"In Mauthausen existed several treatments of prisoners, amongst
them the 'action K or Kugel' (Bullet action). Upon the arrival of
transports, prisoners with the mention 'K' were not registered, and
received no numbers, and their names remained unknown except to
the officials of the 'Politische Abteilung.' (Lt. Veith had the
opportunity of hearing upon the arrival of a transport the following
conversation between the Untersturmführer Streitwieser and chief
of the convoy: 'How many prisoners?' '15 but two K.' 'Well, that makes
13').
The prisoners were taken directly to the prison, where they were
unclothed and taken to the 'Bathroom.' This bathroom in the cellars of
the prison building near the crematory was specially designed for
execution (shooting and gassing). The shooting took place by means of
a measuring apparatus. The prisoners being backed twoards a metrical
measure with an automatic contraption releasing a bullet in his neck
as soon as the moving plank determining his height touched the top of
his head.
If a transport consisted of too many 'K' prisoners, instead of losing
time for the measurement they were exterminated by gas, laid on to the
bathrooms instead of water."
Work Cited
The Trial of German Major War Criminals, Volume III. London: His
Majesty's Stationery Office, 1946. P. 206
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