Yad Vashem

The Auschwitz Album

Selection

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The selection process carried out by SS doctors and wardens took place twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, as train after train unloaded its human cargo. Most Jews were sent immediately to their death
Pictured here are Jews who just arrived at the camp, but have not yet undergone the selection process. On the left side, towards the bottom, it is possible to see some of the belongings that the Jews brought with them. The belongings remained on the platform until after the Jews had undergone selection
Jews being prepared for selection process
Some of the Jews are looking at the inside of a train car, where the photographer is standing. Crematorium building II can be seen at the top right. Top left: the "Lagerstrasse" (the so called main camp street)
The platform is now full of Jews. Two trucks can be seen on the left; another is hidden in the background
Jews forced to stand in line to wait for selection process to begin
The archway of the main watchtower can be seen in the background
The archway of the main watchtower can be seen in the background
Jews undergoing the selection process
The line of Jewish men on the left is advancing toward a SS man. In the background, the selection of the Jewish women is taking place. The two Jewish women in front have, as it seems, been selected for slave labor
Geza Lajtos from Budapest standing in front of an SS-guard during a selection after his arrival in Auschwitz
The selection process continues
Jews undergoing the selection process on the Birkenau arrival platform known as the "ramp"
Jews undergoing the selection process on the Birkenau arrival platform known as the "ramp". A number of veteran inmates can be seen assisting the new arrivals. Veteran inmates were forced by the SS to stand on the "ramp" to ensure an "orderly" selection process
The SS people are dividing the prisoners into two groups
The SS people are dividing the prisoners into two groups
Jews forced to stand in line before the beginning of the selection
Jews forced to stand in line before the beginning of the selection
Jews forced to stand in line before the beginning of the selection
Children, adults, and elderly Jews stand in line before the beginning of the selection
Second row, from left to right: Mr. Smilazick, Sigmund Bruck. First row: Mr. Smilazick's son
Jews forced to stand in line before the beginning of the selection
Two of Lili Jacob's siblings - Sril (Israel) and Zelig. They were gassed shortly after arrival
Jewish men on the platform before selection
Jewish men on the platform before selection
Jewish men on the platform before selection
Jewish women and children on the selection platform
Jewish women and children on the selection platform
Jewish women and children on the selection platform
Jewish women and children on the selection platform. A prisoner from the "Kanada" kommando stands near the train
Jewish women and children on the selection platform

 

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