Transportation to the camps often took days. Families, individuals, and whole communities were packed together into cattle cars. They were locked in there for the period of the journey. On these journeys, they were given no information on where they were going, how long it would be, and what would happen to them once they got there. Conditions were horrific and often they were packed so tight not everyone could sit down. Often, there was no food given. This caused some
Germans to throw in a slice of bread and watch how the prisoners would react for entertainment. Many people died, and at the next stop all that had were thrown out. Clean air would not come into the car because they shut all windows to prevent escape. Trying to escape would resort in death. Also, anyone trying to help the prisoners, even if it’s giving them a loaf of bread, would be shot by an SS Officer. Those who were to survive were often traumatized by the long train ride.
Packed Like Cattle:
Transportation to the Camps
By D. Kodack
10
Germans to throw in a slice of bread and watch how the prisoners would react for entertainment. Many people died, and at the next stop all that had were thrown out. Clean air would not come into the car because they shut all windows to prevent escape. Trying to escape would resort in death. Also, anyone trying to help the prisoners, even if it’s giving them a loaf of bread, would be shot by an SS Officer. Those who were to survive were often traumatized by the long train ride.
Packed Like Cattle:
Transportation to the Camps
Sources
Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Hill and Wang, 1958. 3-115. Print.
The Holocaust Explained. 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.theholocaustexplained.org/>.