Punishments

Gleiwitz, Dwangarbeiders kamp
1943

Compared to what I experienced later, Gleiwitz was heaven; at least that’s how we looked back on it.

For the slightest offense, such as not making a bed properly or coming too late for roll call, you could be sentenced to 25 strokes with a cane ‘Fünfundzwanzig am Arsch’. The prisoner would be tied to a wooden rack, and after his pants were pulled down he would receive 25 heavy strokes with a two-meter long strap or a broom handle. The slightest punishments consisted of standing outside for hours or days, or squatting in freezing cold, or not getting food.