Mauthausen-Erinnerungen 9: Stefan Krukowski

The Polish resistance fighter Stefan Krukowski was imprisoned in the Mauthausen concentration camp from 1940 until its liberation. After having to perform forced labour in the quarry during the first years of his imprisonment and narrowly escaping death several times, he was appointed Kapo of the SS clothing chamber in 1944. In this position, he was able to engage in lively bartering with other prisoner functionaries and members of the SS, which not only enabled him to procure additional food and clothing for himself, but also to provide other prisoners with essential goods in the camp.
This extraordinary document, which was first published in Poland in 1963, provides insights into camp life that were denied to the vast majority of prisoners. Krukowski's memories of his imprisonment in a concentration camp, told from the special perspective of a ‘privileged’ prisoner, show that even as a Kapo it was possible to use this position to help other prisoners.

This German first edition includes an afterword by Irena Krukowska, the author's widow, as well as an introduction by Piotr Filipkowski, Gregor Holzinger and Antje Ritter-Miller, in which the background is explained and themes contextualised and biographical details of the author are highlighted.

The book is available in bookshops and on the new academic press website.