Children:
- Mass Murder: Children were often among the first to be victims of mass extermination. They were often separated from their parents upon arrival and immediately sent to gas chambers or shot to death.
- Medical Experiments: Dr. Josef Mengele, known as the "Angel of Death," conducted heinous medical experiments on children, especially twins. He subjected them to painful procedures, often resulting in death.
Elderly:
- Inhumane Conditions: The elderly at Auschwitz were forced to endure unbearable living conditions, starvation, and extreme physical labor. They were often housed in overcrowded, unsanitary barracks, which contributed to their weakened health.
- Selection for Gas Chambers: Like other prisoners, elderly individuals were subject to selections. Those who were deemed unfit or unable to work were often sent directly to the gas chambers.
Sick:
- Medical Neglect: The sick received little or no medical care at Auschwitz. They were expected to continue working, even if it meant risking their lives. Medical treatment, if provided, was often insufficient and could not address the severity of their illnesses.
- Inhumane Experiments: Some prisoners were subjected to gruesome medical experiments, such as testing the effects of chemical weapons or surgical procedures without anesthesia. The sick were especially vulnerable to these horrific abuses.
- Euthanasia Program: At times, the Nazis carried out a euthanasia program, targeting the sick and disabled. They were either gassed or given fatal injections.
The conditions at Auschwitz were deliberately designed to result in the deaths of millions of people. Children, the elderly, and the sick were among those who suffered the most, enduring unfathomable cruelty and losing their lives in large numbers.