One of the more persistent myths perpetuated by Holocaust deniers revolves around the so-called “swimming pools at Auschwitz.” This claim is often used to paint a false and misleading picture of life at the Nazi concentration camp. In this article, we’ll uncover the truth behind these so-called pools, their actual purpose, and how this myth exemplifies the tactics used by Holocaust deniers to distort history.
What Were the “Swimming Pools” at Auschwitz?
First and foremost, there were no swimming pools at Auschwitz designed for leisure or recreational use by prisoners. The structures in question were water reservoirs, essential for the camp’s fire prevention measures. Auschwitz, built far from major population centers, lacked access to fire hydrants, creating a significant risk for a camp with numerous furnaces, wooden barracks, and flammable materials.
To mitigate this risk, the Nazis constructed several water reservoirs. These large, pool-like structures served as a vital resource for firefighting. Hoses could be connected to these reservoirs to control potential fires. Their primary purpose was practical and utilitarian, not recreational.
Why Were Diving Boards Added?
Auschwitz was an enormous complex, housing between 8,000 and 9,000 guards at any given time. To put this into perspective, it had the population of a small town. Like any small town, activities were created for guards to occupy their downtime. Over time, diving boards were added to one of these reservoirs, allowing SS guards to use it for swimming.
It is critical to emphasize that these makeshift swimming facilities were exclusively for the SS personnel. Prisoners, especially Jewish inmates, were strictly forbidden from accessing these reservoirs. Claims that these structures were designed for prisoner use are entirely unfounded.
Debunking Holocaust Denial: The CMOR Pattern
The myth of “swimming pools at Auschwitz” is a textbook example of how Holocaust deniers manipulate facts. This pattern, which we can call the CMOR system, involves:
- Cherry-Picking: Selecting isolated facts without context. In this case, the existence of a pool-like structure at Auschwitz.
- Misinterpretation: Assigning a false purpose to the fact. Here, claiming it was for prisoner recreation.
- Overblowing: Drawing an exaggerated conclusion. Suggesting the existence of a pool implies Auschwitz was humane.
- Removing Context: Ignoring the overwhelming evidence of genocide, including gas chambers, crematoriums, eyewitness accounts, documents, and forensic analysis.
This pattern is evident in most Holocaust denial arguments, making them easy to spot and debunk.
A favourite example of the negationists is the so-called swimming pool in Auschwitz I. They argue that the presence of a swimming pool, with three diving boards, shows that the camp was really a rather benign place, and therefore could not have been a center of extermination. They ignore that the swimming pool was built as a water reservoir for the purpose of firefighting (there were no hydrants in the camp), that the diving boards were added later, and that the pool was only accessible to SS men and certain privileged Aryan prisoners employed as inmate-functionaries in the camp. The presence of the swimming pool does not say anything about the conditions for Jewish inmates in Auschwitz, and does not challenge the existence of an extermination program with its proper facilities in Auschwitz II.
Jan Van Pelt, World Renowned Holocaust historian
Why the Myth Falls Apart
Even if there had been a pool for prisoner use, which there was not, how would that invalidate the overwhelming evidence of the Holocaust? Thousands of eyewitness accounts, hundreds of Nazi documents, detailed forensic investigations, and photographic evidence all converge to confirm the systematic extermination of millions of Jews and other targeted groups.
Deniers use these isolated details to sow doubt, but their arguments collapse under the weight of historical evidence. The existence of a water reservoir with diving boards for SS guards does not erase or diminish the atrocities committed at Auschwitz.
The “swimming pools at Auschwitz” myth is a stark reminder of the importance of context in understanding history. These water reservoirs were practical firefighting tools later repurposed for the leisure of SS guards, not facilities for prisoners. Holocaust deniers’ reliance on such easily debunked myths highlights their broader strategy of distortion and manipulation.
By examining the evidence and understanding the facts, we can continue to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and combat the spread of misinformation.
