The Holocaust: Majdanek

Discovered by Russian troops in July 1944 the Majdanek Nazi concentration and extermination camp near Lubin was the scene of some of Hitler's most disturbing handy work. Apart from using carbon monoxide, Majdanek was one of only two camps to use the deadly Zyklon B to poison victims in its gas chambers. In the hands of the Nazis, the efficient use of these chemicals would result in the extermination of a massive number of inmates. Majdanek was also unique among the death camps, in that Jewish prisoners did not form the overwhelming majority of its intake. Of the total inmates only 40% were Jewish, 35% Polish and the balance predominantly Belarusians, Ukrainians, Austrians, French, Russians, Italians and Dutch. This rare and stark documentary graphically portrays the methodical murder, starvation and torture of an estimated 2 million innocent victims and demonstrates the frightening efficiency of the German death camps. Also captured here on film are rare scenes from a Russian post-war tribunal, where survivors are seen giving evidence against captured SS officers and camp officials, this evidence was often to result in the conviction and execution of those standing accused.