Five Chimneys: The Story of Auschwitz

Lengyel describes the hierarchies that exist within the camp. Under the German commandants, a Lageraelteste (leader) is selected from among the inmates to rule among the 30,000 women. She has several sub-directors to whom she delegates different tasks; all receive private quarters. Other women are allocated to the roles of policewomen. Their job is to drive away women who approach the fences. There are also corpse collectors, nurses, fire officers, and garbage collectors. Four hundred women work in the kitchens, which is considered a privilege; they get to eat food of a higher quality than the rest of the prisoners.

Jews and Russians are treated the most cruelly of the camp inhabitants. Common criminals from Germany are treated especially well and often hold leadership positions.

Although there is a washroom, there is rarely water, and the women are constantly parched with excruciating thirst. Some drink from stagnant puddles days after rain and subsequently die.

Lengyel is thrilled one day to discover pieces of twine that she can tie together to make a belt. She fashions wood into a knife and two pieces of material into a toothbrush and a handkerchief; she feels thrilled with these acquisitions.