16 Facts About Erich Muhsfeldt

Erich Muhsfeldt served as an SS NCO in three extermination camps during World War II in German occupied Poland and Germany: Auschwitz, Majdanek and Flossenburg.

However, Muhsfeldt was then extradited to Poland, where the full extent of his war crimes was revealed due to new evidence.

Erich Muhsfeldt was retried by the Supreme National Tribunal at the Auschwitz Trial in Krakow, and found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Erich Muhsfeldt was sentenced to death by hanging in December 1947, and executed on 24 January 1948.

Erich Muhsfeldt was born on 18 February 1913 in Berkenbruck, Brandenburg, Germany.

Erich Muhsfeldt's father worked as a labourer at the State Water Administration in Furstenwalde.

In 1927, Erich Muhsfeldt completed 8 classes of elementary school, and three years later he gained the profession of a baker, in which he worked for 2 years as a journeyman.

Originally Erich Muhsfeldt served with the German SS-Sonderkommando at Auschwitz I in 1940.

Erich Muhsfeldt testified of the incident before the Polish Court in Krakow in 1947:.

Nyiszli described one incident when Erich Muhsfeldt came to him for a routine check-up, after shooting 80 prisoners in the back of the head prior to their cremation:.

Erich Muhsfeldt listened to me attentively, then asked me exactly what I proposed doing.

Erich Muhsfeldt was tried for committing atrocities in Flossenburg concentration camp by an American military court.

Witnesses said they saw Erich Muhsfeldt beat and shoot multiple prisoners.

In January 1947, Erich Muhsfeldt was found guilty and given a life sentence.

In December 1947, Erich Muhsfeldt was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.

Erich Muhsfeldt appears as a minor character in the 1983 James Michener novel Poland, and is portrayed by Harvey Keitel in the 2001 film The Grey Zone.