Sonderkommandos

Throughout the history of the gas chambers in Auschwitz, a group of Jewish men were selected to assist in the killings of their people. Chosen for their strength, these men would be given protection, better living conditions, better/more food, and more. If they did not comply with their selection, they would either join the Jews in the gas chambers, or be shot on the spot. Many Jews followed the orders and became Sonderkommandos. At its peak, there were over 1000 Sonderkommandos working in the Auschwitz death complexes. They were mostly responsible for removing the bodies from the gas chambers and taking them to the crematorium to be burnt. For the most part, they complied, however, there were a few instances of rebellion. 

In October 1944, the Sonderkommandos learned that the Nazis were going to kill them. Because of this, they decided to plan an uprising. They successfully destroyed the #3 Crematorium, and several people escaped from the camp. However, the Nazi soldiers soon controlled the situation, and found the escapees.