Dr. Horst Fischer, a former “selection” doctor at the Auschwitz death camp, went on trial in Communist East Germany this weekend on charges of consigning to death between 55,000 and 75,000 Auschwitz inmates, according to a dispatch received here today from East Berlin.
The physician, a member of the SS during the Hitler era, admitted to the court that he had been a “selection” doctor. He said he had divided Auschwitz inmates, between November, 1941 and January, 1945, into categories of “capable to work” and “doomed to death.” He was charged with having also ordered the execution of 4,000 sick inmates at Auschwitz.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.