Beschrijving

The Concentration Camp Mauthausen 1938–1945 is a comprehensive catalogue published by the Mauthausen Memorial, offering an in-depth examination of the camp’s history during the Nazi era. Established in August 1938 following the annexation of Austria, Mauthausen became one of the most notorious concentration camps, notorious for its brutal conditions and high mortality rate. The camp system included the main site in Mauthausen, a branch in Gusen, and over 40 subcamps, where prisoners were subjected to forced labor, particularly in quarries and armaments production. The catalogue provides a detailed account of these operations, highlighting the exploitation and suffering endured by the inmates.

The publication features over 600 original objects, photographs, documents, and personal testimonies, offering a multifaceted perspective on the camp’s operations and the experiences of its prisoners. These materials are contextualized within the broader framework of National Socialist terror and the post-war period, providing insights into the perpetrators’ actions and the regional and economic contexts that facilitated the camp’s existence. The catalogue also emphasizes the importance of remembrance and the role of former prisoners in preserving the history of Mauthausen.

In addition to its historical content, the catalogue serves as a resource for education and reflection, aiming to ensure that the atrocities committed at Mauthausen are not forgotten. It underscores the significance of confronting the past to prevent such horrors from recurring, making it an essential reference for scholars, educators, and anyone interested in Holocaust studies.