Archive/File: camps/auschwitz schultze.001
Last-Modified: 1994/07/19

Testimony of Engineer Karl Schultze
[Quoted from the interrogation transcripts by Prof. Gerald Fleming
from the University of Surrey, in an NYT article, July 18 1993]
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Q. What was your personal part in these "Krema" building operation and
   what was Prufer's part?

A. Prufer was an expert. he designed and constructed these
   crematoriums and led the building operations in the concentration 
   camps. I was responsible for the ventilation systems and for its air 
   injection into the muffles. In specific instances, I led the 
   installation operations personally. I personally led the installation 
   work in Auschwitz crematoriums and gas chambers. For this purpose, I 
   traveled to Auschwitz three times in 1943.
 .
 .
 .

   I did not know that in the crematoriums in Auschwitz-Birkenau
   innocent human beings were being liquidated. I thought criminals were 
   being killed there who who had partly been sentenced to death because 
   of the crimes they had committed against the German army in Poland and 
   other occupied territories. I am a German and supported and am 
   supporting the Government in Germany and the laws of our Government. 
   Whoever opposes our laws is an enemy of the State, because our laws 
   establish him a such. I did not act on personal initiative but as 
   directed by Ludwig Topf. I was afraid of losing my position and of 
   possible arrest.

Q. Your views do not really differ from the views of a Nazi.

A. No, I was not a member of the NSDAP [National Socialist German
   Workers Party]. I only respected and acted according to the laws of 
   my country.

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