Introduction
On June 28, 1943, the Central Construction Office Auschwitz wrote a report addressed to the SS-WVHA on the completion of the third crematorium at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The document was written by SS-Untersturmführer Josef Janisch and prepared for the signature of SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bischoff, head of the office. According to the report, Crematoria II and III each had the ability to cremate “1,440 persons” per day, while Crematoria IV and V could handle “768 persons” per day. Combined with the older crematorium at Auschwitz I, the camp’s total daily capacity reached “4,756 persons”.
Document
28. Juni 1943
31550/Ja./Ne.-
Betr. Fertigstellung d. Krematoriums III
Bezug: ohne
Anl.: -/-
An das
SS-Wirtschafts-Verwaltungshauptamt, Amtsgruppenchef C’
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor Dr.-Ing. Kammler
Berlin-Lichterfelde-West
Unter den Eichen 126-135
Melde die Fertigstellung des Krematoriums III mit dem 6. 1943. Mithin sind sämtliche befohlene Krematorien fertiggestellt.
Leistung der nunmehr vorhandenen Krematorien bei einer 24stündigen Arbeitszeit:
1.) altes Krematorium I
3×2 Muffelöfen 340 Personen
2.) neues Krematorium i. K.G.L. II
5×3 Muffelöfen 1440 Personen
3.) neues Krematorium III
5×3 Muffelöfen 1440 Personen
4.) neues Krematorium IV
8 Muffelöfen 768 Personen
5.) neues Krematorium V
8 Muffelöfen 768 Personen
—————
Insges. bei 24 Stündiger Arbeitszeit 4756 Personen
Der Leiter der Zentralbauleitung
Akt.-Janisch- Bauw. der Waffen-SS und Polizei Auschwitz
SS-Sturmbannführer
Verteiler:
Akt.-Janisch– Bauw.
” -Kirschneck
Registratur K. G. L. BW. 30
Jährling
June 28, 1943
31550/Ja./Ne.-
Subject: Completion of Crematorium III
Reference: None
Attachment: None
To the
SS Economic and Administrative Main Office, Chief of Department C
SS-Brigadeführer and Major General Dr.-Ing. Kammler
Berlin-Lichterfelde-West
Unter den Eichen 126-135
I report the completion of Crematorium III as of June 6, 1943. Thus, all ordered crematoria are now completed.
Capacity of the currently available crematoria, based on 24-hour operation:
1.) Old Crematorium I
3×2 muffle furnaces 340 persons
2.) New Crematorium at K.G.L. II
5×3 muffle furnaces 1,440 persons
3.) New Crematorium III
5×3 muffle furnaces 1,440 persons
4.) New Crematorium IV
8 muffle furnaces 768 persons
5.) New Crematorium V
8 muffle furnaces 768 persons
—————————————
Total for 24-hour operation: 4,756 persons
Head of the Central Construction Office of the Waffen-SS and Police Auschwitz
SS-Sturmbannführer
Distribution:
File Janisch Construction
” Kirschneck
Registry K.G.L. BW. 30
Jährling
Archivial reference:
Российский государственный военный архив (RGVA), 502-1-314
Image reference:
1st image: http://www.topfundsoehne.de/media_de/ct_mitwisser_diekrematorien.php?subnav=diekrematorien (offline)
2nd image: Annegret Schüle, Industrie und Holocaust, Wallstein Verlag, 2010, p. 460.
Further Reading:
Jean-Claude Pressac, Technique and Operation of the Gas Chambers, p. 247
French article on phdn.org