The Trial of Josef Kramer and Forty Four Others

Exhibit 32 Affidavit of Simcha Zamoski

IN THE MATTER OF WAR CRIMES AND ATROCITIES AT DORA & BELSEN CAMPS

DEPOSITION OF SINCHA ZAMOSKI (male) late of 46 Tagova, Kozienice, near Radom, Poland, sworn before Captain Alexander Macinlay Forbes, Royal Artillery, Legal Staff, No. 1 War Crimes Investigation Team.

1. I am 20 years of age and because I am a Jew I was arrested by the Germans on 15th November 1942 and taken to Camp Skarżysko where I remained until I was transferred to Solejo Camp in June 1943. In August 1944 I was transferred to Czenslochan [Częstochowa?] Camp, in the winter of 1944/45 to Dora Camp and finally to Belsen in April 1945.

2. I identify No. 3 on photograph 5 as an SS man at Dora and Belsen Camps. At Dora this man was in charge of the bath-house and at Belsen he was in charge of one of the cookhouses. I have now been told that his name is Ansgar Pichen.

3. I arrived at Dora Camp during winter of 1944/5 on a very cold and snowy day. As soon as the transport arrived we were all taken to the bathhouse of which Pichen was in charge. He was carrying a rubber truncheon and as we undressed he started beating prisoners without reason. After we had undressed we entered the bathroom and had to stand under icy cold showers. If anyone left the shower Pichen ordered them back. He afterwards turned on very hot water and again when anyone left he was ordered back by Pichen who struck the prisoner concerned on the head and body with the truncheon. We were scalded all over the body and in great pain. This process of hot and cold water went on for about an hour and during this time we were ordered by Pichen to sing. After this we were not allowed to dress but had to wait until all the men in our transport had been through the same procedure. Pichen got tired of continually beating and gave his truncheon to a Polish prisoner who worked in the bathhouse and ordered him to carry on with the beating. After all the transport had had the so called shower Pichen ordered us all to do exercises for two or three hours without any rest. During this time he beat any prisoner who showed any signs of slackening and we got so exhausted that we implored him to beat us to death as we could stand no more. When about nine hours had elapsed, from the time we first entered the bathhouse, we were allowed to dress and go to our blocks. As a result of these tortures five or six men died during the night. I know that they were dead because we tried to wake them in the morning and were unable to do so. On the instructions of the Blockältester I assisted in carrying the corpses outside our block, which was No. 35. Later I saw the crematorium lorry pick up the bodies and take them away.

4. I identify No. 4 on photograph 1 as an SS man who was at Dora and Belsen Camps. I have now been told his name is Otto Kulessa. This man was in charge of the transport in which I travelled from Dora Camp to Belsen and which arrived about 7th April 1945. During the journey which took six days officially we did not get anything to eat or drink. A little food was given to the Christians and some of the better SS did give the Jews a little. In my overcrowded railway wagon about 50 men died during the journey. I asked Kulessa if he would have the dead taken out but he refused and said that all of us would be dead by the time we got to Belsen. On arrival at Belsen we were detailed to our various blocks. Kulessa stood at the door of my block and beat prisoners, who were too weak to move quickly, with an iron bar. Many men fell down and I know that some of them were so seriously injured that they had to be taken to hospital the next morning. Amongst them was my friend Leibl Maiden from Wurka, near Warsaw. When I went to see him on the second day after our arrival the Warden in the hospital told me that he was dead. His death was undoubtedly due to the blows he received from Kulessa.

Sworn by the said deponent Sincha Zamoski at Belsen this 19th day of June 1945.

(Signed) Sincha Zamoski

Before me

(Signed) Alexander Mackinlay Forbes, Captain R.A.

I hereby certify that, the said deponent not understanding English, this affidavit was translated in my presence to the said deponent before swearing and I am satisfied that its contents were fully understood by the said deponent.

Dated this 19th day of June 1945

(Signed) Alexander Mackinlay Forbes, Captain R.A.

I hereby certify that I have accurately translated this affidavit to the said deponent.

Dated this 19th day of June 1945.

(Signed) No. 1348612 Cpl. Aitchinson, H., 21 Army Group Interpreter Pool.