The Spring transports of 1943 (from 11 January till 23 February 1943)
General remarks
To a greater extent than the Auschwitz transports of autumn 1942, the spring transports of 1943 had the character of extermination transports, accentuated above all by the fact that they were composed for the most part of older and less able-bodied persons, who were not eligible for employment , and were therefore destined to be gassed immediately upon arrival at Auschwitz.
The number of women is also predominant. Whether or not related to the composition and size of these transports, it is in any case worth mentioning a secret order (the only one of this nature known) from the head of the "Reichs Sicherheits-Hauptamt", ordering the deportation of 45000 persons of Jewish blood, of which 3000 from the Netherlands, in the period from 11 to 31 January 1943. This order was complied with by the "Befehlshaber der Sicherheitspolizei" in the Netherlands by removing 5 transports, respectively. on 11, 18, 23 and 29 January 1943 from Westerbork and on 22 January 1943 from Apeldoorn ("Apeldoornse Bosch transport"), a total of 3594 people. Afterwards, 4 more transports left Westerbork during this period, on 2, 9, 16 and 23 February 1943 respectively, together comprising 4283 people.
Overview of the spring transport of 29 January 1943, stating strength and composition. There were only 2 surviving men from this transport.
Total number of deportees: ................................ 659, of which 240 M and 419 F.
Children up to 16 years: ...................................... 104, of which 42 M and 62 F.
Age from 16 to 50 years: ..................................... 190, of which 79 M and 111 F.
Persons over 50 years old: ................................. 365, of which 119 M and 246 F.
Distribution by age group:
Ages 16 and 17 years: ........................................ 11, of which 3 M and 8 F.
Age 18 to 35 years: ............................................ 78, of which 37 M and 41 F.
Age 36 to 40 years: ............................................ 30, of which 11 M and 19 F.
Age 41 to 50 years: ............................................ 71, of which 28 are Men and 43 Female.
More about the transport of January 29, 1943.
Only two men, aged 28 and 32, returned from this transport. Besides one of them, two other men, respectively 22 and 45 years old, received letters from Birkenau (on 7 September and 8 November 1943).
According to the statement of one of the survivors, 50 young and strong men up to the age of 35 have been designated for employment. However, given the age of one of the letter writers (45 years), the age limit for these employees must have been higher, but not much higher, because the number of men aged 16-40 is 51, and those aged 16-50 are already 79.
In view of these figures, the probable reality is most closely approximated if it is assumed that the men aged 16-40, unless individually known otherwise, have survived the selection upon arrival. According to the above statement, they were employed in Birkenau.
Only two matricule numbers are known, namely 98281 (B) and 98288 (G). Nevertheless, the matricule series, taking into account that it included ± 50 numbers, has been approximately determined, and on the basis of this, 8 dates of death can be determined from the "Number Death Book", 4 of which occurred in March 1943; 2 in April; 1 in June and 1 in August 1943.
Partly in connection with the mortality during the other transports in this period, it can be assumed on the basis of these figures that the high mortality among the employed during this transport also occurred in the months of February to April 1943.
The conclusion for this transport must therefore be that the men aged 16-40, unless individually proven otherwise, must be deemed to have died no later than 30 April 1943, and that, as for the older men, subject to the above exception, as well as for the women and children were never heard from again after the day of their arrival at Auschwitz, all others were killed by gassing immediately upon arrival, i.e. on 1 February 1943.
The summary conclusions of the spring transport of 29 January 1943.
The men belonging to this transport, who had reached the age of 16 on arrival at Auschwitz (i.e. on 1 February 1943), but were not yet 41 years old, are considered to have died in the Auschwitz-complex, unless individually known otherwise, no earlier than 1 February 1943 and no later than 30 April 1943. All other men belonging to this transport are, unless individually known otherwise, deemed to have died in Auschwitz/Birkenau no later than 1 February 1943.
All women deported by this transport, as well as the children, are, unless individually known otherwise, considered to have died in Auschwitz/Birkenau on or about 1 February 1943.
Source: the archives of the Red Cross, publication "Auschwitz IV", deportation transports to Auschwitz in 1943, published October 1953, page 21 Chapter II sub 1, pages 22 and 23, p. 30 sub e and p. 31 and p. 64 and 65 summary conclusions spring transport January 29, 1943.