List of subcamps of Sachsenhausen facts for kids
During World War II, Nazi Germany created many terrible places called concentration camps. These were like prisons where people were held against their will. They were often forced to do hard labor. One of the main camps was called Sachsenhausen. It was located about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Berlin, the capital city of Germany.
Sachsenhausen operated from 1938 until April 22, 1945. Many different groups of people were imprisoned there. These included Germans, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma people, and later, Jewish people. It is believed that between 30,000 and 35,000 people died at Sachsenhausen.
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What Were Subcamps?
Besides the main Sachsenhausen camp, there were also many smaller camps called subcamps. These subcamps were like smaller branches of the main camp. Dozens of them were located directly in Berlin and other areas.
These subcamps were often set up near factories or businesses. The prisoners from Sachsenhausen were forced to work in these places. They had to do very hard labor for these companies. For example, some subcamps were linked to aircraft factories like Arado-Werke. Others were connected to electrical companies like Siemens and AEG.
Life in the Subcamps
Life in the subcamps was extremely difficult and dangerous. Prisoners were forced to work long hours with very little food or rest. They faced harsh conditions and cruel treatment. Many of these subcamps held hundreds or even thousands of prisoners. Some were for men, and others were for women.
For example, the Berlin-Hakenfelde subcamp held 1,000 women. The Berlin-Haselhorst Siemensstadt subcamp had 700 women and another section with 1,400 men. These people were forced to build things or work in production for the Nazi war effort.
Examples of Sachsenhausen Subcamps
There were many subcamps connected to Sachsenhausen. Some of them later became main concentration camps themselves. For instance, Groß Rosen and KZ Neuengamme started as subcamps of Sachsenhausen. They later grew into their own large camps.
Other subcamps were located in towns and cities across Germany and occupied territories. These included places like Fürstenwalde, Lieberose, and Schwarzheide. Some subcamps were even involved in special projects, like the one at Usedom. There, prisoners were forced to work on the production of V-2 rockets.
There were also special groups called "Construction labor commandos." These were teams of prisoners, often Poles, who were forced to work on building projects.
Remembering the Past
Learning about Sachsenhausen and its subcamps helps us understand a very dark part of history. It reminds us of the terrible things that happened during World War II. It also shows us the importance of freedom and human rights for everyone.
See also
- List of Nazi-German concentration camps
- Subcamp (SS)
