Volkenrath, Elisabeth, born 05-09-1919 in Schönau an der Katzbach, was a hairdresser by trade but became a supervisor at several Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Her real name was Elisabeth Mühlau, and was of simple descent. Father Josef Mühlau was a forest worker. It is not known how many brothers and sisters she had, but she had at least five sisters.
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In August 1942 she met SS officer Heinz Volkenrath in Auschwitz. The two married in 1943 an as was customary at the time, Elisabeth took over the name of her husband. From now on she called herself Elisabeth Volkenrath.
Shortly after the start of World War II, she was tired of cutting hair and wanted to do something completely different. She applied in a munitions factory and got the job. But soon she saw new opportunities. She decided to become a camp guard.
In October 1941, her career took a turn that led her to the history books. She went to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where only women were locked up. None other than the infamous Dorothea “Theodora” Binz trained her as a guard. Binz turned Volkenrath into a cruel and brutal overseer, completely in line with her own views and methods. Volkenrath then remained as SS-Aufseherin in Ravensbrück until 1943, after which she was transferred to Auschwitz II (Birkenau).
In November 1944 she climbed further to SS-Oberaufseherin. She became responsible for all departments with female prisoners in the famous horror camp.in 1943 went to Auschwitz Birkenau as an “Aufseherin” (supervisor). In November 1944, she was promoted to “Oberaufseherin” (Senior Supervisor) and oversaw three executions by hanging. Volkenrath was at one point in command of the women’s camp at Auschwitz Birkenau, which was separated from the men’s area by the incoming railway line.
In January 1945 the Soviet troops approached and the Nazis quickly evacuated the extermination camp. Volkenrath then moved to Bergen-Belsen, where she worked under Camp Commander Josef Kramer from 05-02-1945 .Former Aufseherin Grese, Irma, Ida Ilse “The Beautiful Beast” and former SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Kramer in prison in Celle in August 1945 .