Death march from Auschwitz to Wodzisław Śląski

On January 17, the commandant’s office began vacating the Neu-Dachs and Sosnowitz II subcamps, which were under the control of Auschwitz-Monowitz III. In the main camp, the post senior SS officer, Richard Baer, ordered the SS column leaders to vacate the Buna/Monowitz concentration camp, the main camp, and Birkenau.

Between January 17 and 21, about 56,000 prisoners from the main camp, Birkenau, Monowitz, and numerous subcamps were led westward in marching columns.

About 9,000 completely exhausted or seriously ill prisoners and members of the inmate staff of the hospital barracks were left behind.

Up to 15,000 believed to be lost their lives while marching or soon after due cold and environment