REGINA NELKEN

On 25 March 1947, prosecutor from the Special Criminal Court in Kraków with its seat at Grodzka Street 52, this in the person of Deputy Prosecutor from the Ninth Region, Dr. Kordecki, and with the participation of a reporter, Trainee Judge Nowak, heard the person named below as a witness. Having been advised of the criminal liability for making false declarations and of the provisions of Article 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the witness testified as follows:


Name and surname Regina Nelken
Age 50 years old
Parents’ names Fabian and Rozalia
Place of residence Kraków, Długa Street 38
Occupation office worker
Religious affiliation Jewish
Criminal record none
Relationship to the parties none

I met Luise Danz in the camp in Płaszów some time around 1943. I didn’t come into direct contact with her, as I worked in the external detail (Aussenkommando).

One summer day, when I was in the barrack, I watched Luise Danz walk down the avenue with one Oberklarführer, Doctor Grüne. A young female prisoner walked out of the neighboring laundry, carrying a pot in her hand. Luise Danz noticed it and approached her with Grüne to ask what she was carrying. The prisoner must have cooked some food in the laundry, which was forbidden, for when she gave her answer Luise Danz began to beat her with her fists about the face. When the prisoner fell to the ground, Luise Danz brought her up by the hair and kept her in the upright position while Grüne continued to hit the woman in the face, at the same time forcing her to hold the pot in her hand.

The prisoner was thus tortured for over half an hour. When the battered woman fainted and Luise Danz was unable to hold her up by the hair any more, she flung her to the ground and walked away with Grüne, who took her by the arm.

It was the only incident which I observed. However, there were plenty of such incidents, as they happened on a daily basis. I don’t know the surname of that inmate.

The report was read out and signed.