Number Identification During The Holocaust

During the seven years between 1938 and 1945, 12 million people were killed in the holocaust. Out of these 12 million, about 3 million were tattooed in an attempt to be identified by the Nazis and SS. Still today, survivors from the holocaust have the tattoo on their forearms in remembrance of the events that occurred in the camps during the holocaust.

Number identification was brought into the camps in 1941. The SS (Schutzstaffel) introduced them in August, the beginning of Autumn. As soon as the holocaust started thousands of people were being killed daily and they had no way to prove who it was. They needed it to keep up with the people who were getting sick, arriving, and dying and leaving. They did not care about people's names and

SS soldiers used the small stamps, which held twos, two threes and a six or a nine. It was very painful and you bled, then you were scarred. People would scream and cry. After the tattoos, you were given your prison uniform and your head was shaved. The needles were only a couple centimeters long and was easy and fast to use. You could quickly give somebody a tattoo because with this way of tattooing you punch an entire sequence of numbers in one blow. If you were given a tattoo you were considered lucky, and it was actually a compliment. It meant you were in good shape and you were strong. If you were sick, out of shape and not fit, or too young or too old you were sent directly to the gas chambers. Many lives were lots, and families were torn apart by this. Tattoos that were given during WW2 and the Holocaust were very sad and life changing. Prisoners lost their names and forgot who they were. The needles were horribly long and painful to the prisoners. People involved in the Holocaust would remember what happened for the rest of their lives. People all over the world were affected and hurt by this. The holocaust was a terrible time in history. It will always be remembered for everything that happened and what people went