51 The "Extermination" Chambers Were Actually Morgues (Holocaust: Leuchter)
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This article is from the Holocaust FAQ, by Ken McVay kmcvay@nizkor.org with numerous contributions by others.
51 The "Extermination" Chambers Were Actually Morgues (Holocaust: Leuchter)
Holocaust denial often claims that the "alleged" extermination
chambers were actually morgues, and that Zyklon-B was used in them as
a disinfectant.
This claim stems from the fact that Hydrocyanic compounds were found
on the ventilation grills of the gas chambers in Krema II and III
(the chemical analysis was carried out by Dr. Jan Robel of the
Cracow Forensic Institute in December 1945, and was part of the
evidence in the trial of Auschwitz commander Ho"ss). This proves
that gassing did take place in that chamber - but since this runs
contrary to the deniers claims that it was an underground morgue,
they claimed "a morgue is disinfected with Zyklon-B."
Unfortunately for the people offering this assertion as truth,
Zyklon-B is useless for disinfecting corpses, as it does not kill
anaerobic bacteria - it kills only aerobic organisms.
Finally, the "morgue" is specifically referred to as a "gassing
cellar" in a letter from the Auschwitz construction department to SS
General Kammler, January 29, 1943. Why call a morgue "gassing
cellar?" And why is the other underground room called "undressing
cellar?" (see Pressac, p. 221; also The Final Solution: The Attempt
to Exterminate the Jews of Europe, 1939-1945 - G. Reitlinger, South
Brunswick, T. Yosellof, 1968, p. 158. These documents are
reproduced in the "AUSCHWITZ" section of the file "Original Nazi
Documents", together with other documents about the process of
gassing in Auschwitz).
The following correspondence between an SS officer and the firm
which manufactured the crematoriums shows that the underground
cellars in Kremas II and III were to be preheated. Needless to
say, this proves that they were not designed to serve as morgues;
it does not make much sense to heat a morgue. It does make sense
to heat a homicidal gas chamber, to facilitate the evaporation
of the Zyklon-B.
"Letter from SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Jahrling to Topf & Sons,
March 6 1943
Subject: KL Auschwitz Krematorien II and III
In accordance with your suggestion, the service agrees that cellar 1
should be preheated with the air coming from the rooms of the 3
forced draught installations. The supply and installation of the
ductwork and blowers necessary to this end are to be effected as soon
as possible. As you point out in your above-mentioned letter,
execution should commence this week. We would ask you to send in
triplicate detailed quote for supply and installation.
At the same time, we would ask you to send an additional quotation
for the modification of the air-extraction installation in the
undressing room." (Pressac, 221)
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