Kulmhof was the first stationary extermination camp, founded by Nazis on Polish territory. From the beginning the only activity of camp was murdering. Kulmhof camp was founded in 1941 in Chełmno on the riverside of Ner river. Inhabitants of town were displaced. For the main seat of camp was adopted town park with the palace and few neighboring buildings which were used as a barrack for prisoners.
Almost everyone transported to Kulmhof was killed immediately. Using chemical gases was the main method of extermination. There was only a few groups who could save their lives a little bit longer. They were working in crematories, segregating clothes and other items stolen from victims and burying corpses. They all knew that their death is only matter of time. As a witnesses of Nazi crimes they had to die. Those who worked in commands were being replaced very often.
Number of Kulmhof victims is estimated for about 300 thousand. There is information about only four people who escaped from Kulmhof. Camp was liquidated in 1944. Every building including palace was blown up.
Nowadays in the territory of former extermination camp there is a small museum, wall of memory and the great monument with relief showing the martyrdom of Kulmhof victims with the piece of prisoner’s letter which says: "We’ve been taken all, old man and a child, to the place between Dabie and Kolo towns. We’ve been taken to the forest murdered with a gas, shot and burned. We beg our brothers to punish the murderers! We beg witnesses of our torment, those who live in this area, to spread the whole world about this crime…".
Almost everyone transported to Kulmhof was killed immediately. Using chemical gases was the main method of extermination. There was only a few groups who could save their lives a little bit longer. They were working in crematories, segregating clothes and other items stolen from victims and burying corpses. They all knew that their death is only matter of time. As a witnesses of Nazi crimes they had to die. Those who worked in commands were being replaced very often.
Number of Kulmhof victims is estimated for about 300 thousand. There is information about only four people who escaped from Kulmhof. Camp was liquidated in 1944. Every building including palace was blown up.
Nowadays in the territory of former extermination camp there is a small museum, wall of memory and the great monument with relief showing the martyrdom of Kulmhof victims with the piece of prisoner’s letter which says: "We’ve been taken all, old man and a child, to the place between Dabie and Kolo towns. We’ve been taken to the forest murdered with a gas, shot and burned. We beg our brothers to punish the murderers! We beg witnesses of our torment, those who live in this area, to spread the whole world about this crime…".
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