I have recently returned from Belzec where I was part of an archaelogical
     team led by Professor Mieczslaw Gora of the Torun University, Warsaw.  We
     carried out an extensive survey of the camp area drilling over 1700
     bore-holes and examining soil samples to a depth of 6m.    33 mass graves
     were found of various dimensions, the largest measuring 70m x 20m x 6m
     deep.    In the south east part of the camp five mass graves were
     found, the largest measuring 36m x 18m x 6m deep.  Two of the graves
     contained unburnt, naked human corpses below a layer of water at 3-4m 
     below ground.
     At varying depths was found burnt human ash, burnt wood, crushed pieces of
     bone etc.    At the extrermity of drilling in grave marked No,1, there were
     several c.m. of burnt human fat.  Three graves contained a mixture of ash,
     carbonised wood and crushed bone.      Near to the East boundary fence
     a grave measuring 5m x 5m x 2m deep was located, spent and live rounds
     of German and Russian ammunition was found.  This may have been the
     site of the `lazerat` (bogus Red Cross location)  where the old, and
     sick were taken for execution.     With metal detectors  and
     excavations over  600 items of property were found and logged.

     Four building structures were were exposed.    Three of the sites were
     excavated to a depth of 3m, and revealed burnt structures, possibly
     the location of the death brigade barracks.  These building sites
     contained concrete cellars.   A number of human bones, skulls etc were
     found in one
     of these sites and probably the remains of of several people shot  on site
     and dumped.   A fourth building was exposed near the West corner of
     the camp which may have been the camp generator building.   We found
     no traces of the gassing barracks.
     The ramp and stopping place for the transports was located.
     (The team: Prof. A. Kola, Prof M. Gora, R.Kazmierczak, W. Azulta, Z.
     Wieczorkowski, M. Tregenza and 12 local workers from Belzec village).

     I have 9 x 90min. film cassettes of the whole operation over the
     period 28.4. - 4.6.98.  (in need of some professional editing?)

     We are due to re-commence work at Belzec this October and extend our
     investigation outside the present camp wire.

     Robin O`Neil
     Hebrew and Jewish Department,
     University College London (currently engaged PhD research Jews of
     Galicia/Rabka SD School/transports to Belzec).

From: Peter Witte 

I would like to add a tiny detail to Robin O'Neil's exciting report on 
Belzec. I was told that by metal detecting operations a silver 
cigarette case was found in the camp site bearing the engraved name  
of M a x  M u n k from Vienna. Here we have a first piece of evidence 
that people from Vienna have been transported to
Belzec. Has anybody ever heard about Max Munk? I have been doing a lot of
research on deportations into the district of Lublin and would very much
appreciate any further information.
You can privately contact me off the list. Thank you
Peter Witte
p.witte@t-online.de

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