Variation
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This variation of the clothing storage room card has been preserved in the Arolsen Archives. It was used in Buchenwald and elsewhere. This card made a distinction between Gefangenenkleidung (G – “prisoner clothing”) and Zivilkleidung (Z – “civilian clothing”). This distinction was made by April 1941 at the latest, when there was no longer enough striped prisoner clothing available. From November 1942, only labor details working outside the camp were supposed to be issued striped clothing. Despite this regulation, there were still not enough striped uniforms. From August 1944, therefore, even prisoners working outside the camp were supposed to wear civilian clothing. This clothing would be marked, however; in Ravensbrück, for example, a white X was painted on the back.
This variation of the clothing storage room card has been preserved in the Arolsen Archives. It was used in Buchenwald and elsewhere. This card made a distinction between Gefangenenkleidung (G – “prisoner clothing”) and Zivilkleidung (Z – “civilian clothing”). This distinction was made by April 1941 at the latest, when there was no longer enough striped prisoner clothing available. From November 1942, only labor details working outside the camp were supposed to be issued striped clothing. Despite this regulation, there were still not enough striped uniforms. From August 1944, therefore, even prisoners working outside the camp were supposed to wear civilian clothing. This clothing would be marked, however; in Ravensbrück, for example, a white X was painted on the back.
Questions and answers
- What are considered variations in the e-Guide?
The e-Guide distinguishes between main cards and variations. The reason for this is that there are sometimes different versions of a single type of document that can vary significantly.
The documents referred to as main cards in the e-Guide are standard documents that were used especially frequently in concentration camps, DP camps, and for the registration of forced laborers, and about which a good deal of information is available. The Arolsen Archives also hold variations of these documents, however, which served the exact same purpose as the corresponding main cards, but which look different. There are various reasons for this: Some camps used their own individually produced cards instead of the standard versions. In many other cases, individual cards and forms were used before the introduction of standardized pre-printed forms.
- Do you know more about the document?
If you have any additional information about this document or any other documents described in the e-Guide, we would appreciate it very much if you could send your feedback to eguide@arolsen-archives.org. The document descriptions are updated regularly – and the best way for us to do this is by incorporating the knowledge you share with us.