LEOKADIA FAC

On 9 August 1947 in Bydgoszcz, the investigative judge of the District Court in Bydgoszcz with its seat in Bydgoszcz, in the person of Judge K. Dobrzański, with the participation of reporter Maria Kempińska, interviewed the person specified below as an unsworn witness. Having been advised of the criminal liability for making false declarations, the witness testified as follows:


Name and surname Leokadia Fac
Age 46
Parents’ names Mikołaj and Teresa
Place of residence Bydgoszcz, Śląska Street 16, flat 5
Occupation employee of the Municipal Board in Bydgoszcz
Criminal record none
Relation to the parties none

The witness testified: I was detained in the Ravensbrück concentration camp from 12 June 1940 until May 1945. From the very beginning of my detention, Maria Mandl held the position of overseer of the bunker, in which prisoners suffered beatings. At the end of 1941 or the beginning of 1942, Mandl succeeded a German woman, Langefeld, as Oberaufseherin [senior overseer]. In this capacity, Mandl ordered roll call three times a day and performed other guard duties, often tormenting prisoners for no apparent reason. I recall many instances when she repeatedly kicked or struck prisoners in the face until they bled – using her hand or keys that she was holding.

Personally, I got beaten up by her several times during roll calls. I would like to add that the suspect’s cruelty pertained especially to the Poles, although she did beat up German women as well. As I recall, Mandl also beat up my sister, Marta Baranowska (residing in Bydgoszcz, Cieszkowskiego Street 4). Much about Mandl’s criminal activities is known to the following people:
1. Leontyna Majerowicz, residing in Bydgoszcz, Cieszkowskiego Street 4. 2. Małgorzata Dawidowska, now Meger, residing in Bydgoszcz, Dworcowa Street 6. 3. Kamila Kanicka, residing in Bydgoszcz, Paderewskiego Street.

Around the camp, Mandl had a reputation for being a particularly cruel overseer. She held the position of Oberaufseherin and behaved in the manner described above from 1941 to 1943, with small breaks.

I have no other information.

The report was read out before signing.