Prison of Plötzensee

The prison of Plötzensee is located in the district of Charlottenburg at Berlin. It was built at the 19th century between 1869 and 1879 close to the Lac Plötzensee by the architect Ludwig Alexander Hermann.
It is during the period Nazi of 1933 with 1945 that it became famous.

On the whole, 2891 people will be carried out there, by Décapitation with the Hache, of the opening of the prison until half of 1937, then with the agreement of Hitler a Guillotine will be transferred the February 17th 1937 from the prison from Bruchsal to the room from execution, a house contiguous to the court of the prison to increase rates of the executions. During the year 1943, a metal bar made up of 5 hooks of stopping is placed in the room of execution, which will be used for hangings. Later there will be 8 hooks to increase rates.

The hung first will be the members of the red Orchestre.

In September 1943 were programmed the same day 300 decapitations. The torturers, with end of forces and pataugeant in a pool of blood, ceased their work with 186 heads. The authorities deferred the 114 following the following day. In the night of the 7 with the September 8th 1943, 186 prisoners were hung by groups of eight to avoid the escapes, following the bombardment partial of the prison by the Alliée aviation and where the guillotine was damaged.

Memorial

In remembering condemned, a memorial was set up the September 14th 1952 close to the room of execution, which is the only to date existing building. It is about a small red brick masonry.

On the memorial is written: " With the victims of the dictatorship of Hitler of the years 1933-1945"

On the 2891 carried out (German Files spring 2002), the half will be Polish or Czech, and there will be 245 French, 65 Belgian and 1 Luxembourg.

The Torturer

The Bourreau as a chief was called Johann Reichhart. He was the last executor of a middle-class family of the 18th century. As a servant of justice Nazi, it had 3165 executions with its credit including 2948 guillotinages.

It took part in the executions of the Nazi criminals judged with the court of Nuremberg in the capacity as adviser near the torturer of the American army, the staff sergeant John C. Woods.

The torture victims were hung in the prison being next to the court.

After these executions, it took its retirement close to Munich to devote itself to a passion: the breeding of Schnauzers Means. He died in 1972, at the 79 years age.

Statistics

External bonds

Banner page of the prison
Plötzensee

Random links: