Auschwitz Prisoner Numbers
Individuals that were brought to Auschwitz concentration camp during the second world war were dehumanized in many ways. One example of the dehumanization of these individuals at Auschwitz was the ascribing of inmate numbers. Individuals who were brought the the camp were lined-up alphabetically and given "inmate numbers" that they would use to identify themselves. In most camps these numbers were stitched onto the clothing of the individuals, but Auschwitz used a different system. In addition to numbers being added to clothing; men, women, and children were told to line up alphabetically as their inmate number was tattooed on their left forearm. This custom was eventually adopted by most camps.
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Hanka's Tattoo from elaine vedette tack on Vimeo.
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The Purpose of Inmate Numbers
Although there was no single set of rules for ascribing the numbers, the numbers were all used for similar reasons. Inmate numbers were used to efficiently "manage" the camps. Individuals would have to show their numbers in order to enter buildings, exit buildings, and receive any food that was offered. After being given a number, you were forced to memorize it and learn how to say it in German. If you could not provide your inmate number to the guards, you would not have access to food or water. Auschwitz guards began tattooing these numbers on the prisoners' arms to help better manage the camp.
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Prisoner 25563: Deliana Rademakers
Deliana Rademakers was born in the
Netherlands in 1923. She was a devoted Jehovah's Witness who was arrested while performing an in-home religious service. On November 20, 1942 she was registered as prisoner number 25563 in Auschwitz concentration camp. According to the certificate of death, Prisoner 25563 died less than one month later on December 10, 1942.
Netherlands in 1923. She was a devoted Jehovah's Witness who was arrested while performing an in-home religious service. On November 20, 1942 she was registered as prisoner number 25563 in Auschwitz concentration camp. According to the certificate of death, Prisoner 25563 died less than one month later on December 10, 1942.
Prisoner 26947: Czeslawa Kwoka
Czesława Kwoka was born in Poland on August 15th, 1928. She was arrested and transported to Auschwitz on December 13, 1942 and was
registered as prisoner number 26947. According
to the certificate of death, Prisoner 26947 was murdered on March 12, 1943, at the age of 14.
registered as prisoner number 26947. According
to the certificate of death, Prisoner 26947 was murdered on March 12, 1943, at the age of 14.
Prisoner 4427: Wladyslaw bartoszewski
Władysław Bartoszewski was born in Warsaw, Poland on February 19, 1922 and was eighteen years old when he was arrested. He was transported to Auschwitz on September 19, 1940 where he was registered as Prisoner 4427. He was released from Auschwitz in 1941. He continued on to write more than forty books, help form the Zegota organization, and become an Honorary Citizen in the State of Israel. These are only a few of his accomplishements. Bartoszewski passed away in 2014.
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Sources:
1. Auschwitz.org. “Prisoner Numbers.” Auschwitz.org, auschwitz.org/en/museum/auschwitz-prisoners/prisoner-numbers.
2. Badessa, Anthony. “Faces of Auschwitz: Deliana Rademakers.” Marina Amaral, May 2018, www.marinamaral.com/blog/2018/4/16/faces-of- auschwitz-deliana-rademakers.
3. “Bartoszewski Władysław.” Story of Rescue - The Ulma Family | Polscy Sprawiedliwi, sprawiedliwi.org.pl/en/stories-of-rescue/biography-bartoszewski-wladyslaw.
4.“Czesława Kwoka.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czesława_Kwoka.
5. Marina Amaral. “Faces of Auschwitz: Deliana Rademakers.” Marina Amaral, 13 Aug. 2018, marinamaral.com/2018/4/faces-of-auschwitz-deliana-rademakers/.
2. Badessa, Anthony. “Faces of Auschwitz: Deliana Rademakers.” Marina Amaral, May 2018, www.marinamaral.com/blog/2018/4/16/faces-of- auschwitz-deliana-rademakers.
3. “Bartoszewski Władysław.” Story of Rescue - The Ulma Family | Polscy Sprawiedliwi, sprawiedliwi.org.pl/en/stories-of-rescue/biography-bartoszewski-wladyslaw.
4.“Czesława Kwoka.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Sept. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czesława_Kwoka.
5. Marina Amaral. “Faces of Auschwitz: Deliana Rademakers.” Marina Amaral, 13 Aug. 2018, marinamaral.com/2018/4/faces-of-auschwitz-deliana-rademakers/.