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GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC OF FEMALE SS GUARDS

WOMEN WORKING FOR THE SS

GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC OF FEMALE SS GUARDS

Due to the fact that 177 women who served in Auschwitz were born between 1942- 1945 (which constitutes ca. 76,3 % of the researched group), the following analysis may be seen to have a relatively high level of credibility. Most female guards were born between 1919 and 1923 with those born in 1921 prevailing among them, as young women between 21 and 45 years old were preferred for the job. As a result, the average age of a woman working as a staff member in various concentration camps was 25. Regarding Auschwitz concentration camp, the average was slightly higher; here the average age of a female SS guard serving in the camp was 27.

Chart showing the number of female SS guards serving in Auschwitz concentration camp in relation to the year they were born

The chart shows that 3 female SS guards were born before 1900, the youngest was born in 1927, while 20 female guards were born in 1921.

Source: in-house research

The oldest female SS guard working in Auschwitz concentration camp was Emma Zimmer, who was 54 while she was working in the camp.

Process photo. Woman in a checkered blouse with collar and pinned back hari.
She has a plaque with surname around her neck.

Źródło: https://www.wikitree.com/photo/png/Mezel-1

Emma Anna Maria Adelheid Zimmer (neé Mezel) was born on August 14, 1888 in Haßmersheim. She worked as a female SS guard from December 1937, initially in Lichtenberg concentration camp and from May 1939 in Ravensbrück concentration camp for women. At the beginning of October 1942, she was delegated to Auschwitz concentration camp, where she stayed until December 1943. In September 1943, she was awarded the War Merit Cross Second Class without Swords for her long-time service for the SS. At the end of 1943, due to her age, health problems and alcohol abuse at work she terminated her career as a female SS guard in concentration camps. Emma Zimmer settled down in Schlüchtern, where she was detained by the US military forces in the spring of 1945 and deported to internment camp number 77 in Ludwigsburg. Subsequently, she was handed over to British authorities. She was sentenced to death by hanging by the British military tribunal in the 6th Ravensbrück Trial. The sentence was carried out in September 1948.

Determining the education level and family status was possible only in case of half of 177 female SS guards. Nevertheless, in the light of the provided information, it could be assumed that most women working in KL Auschwitz were single and had only completed primary school. While a small percentage of guards completed secondary education, none had an academic background.

Chart representing the educational level of the female guards working in KL Auschwitz

primary education – 57 % (from the available data)

secondary education – 36 % (from the available data)

higher education – 7 % (from the available data)

Source: in-house research

Chart representing the marital status of the female guards working in KL Auschwitz

single women – 62 % (from the available data)

married – 28 % (from the available data)

divorced – 8 % (from the available data)

widows – 2 % (from the available data)

Source: in-house research