De la mise à mort des malades au génocide : l’Aktion 14f13 dans les camps de concentration

Abstract

On Heinrich Himmler’s initiative, the “euthanasia programme” was extended to include the concentration camps in April 1941. The aim of “Operation 14f13” was the murder of physically and mentally ill inmates, i.e. those unable to work. Other unwanted inmates soon became the target of this campaign, too. Until April 1943, at least 10,000 concentration camp prisoners were transferred to T4 killing centers, where they were suffocated with carbon monoxide. Nevertheless, the operation was directed by the Inspectorate of Concentration Camps, the administrative headquarters of all concentration camps, which also monitored its implementation. Therefore, the selection of the ones to be killed was always determined by the Inspectorate’s priorities.