The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

46 SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS
more, to inform Berlin at once by radio that the vehicle Pol. No… was
out of service.
– 25th sentence: Furthermore, I ordered to keep all men as far away
from the van as possible during the gassings, in order that they will
not be harmed by possibly escaping gases.
– 26th sentence: On this occasion I wish to call attention to the following:
after the gassing various commandos let their own men do the
unloading.
– 27th sentence: I have drawn the attention of the commanding officers
of the concerned S.K. to the tremendous mental and physical harm
that this work can do to the men, if not just now then later on.
– 28th sentence: The men complained to me about headaches occurring
after every unloading.
– 29th sentence: Nevertheless one does not want to deviate from this
decree, as it is feared that the prisoners enlisted for the work could use
a favorable moment to escape.
– 30th sentence: In order to protect the men from such harm, I ask to
give corresponding orders.
5th paragraph:
– 31st sentence: On all occasions the gassing is not done in the right
manner.
– 32nd sentence: In order to get the work done as quickly as possible,
the driver gives full throttle.
– 33rd sentence: Through this measure the executees suffer a death
through suffocation and not as intended a death by being put to sleep.
– 34th sentence: My instructions have now revealed that death occurs
faster and that the prisoners fall asleep peacefully when adjusting the
levers properly.
– 35th sentence: Distorted faces and excretions, which have been seen
previously, could no longer be observed.
6th paragraph:
– 36th sentence: In the course of the current day I continue my journey
to Group B, where further messages can reach me.
(sgd.) Becker
–Untersturmführer”