Punishment at Auschwitz with a whip or cane as reported by Witold Pilecki

[StefanM]

Punishment at Auschwitz with a whip or cane as reported by Witold Pilecki:

"The lightest punishment was a bench beating. It took place in public in the presence of all blocks at roll call. The “execution block” was prepared—a bench with slots for the hands and legs on both sides. Two SS thugs stood there (often Seidler himself and sometimes Lagerältester Bruno) and one was beaten on the naked body so as not to spoil one’s clothes.

One was beaten with a whip or sometimes a heavy cane. After a dozen strokes the body was badly cut. Blood spurted and the remaining blows were on raw meat.

I witnessed this on several occasions.

Men sometimes got 50 strokes, even 75.

One day, when the punishment was 100 strokes, the häftling, some poor wretch, expired at around the 90th stroke. If the victim was still alive, he was then meant to stand up, do a few squats to restore the blood flow and, standing at attention, say thank you for the just punishment."

[SteveR]

To many people today deny anything like this happened'
Usually neo-Nazis or Klu Klux Klan dirt bags.

[Nathan362]

Brutal is the word that came to mind. Its sad than anyone had to go through such a thing.

[CARL]

An example of the utter brutality that was everyday life within the KZ system. In the words of a very, very brave man.

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

The terrible inhumanity of the Third Reich so pointedly highlighted! A very distressing if not unusual account. Leon.

[Slade]

I will never understand how people can be so brutal...

[Chopperman]

I am a firm believer that testimonies like this and that
movies like "Schindler's List" should be required teachings
in high school so hopefully acts like this will not be
forgotten and possibly never repeated.