LUCJAN SOBIERAJ

On 13 September 1947 in Gdańsk, the Municipal Court in Gdańsk, Criminal Department, with Judge Czesław Zieliński presiding, interviewed the person specified below as a witness. Having been advised of the criminal liability for making false declarations, the witness testified as follows:


Name and surname Lucjan Sobieraj
Age 30
Parents’ names Jan and Teofila
Place of residence Gdańsk-Orunia, Radomska Street 48
Occupation crane operator
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Criminal record none
Relationship to the parties none

I was detained at Auschwitz from 1940 to 28 November 1944. I know Schumacher from Auschwitz. He held the rank of Rottenführer and the post of Postenführer [guard leader] in the camp warehouse. His duty was to collect the provisions that arrived with prisoners in transports that were meant for gassing and to send these provisions to the warehouse. When starving prisoners attacked the bread during the unloading, Schumacher kicked, beat, and reported them, which resulted in further brutal beatings of the prisoners. This was his main function in the camp. Lastly, I worked in the kitchen, where I frequently encountered Schumacher. In 1944 Schumacher was promoted to Unterscharführer. I recognize Schumacher in the photograph that has been presented to me, and seeing him sends a shiver down my spine.

I know Schumacher by name, but in the camp he was commonly known as "Długi" [tall]. He was very formal and strict when it came to punishing even the most trivial offences. He never let anyone off. I cannot provide the precise facts and names of his victims, except for one: prisoner number 919 named Zenek, whose address I do not know. Schumacher ran him over with a cart while transporting food to the warehouse.

The report was read out.