Auschwitz

Auschwitz (Nazi death camp) In Poland, during Second World War,160 miles south-west of Warsaw, the Nazis built their most notorious death camp. At one time over ten thousand entered the gas chambers daily. Not less than three million died there. Above the main gates ‘Arbeit macht frel' (works makes you free) . Cruel Nazi joke. Only death made them free. Chimneys billowing white smoke Ovens fired and ready Waiting for train arriving Cattle wagons packed with Jews. Orchestra of prisoners Weep playing Mozart Performing Nazi scheme Calming people in the trucks. Guards with barking snapping dogs Herd people from the wagons Shouting for them to hurry Moving towards the camp. SS officers wait With doctors in white coats Ready to select and divide Choosing who lives and who dies. Fit and strong, mostly men live Worked until they drop Then sent to gas chambers Bodies loaded into ovens. Sick, weak, elderly and children Sent directly to the showers Told to strip and be deloused and bathed Not knowing its the killing place. Some women try hiding children Under clothes hanging on pegs But prisoners ‘Kommando‘ Search clothing supervised by SS. Standing naked and embarrassed Shower doors are closed Gas hisses through ceiling vent Panicking they scream in terror. Choking gas overcomes They fight desperate for air Building human pyramid Almost reaching to the ceiling. Death takes ten minutes Doors are opened Bodies removed by ‘Kommando' Gold teeth, and rings removed. Bodies are carried into lifts Fed into ovens Chimney smoke turning black Ashes emptied into pits. Kommando work quickly With another train coming Cattle wagons packed with Jews Ready for selection who lives or dies.