JÓZEF KOCIĘCKI

Tenth day of the hearing, 4 December 1947

Presiding Judge: Please summon the next witness, Józef Kocięcki.

Witness Józef Kocięcki, 47 years old, a teacher by profession, religion – Roman Catholic, relationship to the accused – none.

Presiding Judge: I would like to remind the witness of the obligation to speak the truth. The provision of false testimony is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years. Do the parties want to submit any motions as to the procedure according to which the witness is to be interviewed?

Prosecutors and defense attorneys: We release the witness from the obligation to take an oath.

Presiding Judge: The witness shall be interviewed without taking an oath. I would ask the witness to tell us what he knows in the case, and also to provide testimony regarding any of the accused.

Witness: When I look at these thugs from Auschwitz, a shiver of terror goes down my spine.

Presiding Judge: That is not what I was asking about. Rather, does the witness recognize any of the accused, and if yes, then whom?

Witness: Yes, all the nightmarish memories come flooding back.

Presiding Judge: I ask the witness once again – does he recognize the accused, and who specifically?

Witness: I recognize Aumeier, who very frequently ...

Prosecutor Pęchalski: The Prosecutor’s Office has summoned the witness in especial connection with the accused Müller, and I therefore request that the Esteemed Tribunal query the witness concerning this accused, or perhaps allow us to pose questions.

Presiding Judge: I therefore ask the witness to testify what he knows about Müller.

Witness: In Auschwitz, Müller was regarded as one of the worst thugs. He would torment prisoners with great sadism, flinging himself like a wild beast on those going to or returning from work, kicking them, or bashing them with his hand or baton. I myself was once terribly beaten by him, so much so that I am deaf in my right ear to date and find it difficult to write with my right hand; an expert medical examination established that the nerves in my right arm have been damaged. I once witnessed him thrashing a prisoner with great ferocity during roll call, and all because the fellow had been slow in taking of his cap when the command Mützen ab [caps off] was given. But he really showed what he was capable of when groups of Russian laborers were returning to the camp; I witnessed three such situations. These people were coming back in the evening, following a whole day of work. At the same time, raw potatoes were being carted into the camp. The Russian prisoners of war literally threw themselves onto the potatoes, for they were even more starved than we. Müller started beating them with his baton, and when this did not help, he started shooting. During the first incident, seven of the Russians fell, four [were killed] in the course of the second, and a few more during the third.

Presiding Judge: Since the witness has been summoned to testify concerning the accused Müller, I would like to thank him. Are there any questions?

Defense attorney Kruh: When did the witness first encounter Müller?

Witness: I arrived in the camp on 20 November 1940 and saw a lot of SS men.

Defense attorney Kruh: On what occasion?

Witness: I saw him in the camp, he was a Blockführer [block commander]. I ran into him in December 1941, when he was walking through the gate.

Defense attorney Kruh: When did the beating take place? And only once?

Witness: Myself, I was beaten by him only once.

Defense attorney Kruh: The witness’ testimony regarding Müller appears isolated.

Witness: Müller beat prisoners like a mad dog. Isolated ... all that comes to my mind is an “isolated” yet singular moment, when he beat up a prisoner who – having been previously ordered to stand stock still as punishment – was obviously unable to take of his cap.

Defense attorney Kruh: And the shooting – there was a single shot?

Witness: This occurred three times in the space of two months, and during the first such incident seven of the prisoners fell.

Presiding Judge: I hereby order a recess.