Stack of stolen suitcases found by Soviet forces at Auschwitz after they liberated the camp complex on January 27, 1945.
In total, Nazi German authorities deported 1.1 million Jews to Auschwitz from all over Europe. Most were murdered upon arrival in the gas chambers. In addition to committing mass murder at Auschwitz, the SS also carried out the mass plunder of Jewish-owned property. They stole the luggage and personal belongings that Jewish victims brought with them to the camp. When Soviet forces liberated the Auschwitz camp complex, they found piles of these stolen items.
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