Object numberM1991/010
DescriptionMetal tag with an inmate identification number P 86587 engraved into it (the registration number of a concentration camp inmate). The tag is stitched on to a piece of striped cloth from a concentration camp uniform, reinforced from behind with a scrap of fabric.
The 'P' for Polish victim and inverted triangle have been engraved by hand. The metal tag is of the type used in Mauthausen.
The tag belongs to Michal Goldwasser (Michael Garda), born 24 October 1909 in Krakow, Poland. He was deported to KZ Plaszow, and on 10 August 1944, from there to Mauthausen. Nine days later he was transferred to the sub-camp Steyr and on 4 January 1945 to Gusen, where he kept working as a forced labourer for the company Steyr-Daimler-Puch until the liberation of the camp on 5 May 1945.
Part of a collection of memorabilia donated by Michael Garda (Michal Goldwasser). He grew up in Krakow and married Irena (Irene) Garda (nee Sternreich). He shared the fate of thousands of other Jews who were incarcerated in the Krakow Ghetto, which was established on 20 March 1941. The ghetto became the site for separating the ‘able workers’ from those deemed ‘unworthy of life.’ It was liquidated between June 1942 and March 1943, with most of its remaining inhabitants sent to Belzéc, Plaszów and Auschwitz. Michael was one of the ‘lucky’ ones. He was deported to Plaszów as part of the first wave of deportations. He remained there for almost two years. He was deported from Plaszów to KL Mauthausen, arriving on 10 August 1944.
Upon arrival he became prisoner: MG: 86587. KL Mauthausen and its nearly 100 sub-camps served a dual function: Political: used for the imprisonment and murder of the Nazis’ political and ideological enemies and Economic: providing slave labour to many companies for production and profit. Inmates were forced to work in quarries, munition factories, arms factories and plants assembling aircraft. Michael spent five back-breaking months labouring in the quarries. He retained small stones as proof of the cruelty of the Nazi guards, “The guards would throw stones in our soup saying this would thicken it up if we complained about it being watery”.
He was transferred from Mauthausen to one of its sub-camps Gusen 1, on 4 January 1945. Assigned to barrack 7. At Gusen, he worked as a locksmith, in the Steyr Werke factory that produced aircraft parts. Whilst working at the Steyr Werke factory, he surreptitiously fashioned a small pen knife/pocket- knife or razor knife, from scrap materials or ‘organised’—stolen or obtained— on the black market. A couple of his fellow slave labourers, most likely— as expressions of appreciation for help he must have given— followed the same methods, to fashion identification bracelets for him. By April 1945, in the face of Allied successes, Nazi authority in the camp began to collapse. SS guards were leaving the camp in droves. Prisoners gradually began to realise that they were free. The United States 11th Armoured Division arrived at the camp on 5 May 1945.
The 'P' for Polish victim and inverted triangle have been engraved by hand. The metal tag is of the type used in Mauthausen.
The tag belongs to Michal Goldwasser (Michael Garda), born 24 October 1909 in Krakow, Poland. He was deported to KZ Plaszow, and on 10 August 1944, from there to Mauthausen. Nine days later he was transferred to the sub-camp Steyr and on 4 January 1945 to Gusen, where he kept working as a forced labourer for the company Steyr-Daimler-Puch until the liberation of the camp on 5 May 1945.
Part of a collection of memorabilia donated by Michael Garda (Michal Goldwasser). He grew up in Krakow and married Irena (Irene) Garda (nee Sternreich). He shared the fate of thousands of other Jews who were incarcerated in the Krakow Ghetto, which was established on 20 March 1941. The ghetto became the site for separating the ‘able workers’ from those deemed ‘unworthy of life.’ It was liquidated between June 1942 and March 1943, with most of its remaining inhabitants sent to Belzéc, Plaszów and Auschwitz. Michael was one of the ‘lucky’ ones. He was deported to Plaszów as part of the first wave of deportations. He remained there for almost two years. He was deported from Plaszów to KL Mauthausen, arriving on 10 August 1944.
Upon arrival he became prisoner: MG: 86587. KL Mauthausen and its nearly 100 sub-camps served a dual function: Political: used for the imprisonment and murder of the Nazis’ political and ideological enemies and Economic: providing slave labour to many companies for production and profit. Inmates were forced to work in quarries, munition factories, arms factories and plants assembling aircraft. Michael spent five back-breaking months labouring in the quarries. He retained small stones as proof of the cruelty of the Nazi guards, “The guards would throw stones in our soup saying this would thicken it up if we complained about it being watery”.
He was transferred from Mauthausen to one of its sub-camps Gusen 1, on 4 January 1945. Assigned to barrack 7. At Gusen, he worked as a locksmith, in the Steyr Werke factory that produced aircraft parts. Whilst working at the Steyr Werke factory, he surreptitiously fashioned a small pen knife/pocket- knife or razor knife, from scrap materials or ‘organised’—stolen or obtained— on the black market. A couple of his fellow slave labourers, most likely— as expressions of appreciation for help he must have given— followed the same methods, to fashion identification bracelets for him. By April 1945, in the face of Allied successes, Nazi authority in the camp began to collapse. SS guards were leaving the camp in droves. Prisoners gradually began to realise that they were free. The United States 11th Armoured Division arrived at the camp on 5 May 1945.
Production date 1938 - 1945
Subjectconcentration camps, stigma, badges
Object nameidentification numbers
Materialfibres (fabrics)
Dimensions
- material width: 115.00 mm
material height: 100.00 mm
tag width: 52.00 mm
tag height: 21.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Michael Garda