Glossary

Displaying results 1 to 9 on 9 total

S

  • Camp administration : SA

    Abbreviation of “Sturmabteilung”, a German term meaning “Storm troopers” – Paramilitary organisation of the NSDAP. It played a significant role in Hitler’s rise to power. It ceased to play any political role from 1934 onwards, following the Night of the Long Knives.

  • Camp administration : Schreiber

    German term meaning “Secretary” – Refers to the prisoner appointed to the secretarial position. They could be assigned to the camp’s general secretariat (Lagerschreiber) or to another administrative department (within the camp or an SS organisation).

  • Camp administration : Schreibstube

    German term meaning “Secretariat” – In the camps, this is where movements of prisoners were recorded (arrivals, departures, deaths, transfers to the Revier, etc.)

  • Nazi society confronting Nazism : Sipo

    Abbreviation of “Sicherheitspolizei”, a German term meaning “Security police” – A police force established in 1936 by Heinrich Himmler, comprising the Gestapo and the Kripo (Kriminalpolizei, criminal investigation police). The unit was merged with the SD within the RSHA in 1939.

  • Camp administration : SS

    Abbreviation of “Schutzstaffel”, a German term meaning “Protection Squadron” – Founded in 1925, it was a paramilitary organisation tasked with protecting Hitler and Nazi officials. It replaced the SA in 1934 and became a State within a State. It was headed by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. It was responsible for the KLs.

  • Nazi society confronting Nazism : SS-WVHA

    Abbreviation of “SS-Wirtschaftsverwaltungshauptamt” – This was the SS central administrative and economic office. It was headed by Oswald Pohl from 1942 onwards.

  • Daily routine and organisation in the camp : Stubenältester

    German term meaning “Head of the barrack room” – A prisoner in charge of a Stube (barrack room), which is a subdivision of a Block. He was the immediate deputy to the Blockältester.

  • Daily routine and organisation in the camp : Stücke

    Piece, scrap of wood. A derogatory term used by the SS to refer to deportees.

  • Camp administration : Subcamp

    Außenlager – Nebenlager – A secondary camp attached to a main camp. It was usually smaller in size, located in the immediate vicinity of a work site (factory, mine, etc.) for labourers, and the prisoners were assigned to a limited number of kommandos.