The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS 83
2.2.5. Comparison of the Becker and Just Document
Although both the Becker document of 16 May 1942 and the Just
document of 5 June 1942 appertain to the same kind of vehicles, which
are claimed to have been prototypes deployed around the same time,
there are considerable differences in both documents. In fact, what they
state about the alleged gas vans is at times outright contradictory, giving
the impression that both authors were not writing about the same objects.
A summary of the main discrepancies is given in Table 3. They
clearly show that only one of these documents can be genuine, if any.
Regarding the layout one difference is conspicuous: While the Just
document was made in flawless machine writing and contains no typos
or corrections (see Appendix 4), the version B of the Becker document
(single-spaced) is riddled with all sorts of typos and handwritten corrections
(see Appendix 2); versions A, C, and D (double-spaced) seems to
have been written with more care, but as far as can be judged from the
extant reproductions – photographs – this version still does not reach
the meticulousness with which the Just document was produced.
Table 3: Juxtaposition of the Becker and the Just documents
BECKER DOCUMENT JUST DOCUMENT
Reference to numerous flaws. No reference
to openings for gas release.
In spite of the numerous flaws no changes
to the vehicles are requested.
Reference to difficulties of moving the
vans: during moist and rainy weather the
vans are inoperable.
Emphasizes the importance of keeping the
cargo box hermetically sealed; it is even
considered to send the vans to Berlin for
this purpose.
The vans were camouflaged without attaining
a permanent deception about their
purpose.
Thoroughly addresses the danger of the
operating personnel inhaling the gases –
although the cargo box is hermetically
sealed.
The author wants to ascertain that the victims
do not die of suffocation but die a
humanitarian death through falling asleep.
Reports 97,000 executions, “without any
defects in the vehicles becoming appar-
ent.”
Although no defects had occurred, seven
changes are requested (internal contradic-
tion).
Reference to a highly reduced off-road
capability while fully loaded, resulting in
the need to reduce the load.
The first of the requested changes concerns
two slits of 1 cm × 10 cm to avoid
high internal pressure.
No attempts at camouflage were implemented.
No reference to such a danger.
No efforts are made to induce a painless
death of the victims.