Gerda Steinhoff
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Gerda Steinhoff was a Nazi prison camp overseer born in Danzig-Langfuhr, on January 29, 1922.
In 1939, she became a cook, got married and had one child. In 1944, because of the call for new guards, Gerda joined the camp staff at Stutthof. On October 1, 1944, she became a Blockleiterin in Stutthof women's camp SK-III. In her block were 400 women and children, all at her mercy. She also took part in selections of prisoners to the gas chambers. On October 31, 1944, the young matron was promoted to SS-Oberaufseherin and was assigned to the Danzig-Holm subcamp. There she continued her activities. On December 1, 1944 Gerda was reassigned to the Bydgoszcz subcamp of Stutthof located near Danzig. There on January 25, 1945, she received a medal for her loyalty and service to the Third Reich. Gerda was devoted to her job in the camps and was known as a very ruthless overseer. Soon after she fled the camp and went back home.
Arrest, Trial and Execution
On May 25, 1945, she was arrested by Polish officials and sent to prison. She stood trial with the other SS women and kapos and was handed down a sentence to death for her involvement in selections and what was perceived as her sadistic abuse. She was publicly hanged on July 4, 1946, on Biskupia Gorka Hill near Danzig.Template:Lived