Did the Jewish victims know about the death camps before they were sent to them during World War II?
It is easy to question why there were more people who did not run out of the holocaust, or rebel against the guards. You will have to keep in mind though that they are living in a world of utter deception.
Nazis did not use boots and guns only. They applied a sadistic psychological gimmick. They informed people that they were merely going to work in the East. Families were ordered to carry suitcases and equip themselves with tools sewing machines, heavy coats. Consider it a moment, why should anybody tell you to carry a heavy coat, because he was going to kill you? That little logical fact made people believe that they are beginning a new life and it suppressed panic.
The tricks were ubiquitous even in the camps. I had read that at Treblinka it was painted on the wall a false clock and false train schedules were used by the station. In Auschwitz there were hooks numbered in showers. The guards instructed them, Do not forget your number so that you can retrieve your clothes in the future. It is a horrible sound, yet it was working as it made a horror-like situation feel common and ordinary routine.
Rumors existed yes some brave men such as Szlama Ber Winer managed to escape and attempt to warn others. But the majority of the world could not believe it. It seemed too evil to be true. When they learned the reality, it was already too late and they were already isolated, hungry, and could not do anything about it.
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