| Dora |
| Established: October 28, 1944 Evacuated: April 1, 1945 Liberated: April 9, 1945 by the United States Survivors: "a handful" Total Inmates: 34,000 Subcamps: 18 |
| Source, Edelheit, Friedman, Feig Go to Previous Camp - Dachau Go to Next Camp - Flossenburg Return to Fast Links Return to Home Page Go to Concentration Camps |
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| Dora was set up for the production of the German V-2 rocket in underground caverns which would be safe from bombing attacks. Dora was located in 40 - 90 foot tall mine shafts in the Harz Mountains of Germany. Prisoners drilled into the solid rock of the mountain with hammers, picks, and shovels. Prisoners also lived and slept in the underground tunnels, with the exception of being taken outside once a week. Prisoners in Dora died from brutal work, poor food, and unhealthy living conditions. Living facilities for prisoners outside of the tunnels were finally constructed in late 1944. An estimated 60,000 prisoners worked at Dora, 30,000 of them died. By 1944, the missiles producted at Dora were ready for testing. By spring 1945, the V-2 rockets were used to attack England. Dora was referred to as the "Hell of all concentration camps" by its survivors. According to official Nazi records: 56% died of unknown causes 13% died of tuberculosis 9% died of pneumonia 8% died of exhaustion 7% died of diarrhea 3.5% died as a result of beatings. |