The Schutzstaffel: The Auschwitz Complex

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In January of 1945, the Schutzstaffel (SS) abandoned the Auschwitz complex as the Soviet Forces closed in. Prisoners were forced to march to other camps, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Many who couldn’t keep up with other prisoners or too slow were shot and left to die. The Nazis had time to demolish some gas chambers and camps, but they had to evacuate quickly. On January 27, 1945, the Soviet Forces liberated the Auschwitz Complex, saving some seven thousand lives. Hitler committed suicide and by then, 6 million Jews died. The Soviet Army invaded Berlin on May 2 and the German Generals surrendered. Nazi Germany and The Third Reich officially surrendered on May 7, 1994. The War in Europe was over.