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Kartoffelkeller
Kartoffelkeller means “potato cellar” in German.
Deportees started digging this approximately 120-meter-long cellar made up of 22 cells on 30 June 1943. An 80- to 120-man kommando carried out the earth-moving work, which lasted until late September. Pouring the concrete lasted from October to 1944. Then two SS barracks were built on top.
The first French Nacht und Nebel (Night and Fog) deportees arrived on 9, 12 and 15 July 1943.They were immediately assigned to building the Kartoffelkeller under the command of Franz Ehrmanntraut, one of camp’s most fearsome SS men.
Harassed, beaten by the SS and bitten by dogs, the deportees were soon exhausted. The camp commander, Josef Kramer, nevertheless forced them to go back to work, where Ehrmanntraut and kapos continued to torment them. An SS officer from the concentration camp general inspection agency reported their terrible behaviour and Kramer had to ease up on the harsh treatment of the deportees, who were allowed access to the camp “infirmary” starting in October 1943.
No document indicates what the Kartoffelkeller was really used for, but it certainly was not to store potatoes.
The Kartoffelkeller is the symbol of the deportees’ oppression, exhaustion and degradation through work and beatings; of the Nazis’ ultimate goal of wiping out all resistance and hope.
The permanent exhibition was designed around this large concrete vessel, which is the core of the European Centre.
