Auschwitz II Birkenau Railroad Car and Ramp

This is a railroad car sitting at the infamous “ramp” where newly arrived transports deposited their human cargo. Men and women were separated. Baggage brought by the victims was placed here as well and later taken to be looted. Here SS Doctors and nurses made their selection of who would die and who would be allowed to live and labor for a brief period before they too were exterminated. Invariably children, the elderly, the infirm, and many woman, including especially mothers of young children, were selected for immediate death. (Picture taken by Steven Mercatante on September 5, 2014).