History of Sorts

In January 2017, Polish historians unveiled what they claim to be the most comprehensive roster of Nazi SS commanders and guards at Auschwitz, aiming to ensure that any surviving perpetrators might still face justice. This monumental effort, spearheaded by the state-run Institute of National Remembrance, is titled the SS KL Auschwitz Garrison List. It draws from archival records across Poland, Germany, Austria, the United States, and, to a limited degree, Russia—where access to archives remains frustratingly restricted.

This project is the culmination of over 30 years of meticulous research by historian Aleksander Lasik, in collaboration with the institute and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. The list contains more than 8,500 entries, representing a significant portion of the personnel who ran the notorious concentration camp. However, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Lasik’s full database encompasses over 25,000 names of guards from various German-operated camps, though it remains incomplete, with his relentless quest for names and details ongoing.

One sobering revelation in this data is that only around 12% of Auschwitz guards have faced trial, whether in Poland or abroad—a stark reminder of the many unanswered calls for accountability. What adds to the chilling nature of this history is that many of these individuals, whose names and professions I’ve included in this blog, were not soldiers by trade. Most were ordinary men, drawn from everyday professions, who participated in extraordinary atrocities.

Interestingly—and somewhat puzzling—there is a noticeable disparity in the depth of information available. While the records for German, Austrian and Volksdeutschen guards are detailed, those with Polish surnames are less thoroughly documented. This omission stands out, particularly given the Nazis’ notorious obsession with record-keeping and bureaucratic precision. The reasons for this gap remain a point of speculation, but it adds another layer of complexity to the story of one of history’s darkest chapter impeccable records. I have included the list at the end of the blog.

Pictured above: VOGEL Josef

Date of Birth:
16-11-1916, also 19-11-1916

Place of Birth:
Ilok

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia of German origin

Education Background:
6 classes of primary school

Profession/Occupation:
Confectioner

VONENDE Paul Arno Richard

Date of Birth:
16-05-1906

Place of Birth:
Jachaburg

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Third Reich

Education Background:
8 classes of primary school

Profession/Occupation:
Locksmith

NSDAP Affiliation:
NSDAP member since 01/1931

BALDUS Alphonse

Date of Birth:
14-12-1911

Place of Birth:
Groß-Hettingen

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Third Reich

Education Background:
No data

Profession/Occupation:
Farmer

NSDAP Affiliation:
NSDAP member since 01/05/1933
Party number: 2303149

HALLMANN Rudolf

Date of Birth:
03-03-1908

Place of Birth:
Herischdorf

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Third Reich

Education Background:
Common school (Volksschule)

Profession/Occupation:
Tax officer

HÄNDLER Werner Hermann

Date of Birth:
27-07-1913

Place of Birth:
Leipzig-Schönefeld

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Third Reich

Education Background:
5 classes of primary school

Profession/Occupation:
Bricklayer

NSDAP Affiliation:
NSDAP member since 01/05/1937
Party number: 4293109

Allgemeine SS Affiliation:
Member of the Allgemeine SS from 01/05/1933

SS Membership Number:
166442

Professional or Reserve Service in the SS:
Active

Service in SS Units (SS-Verfügungstruppen, Totenkopfverbände, Waffen-SS):
Membership in SS armed units from 02/07/1934

SS Military Ranks:

SS-Sturmmann (senior private): 01/04/1935
SS-Rottenführer (corporal): 01/03/1936
SS-Unterscharführer (platoon leader): 01/09/1938
SS-Scharführer (junior sergeant): 01/04/1939
SS-Oberscharführer (sergeant): 01/12/1941
SS-Hauptscharführer (senior sergeant): 01/02/1944
Affiliation to Other Organizations:

Reich Labor Service (RAD): 16/10/1933 – 15/04/1934
Military Service Until 1920:
No data

Military Service in Other Countries:
No data

Military Service in the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht:
No data

Awarded Decorations, Distinctions, and Medals:

War Merit Cross II Class with Swords
War Merit Medal
Bronze SA Sports Badge
Bronze Sports Badge of the German Reich
Commemorative Medal 1 October 1938 (Sudetenland Medal)

HARTMANN Karl Hermann

Date of Birth:
17-07-1912

Place of Birth:
Ebingen

Citizenship/Nationality:
Citizen of the Third Reich

Education Background:
Common school (Volksschule); Real school (Realschule)

Profession/Occupation:
Merchant official (Kaufmännischer Angestellter)

NSDAP Affiliation:
NSDAP member since 01/05/1937

Allgemeine SS Affiliation:
Member of the Allgemeine SS since July 1933
Service rank: SS-Unterscharführer (serial sergeant)

SS Membership Number:
No data

Professional or Reserve Service in the SS:
No data

Service in SS Armed Units (SS-Verfügungstruppen, Totenkopfverbände, Waffen-SS):
Membership in SS armed units from 06/09/1939
SS military ranks:

SS-Sturmmann (senior private): 01/05/1940
SS-Rottenführer (corporal): 01/08/1940
SS-Unterscharführer (platoon leader): 01/09/1941
SS-Oberscharführer (sergeant): 01/02/1944
Affiliation to Other Organizations:
No data

Military Service Until 1920:
No data

Military Service in Other Countries:
No data

Military Service in the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht:
No data

Awarded Decorations, Distinctions, and Medals:
War Merit Medal (Kriegsverdienstmedaille) – 20.04.1943

ZABINSKI Erwin

Date of Birth:
09-01-1920

Place of Birth:
No data

Citizenship/Nationality:
No data

Education Background:
No data

Profession/Occupation:
No data

NSDAP Affiliation:
No data

Allgemeine SS Affiliation:
No data

SS Membership Number:
No data

Professional or Reserve Service in the SS:
No data

Service in SS Armed Units (SS-Verfügungstruppen, Totenkopfverbände, Waffen-SS):
SS military ranks:

SS-Oberscharführer (sergeant): 19/10/1944
Affiliation to Other Organizations:
No data

Military Service Until 1920:
No data

Military Service in Other Countries:
No data

Military Service in the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht:
No data

Awarded Decorations, Distinctions, and Medals:
No data

source

https://truthaboutcamps.eu/th/form/60,Zaloga-SS-KL-Auschwitz.html?l=1