Gerhard und die Gaskammern (S03/E04)
Summary
This episode of NS-CLIQUEN examines the biography of Gerhard Palic, an SS officer who rose from a rural background to key roles in Auschwitz. Historian Dr. Stefan Hördler details Palic’s involvement in early Zyklon B tests and mass shootings, highlighting his close collaboration with Rudolf Höss. The discussion covers Palic’s eventual downfall due to corruption and racial crimes, his death in 1944, and the ongoing debate surrounding the maintenance of his grave.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Gerhard Palitsch and the podcast theme
Palitsch's early life and entry into the SS
The network of SS guards from Central Germany
Lichtenburg and Sachsenhausen as training grounds
Palitsch's role in Sachsenhausen and the 1940 roll call
Transfer to Auschwitz and initial duties
The first Zyklon B gassings of Soviet POWs
The Black Wall executions and violence against Poles
Expansion to Birkenau and the 'Red House' gassings
Palitsch's sexual crimes and internal SS court-martial
Himmler's corruption trials and Palitsch's sentencing
Palitsch's death in Hungary and post-war legacy
Research process, credits, and listener survey
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