07. 05. 09. - 12:30

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07. 05. 09. - 12:30

Mystery of Brit soldiers on Auschwitz list

croatiantimes.com

Auschwitz historians are appealing for help after finding a mystery list of 17 British soldiers' names hidden in a bunker in the Nazi death camp. 

The names were discovered by accident during routine preservation work at the Polish camp and have stumped local historians. 

Some believe they may have been Jewish prisoners of war who were sent to die at the camp after capture.

Polish historian Dominik Synowic said: "What the list was for is a mystery."

"They were clearly the names of English soldiers, we presume prisoners of war, but we want to try and find out more about them and want British help to do so.

"The surnames include Osborne, Lawrence and Gardiner and behind eight of the 17 names is a tick.

"On the rear of the list somebody has written common German words with the English translations. It includes the words 'now', 'never' and 'since then'," he added.

Others believe the list might contain names from some of the infamous British SS Division that fought on the side of the Nazis in World War II.

"Without more information, we don't know anything for certain. They could also be soldiers who died in the liberation of the camp," said one historian.

Now Polish authorities are to ask for permission to search British military archives for clues.

Between 1940 and 1945 around 1.1 million people were killed at the Auschwitz camp.

Auschwitz spokesman Piotr Setkiewicz said: "I can confirm the authenticity of this new document."

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