Himmler Orders Demolition of Auschwitz Gas Chambers and Crematoria

As Soviet forces drive the Germans back and get closer to Auschwitz, SS chief Heinrich Himmler orders the destruction of the gas chambers and crematoria complexes at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Over the coming weeks, the SS forces prisoners to help dismantle and destroy the gas chambers and crematoria buildings. This is part of the Nazis’ attempt to destroy evidence and cover up the mass murder of Jews. On January 26, 1945, an SS unit blows up Crematorium V, the last remaining crematorium at Birkenau.