"Mauthausen Concentration ..." a Mauthausen Travel Page by alancollins

Mauthausen was established in 1938, in Austria and is about 6 miles from the city of Linz. Up until 1942, the camp was primarily a camp and killing centre for 'undesirable political prisoners" from Germany, as well as opposition persons from occupied countries. In 1942, the decision was made to expand the industry in the camp and sub camps. The camp population grew from about 15,000 in early 1943 to 84,000 in March, 1945. Large numbers of Jews did not begin to arrive until the middle of 1944. About 200,000 prisoners are estimated to have passed through the camp of which 119,000 died, including about 38,000 Jews. The camp was not an 'extermination' camp as defined by the Nazis, but a camp where prisoners were worked to death.

Because of the harsh regime at Mauthausen Concentration Camp it was one of the most feared camps to be sent to.