Arbeitslager Birkenau (Juden Briefaktion - Jewish Operation Mail)

Since this complex was a killing center, mail was significantly more restricted than Auschwitz I ( main camp ).

The German engaged in many deceptions to deflect rumors and reports regarding the liquidation of the Jews.  One such method was named Briefaktion (Operation Mail).  Upon arriving in Auschwitz, the victims were required to write postcards or letters to home indicating that their resettlement was fine and they were in good health.  All these cards had the same return address: Arbeitslager Birkenau, bei Neu-Berun, Oberschlesien.  In contrast to prisoners in other camps, these new arrivals were not registered or given inmate numbers.  Shortly after writing these postcards or letters, these individuals were killed !

This mail was taken in bulk to Berlin for processing.  Cachets were stamped on the correspondence indicating that replies were permitted only through the Association of Jews in Germany.  Then, the correspondence was postmarked and mailed from several Berlin post offices.