The Horrific Fact in the Donahue - Essay Example

David Cole interviews Dr. Franciszek Piper March 12, Though Berge-Belsen was not known officially as a concentration camp Commandant Kramer worked to ensure this status was reached. Anne Frank and her sister were sent to Bergen after being selected as likely strong candidates for labor because of their relative youth in comparison with any of their fellow refugees. It is unfortunate that neither survived more than a few weeks once arriving at Bergen, (Holocaust History). Wiesel and his father were able to remain as they were less likely candidates for labor though they did spend time in several other concentration camps before liberation.

Buildings in Auschwitz and in other camps which are the alleged gas chambers of the holocaust were able to hold 700 to 800 people and openings in the roof allowed chemicals to reach those within the chamber who were told they were going to be showered or treated for lice or scabies infections. The designs allowed the doors to be airtight and bricks were used to cover windows. Disinfection signs were in place in order to keep prisoners calm. Those with no ventilation system installed took much longer for ventilation, and false showers were installed to keep with the propagation that these chambers located in the crematoriums were used for bathing and disinfection (The Seven Gas Chambers at Auschwitz).

One of the chambers was able to contain around 2500 people; gas was released which would take 10-15 minutes to suffocate those inside and ventilation time was allowed before the chambers were able to be reopened. Many survivors who were indeed showered in such chambers found it miraculous to know that other chambers were used to disperse gas. Some youth in these chambers survived somehow, watching those around them die of suffocation (Weber). The Donahue interview I found somewhat shocking considering the massive amount of testimony and evidence of the holocaust.

The Bergen-Belsen articles written by Mark Weber seem much more likely to be true and accurately represent facts as they were known by many. David Cole has examined actual sites, conducting forensic testing’s and viewing these ‘alleged gas chamber.’ Cole states his studies are based on his own observations yet he also shows a supposed video which he suggests provides definitive evidence that indeed there were delousing and disinfestation chambers with evidence differentiating between the two.

Much of the arguments presented in the Donahue show seem to belittle the horrific fact that millions of Jews died as a result of the Holocaust regardless of the final cause of death; be it disease, starvation, dehydration, homicidal gas chambers or firing squads. References "Holocaust History." Anne Frank. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, May 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2013. "The Seven Gas Chambers at Auschwitz." Auschwitz Gas Chambers. Aktion Reinhard Camps, 2006. Web. 12 Mar. 2013. Weber, Mark.

"Bergen-Belsen Camp: The Suppressed Story." Bergen-Belsen. Institute for Historical Review, 2005. Web. 12 Mar. 2013