Isabella Leitner
Isabella Leitner experienced many terrors during her time under the control of the Nazi’s. One of the most powerful and restrictive people she came across was Dr. Josef Mengele who played a large role in Leitner’s life, even though their contact was minimal. Immediately upon reaching Auschwitz, Mengele was responsible for the deaths of Leitner’s mother and one of her sisters[1]. That experience planted a seed of terror in Leitner and her siblings that were lucky enough to survive the initial selection.
Double Electrified Fence by Jorge Láscar CC BY
A common sign around Auschwitz warning those who were trapped of the danger associated with an attempt to escape |
Suitcases of Auschwitz detainees by Oleg Yunakov CC BY SA
A collection of the suitcases brought by families who were unaware of the true purpose of Auschwitz Moreover, Mengele used this fear to gain absolute control over all of the prisoners. Specifically, Leitner recalls how “everyone was afraid of Dr. Mengele”[2]. She also remembers avoiding Mengele’s selections by running to different blocks every time he would come near. Unfortunately, Mengele also made selections during roll call which made it impossible to escape. The girls had to make themselves appear especially healthy by any means necessary to avoid being sent to die by Mengele. Another shocking experience occurred when Mengele fired at Leitner and her sisters with his gun, but luckily, he missed his shot. Experiences like these were common during her time in Auschwitz.
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It is clear that Mengele had a strong grip on all of the prisoners. This demonstrates how he was able to annihilate any remaining sense of freedom that the prisoners had. For Leitner, the fear incited in her by Mengele made her feel trapped which explains her frequent attempts to flee from Mengele, even though each day she would have to return to her block and the process would repeat. This cyclical process of repeatedly fleeing from Mengele highlights the true state of all the prisoners at Auschwitz—trapped with no hope of escaping.
The following interactive map shows Leitner's travels from her birth in 1924 to her immigration to the United States in 1945.
The following interactive map shows Leitner's travels from her birth in 1924 to her immigration to the United States in 1945.