The Trial of Josef Kramer and Forty Four Others
Exhibit 49 Affidavit of Nikolaj Kalenikow
IN THE MATTER OF WAR CRIMES AND A KAPO NAMED VLADISLAV OSTROWOSKI
DEPOSITION OF NIKOLAJ KALENIKOW (Male) late of Kiev Mironowka Rajon, Mironowska, Silo Rassaw, Russia, sworn before ...
1. I am 25 years of age and I served with a Russian Artillery Regiment until I was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans in the summer of 1941. I was taken to hospital in Berlin but after three weeks I escaped and went to a Russian civilian labour camp in Berlin - Marienfelde where I lived for about two years. In September 1943 I was recaptured and sent to Buchenwald concentration camp. I was transferred to Dora camp on 11th January 1945 and I came to Belsen on 9th April 1945.
2. After leaving Dora Camp I spent two days in Ellrich Camp and was in Block 19. On 15th June 1945 I was shown by Sergeant Scamans, 86 Special Investigation Section, Corps of Military Police, a man whom I recognised as the Kapo in charge of this block. I knew him by the name of Ostrowoski, but I have now been informed that his full name is Vladislav Ostrowoski.
3. During the two days I spent at Ellrich Camp one of the prisoners excreted outside Block 19. The punishment was this, ordered by Ostrowoski, was that the men of Block 19, totalling approximately 900 men, had to remain for three hours in a squatting position. Ostrowoski beat any prisoners with a stick if they moved their position or spoke. He hit them on all parts of their bodies and as further punishment no food was given at all that day. I also saw, during the two days at Ellrich, Ostrowoski beat many prisoners for no reason at all. He mainly used a broken soup ladle handle, which was made of metal and wood. I saw many dead bodies taken away after the victims had been beaten by Ostrowoski.
4. Whilst at Belsen I was in Block 19 and Ostrowoski was acting in the capacity of a camp policeman. When prisoners lined up for food he would go down the line beating and hitting men with a wooden stick for no reason at all.
5. Early one morning, just before the British liberated the camp, Ostrowoski ordered all men in Block 19 on parade, including the sick. One of the sick prisoners, either a Frenchman or a Belgian, who I knew by the name of Albert, was so sick that he could not move. I saw Ostrowoski approach this man and hit him on the head. He was carrying something in his hand at the time, but I could not see what it was. The blow that the prisoner received from Ostrowoski resulted in his death as I helped to carry many dead bodies on to a heap outside Block 19 and the body of this man was amongst them.
Sworn by the said Deponent Nikolaj Kalenikow at Belsen this .... day of June 1945
(Not Signed)
Before me
(Not Signed)
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 .... day of June 1945.
I hereby certify that I have accurately translated this affidavit to the said deponent.
Dated this .... day of June 1945.
C.A.S.1
This is the Exhibit marked C.A.S.1 now produced and shown to CYRIL ALBERT SCAMANS and MARGARET JELINEK and referred to in the respective affidavits of the said CYRIL ALFRED SCAMANS and MARGARET JELINEK sworn as to the said CYRIL ALBERT SCAMANS and MARGARET JELINEK on 25 June 1945, before me
Signed A.M. Forbes Capt R.A.
