The document discusses the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp complex during World War II. It details how the city of Oswiecim, Poland was occupied by German forces in 1939 and incorporated into the Third Reich. During the war, Auschwitz consisted of the main camp along with subcamps including Auschwitz II-Birkenau and Auschwitz III-Monowitz. The camp held over 1 million victims, mostly Jews but also Poles and others. It was liberated by Soviet forces on January 27, 1945 but the camps remained in operation by the NKVD as prisoner camps until 1946. Auschwitz remains a symbol of the tragic mass destruction

1. Auschwitz-Auschwitz-
BirkenauBirkenau

2. In September 1939,.In September 1939,. TheThe
city was occupied by thecity was occupied by the
Wehrmacht. RetreatingWehrmacht. Retreating
from Auschwitz andfrom Auschwitz and
Polish Army blew up thePolish Army blew up the
air bridge over the riverair bridge over the river
Sola, connecting the leftSola, connecting the left
and right-bank part of theand right-bank part of the
city. Oswiecim wascity. Oswiecim was
incorporated into theincorporated into the
Third Reich, Hitler'sThird Reich, Hitler's
decree of 8 October 1939.decree of 8 October 1939.

3. During the Second WorldDuring the Second World
War was here the largestWar was here the largest
German concentrationGerman concentration
camp and exterminationcamp and extermination
center of the Auschwitz-center of the Auschwitz-
Birkenau. The complexBirkenau. The complex
entered the main campentered the main camp
Auschwitz I Auschwitz,Auschwitz I Auschwitz,
Auschwitz II-BirkenauAuschwitz II-Birkenau
Birkenau, Auschwitz III-Birkenau, Auschwitz III-
Monowitz, the MonowitzMonowitz, the Monowitz
system and many sub-system and many sub-
camps.camps.

4. In 1941., Considering the convenient location of the city and theIn 1941., Considering the convenient location of the city and the
possibility of technical commodity area, IG Farben received frompossibility of technical commodity area, IG Farben received from
the German government commissioned to build and run on itsthe German government commissioned to build and run on its
eastern outskirts of the chemical factory, which was to produceeastern outskirts of the chemical factory, which was to produce
products needed in time of war for the military.products needed in time of war for the military.

6. On 27 January 1945.On 27 January 1945. Auschwitz-Birkenau wasAuschwitz-Birkenau was
liberated by the Red Army - at approx. 3 PM of thatliberated by the Red Army - at approx. 3 PM of that
day the soldiers of the 107th Division of the 60thday the soldiers of the 107th Division of the 60th
Army entered the camp area. They were commandedArmy entered the camp area. They were commanded
by Major General Vasily Yakovlevich Petrenko.by Major General Vasily Yakovlevich Petrenko.

7. To this day, it remains a symbol of the tragic history ofTo this day, it remains a symbol of the tragic history of
mass destruction of 1.1 - 1.3 million people of differentmass destruction of 1.1 - 1.3 million people of different
nationalities and religions. About 90% of the victimsnationalities and religions. About 90% of the victims
were Jews. The second nation among the victims werewere Jews. The second nation among the victims were
Poles numbering about 75,000.Poles numbering about 75,000.

8. After liberation, the NKVD formed on its premises twoAfter liberation, the NKVD formed on its premises two
transit camps for German prisoners. The Auschwitztransit camps for German prisoners. The Auschwitz
camp functioned probably until the autumn of 1945,camp functioned probably until the autumn of 1945,
while the second one - founded within the formerwhile the second one - founded within the former
Auschwitz II-Birkenau in Brzezinka - until the springAuschwitz II-Birkenau in Brzezinka - until the spring
of 1946.of 1946.

9. ApproximatelyApproximately
fifteen thousandfifteen thousand
people were inpeople were in
those camps. Theirthose camps. Their
commander was acommander was a
Soviet colonelSoviet colonel
named Masloboyev.named Masloboyev.

10. Thank you forThank you for
watchingwatching
Group 4Group 4