Auschwitz (1940-1945) - timeline

6 July 1940

6 July 1940 The first escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp

The key events from the history of the Auschwitz German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)

14 June 1940

14 June 1940 Deportation to Auschwitz of the first transport of 728 Polish political prisoners

Since June 1940

Since June 1940 The beginning of forced expulsions of Poles from the area surrounding the camp and deportations of Poles from prisons in occupied Poland to Auschwitz

3 September 1941

3 September 1941 The first attempt to murder people with Zyklon B

September 1941

September 1941 The launch of the first gas chamber in crematorium I

7 October 1941

7 October 1941 The first mass transport of the Soviet prisoners of war

1940

1941

1941

Since June 1940 The beginning of forced expulsions of Poles from the area surrounding the camp and deportations of Poles from prisons in occupied Poland to Auschwitz The displacement of the inhabitants of Brzezinka, photo by Augustyn Gładyszek, 1941. Source: Archive of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (Archive of the A-BSM). See more:

• Online course: “Expulsions of the Polish and Jewish residents of Oświęcim and other local communities in the time from 1940 to 1942”
• Online course: “Inhabitants of Oświęcim under the German occupation”

6 July 1940 The first escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp Tadeusz Wiejowski, the very first prisoner, who escaped from KL Auschwitz. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Escapes from the KL Auschwitz"

3 September 1941 The first attempt to murder people with Zyklon B The camp jail in the basement of block 11, where for the first time Zyklon B was applied to kill humans. In the basement of block 11 approximately 600 Soviet POW and 250 Polish prisoners were murdered. Source: A-BSM See more:

• Podcast: “The first crematorium and beginnings of the Sonderkommando in the Auschwitz concentration camp”

September 1941 The launch of the first gas chamber in crematorium I Plan of crematorium I from 25 September 1941 Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Podcast: “The first crematorium and beginnings of the Sonderkommando in the Auschwitz concentration camp”

7 October 1941 The first mass transport of the Soviet prisoners of war Soviet POW Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Fate of the Soviet POW in KL Auschwitz”

The first transport of Poles to the Auschwitz concentration camp (the photo was taken in Tarnów as the prisoners were on their way to the railway station). Source: The Holocaust History Archive of the Netherlands

Tadeusz Wiejowski, the very first prisoner who escaped from KL Auschwitz. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

The displacement of the inhabitants of Brzezinka, photo by Augustyn Gładyszek, 1941. Source: Archive of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (Archive of the A-BSM)

Plan of crematorium I from 25 September 1941. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

The camp jail in the basement of block 11, where for the first time Zyklon B was applied to kill humans. In the basement of block 11 approximately 600 Soviet POW and 250 Polish prisoners were murdered. Source: A-BSM

Soviet POW. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

14 June 1940 Deportation to Auschwitz of the first transport of 728 Polish political prisoners The first transport of Poles to the Auschwitz concentration camp (the photo was taken in Tarnów as the prisoners were on their way to the railway station). Source: The Holocaust History Archive of the Netherlands See more:

• Online course: “The first transports of Poles to Auschwitz”
• Online course: “Poles in the Auschwitz concentration camp”
• Podcast: “The beginnings of the Auschwitz concentration camp”
• Podcast: “Living and sanitary conditions, clothing”
• Exhibition online: “14 June 1940”

26 March 1942

26 March 1942 Establishment of the female section of the Auschwitz concentration camp – Frauenabteilung

11 November 1941

11 November 1941 The first execution by firing squad at the Wall of Death, 76 Polish victims

Since March 1942

Since March 1942 The beginning of the mass deportations of Jews from Europe under the German occupation

From March to July 1942

From March to July 1942 Launch of the makeshift gas chambers in Birkenau – the so-called red and white cottages

October 1942

October 1942 Establishment of the Buna subcamp (Auschwitz III-Monowitz since November 1943) on the construction site of the IG Farbenindustrie synthetic rubber and gasoline factory

13 December 1942

13 December 1942 The first transport of Poles displaced from the Zamojszczyzna region

1941

1942

1942

1942

The key events from the history of the Auschwitz German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)

Since March 1942 The beginning of the mass deportations of Jews from Europe under the German occupation Deportation of Jews from the Westerbork camp. Source: Yad Vashem 1922/16, ID 13885 See more:

• Online course: “Extermination of Jews in KL Auschwitz”

26 March 1942 Establishment of the female section of the Auschwitz concentration camp – Frauenabteilung Female section of the Auschwitz I camp (separated blocks)- contemporary view. Source: A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Women in KL Auschwitz”

From March to July 1942 Launch of the makeshift gas chambers in Birkenau - the so-called red and white cottages. Remnants of bunker I- the so-called red cottage- contemporary view (on the left). Remnants of bunker II- the so-called white cottage- contemporary view (on the right). Source: A-BSM See more:

• Podcast: “Transformation of the Auschwitz concentration camp into an extermination centre”

October 1942 Establishment of the Buna subcamp (Auschwitz III-Monowitz since November 1943) on the construction site of the IG Farbenindustrie synthetic rubber and gasoline factory IG Farbenindustrie factory Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Podcast: “The Auschwitz III-Monowitz camp”
• Podcast: “Subcamps”
• Online course: “Subcamps of the Auschwitz complex”

13 December 1942 The first transport of Poles displaced from the Zamojszczyzna region. Ruszów before the displacement. Source: State Archives in Zamość See more:

• Podcast: “Deportations of Poles from the Zamojszczyzna region to KL Auschwitz”
• Online course: “Deportations from the Zamojszczyzna region to Auschwitz”

The Wall of Death – the contemporary view. Source: A-BSM

Deportation of Jews from the Westerbork camp. Source: Yad Vashem 1922/16, ID 13885

IG Farbenindustrie factory. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

Remnants of bunker I – the so-called red cottage – contemporary view (on the left). Remnants of bunker II – the so-called white cottage – contemporary view (on the right). Source: A-BSM

11 November 1941 The first execution by firing squad at the Wall of Death, 76 Polish victims. The Wall of Death- contemporary view. Source: A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Poles in KL Auschwitz”

Ruszów before the displacement. Source: State Archives in Zamość

Female section of the Auschwitz I camp (separated blocks)- contemporary view. Source: A-BSM

19 July 1943

19 July 1943 Mass execution in the concentration camp (12 Polish prisoners from the surveyors’ command were hanged)

26 February 1943

26 February 1943 The first transport of Sinti and Roma families; they were accommodated in section BIIe of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp (Zigeunerlager)

March–June 1943

March–June 1943 Completion of construction and commissioning of four gas chambers and crematoria in Birkenau

Since August 1943

Since August 1943 Deportations of Polish Jews from the ghettos of Dąbrowa Basin

8 September 1943

8 September 1943 The first transport of Jews from the Theresienstadt ghetto placed in section BIIb of Auschwitz II-Birkenau (Familiennlager-Theresienstadt)

1943

1943

1944

The key events from the history of the Auschwitz German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)

14 May 1944

14 May 1944 The beginning of the mass extermination of Hungarian Jews

March– June 1943 Completion of construction and commissioning of four gas chambers and crematoria in Birkenau Auschwitz II-Birkenau: four gas chambers and crematoria are indicated. Aerial photo taken by the Allies in the summer of 1944. Auschwitz II-Birkenau: on the left side a cloud of smoke rising from the stakes next to crematorium V is visible, where human corpses were burned in the open air. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• The history of Auschwitz: gas chambers in Birkenau:

19 July 1943 Mass execution in the concentration camp (12 Polish prisoners from the surveyors’ command were hanged). The gallows constructed for this purpose from a metal rail, where on 19 July 1943 12 prisoners were hanged (reconstruction, contemporary view). Source: A-BSM See more:

• The history of Auschwitz: punishments and executions:

Since August 1943 Deportations of Polish Jews from the ghettos of Dąbrowa Basin Malka Ruchel and Rafael Hirsz Małach with their children. In the first row from the left: Wolf, Malka Ruchel with Abraham on her lap, Rafael Hirsz, Szyma, Frymet; in the second row: Estera Icchak, Zysze. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online exposition: “Before they passed away... Deportations of Polish Jews from the ghettos of Dąbrowa Basin”.

8 September 1943 The first transport of Jews from the Theresienstadt ghetto placed in section BIIb of Auschwitz II-Birkenau (Familiennlager-Theresienstadt) Theresienstadt ghetto Source: Yad Vashem, 7EO8, ID 101724 See more:

• Online exposition: “From the Theresienstadt ghetto to Auschwitz II-Birkenau”

Deportation of Sinti and Roma from Remscheid to Auschwitz, March 1943. Source: Historisches Zentrum Remscheid, Stadtarchiv

Theresienstadt ghetto. Source: Yad Vashem, 7EO8, ID 101724

Malka Ruchel and Rafael Hirsz Małach with their children. In the first row from the left: Wolf, Malka Ruchel with Abraham on her lap, Rafael Hirsz, Szyma, Frymet; in the second row: Estera Icchak, Zysze. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

26 February 1943 The first transport of Sinti and Roma families; they were accommodated in section BIIe of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp (Zigeunerlager) Deportation of Sinti and Roma from Remscheid to Auschwitz, March 1943. Source: Historisches Zentrum Remscheid, Stadtarchiv See more:

• Online course: “Roma in Auschwitz”
• Online exposition: “Roma in Auschwitz”
• Podcast: “Roma and Sinti in the Auschwitz concentration camp”

The gallows constructed for this purpose from a metal rail, where on 19 July 1943 12 prisoners were hanged (reconstruction, contemporary view). Source: A-BSM

Auschwitz II-Birkenau: four gas chambers and crematoria are indicated. Aerial photo taken by the Allies in the summer of 1944. Auschwitz II-Birkenau: on the left side a cloud of smoke rising from the stakes next to crematorium V is visible, where human corpses were burned in the open air. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

Hungary, deportation of Jews from the city of Kőszeg to a ghetto, from which they were transported to Auschwitz on 4 July 1944. Source: Yad Vashem

14 May 1944 The beginning of the mass extermination of Hungarian Jews Hungary, deportation of Jews from the city of Kőszeg to a ghetto, from which they were transported to Auschwitz on 4 July 1944. Source: Yad Vashem See more:

• Online course: “Deportations of Jews from Hungary to Auschwitz”

1944

1944

1945

The key events from the history of the Auschwitz German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)

10-12 April 1944

10-12 April 1944 Liquidation of the Theresienstadt family camp for Jews; the SS murdered approximately 7 thousand Jews in gas chambers

2 August 1944

2 August 1944 Liquidation of the family camp for Roma and Sinti, the so-called gypsy camp – Zigeunerlager; the SS murdered over 4.3 thousand Roma in gas chambers

12 August 1944

12 August 1944 The first transport of civilians arrested during the Warsaw Uprising

Since August 1944

Since August 1944 Deportation of approximately 67 thousand Jews from the Łodź ghetto – Litzmannstadt

7 October 1944

7 October 1944 The Sonderkommando rebellion

17-18 January 1945

17-18 January 1945 The beginning of the evacuation marches from the camp. About 56 thousand Auschwitz prisoners were taken out of the camp and sub-camps – mainly to Gliwice and Wodzislaw Śląski (about 70 km from Oświęcim), from which they were transported to other camps in the Third Reich

Jehuda Bacon with his family; they were deported to Auschwitz from the Theresienstadt ghetto in December 1943, Jehuda survived the camp. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

10-12 April 1944 Liquidation of the Theresienstadt family camp for Jews; the SS murdered approximately 7 thousand Jews in gas chambers. Jehuda Bacon with his family; they were deported to Auschwitz from the Theresienstadt ghetto in December 1943, Jehuda survived the camp. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online exposition: “From the Theresienstadt ghetto to Auschwitz II-Birkenau”

2 August 1944 Liquidation of the family camp for Roma and Sinti, the so-called gypsy camp – Zigeunerlager; the SS murdered over 4.3 thousand Roma in gas chambers. Josef Friedrich with his son Eduard (a pre-war picture), Roma from Germany, deported to Auschwitz on 21.04.1944 together with the whole family: with his wife Pauline and three sons. All of them perished in the camp in the night from 2 to 3 August 1944. Source: Documentation and Cultural Centre of German Sinti and Roma in Heidelberg See more:

• Online course: “Roma in Auschwitz”
• Podcast: “Roma and Sinti in Auschwitz”

12 August 1944 The first transport of civilians arrested during the Warsaw Uprising Aleksander and Jadwiga Bogdaszewscy with their children. Photograph taken in Warsaw in 1944. Except for two-year-old Basia, who was in hospital during the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, the other family members were deported to Auschwitz on 12 August 1944. The children and their mother survived the camp, the father died in Flossenbürg, which he was taken to from Auschwitz. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “From Warsaw during the Uprising to Auschwitz”
• Online exposition: “Deportations of the residents of Warsaw to Auschwitz after the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising”

Aleksander and Jadwiga Bogdaszewscy with their children. Photograph taken in Warsaw in 1944. Except for two-year-old Basia, who was in hospital during the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, the other family members were deported to Auschwitz on 12 August 1944. The children and their mother survived the camp, the father died in Flossenbürg, which he was taken to from Auschwitz. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

The Koplowicz family, Polish Jews deported to Auschwitz in August 1944, only the father survived. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

Since August 1944 Deportation of approximately 67 thousand Jews from the Łodź ghetto– Litzmannstadt The Koplowicz family, Polish Jews deported to Auschwitz in August 1944, only the father survived. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Jews from the Litzmannstadt ghetto in Auschwitz”

Załmen Gradowski, a Polish Jew deported with his family to Auschwitz from the Grodno ghetto in December 1942, died in Auschwitz, probably on 7 October 1944, during the Sonderkommando rebellion (a pre-war photo of him with his wife). Source: Archive of the A-BSM

7 October 1944 - the Sonderkommando rebellion Załmen Gradowski, a Polish Jew deported with his family to Auschwitz from the Grodno ghetto in December 1942, died in Auschwitz, probably on 7 October 1944, during the Sonderkommando rebellion (a pre-war photo of him with his wife) Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Online exposition: “Sonderkommando”
• Online course: “Sonderkommando”
• Podcast: “The fate of the Sonderkommando prisoners”
• Podcast: “The rebellion of the Sonderkommando prisoners”

Evacuation march, Zbigniew Otfinowski. Source: Collection of the A-BSM

17- 18 January 1945 The beginning of the evacuation marches from the camp. About 56 thousand Auschwitz prisoners were taken out of the camp and sub-camps – mainly to Gliwice and Wodzislaw Śląski (about 70 km from Oświęcim), from which they were transported to other camps in the Third Reich. Evacuation march, Zbigniew Otfinowski Source: Collection of the A-BSM See more:

• Online course: “Evacuation and liberation of Auschwitz”
• Online exhibition: “Evacuation and liberation of Auschwitz”
• Podcast: “Liquidation of the Auschwitz concentration camp”

Josef Friedrich with his son Eduard (a pre-war picture), Roma from Germany, deported to Auschwitz on 21.04.1944 together with the whole family: with his wife Pauline and three sons. All of them perished in the camp in the night from 2 to 3 August 1944. Source: Documentation and Cultural Centre of German Sinti and Roma in Heidelberg

27 January 1945

27 January 1945 Liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army soldiers; approximately 7.5 thousand prisoners remained in the camp and subcamps

1945

The key events from the history of the Auschwitz German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)

27 January 1945 Liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army soldiers; approximately 7.5 thousand prisoners remained in the camp and subcamps. Auschwitz prisoners liberated by soldiers of the Red Army. Source: Archive of the A-BSM See more:

• Podcast: “Liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp”
• Educational session: “Liberation KL Auschwitz”

Auschwitz prisoners liberated by soldiers of the Red Army. Source: Archive of the A-BSM

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. Gate with the inscription „Arbeit macht frei”. Contemporary view. Source: A-BSM

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