The Prisoners' Uprising Against the SS

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

This conflict thread follows the planning, outbreak, and suppression of the Sonderkommando revolt at Birkenau.

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Stolen Gunpowder Stolen Gunpowder from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Stolen Gunpowder Women working in an ammunition factory near Birkenau smuggle tiny amounts of gunpowder back to the camp, pushing it up into their fingernails.

Stolen Gunpowder from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Stolen Gunpowder Women working in an ammunition factory near Birkenau smuggle tiny amounts of gunpowder back to the camp, pushing it up into their fingernails.

Stolen Gunpowder Women working in an ammunition factory near Birkenau smuggle tiny amounts of gunpowder back to the camp, pushing it up into their fingernails. They pass it to the Sonderkommando. The Making of Grenades The Sonderkommando fashion crude grenades from sardine tins and stockpile small arms, knives, and axes. Rumors of a general uprising spread through the blocks. A Secret Army Lale Sokolov first learns of the plot from the Hungarian men in his block. He realizes resistance exists even in the heart of the death factory.

Explosion at Crematorium 4 Explosion at Crematorium 4 from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Explosion at Crematorium 4 A massive explosion shakes the ground near Crematorium 4.

Explosion at Crematorium 4 from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Explosion at Crematorium 4 A massive explosion shakes the ground near Crematorium 4.

Explosion at Crematorium 4 A massive explosion shakes the ground near Crematorium 4. Lale Sokolov and Gita Furman run from behind the administration block to see smoke rising and prisoners scattering. The Revolt Begins The Sonderkommando have blown up the crematorium. In the chaos, the SS open fire on anyone moving. A Crack in Hell For a moment the prisoners have struck back at the machinery of death. The smoke from Crematorium 4 is the smoke of defiance.

Sonderkommando Firefight Sonderkommando Firefight from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Sonderkommando Firefight Sonderkommando members climb to the roof of the crematorium and fire wildly at the SS. Heavy machine guns answer from towers.

Sonderkommando Firefight from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Sonderkommando Firefight Sonderkommando members climb to the roof of the crematorium and fire wildly at the SS. Heavy machine guns answer from towers.

Sonderkommando Firefight Sonderkommando members climb to the roof of the crematorium and fire wildly at the SS. Heavy machine guns answer from towers. The Suppression Within minutes the SS put an end to the shooting. Bodies fall around the compound as prisoners try to escape to the fence. A Heroic Failure The uprising is suppressed, but it proves the prisoners can choose death with their hands on weapons. The event becomes a legend in the camp.

Aftermath and Lessons Aftermath and Lessons from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Aftermath and Lessons That night Lale Sokolov breaks his usual silence and joins the men in his block to ask what happened.

Aftermath and Lessons from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Aftermath and Lessons That night Lale Sokolov breaks his usual silence and joins the men in his block to ask what happened.

Aftermath and Lessons That night Lale Sokolov breaks his usual silence and joins the men in his block to ask what happened. They tell him about the gunpowder, the grenades, and the plan to coordinate with the Russian advance. A New Understanding Lale admonishes himself for not making friends with his blockmates sooner. Their knowledge could one day save Gita Furman's life. The Glimmer of Hope For the first time in months, Lale allows himself to believe the Russians may come. The uprising is a costly signal that the end is near.

summer 1944, before the uprising

October 1944, in the late afternoon

minutes after the explosion, October 1944

the night after the revolt, in Lale's block