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KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

Article about: Often, the question arises... What is the difference between a KZ, and a KL? Or a KL and AL perhaps..? Below is a brief explanation. Remember, throughout the tens of thousands of camps and p

  1. #1
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    Default KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Often, the question arises...

    What is the difference between a KZ, and a KL? Or a KL and AL perhaps..? Below is a brief explanation. Remember, throughout the tens of thousands of camps and prisons utilised by the Nazis throughout the Third Reich period, approximately fifty different classifications were introduced. The German love for putting everything and indeed everybody in the right place, was no more evident than with this categorisation. Here is a brief list of some of the more common terms and abbreviations...

    KL and KZ = Konzentrationslager (Concentration Camp) basically, both the same. KZ was used as it sounded harder. A KL could have a large complement of subordinate camps, even topping the century mark.

    NL = Nebenlager (Subcamp).

    AL = Aussenlager (External Camp). Technically, could still be subcamps, as under the administration of a Stammlager (Main Camp).

    Arbeiterziehungslager = Worker Education Camp

    Arbeitslager = Labour Camp

    Durchgangslager = Transit Camp

    Internierungslager = Internment Camp

    Sammellager = Assembly Camp

    Straflager = Punitive Camp

    Straflager für Arbeitsverweigerer = Penal Camp for Persons Refusing to Work

    Vernichtungslager = Extermination Camp. Sometimes referred to as Todeslager (Death Camp).

    Wohnlager = Residence Camp

    Zwangslager = Forcible Detention Camp

    Zwangsarbeitslager = Penal Servitude Camp

    Note that many camps fell under more than one category. For example, KL-Auschwitz was both a Vernichtungslager (extermination camp), and Arbeitslager (work camp). KL-Holleischen, also referred to as Aussenarbeitslager-Holleischen, was an external subcamp of KL-Flossenbürg, yet an Aussenlager (external camp) supplying work for MWH (MetalwerkeHolleischen) munitions facility, whilst also served as a Ausbildungslager, i.e. training camp for SS-Aufseherinnen (female guard staff) for the subcamps of KL-Flossenbürg.

    Generally speaking, Konzentrationslagers were divided into four categories during the 1940-1941 period. Note that extermination camps would not fit into this categorisation, due to the period.

    Categories I and Ia - Work camps such as KL-Dachau.

    Category II - Harder labour and living conditions locales, such as KL-Buchenwald.

    Category III - KL-Mauthausen. Reserved for prisoners considered as serious offenders.

    Regards,

    Carl




    p.s. Some of the above terminology may well have been created post war, to enable clarification for various reasons. This list, compiled from numerous sources over a lengthy period, was created as a reference and should not be treated as a sole historical source.

    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture KL, KZ, AL or NL...?  
    Last edited by CARL; 10-30-2013 at 01:48 PM. Reason: Title adjustment

  2. #2

    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Very informative. Please pin it to the top!

  3. #3

    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    KL, KZ, AL or NL...?Well done and a very helpful aid. Here is a primary source from the SS Dienstalterliste.

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Thank you kindly gents.

    Best,

    Carl

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Was Vernichtungslager/Todeslager actually a German period-used term for those camps or were these two words 'invented' (so as to make their description and use more easier to understand) by the Allies? It seems strange that for a regime that used euphemisms galore such as the 'Final Solution Of The Jewish Question' and tried to keep all killing opertions as secret as possible that they would use titles/terms that would say exactly what the function was for those camps leaving the murderous intentions of the regime in no doubt whatsoever. Just curious.

    Good post either way.

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Quote by hucks216 View Post
    Was Vernichtungslager/Todeslager actually a German period-used term for those camps or were these two words 'invented' (so as to make their description and use more easier to understand) by the Allies? It seems strange that for a regime that used euphemisms galore such as the 'Final Solution Of The Jewish Question' and tried to keep all killing opertions as secret as possible that they would use titles/terms that would say exactly what the function was for those camps. Just curious.

    Good post either way.
    Thank you. The term, although certainly not used on headed paper, was common. SS-Obersturmführer Johann Paul Kremer, an SS physician who served at KL-Auschwitz II, Birkenau, received much notoriety for his diary, written during his time at the camp. In among the mundane comments on everyday life, are recounts of the mass murders. One such quote reads as follows...

    2.9.1942:

    "Zum 1. Male draussen um drei Uhr früh bei einer Sonderaktion zugegen. Im Vergleich hierzu erscheint mir das Dante'sche Inferno fast wie einer Komödie. Umsonst wird Auschwitz nicht das Lager der Vernichtung genannt!"

    Translation:

    "For the first time, at 3:00AM outside, attended a special action. Dante's Inferno seems to me almost a comedy compared to this. They don't call Auschwitz the camp of annihilation (das Lager der Vernichtung) for nothing".

    Regards,

    Carl

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    Very useful post. Notice the odd mixture of official argot to mask genocide and acknowledgement of same in the same sentence.

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?

    A few more terms to augment the above list...

    Polenlager = Term used to identify a Polish forced labour camp

    Ostarbeiterlager = Camp for "easterners"

    Gemeinschaftslager für Ostararbeiter = Dormitory camp for workers at a locale where more than one enterprise operated in a business community

    Zigeunerlager = Gypsy Camp, such as those located at Lety and Hodonín

    Frauen-Konzentrationslager = Women's concentration camp, such those at Ravensbrück and Moringen. Note, the abbreviation (KL) was altered when used in relation to these camps, as illustrated below in the attachment, which shows a censorship control stamp marking from f.KL-Ravensbrück.

    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture KL, KZ, AL or NL...?  

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    Default Re: KL, KZ, AL or NL...?


    Another variation - used to distinguish female work camps (sub-camps of Konzentrationslagers, not forced labour facilities), was FAL, or Frauen Arbeitslager (women's labour camp). Used to define camps such as FAL-Morchenstern (Smržovka, a Czech town near the Polish border).

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    Default

    A list of various camp definitions, to augment those added earlier:

    Arbeitserziehungslager : Workers education camp
    Arbeitshaus : Work house
    Arbeitslager : Labor camp
    Aussenkommando : Term used to describe satellite camp (sub-camp)
    Durchgangslager : Transit camp
    Gemeinschaftslager : Civilian workers camp
    Haftlager : Custody camp
    Internierungslager : Civilian internment camp
    Jugendschutzlager : Protection camp for youths
    Jugendverwahrungslager : Detention camp for youths
    Julag (Judenlager) : Camp for Jews
    Kriegsgefangenenlager : Prisoner of war camp
    Konzentrationslager : Concentration camp - which in turn would be categorised accordingly
    KZ-Aussenlager: Sub-camp of one of the major concentration camps
    Nebenlager : Sub-camp of one of the major concentration camps
    Polizeihaftlager : Police custody camp
    RAD (Reichs Arbeits Dienst) Lager : National Labor Service camp
    Schutzhaftslager : (Protective) Security camp
    Sonderlager : Special camp
    Strafgefangenenlager : Penal or punishment camp
    Straflager : Penal or punishment camp
    Vernichtungslager : Extermination camp
    Vorzugslager : Preferential camp
    Wohnlager : Housing units / accommodation
    Zigeunerlager : Gypsy camp
    Zwangsarbeitslager : Forced (slave) labor camp (ZAL)
    Zwangsarbeitslager für Juden : Forced (slave) labor camp for Jews (ZALfJ)

    Note: when preceded by "F", "fr." or "Frauen", the site was designated for women - example fr.KL-Ravensbrück or FAL-Morchenstern
    Last edited by CARL; 04-28-2016 at 04:16 PM.

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