The camp, which was located near the city of Linz and set up in August 1938, was liberated by American forces on May 5, 1945, shortly before the end of World War II.
Polish historian Piotr Dmitrowicz told public broadcaster Polish Radio: “About 28,000 Poles were murdered there in a monstrous manner, mainly the intelligentsia, scientists, professors and priests.”
He added that the extermination of Poland’s intellectual elite was part of Germany’s plan to destroy the Polish state and nation.
Prisoners at the camp were ordered to perform heavy labour in a quarry and factories, mainly producing armaments. The harsh conditions, along with diseases and epidemics, were lethal.
Prisoners were also killed in mass executions and had pseudo-medical experiments performed on them, Polish Radio reported.
At least 90,000 died in Mauthausen-Gusen and in its sub-camps, and Poles were the biggest national group, according to Polish Radio.
(pk)
Source: IAR/Polish Radio