- Headline
-
12 Jews Reported Slain In Dash Past Nazi Gauntlet
- Sub-Headline
- Death Head Battalion Guards Use Whips, Clubs, And Spades on Prisoners Delivered To Concentration Camp, Reputed Witness Says
- Publication Date
- Wednesday, November 23, 1938
- Historical Event
-
Other Noteworthy Findings
This database includes 1,580 articles about this event - Article Type
- Newspaper
- Location
- Page Section and Number
- 1
- Author/Byline
- UP
- Article Text
- LONDON, Nov. 23 (Wednesday) (U.P.)—The London News-Chronicle said today that 12 of a group of 62 well-to-do Jews allegedly were beaten to death when made to run a gauntlet of "black guards" at a German concentration camp.
The newspaper vouched for the episode as an eye "eye witness account of the torture and killing" of German Jews.
The gauntlet scene occurred at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp the newspaper said, and lasted a half-hour with the guards beating the Jews with whips, clubs, and spades until 12 of the group were dead and the remainder unconscious.
The supposed eye-witness account, which the newspaper said was obtained "from sources the veracity of which are impossible to doubt," follows in part:
"A Berlin police officer and 12 policemen arrived at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp with 62 hostages to be delivered to the camp commander. The arrested were mostly well-to-do lawyers, doctors, landlords, engineers, business men, and two rabbis.
"At the gate of the concentration camp stood two guards in the black uniform of Hitler's Death Head Battalion.
"Entering, the police office made the hostages leave the motor coaches and prepared to march them to the office of the camp commander for registration, but two long lines of black guards lined the way with whips, clubs, and spades in their hands.
"The police officer approached the leader of the troopers and asked free passage. He was met with the curt reply that he must deliver the hostages on the spot.
"Thereupon the Jews were made to run a gauntlet of shock troopers. As they approached between the ranks a hall of blows fell on them. Police, unable to bear the cries, turned their backs.
"As they fell the Jews were beaten further. The orgy lasted half an hour. Then other members were ordered to carry them away.
"Twuleve of the 62 were dead with skulls smashed. All the others were unconscious, some with eyes out, and faces flattened in.
"The leader of the shock troopers handed a 'receipt' to the police officer to show he had delivered the correct number and the police turned to Berlin." - History Unfolded Contributor
- Patricia P.
- Location of Research
- Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com)
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