War Crimes Trials - Vol. II The Belsen Trial. 'The Trial of Josef Kramer and Forty Four Others'

(135) DEPOSITION OF EWA GRYKA (Pole, aged 23)

2. On 22nd June, 1943, with my friends, Sonia Watinik and Hanka Rozenwayg, I was in Camp 3, Belsen Camp, when I saw a woman whom I recognised as a Kapo at Auschwitz Camp. I did not know her name, but have since been told that it is Ilse Lothe. My friends and I brought Lothe to the office of No. 1 War Crimes Investigation Team.

3. In July, 1943, at Auschwitz, I was employed digging ditches and graves for burying dead. The Kapo in charge of my working party was Lothe. At this time I was working with a woman named Rochla Grunwald and I heard her ask Lothe for permission to go to the lavatory. Lothe refused twice to let her go, and without making a further request, Grunwald put down her shovel and left her work. As soon as she moved from her work I saw Lothe go up to Grunwald and beat her about the head and body until she collapsed unconscious, with blood streaming from her head. For the beating Lothe used a wooden stick, which was about 2 feet long and about 1 inch in diameter. Assisted by some of the other prisoners I carried Grunwald to her block and we dressed her wounds as best we could. The next day I saw Grunwald being taken to Block 25. This block was reserved for persons who were destined for the gas chamber. I never saw Grunwald again. I am of opinion that Grunwald met her death in the gas chamber because, due to the beating she had received by Lothe, she was unable to work, and all persons unable to work or who were ill were automatically sent to the gas chamber. In this way Lothe has been responsible for sending many people to the gas chamber.

4. Lothe beat me with a wooden stick at least twice a week and on one occasion hit me on the nose with her fist, making my nose bleed. I had no permanent marks or scars as a result of these beatings.