Stephen Shooster
Auschwitz Wooden Shoes
Auschwitz Tin Pan
low this paste with the black coffee.” I put it under my cap for the morning and tossed and turned through the night. I don’t know what the medicine, was but it was like raw dough, and it helped. Soon, my fever and diarrhea stopped. December 1943, before Christmas, there was another selection; it was one of the largest selections to the gas chambers ever in Birkenau. Earlier that week the top Nazi brass had visited the camp and said, “We must make room for more prisoners.” So, the doctors went to work. It started with an assembly within the barracks, only for the Jews. The announcement came by surprise, in the form of a shout, “All Juden must undress and form in a line on the right side of the barracks.” In my block alone there were 300 Jews standing in that line. About 200 Russian and Polish prisoners witnessed this. During this selection, about half of the Jews in my block went directly to the gas chamber. This was happening all over the camp in every block. Thousands of Jews were chosen to die that day. I, too, was in that line. I cleaned my face with my dirty hands as best I could. When it was my turn, the doctor said, “Show me your tongue.” By this time I was familiar with the drill. Once again, I intended to not show any kind of fear. I proudly stuck my tongue out, with every ounce of enthusiasm, I could find. And at the same time, I smiled as brightly as I could with my eyes. I don’t know where the strength came from, but I was not afraid. I guess it wasn’t strength, but bravado in the face of oblivion. What other choice did I have? “Turn- about,” said the doctor. He must have seen the welts on my body from being beaten by the blockleiter, as well as my broken teeth. I was not in good shape, but I was young, and even though I was weakened, I could still show him some vim and vigor. I stood at attention waiting. He paused a moment considering life or death. Finally, he said, “Links.” Once again I passed a life or death selection; this was a close call. Many others were
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