What are some successful escapes from concentration camps during the Holocaust?
The escape from Sobibor Extermination Camp in 1943 was the largest mass escape from any of the concentration camps. Built in March 1942 in Poland, Sobibor operated from May 1942 until October 1943 for only one purpose: to kill as many Jews including children as quickly as possible. No selections were made for work – victims were brought to the camp in cattle cars and all but a handful were gassed immediately after arrival. Sobibor’s gas chambers killed approximately 260,000 Jews during its 17 months of existence.. The revolt of the Jewish prisoners on October 14, 1943, put an end to the Sobibor camp. Only a few – about 50 or 60 – managed to survive and give evidence of the existence of Sobibor. The story is heroic: In July / August 1943 an underground group was formed among the Jewish prisoners, under the leadership of Leon Feldhendler. Then, in one of the last transports from Minsk, Jewish members of the Red Army were brought to the camp. One of these was Lt. Aleksander (Sascha) Peche
