DUPONT: As to the human organism, there was only one effect: the
degradation of the human being. The living conditions which I have just
described were enough in themselves to produce such degradation. It was
done systematically. An unrelenting will seemed to be at work to reduce
those men to the same level, the lowest possible level of human
degradation.
To begin with, the first degrading factor was the way in which they were
mixed. It was permissible to mix nationalities, but not to mix
indiscriminately every possible type of prisoner: political,
military—for the members of the French resistance movement were
soldiers—racial elements, and common-law criminals.
Criminals of all nationalities were herded together with their
compatriots, and every nationality lived side by side, so conditions of
living were distressing. In addition, there was overcrowding, unsanitary
conditions, and compulsory labor. I shall give a few examples to show
that prisoners were mixed quite indiscriminately.
In March 1944, I saw the French General Duval die. He had been working
on the “terrasse” with me all day. When we came back, he was covered
with mud and completely exhausted. He died a few hours later.
The French General Vernaud died on a straw mattress, filthy with
excrement, in room Number 6, where those on the verge of death were
taken, surrounded by dying men.