Glossary : Camp administration

B

  • Camp administration : Base camp

    Main camp – The main camp, which houses the headquarters of the Kommandantur and oversees the often smaller subcamps. Natzweiler was the main camp for 53 subcamps

N

  • Camp administration : Nebenlager

    Subcamp – Außenlager – 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.

A

  • Camp administration : Außenlager

    Subcamp – Nebenlager (sometimes) – 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.

S

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.)

  • 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 : 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.

M

  • Camp administration : Main camp

    Base camp – The main camp, which houses the headquarters of the Kommandantur and oversees the often smaller subcamps. Natzweiler was the main camp for 53 subcamps

L

  • Camp administration : Lagerkommandant

    German term meaning “Camp commandant” – He was the commander-in-chief of the KL, responsible for its management, the organisation of the prisoners and the implementation of the IKL’s directives.