Leon's Fate at Mengele's Hands

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

This character-destiny thread follows Leon through the tattoo trade, Mengele's mutilation, and his disappearance before liberation.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Apprentice Tattooist Apprentice Tattooist from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Apprentice Tattooist Lale Sokolov chooses Leon as his assistant and teaches him the trade of the Tätowierer.

Apprentice Tattooist from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Apprentice Tattooist Lale Sokolov chooses Leon as his assistant and teaches him the trade of the Tätowierer.

Apprentice Tattooist Lale Sokolov chooses Leon as his assistant and teaches him the trade of the Tätowierer. Leon learns to hold the needle and to keep his head down under the eyes of the SS. A Chance to Live Leon is saved from hard labor and given a room in Block 7. Lale shares bread with him and tells him to stay quiet. The Young Man's Gentleness Leon's wide blue eyes and honesty make Lale feel protective. The apprenticeship is a bond of duty and affection.

The Daily Cruelty The Daily Cruelty from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". The Daily Cruelty Stefan Baretski uses Leon as an outlet for his boredom, tripping him on walks and striking him whenever he slips.

The Daily Cruelty from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". The Daily Cruelty Stefan Baretski uses Leon as an outlet for his boredom, tripping him on walks and striking him whenever he slips.

The Daily Cruelty Stefan Baretski uses Leon as an outlet for his boredom, tripping him on walks and striking him whenever he slips. Lale Sokolov watches and learns that protesting only makes the beating worse. A Boot in the Dirt After Leon drops a tattoo stick, Baretski pins him on the ground. The pain and humiliation become part of Leon's daily life. The Invisible Cost Leon does not complain to Lale. He knows that the Tätowierer cannot protect him from the SS, only from starvation.

Taken for Experiments Taken for Experiments from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Taken for Experiments An SS officer points a rifle at Leon and tells him to leave his things and come.

Taken for Experiments from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Taken for Experiments An SS officer points a rifle at Leon and tells him to leave his things and come.

Taken for Experiments An SS officer points a rifle at Leon and tells him to leave his things and come. Lale Sokolov tries to argue, but Leon goes quietly, saying he will be back. The Empty Chair Lale watches his friend disappear into the ranks of the SS. He will not see Leon for many weeks. Mengele's Power Leon is taken not because of anything he has done but because the doctor wants to prove that no one around Lale is safe.

Testimony of Castration Testimony of Castration from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Testimony of Castration Leon returns to the tattoo station pale, thinner, and stooped. Lale Sokolov embraces him but feels only bones under his shirt.

Testimony of Castration from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Testimony of Castration Leon returns to the tattoo station pale, thinner, and stooped. Lale Sokolov embraces him but feels only bones under his shirt.

Testimony of Castration Leon returns to the tattoo station pale, thinner, and stooped. Lale Sokolov embraces him but feels only bones under his shirt. The Horrible Truth Leon says that Mengele cut his balls off. He tries to soften the blow by joking that he has lost his appetite. A Broken Body, a Living Voice Leon's voice remains steady as he asks for his job back. Lale gives him food and tells him to rest, but he knows his friend has been changed forever.

Gone Before Liberation Gone Before Liberation from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Gone Before Liberation Lale Sokolov receives word that Leon has 'gone.' He asks Stefan Baretski for information, but the guard offers only a warning that Lale…

Gone Before Liberation from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Gone Before Liberation Lale Sokolov receives word that Leon has 'gone.' He asks Stefan Baretski for information, but the guard offers only a warning that Lale…

Gone Before Liberation Lale Sokolov receives word that Leon has 'gone.' He asks Stefan Baretski for information, but the guard offers only a warning that Lale may be next. The Ambiguity of Loss Leon may have been transferred, selected, or killed. In the collapsing camp, no one will ever know. The Last Friend Leon's disappearance strips away another piece of Lale's support. The young man who was saved by a tattoo needle is lost before the gates open.

summer 1942, after Lale becomes the Tätowierer

through 1942 and 1943, during transports

May 1943, by Josef Mengele's order at Auschwitz

when Leon reappears at the tattoo station, later in 1943

January 1945, before the evacuation of Birkenau