Elisabeth Volkenrath was a notorious figure in the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, infamous for her sadistic treatment of prisoners. Volkenrath, a German SS officer, served as a supervisor at both camps, where she was involved in the brutal and systematic abuse of those interned. She was known for her cruelty, harsh punishments, and direct involvement in the deaths of countless men, women, and children, particularly at Auschwitz.
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At Auschwitz, Volkenrath was part of the staff responsible for overseeing the daily horrors of the camp. She is remembered for her violent behavior, including physically abusing prisoners, overseeing selections for the gas chambers, and participating in the horrifying process of extermination. She took pleasure in her role, exhibiting a deep lack of empathy toward the suffering of the inmates. After the war, testimonies from survivors painted a picture of a woman whose sadism knew no bounds, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most brutal female officers in the Nazi regime.
After the war ended, Volkenrath was arrested by the Allies and put on trial for her role in the atrocities of the Holocaust. At the Bergen-Belsen trial in 1945, she was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. She was sentenced to death by hanging, and her execution was carried out in December 1945.
Volkenrath’s execution marked a form of justice for the countless victims who suffered at her hands. Her death served as a reminder that even those who thought they were beyond reach—due to their roles within the Nazi system—would ultimately be held accountable for their actions. Elisabeth Volkenrath remains one of the many figures whose crimes represent the depth of cruelty within the concentration camps, and her execution was part of the larger effort to bring justice to those responsible for the Holocaust.