The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS 201
Another hypothetical cause for the explosion involving “gas vans”
could have been that an explosive carbon monoxide/air mixture had developed
inside the cargo box, which was ignited by some spark. But
since this requires at least 12% carbon monoxide in the air, 111 such a
value would have been unachievable with any unmanipulated combustion
engine (the maximum value for a gasoline engine, reached while
idling, lies at 10%; see Keeser/Froboese/Turnau 1930, p. 26; Mattogno/Graf
2005, p. 124).
If, however, the vans in question were fueled by generator gas,
whose fuel gas was explosive by definition, it is possible that such a gas
generator exploded. This seems to be the only realistic explanation, although
such an explosion would have had nothing to do with homicidal
gassings.
But as I said, the witnesses mentioned an explosion in the basement
only.
3.7.4.1.4. Miscellanea
There are a few aspects of the verdict which are worth mentioning
briefly. For instance, the threat of typhus epidemics was apparently a
constant companion of those working in Chemno. In that regard, the
verdict states:
“In Posen [defendant Laabs] was inoculated against typhus,
sworn to secrecy, and subsequently ordered to join the special command
at Chemno.” (p. 240)
“The escorts and guard posts of the police obtained protection
suits and an inoculation and were disinfested with Lysol. Yet in spite
of this preventive measure, many police officials contracted typhus.”
(p. 281)
Although mentioned only in passing in the verdict, these events are a
strong indicator that the inmates held in that camp or which passed
through it had to undergo a similar treatment as well.
To prove his moral outrage about the alleged killing operations with
gas vans, the defendant Laabs, who is said to have operated such a van,
claimed the following according to the verdict:
“Even if [Laabs], according to his unrefuted statement, was very
terrified when he operated the gas van for the first time und subse-
111 The lower explosion limit of CO in air is 12 vol.%, a value far beyond what Diesel engine
can emit and also beyond the normal operational range of gasoline engines; see
www.engineeringtoolbox.com/explosive-concentration-limits-d_423.html.