Hans Aumeier Nazi criminal, commandant at Auschwitz Date of Birth: 20.08.1906 Country: Germany

Biography of Hans Aumeier

Hans Aumeier was born in 1906 in Amberg, Germany. He left school at an early age and started working in a military factory in his hometown. Later, he moved to Munich and worked in large industrial enterprises. In late 1929, Aumeier enthusiastically joined the Nazi Party and became a member of the SA in 1931. In December 1931, he was transferred to the SS, where his career took a significant boost as he became the personal driver of Heinrich Himmler, the Reichsführer-SS.

Aumeier was delighted with his new position and was equally thrilled when he was later transferred to the infamous Auschwitz complex. In Auschwitz, Aumeier was appointed as the camp commandant, a relatively high-ranking position. From February 1942 to August 1943, Aumeier gained a notorious reputation for his involvement in torture, beatings, and executions, known for his support of brutal methods.

Under Aumeier's command, 144 women were shot in the courtyard of blocks 10 and 11 in March 1942, followed by the execution of 168 other prisoners in the same location in May. Despite his dedication to his role, Aumeier was accused of corruption within the camp and was subsequently charged. In 1943, he was sent to the Vaivara concentration camp in Estonia. Aumeier remained in Estonia until the evacuation of the camp in August 1944.

After requesting to be returned to Auschwitz, Aumeier's wish was granted. However, due to a chronic eye infection, he had to be hospitalized until January 1945. In late January, he arrived in Norway, where he was appointed as the commandant of the newly established Mysen concentration camp, designed to hold 3,000 prisoners who were utilized as forced labor for the construction of the camp. It was said that this time Aumeier did not commit the same atrocities as he did in Auschwitz and Vaivara.

On May 7, 1945, Aumeier opened the gates of the camp and released the prisoners. He was arrested on June 11, 1945, at the Terningmoen camp, wearing full SS uniform. Aumeier did not resist arrest, acknowledged his rank and title, and was interrogated by American intelligence officers at Akershus Prison in August.

In 1946, Aumeier was transferred to Poland, where he stood trial alongside 39 other Nazi criminals. The investigation took place from November 25 to December 16, 1947. During the trial, Aumeier initially claimed ignorance of gas chambers and denied involvement in the mass killings. However, he later recanted his statement. Aumeier was sentenced to death on December 22, 1947, and executed on January 22, 1948, at Montelupich Prison in Krakow.