Maria Mandl, known by some survivors as the “Beast of Auschwitz,” is remembered as one of the most feared female overseers at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Survivors described her as someone who could appear so gentle in one moment, then extremely cruel and terrifying the next (Liberation Route Europe, n.d.). One survivor recalled how Mandl once smiled warmly at a child, only to send that same child to their death shortly afterwards (Liberation Route Europe, n.d.). Stories like this continue to capture attention because they show how ordinary people can become deeply involved in systems of violence.
Mandl was born in Austria in 1912 and joined the SS before the war. She worked in different concentration camps before arriving at Auschwitz in 1942, where she was placed in charge of the women’s camp (USHM, n.d.). This position gave her enormous authority over thousands of prisoners. Survivors said she often beat women, shouted orders, and took part in “selections,” where she decided who would work and who would be killed (USHM, n.d.). Many women were terrified just to see her walking through the camp.
Researchers and historians today still study Mandl because her actions show a strange mix of false kindness and real cruelty (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.). One example often shared is how she would pick up small children, give them sweets, or carry them around as if she cared about them (Liberation Route Europe, n.d.). But after a few days, those same children were sent to the gas chambers (ABMM, n.d.). This shows how she used gentle behaviour to hide the true horror of what was happening.
Bergen-Belsen, where Anne Frank died, British forces discovered thousands of unburied corpses scattered across the camp (USHMM, n.d.). After World War II, Maria Mandl was arrested and put on trial in Poland for her crimes. She faced numerous charges for her role in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and was sentenced to death. She was executed on 24 January 1948 (ABMM, n.d.).
A story that survivors never forgot was about a young boy she kept near her for several days (Liberation Route Europe, n.d.). She gave him fresh clothes and acted as if he were a special child, before he was later killed. But he was later killed, just like many others. Stories like this remind us how much power she had over innocent lives (ABMM, n.d.).
Learning about Maria Mandl shows how dangerous it is when someone abuses power. Her story reminds us why it is important to teach the Holocaust: to recognise cruelty, stand against injustice, and protect others from harm (USHM, n.d.).
References:
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. (n.d.).
Maria Mandl. Liberation Route Europe. (n.d.).
Auschwitz-Birkenau women’s camp.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Perpetrators: Women in the SS.
Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). Mandel, Maria (1912-c 1947).
© 2025 Mariah (OC)