History of Sorts

Oskar Gröning was a German SS Unterscharführer stationed at Auschwitz. His responsibilities included counting and sorting the money taken from prisoners, as well as being in charge of the personal property of arriving prisoners. On a few occasions, he witnessed the procedures of mass killing in the camp. On April 20, 2015, when he was 94, he went on trial. During the trial, he tried to convince that he was remorseful and said he had always mentally fought between conscience and duty. Some people may have believed him, but I didn’t. If I had felt guilty for the unfathomable crimes I had been complicit in, I would not have been able to live with myself; I would not have slept a day in my life, as would be the case with most people who have a moral compass. Oskar, however, decided to appeal his sentence. He lived a long and comfortable life and died aged 96.

The following are excerpts of Oskar Gröning’s interview that he gave to the BBC in 2005.

Early Life and Joining the SS

Interviewer: Could you tell us about your early life and how you came to join the SS?

Oskar Gröning: I was born in 1921 in Lower Saxony, Germany. My father was a nationalist, and I grew up in a patriotic household. I joined the Hitler Youth, like many boys of my age, and later, in 1940, I volunteered for the SS. I was initially stationed in an administrative role and eventually assigned to Auschwitz in 1942.

Arrival at Auschwitz

Interviewer: What were your first impressions when you arrived at Auschwitz?

Oskar Gröning: When I first arrived, I was shocked by what I saw. I witnessed the brutality of the selections and the way people were treated. The first time I saw a gas chamber, it was a horrifying experience. The screams, the cries, and the sheer number of people—it was overwhelming.

Duties and Role

Interviewer: What were your specific duties at Auschwitz?

Oskar Gröning: My main duty was to manage the belongings of the incoming prisoners. We collected their luggage, sorted it, and cataloged all valuable items like money, jewelry, and personal documents. These items were then sent to Berlin. I was also present on the ramp during the arrival of the transports to oversee this process.

Witnessing Atrocities

Interviewer: Did you witness any atrocities firsthand?

Oskar Gröning: Yes, I did. One incident that has haunted me involved a fellow SS member killing a baby. The mother was standing by the truck when an SS officer took the baby and smashed its head against the truck. The brutality of it was indescribable. I also saw the burning pits and the gas chambers. These images have stayed with me for my entire life.

Moral Reflections

Interviewer: How do you reflect on your role and actions at Auschwitz now?

Oskar Gröning: I am deeply remorseful for my part in the atrocities committed at Auschwitz. Although I was not directly involved in the killing, I was part of the system that enabled it. I feel a profound sense of guilt and responsibility. Speaking out now is my way of atoning for my actions and ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten or denied.

Addressing Holocaust Denial

Interviewer: What prompted you to speak out publicly about your experiences?

Oskar Gröning: I was motivated by the rise of Holocaust denial. When I heard people denying the events of the Holocaust, I felt compelled to speak up. I was there. I saw the reality. I believe it is my duty to bear witness and to make sure that the truth is known. The denial of these atrocities is an affront to the memory of those who suffered and died.

Final Thoughts

Interviewer: What message do you want to leave for future generations?

Oskar Gröning: The Holocaust was a horrific event in human history, and it must never be forgotten. It’s important for future generations to understand the dangers of hatred, bigotry, and blind obedience to authority. We must learn from the past to prevent such atrocities from happening again. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can contribute to this understanding and remembrance.

On July 15, 2015, he was found guilty of being an accessory to the murder of at least 300,000 Jews. Reacting to the sentence, Auschwitz survivor Kor said that she was “disappointed,” adding: “I would like the court to prove to me, a survivor, how four years in jail will benefit anybody.” Gröning’s defense lawyer, Hans Holtermann, reviewed the decision before planning to appeal.

On November 28, 2016, the appeal was declined by the German Federal Court of Justice. In August 2017, Gröning was judged to be fit for prison.[An appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court also failed. The latter court ruled his age was not a valid reason not to send him to jail.

On January 15, 2018, Gröning applied for pardon as a last measure to avoid imprisonment. The pardon was rejected.

On March 9, 2018, Gröning died while hospitalized in Lower Saxony before he was to begin his sentence. He was 96. In contrast, Freddy Israël Cohen was born in Amsterdam on August 5, 1940 and murdered in Auschwitz on October 12m 1942 at the tender the age of two.

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/12/bookkeeper-auschwitz-dies-before-jail-nazis#img-1

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-32347927

https://www.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/album_auschwitz/selection.asp

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/07/oskar-groening-auschwitz-guard-120036/

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/13/europe/groening-auschwitz-germany-holocaust-trial-intl/index.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42698558