[WW2] - Auschwitz

"---7.1. Textliche Hinweise auf die Grundwasserhöhe in Birkenau

In einer Baubeschreibung vom 30.10.1941:[44]

»Der Grundwasserstand schwankt zwischen 0,30 und 1,20 m.«

In einem Schreiben vom 17.10.1942 zu Krematorium II:[45]

»[...] das Gebäude über 2 m im Grundwasser steht [...]«

In einem Schreiben vom 17.03.1943 zur großen Entwesungsanlage (BW 32, "Große Entwesungsanlage" bzw. "Zentralsauna"), die Statik betreffend:[46]

»[...] höchste Grundwasserstand ist mit 0,30 m unter OK Gelände anzunehmen.«

In einem weiteren Schreiben vom 04.06.1943 das gleiche Gebäude betreffend:[47]

»[...] Heizgruben relativ tief zu liegen kommen, so daß eine Isolierung gegen Grundwasser, welches ca. 20 cm unter Terrain steht, notwendig ist [...]«---"

"---Many former inmates as well as guards of the former National Socialist concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau claim that hundred thousands of corpses of murdered inmates were burned in ditches some 6 to 10 ft. deep. However, almost every book about Auschwitz points out that the entire grounds in and around the camp were swampy in those days. Since the 1970s, Holocaust revisionists have therefore claimed that the incineration of corpses in deep ditches would have been impossible due to the high ground water table in this swampy area, which would have quickly filled any deep ditch. After this argument spread widely with the so-called Leuchter Report in 1988,[1] it was argued that the ground water level during the operation of the camp was significantly lowered with the help of a sophisticated system of drainage ditches, thus allowing the open air incineration of corpses in deep ditches as attested to by various witnesses.[2] In May 2002, the controversy around Auschwitz focused even more on these open air incinerations, since a German mainstream journalist argued that most of the victims of the claimed mass murders of Auschwitz were supposedly disposed of using these open air incineration ditches.[3] Until recently, the effects of the ground water, and the questions arising from this matter, have not been investigated. Due to the availability of much-improved source materials after the end of the Cold War, this matter can now be investigated. The following two studies have thoroughly examined the existing primary documentary sources dealing with the ground water table in Auschwitz during World War II. As a result, the correctness of eyewitness accounts claiming incinerations in deep ditches must be called into question. The documents do not allow for any different interpretation: in the Birkenau area, the ground water table was about 0.30 to 1.20 m beneath the surface.---"

"---The foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak that occurred in the United Kingdom in 2001 was of an unprecedented scale and severity and presented a massive logistical challenge to Government. Over 6.5 million animals were slaughtered and disposed of, over 4 million as a direct result of disease and a further 2.5 million on welfare grounds. On-farm burial and on-farm burning were the principal routes for disposal at the commencement of the outbreak. On-farm burial was limited by legislation to protect groundwater supplies and pyre burning came increasingly under attack from local communities concerned about health risks from smoke and emissions. Burning also painted a vivid but distressing picture of the war against disease. Increasingly, rendering capacity made an important contribution to disposal. The peak of the outbreak could only be managed by the development of a new disposal route – mass burial in engineered sites and by using licensed landfill where available. During the course of the outbreak, a disposal hierarchy was developed to reflect environmental and public health concerns, namely: rendering and incineration ranked first, licensed landfill next, followed by burning with mass burial or on-farm burial as the least preferred options. However, the campaign against the disease could not have been won without the tactical use of mass burial in addition to all the other available disposal routes. The authors describe the development and deployment of the disposal routes used in the 2001 outbreak.---"

"---11.3. Open-Air Cremations That Actually Did Take Place

John C. Ball demonstrates in the present volume that the air photos taken of Auschwitz by the Allies show no traces of mass incinerations in pits. Aside from the above arguments, we have also explained other reasons that would show the mass incinerations alleged to have taken place in open pits to be impossible.[203]

However, this is by no means to say that no incinerations were carried out in Birkenau in the open air - on pyres or in rudimentary open ovens.

One may reasonably assume that in late 1941, when the mortality rate in Auschwitz rose to frightening proportions, many bodies were taken to Birkenau and buried there in mass graves. According to the Mortuary Book and the Book of the Dead, 1,358 inmates and 3,726 Soviet prisoners-of-war died in November 1941, a total of 5,084 people, 169 per day on average. At that time the crematorium of the Main Camp had only two ovens whose maximum capacity altogether was 84 bodies per day and which, on top of everything else, had sustained some damage.[204] The coke deliveries to the crematorium also prove that only a portion of the deceased inmates could have been cremated. From November 1, 1941 to January 31, 1942, the crematorium received 93.6 metric tons of coke, which would have sufficed for 3,000 bodies at the very most; however, a total of 9,355 inmates died during that period. In the following months the crematorium could just barely handle the cremation of the people who died in the Main Camp. On March 1, 1942, the Soviet prisoners-of-war were taken to Birkenau.[205] On August 6, the inmates of the Women's Camp, which had been opened on March 26, were also transferred there.[206] From March 1, 1942, to February 28, 1943, 14,515 male inmates died in the Main Camp and were registered in the Mortuary Book, and several thousand female inmates also died, but during this same time only 373.5 metric tons of coke were supplied to the crematorium, which would have sufficed for the cremation of at most some 12,200 bodies. All the bodies of inmates who died in Birkenau were buried in mass graves.

In the following months the mortality rate rose sharply due to the dreadful typhus epidemic that had broken out in acute form in July 1942. As a consequence of this epidemic the Head of the camp, Commandant Rudolf Höß, ordered the camp "completely closed off" on July 23, 1942.[207]

In other words, bodies buried in mass graves also included many thousands of typhus victims, which made sanitary conditions in Birkenau even more catastrophic, especially if one considers the high water table of Birkenau, which must have swamped the graves quickly. It is easy to believe Pery Broad when he writes - albeit with propagandistic embellishments - that the body toxins of the buried had contaminated the ground water in the entire area,[208] which resulted in the massive death of fish in the lakes surrounding Birkenau, particularly in Harmense.[209] And in fact the pollution by body toxins - pollution not only of the ground water but also of the soil and the air[210] - had been one of the main arguments of the proponents of cremation in the late 19th century![211]

The SS in Auschwitz countered this dreadful sanitary problem for the long term by planning the four crematoria of Birkenau (one of which - the one that was to become crematorium II - had already been planned in October 1941, but for the Main Camp) and by the efficient installation of disinfestation and delousing facilities (the Central Sauna), and for the short term by exhuming and burning the bodies.

The decision to construct the crematoria of Birkenau was made in August 1942,[164] at a time when the mortality rate averaged 270 inmates a day due to the typhus epidemic, and this with an average camp population of some 22,000 male and 10,000 female inmates (in August 1942). On the occasion of his inspection of the camp on July 17 and 18, 1942, Himmler had ordered that POW camp Birkenau's initial intended capacity of 125,000 be increased to 200,000. Under these circumstances, it is clear that the 550-per-day capacity of the Birkenau crematoria (for which the memo of March 17, 1943 provides for a daily operation time of 12 hours) was by no means exaggerated in view of potential future epidemics among a three- or four-fold greater camp population.

Little is known about the opening of mass graves and incineration of bodies contained therein. On September 17, 1942, SS-Untersturmführer Walter Dejaco, who together with his colleague Hössler had accompanied Camp Commandant Rudolf Höß to Litzmannstadt (Lodz), drew up a "travel report" in which he mentioned that the purpose of the trip had been the "visual inspection of the special facility, and discussions with SS-Standartenführer Blobel about the implementation of such a facility." This special facility was almost certainly a means for incinerating bodies in the open air. Dejaco also reported that the construction materials ordered from the Ostdeutsche Baustoffwerke in Posen via "special order by Staf. Blobel" had to be delivered to Auschwitz immediately; and that the firm of Schriever & Co. in Hannover had to supply a "ball grinder for substances".[212] This was most likely a device for grinding up the residue left after incineration.

According to Danuta Czech's Auschwitz Chronicle, 1939-1945, incineration of exhumed bodies began on September 21,[213] which seems quite credible, and ended in November. It is not known how these bodies were burned, but most definitely not in burning pits. Mass graves were almost certainly located to the southwest of the "temporary earth basin", about 650 ft. west of what was to become Sector BIII of Birkenau, since the air photos from 1944 - specifically those from May 31 - show traces of four huge, parallel trenches in that area. (See the chapter by J. C. Ball, this volume.)

The majority of the inmates who died between September 23, 1942 and the opening of the crematoria were also burnt in the open air.

However, if traces of mass cremations of human beings are in fact found in the vicinity of the former camp Birkenau,[214] this does not in any way mean that the camp was the site of mass murders.---"

"---This is from the German forum (translated). The German version is relevant:

The groundwater conditions in the Birkenau camp are relevant for the feasebility of cremation pits resp. for ground water sinking. The summary of the discussion is the following:

1. The geological layers are resulting from the general literatur as follows:
- the upper 61 m are not defined exactly („clayey plain“, sand with gravel lenses, loam (?)
- below 61 m follows a marl layer of unknown thickness
- below the marl is a 40 to 70 m thick tertiary clay layer

2. The camp site is extreme plain. The difference in heights is 1 m per 1 km. see topograpgic map:

topographic map of the camp and surrounding. At the south end the surface is 235m, at the north end 234 m above see level.

3. Below the ground there is ground water (see underground report), the ground water level is between ca. 30 cm to 1.2 m under floor (?). It is flowing through a substrate that is "filtering badly" , this has to be sand or gravel.

4. The ground water level follows the territory and, hence, is also plain:
Wikipedia:
Quote:
Der Grundwasserspiegel folgt in etwa dem Verlauf der über ihm liegenden Erdoberfläche und steigt oder sinkt nach kräftigen Regenfällen beziehungsweise in Trockenperioden.

Because rain is falling uniform, the ground water level will rise and fall also uniform. On the other hand differences of the rain distribution would be adjusted because ground water flows from higher levels to lower.

5. The ground water level was lowered with ditches. The ditches can be seen on the follwing photos. The ground water level in the ditches is about 1.5 m below ground. Between the ditches the level rises with increasing distance from the ditch.

6. Excavation pits deeper than 1.5 m had to be kept dry by lowering the ground water level. This could not have been pump sumps in the pits, because these measures would have been seen by the witnesses (i.e. Smolen). This was done with well galleries as the Bauarchiv proves. Quelle

7. The cellars of buildings were constructed as "Weisse Wanne" (white tub, that is a measure to get dense cellar walls and floor). This effort is only made if the ground water level is high enough. The following buildings were constructed this way:
Krematorium II, BW 30
Krematorium III, BW 30a
Krematorium IV, BW 30b
Krematorium V, BW 30c
Entwesungsanlage, BW 32
Wasseraufbereitungsanlage, BW35
(source: see above)

7. Unfortunately the HYDROKOP results were not published; otherwise there would be further information about the upper layers of soil (3 m) in some areas of the camp.---"

"---On-farm burial was limited by legislation to protect groundwater supplies and pyre burning came increasingly under attack from local communities concerned about health risks from smoke and emissions. Burning also painted a vivid but distressing picture of the war against disease. Increasingly, rendering capacity made an important contribution to disposal. The peak of the outbreak could only be managed by the development of a new disposal route – mass burial in engineered sites and by using licensed landfill where available.---"

"---Pyres

The principle is to place carcasses on top of sufficient combustible material, making sure that the arrangement of fuel and carcasses allows adequate air flow to enter the pyre from below, so as to achieve the hottest fire and the most complete combustion in the shortest time.

Site selection

Important considerations are:

location: consider the possible effects of heat, smoke and odour on nearby structures, underground and aerial utilities, roads and residential areas;
access: for equipment to construct and maintain the fire and for delivery of fuel, livestock, carcasses or other materials to be burnt;
environment: ensure that there is an adequate fire break around the pyre; consult local fire brigades or residents for advice, obtain permits for fire appliances to be on site during the burn;
fuel: pyres require considerable amounts of fuel to achieve complete cremation; the amount and type of available fuel will vary considerably; all required fuel should be on site before the burn is commenced.
Preparation of firebed

The fireline should be sited at right angles to the direction of the prevailing wind to maximize ventilation. Space for air can be provided by digging trenches under the pyre and/or elevating the firebed. Fuel supplies should be stacked upwind and the fire built from that side; carcasses should be loaded from the opposite side. The width of the firebed is governed by the size of carcasses to be burnt; for adult cattle allow 2.5 m. To determine the length, allow 1 m per adult beast.

If the firebed is to be built on the ground, dig trenches of 30 × 30 cm to act as air vents. These should lie in the direction of the prevailing wind at 1 m intervals under the length of the proposed firebed. If the firebed is to be elevating, lay rows of baled straw and heavy timbers parallel to the prevailing wind and then another layer of timbers crossing the bottom layer, leaving a gap of about 20 cm between timbers. Then lay other fuel, such as lighter timber or straw bales, over this timber support.

Burning is a common method of disposing of carcasses. It is discouraged because of the large amount of fuel it requires.

Stack carcasses across the firebed with larger carcasses on the bottom and smaller carcasses on top (Figure 18), preferably with the carcasses on their backs and alternating head to tail. Excavators or front-end loaders are best but lifting jibs, tractor forklifts or cranes and chains can be used. After carcasses have been placed on the firebed, the extensor tendons may be cut to prevent legs being extended during burning.

When the carcasses have been loaded and weather conditions suitable, saturate the firebed and carcasses with diesel or heating oil - do not use petrol - and prepare ignition points at 10 m intervals along the length of the firebed. These can be made of rags soaked in kerosene.

Remove all vehicles, personnel and other equipment well away from the firebed. Start the fire by walking into the wind and lighting the ignition points along the way.

The fire must be attended at all times and be refuelled as necessary. Use a tractor with a front-mounted blade or a front-loader. Ensure that any carcasses or parts of carcasses that fall off the fire are put back on. A well constructed fire will burn all carcasses within 48 hours. The ashes should be buried and the site restored as fully as possible.

Fuel requirements

Local availability will govern the type and amount of fuels. The following can be used as a guide per adult beast:

heavy timber: 3 pieces, 2.5 m × 100 mm × 75 mm;
straw: 1 bale;
small timber: 35 kg;
coal: 200 kg;
liquid fuel: 5 litres.
Fuel requirements may be estimated on the basis that one adult cattle carcass is equivalent to four adult pigs or shorn sheep or three adult woolly sheep.---"

"---Pit burning, also known as air-curtain incineration, is a technique for burning material in a pit, using fan-forced air. Pit burners are used by some local authorities to burn vegetable matter with a high moisture content. The equipment consists of a large capacity-fan, usually driven by a diesel engine, and ducts to deliver the air, which may be preheated, into the long side of a trench. The angle of the airflow creates a curtain of air that acts as a top for the incinerator and provides oxygen that induces high combustion temperatures. Hot air recirculates in the pit, achieving complete combustion. Additional fuel is required to initiate combustion; once the fire is burning, however, the fuel requirement is reduced. Pit burners would be suitable for continuous operation on a relatively small scale and have the advantage of being transportable. They appear to be especially suited to pigs and fat sheep.---"

Are Air Burners Systems used in the UK under the 2001 Foot & Mouth Disease Carcass Disposal Scheme?

Yes, Air Burners Systems have been contracted for the recent Foot & Mouth Disease Animal Carcass Disposal Scheme by MAFF in the UK. These models are employed: S-121, S-116, S-111 and T-350.

All 89 elk carcasses in this three-day Montana endeavor were burned in one day's time span (the first day was needed for project set-up and the third for tear-down).

Bränngropar fungerar, om det inte finns syre i en grop, hur kommer det sig att inte tusentals kommunalarbetare dör av syrebrist eller måste man har sygasmask då man kliver ner ett par meter i jorden

Har Du sett en kommunalarbetare med sygasmask?

Nu är Du inne på fysik igen ett ämne du beviserligen INTE behärskar.

Varför blir det inte tillräckligt med syre i en grop?

Vilken skillnad är det om man tänder en majbrasa på backen eller i en grop?

Hur påverkas syretillförseln i en grop?

"---Preparation of firebed

The fireline should be sited at right angles to the direction of the prevailing wind to maximize ventilation. Space for air can be provided by digging trenches under the pyre and/or elevating the firebed. Fuel supplies should be stacked upwind and the fire built from that side; carcasses should be loaded from the opposite side. The width of the firebed is governed by the size of carcasses to be burnt; for adult cattle allow 2.5 m. To determine the length, allow 1 m per adult beast.

If the firebed is to be built on the ground, dig trenches of 30 × 30 cm to act as air vents. These should lie in the direction of the prevailing wind at 1 m intervals under the length of the proposed firebed. If the firebed is to be elevating, lay rows of baled straw and heavy timbers parallel to the prevailing wind and then another layer of timbers crossing the bottom layer, leaving a gap of about 20 cm between timbers. Then lay other fuel, such as lighter timber or straw bales, over this timber support.

Burning is a common method of disposing of carcasses. It is discouraged because of the large amount of fuel it requires.---"

"---Pit burning, also known as air-curtain incineration, is a technique for burning material in a pit, using fan-forced air. Pit burners are used by some local authorities to burn vegetable matter with a high moisture content. The equipment consists of a large capacity-fan, usually driven by a diesel engine, and ducts to deliver the air, which may be preheated, into the long side of a trench. The angle of the airflow creates a curtain of air that acts as a top for the incinerator and provides oxygen that induces high combustion temperatures. Hot air recirculates in the pit, achieving complete combustion. Additional fuel is required to initiate combustion; once the fire is burning, however, the fuel requirement is reduced. Pit burners would be suitable for continuous operation on a relatively small scale and have the advantage of being transportable. They appear to be especially suited to pigs :smart: and fat sheep .---"