Buchenwald was one of the first concentration camp began by the Nazi's. It was constructed in 1937 near Weimar, Germany. The camp was used as a labor camp for not just Jews, but for prisoners of war, or POW’s, the handicapped, mentally ill, Jehovah witnesses, criminals, and homosexuals. Between April 1938 and 1945, about 238,380 people who had different nationalities, including 350 POW’s, were taken to Buchenwald. There were an estimated 56,000 deaths at the camp. The entrance gate to the front of the camp said “Jedem das Seine” which meant literally, “to each his own”, but figuratively meant, “everyone gets what he deserves”
Buchenwald went through three commanders before they were liberated in 1945. The first commander was Jacob Weiseborn, 1937-1939. The second commander had much more background than Jacob Weiseborn, his name was Karl Otto Koch. He was commander of the camp from 1939-1942. His second wife, Ilse Koch, became known as Die Hexe von Buchenwald, which means “the witch of Buchenwald”, because of her brutality. The last commander of the camp was Herman Pister. He was there from 1942-1945.
Buchenwald went through three commanders before they were liberated in 1945. The first commander was Jacob Weiseborn, 1937-1939. The second commander had much more background than Jacob Weiseborn, his name was Karl Otto Koch. He was commander of the camp from 1939-1942. His second wife, Ilse Koch, became known as Die Hexe von Buchenwald, which means “the witch of Buchenwald”, because of her brutality. The last commander of the camp was Herman Pister. He was there from 1942-1945.