Holocaust Memorials - Monuments, Museums and Institutions in Commemoration of Nazi Victims

in detail

Because of the allied bombings of important military industrial sites, the National Socialist regime decided to transfer production to underground factories. In the spring of 1944 the Leitmeritz quarry was turned into one such production site, as a satellite of the concentration camps Flossenbürg. This was carried out under the pseudonym of Richard I and Richard II. More than 18.000 prisoners, primarily from Poland, Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union and Hungary, were deported to the quarry to construct the underground factory. The National Socialists chose trained prisoners to work in the factory, which was to produce tank parts, heavy military vehicles and ships. A concentration camp for the prisoners was constructed next to the quarry. Within one year, 4.500 prisoners died as a result of the inhumane working conditions in the quarry, and of hunger and typhus.

Between 6 and 8 May 1945 the camp guards closed down the camp.

 

In 1982 a memorial was opened for the victims of the concentration camp near the former crematorium.

Leitmeritz was a satellite of the concentration camp Flossenbürg in Bavaria. The quarry was turned into an underground factory, where prisoners had to work for the war industry. Of the 18.000 camp inmates. 4.500 died within a year, mostly of hunger or illness.

May 1944
Establishment of the concentration camp Leitmeritz as satellite of the concentration camps Flossenbürg.

6 through 8 May 1945
Guards close down the camp.

9 May 1945
Polish soldiers fighting in association with the I. Ukrainian Front reach the city and the concentration camp.

May 1982
Dedication of the memorial for the victims of the concentration camp Leitmeritz near the former camp crematorium.

May 1994
Opening of a permanent exhibit about the history of the concentration camp in the third courtyard of Theresienstadt.