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Nota d'ambito

Use for discussions of Sonderkommado prisoners in the camps, especially Auschwitz II-Birkenau. For discussions of the forced labor assignment of removing and cremating corpses, index the keyword "forced labor: body removal and disposal." For discussions of the revolt staged by a Sonderkommando in Birkenau, use the keyword "Sonderkommando Uprising (Auschwitz II-Birkenau) Oct 7, 1944." Additional Note: The word "Sonderkommando" is also used to refer to German army units charged with special assignments. In this case, use "armed forces, German," "soldiers, German," and/or other appropriate terms. (en-US)

Definizione

The term Sonderkommando ("special commando") refers to prisoners who were assigned to work in the gas chambers and crematoria of concentration camps, e.g. in Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The work of Sonderkommando prisoners consisted of taking bodies from the gas chambers; removing hair, jewellery, gold teeth, etc.; and transporting the corpses to the crematoria or pyres. After a period of service, Sonderkommando personnel were executed. On October 7, 1944, a Sonderkommando unit in Auschwitz II-Birkenau set Crematorium IV ablaze before the uprising was suppressed by the SS. (en-US)

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• gruppi di prigionieri