The Holocaust Historiography Project
Auschwitz, by J.-C. Pressac
Photos 29 & 30
Photos 29[31] and 30[32]
[PMO neg. no. 205/45]
These two photographs accompanying the report drawn up by Judet Jan Sohn in volume 11 of the Hoess trial, on the “nature of the devices and installations” showing the exterior (31) and the interior (32) of a gas-tight door found in the Bauhof (place where construction materíals for the Auschwitz camp were kept). The heavy hemispherical grid protecting the inside of the peephole makes it reasonable to conclude a homicidal use. It can be seen that there is no difference in either design or construction between the door in Photos 28 and that in Photo 29 [31]. They are identical apart from the height of the peephole with respect to the upper closing bar.
Photo 31 Photo 31:
[Warsaw Central Commission Archives, sygn. 14]

Photo of a gas chamber door taken in Oswiecim in 1945. German and Polish inscriptions: “Achtung-Lebensgefar! Stoj! / “Attention! Danger! No Entry!!” Location unknown. The inscriptions were made AFTER the liberation, for the door is condemned, the latch bars having been removed.