The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS 65
tageous weight displacement. It was emphasized that an overloading
of the front axle occurs. In fact, however, an unintended balancing in
weight distribution occurs, because during operation the load striving
towards the back door always predominantly lies there. Due to
this an additional load on the front axle does not occur.
3.) The connecting hoses between the exhaust pipe and the vehicle frequently
rust through, because they are corroded on the inside by accruing
fluids. To avoid this, the filler pipe is henceforth to be mounted
in such a way that introduction proceeds from above downward.
This will prevent the influx of fluids.
4.) To allow for easy cleaning of the vehicle, a tightly closeable drain
opening is to be located in the center of the floor. The drain cover
with about 200 to 300 mm [8" to 12"] in diameter is to be equipped
with a U-trap so that thin fluids can also drain out during operation.
In order to prevent clogging, the U-trap is to be equipped with a
sieve on top. Thick dirt can be rinsed off through the large drain
opening during cleaning of the vehicle. The vehicle’s floor has to
slant slightly toward the drain opening. This is to ensure that all fluids
flow toward the center immediately. Thus it is largely prevented
that fluids enter into the pipes.
5.) The observation windows installed so far can be omitted, as they are
hardly ever used. During construction of further vehicles, this omission
of the windows saves substantial labor time with regard to their
difficult installation and sealing.
6.) The lighting appliances are to be more strongly protected from destruction
than they have been so far. The iron grid guard over the
lamps is to be domed enough to render damage to the lamp window
no longer possible. From practical experience it was suggested that
the lamps should be omitted altogether, since they are allegedly never
used. It was found out, however, that, when the back door is
closed, i.e., when it gets dark, the load always urgently strives towards
the door. This is because, at the onset of darkness, the load
strives towards the light. This renders it difficult to latch the door. It
was established that a din always breaks out at the point when the
doors are closed, probably due to the eerie nature of darkness. For
this reason it is expedient to turn the lights on before and during the