Taking the S-Bahn Line S1 45 Minutes North of Berlin, You Arrive at Sachsenhausen Station. From Here, You Can Walk Over to the Notorious Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Sachsenhausen Was One of the First and Became One of the Most Horrific Camps, Where Those Perceived by the Nazis as Enemies of the State—Jews, Roma, Homosexuals, Prisoners of War, Political Prisoners were Interned. For Example, Poul Nielsen, 18 Years Old and Arrested in Denmark for His Accidental Involvement in the Distribution of Illegal Books and Magazines Found in His Possession, Even Though He Had Never Been Part of a Coordinated Resistance Group or the Like. In Sachsenhausen, He and All His Fellow Prisoners Experienced Inhumane Conditions, and It Is Estimated That Around 50,000 Died Among the Approximately 200,000 Inmates Interned Over the Years.
Sachsenhausen: beginning Under Himmler
Sachsenhausen was established by the SS as the main detention center for Berlin and played a crucial role during this era. Built in 1936 with slave labor, Sachsenhausen was the first detention center following Heinrich Himmler’s appointment as head of the German police, thereby integrating the entire police organization into the SS organization—Hitler’s own paramilitary organization.
Nazi Model for the Future
Constructed as an SS model for the future, it was meant to radiate the power and ideals of the Nazi organization. It became a blueprint for places like Auschwitz.
Life in Sachsenhausen
Upon arrival, prisoners underwent a stringent qualification process, marking the beginning of their dehumanization. In addition to functioning as a simple prison camp, Sachsenhausen also served as a training ground for the SS. The number of inmates peaked during World War II, reaching around 60,000 in 1945. They rose at 4 AM, and by 6 AM, there was a roll call to count ALL prisoners before the march to work assignments at 7 AM. They received no food until noon, when they were served soup made from discarded cabbage.
Living Conditions and Forced Labor
Horrific living conditions, cramped barracks, diseases, and malnutrition became the norm. Forced labor, including the production of bricks and ammunition for the German war industry, was common. Punishments for rule violations were severe, including the notorious Sachsenhausen salute, where one had to squat with arms outstretched. If one gave up due to exhaustion, they were severely beaten, often leading to death. Public hangings were also a daily occurrence.
Executions and Medical Experiments
Mass executions by shooting were carried out in a sector known as Station Z from 1942 and were the primary method of execution until 1943, when they were replaced by gas chambers. Sachsenhausen also served as a site for medical experiments similar to those conducted by Dr. Joseph Mengele in Auschwitz. For example, they tested the use of cocaine to see how long they could keep people awake and active.
Operation Bernhard and Post-War Years
The camp also housed Jewish bankers who were forced to assist the Nazis in Operation “Bernhard,” a mission designed to undermine the British economy by counterfeiting English banknotes. The operation was so successful that it forced the recall of all £5 notes in England after the war, as they could not keep track of how many notes had been circulated. The economic repercussions were kept secret, but the Bank of England has since deemed them serious.
Shoe Commando
Furthermore, alternatives to leather shoe soles were tested for durability, with prisoners being forced to walk up to 40 km in a day on varied terrain with a heavy backpack meant to simulate a realistic scenario for soldiers. The soles were examined after every 10 km of walking. If the prisoners collapsed from exhaustion (which was very common due to severe malnutrition), the notorious guard would set his shepherd dog on them.
Continued by the Soviets; Closed by the GDR
As the end of World War II approached alongside the Soviet troops, thousands were executed, especially communists. Surprisingly, after the war, the camp was not closed; Sachsenhausen operated as a special camp for political prisoners under Soviet control. Many Nazis and SS men were imprisoned here. Although executions and the use of gas chambers were banned, abuse continued, resulting in approximately 12,000 deaths due to malnutrition and disease. The camp was officially closed in the spring of 1950 when the East German regime took over control of East Germany from the Soviets.
Sachsenhausen as a Memorial
In 1961, the GDR opened Sachsenhausen as a memorial, in typical Soviet style with a large obelisk, emphasizing the plight of communist political prisoners.
Reunification and Museum
In the 1990s, after the reunification of East and West Germany, a museum was added that serves as a poignant reminder of the victims and suffering within its walls. Today, Sachsenhausen stands as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed during its years of operation.
If you are on your way to Berlin and are interested in a guided tour around the city with an english speaking guide, you can write directly to me at olsentoursberlin@gmail.com, so I can tailor a tour exactly to your wishes and interests.
