What order did Heinrich Himmler give in June 1944 regarding the camps?

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Heinrich Himmler's Order Regarding Nazi Camps in June 1944

In June 1944, Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler issued a directive to evacuate concentration and extermination camps before they could be reached by advancing Allied troops. This order mandated the transfer of prisoners to other camps and instructed SS officers to erase all evidence of crimes before fleeing.
Evacuation of Camps

Himmler's order specifically concerned camps most exposed to Soviet advances, particularly those in the Baltic States. The aim was to prevent Allied forces from discovering the atrocities committed within these facilities. This directive was a direct response to the deteriorating military situation for Nazi Germany.
Transfer of Prisoners

The evacuation involved the systematic transfer of prisoners from threatened camps to other locations. A notable example is the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex, which began its gradual dismantling from mid-1944, with over 60,000 prisoners evacuated. When Soviet forces liberated Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, only about 7,000 prisoners remained, many too weak to participate in the forced marches.
Covering Up Crimes

A critical component of Himmler's order was the obliteration of any traces of criminal activity. SS officers in charge were commanded to destroy evidence of the Holocaust and other atrocities before abandoning the camps. This measure was intended to conceal the full extent of Nazi crimes from the approaching Allied armies and the wider world.

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What order did Heinrich Himmler give in June 1944 regarding the camps?

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