Auschwitz Concentration Camp
The Basics
The Basics
Unloading of rail transports at Auschwitz ..............................................The Ramp at Birkenau
Reception and Registration
Generally the reception and registration of transports went as follows:
The unloading of rail transports of prisoners took place on a ramp beside the camp in the vicinity of the prison huts of Auschwitz I.
In 1942 a second unloading ramp(Judenrampe) came into use for transports of Jews brought to Auschwitz for extermination. From May 1944 rail transports were unloaded at a special ramp situated within the perimeter of KZ Birkenau.
Once arrived at the camp, new arrivals (Zugang) were taken to buildings containing bath facilities. In Auschwitz l it was in Block 26, while at Birkenau in sectors Bla and Blb in a brick building known as the Sauna.
Registration Card -Auschwitz
The first thing new arrivals had to do was surrender all their clothing, including underwear, all valuables and proof of identity and virtually all other personal possessions.
Next the prisoner received a card with his camp number before being taken to the camp barber where all body hair was removed. The shaved parts were then rubbed by disinfectant.
After being undressed and shaven the prisoners were then driven to the showers, which was followed by the issuing of camp clothing.
The registration of newly arrived prisoners took place after the issuing of clothing and consisted of filling out a personal form, including details of next of kin. These forms were kept in the camps Political Department.
Thus registered, the prisoner received a camp serial number, which would serve instead of their name, for the duration of their stay in the camp.
Learn more about the Auschwitz/Birkenau camp here:
The Holocaust Education & Archive Research Team
