way between the Auschwitz main camp and Birkenau (you can zoom in with this link https://maps.google.com/maps?q=50.03631 ... 1&t=h&z=17 ).

oswiecim.jpg

Also this complex of ruined buildings (garages?) right across from the “Judenrampe.”
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=50.02992 ... 1&t=h&z=16

judenrampe.jpg

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 10 Dec 2014 01:09

http://en.auschwitz.org has on-line exhibition "German Plans for Expanding Auschwitz" with several scans of original German maps (unfortunately low quality). Full link here: http://en.auschwitz.org/z/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=30

Geoff Walden · Post by **Geoff Walden** » 10 Dec 2014 08:20

Thanks, Greg, I had seen those ... can't read them at that resolution. They also have some plans and photos on display in their museum, but I didn't see any lables or explanations for these particular buildings. I guess it would take a visit to their archives ... or perhaps an e-mail query.

Geoff Walden · Post by **Geoff Walden** » 11 Dec 2014 13:14

Has anyone seen the book “Auschwitz-Oświeҫim, Oświeҫim-Auschwitz” by Hans Citroen and Barbara Starzyňska? This book may identify some or all of these buildings, but it is out of print and used copies are VERY expensive. If I knew of a library that has this, I might be able to request it through interlibrary loan.

history1 · Post by **history1** » 11 Dec 2014 17:31

Geoff Walden wrote:Has anyone seen the book “Auschwitz-Oświeҫim, Oświeҫim-Auschwitz” by Hans Citroen and Barbara Starzyňska? This book may identify some or all of these buildings, but it is out of print and used copies are VERY expensive. If I knew of a library that has this, I might be able to request it through interlibrary loan.

http://www.bol.com/nl/p/auschwitz-oswie ... 000031909/

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 02:15

Building in the yellow circle was called SS-Küche - Auschwitz crew canteen.
It's not on the map from 1940, so it seems it was constructed later.

SS-Kuche.jpg

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 03:41

Remaining buildings in that area belonged to Polish State Tobacco Monopoly before 1939.
Please see maps for their German names after 1940. Source: Decision of inclusion of buildings into National Heritage Register, 2009.

Auschwitz I - PSTM1.jpg

Auschwitz I - PSTM2.jpg

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 04:11

From the same source during 1940-44:

1. Truppenwirtschaftslager (built before 1924) was a warehouse.
2. Lagerhaus (built before 1916) was a food storage for SS crew.
3. Stabsgebäude (built before 1924), administration offices and after they were moved to a new building, it hosted accommodation for female SS crew, armory, laundry in the basement.
4. Unterkunftsgebäude (built 1929-31), storage, printing house, SS offices.

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 04:42

And a 1940 map from http://en.auschwitz.org showing four former Polish State Tobacco Monopoly buildings, connecting railroad and no sign of SS-Küche yet.....It was built in 1942 as a timber building.
All Polish State Tobacco Monopoly buildings were brick ones.

Auschwitz 1940.jpg

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 07:22

Now to Birkenau.

Those buildings circled red near Judenrampe were:
Fünf Kartoffellagerhallen - 5 potato warehouses.
Krautsilo - vegetables storage (cabbage mainly).

All from 1943-44.

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 07:47

And one more for you, Geoff, that building close to railway station between Auschwitz and Birkenau - Bürogebäude Krupp A.G. - 1943 admin building for Krupp.

Geoff Walden · Post by **Geoff Walden** » 12 Dec 2014 10:39

That's great stuff, Greg - thanks! Just what I have been looking for. Where did you find all of this? If this is on the Auschwitz webpage, they must have it buried far down or out of the way somewhere.

Makarov · Post by **Makarov** » 12 Dec 2014 11:44

Geoff and GregSingh, great info, will be useful when I´m going back to Auschwitz next spring. Here are som more Buildings outside the wire (Birkenau).

Red Circle: Potato warehouse, Roof burnt down in 2009
http://en.auschwitz.org/m/index.php?opt ... 4&Itemid=8

Blue circle: Water Supply Station.

Yellow Circle: Kommandantur.

birk.jpg

GregSingh · Post by **GregSingh** » 12 Dec 2014 14:26

Yes, in blue circle we have ruins of Wasseraufbereitungsanlage K.G.L

Have a look here: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 62&start=0
In one of the posts there is a link to a research document in PDF format - maps and descriptions of up to 150 buildings "outside the wire"...

Makarov · Post by **Makarov** » 12 Dec 2014 21:32

Yellow Circle: SS Sauna?

auschwitz1.jpg

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