Transport III from Caserne Dossin (Malines-Mechelen), Camp, Belgium to Auschwitz Birkenau, Extermination Camp, Poland on 15/08/1942

The third transport from Mechelen to Auschwitz left on August 15, 1942 and comprised 1,000 deportees (428 men and 572 women). It was part of the initial deportation phase to Auschwitz. The addressees for the call-up letters were picked from the Jewish registry provided by the AJB to the Sipo-SD. Ehlers subsequently forced the AJB to distribute his order which directed the deportees to report to Mechelen Sammellager (assembly camp). They were instructed to bring provisions for 14 days (non-perishable rations such as oat flakes and canned food), work boots, overalls and other indispensable clothes. Other items included a bowl and cup, ration coupons, clothing vouchers and identity papers. Transport III was the last one prior to the extensive raids that were ordered by the Sipo-SD in Antwerp, Brussels and Liège following the sluggish assembly of the first three transports. The formation of this transport took more than twice as long than planned, seven days in total, which caused the Sipo-SD to complain to the RSHA about the Jews "employing all possible means to evade the draft." 739 deportees came on their own with their personal and numbered summons in hand. 261 Jews were brought by force....