Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Auschwitz-Birkenau is the site of the largest mass murder in human history, but beneath the ruins lie stories of incredible resistance and deep mystery. In this documentary, we investigate the "Auschwitz Sketchbook"—clandestine drawings hidden in a bottle that reveal the inner workings of the gas chambers. We follow the footsteps of Witold Pilecki, the Polish officer who spent 947 days inside the camp to report the truth to the world, and explore the dark irony of Commandant Rudolf Hoss’s family life just feet away from the chimneys.
0:00 - The Mystery of the Sketchbook
15:17 - The Death Factory
25:42 - Rudolf Höss: The Commandant
42:35 - Witold Pilecki: The Voluntary Prisoner
War Stories is your one-stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: bit.ly/4pyExyn
You can find more from us on:
facebook.com/WarStoriesDocs
This channel is part of the History Hit Network. For any queries, please contact owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com.
#warstories #documentary #military
Auschwitz-Birkenau is the site of the largest mass murder in human history, but beneath the ruins lie stories of incredible resistance and deep mystery. In this documentary, we investigate the "Auschwitz Sketchbook"—clandestine drawings hidden in a bottle that reveal the inner workings of the gas chambers. We follow the footsteps of Witold Pilecki, the Polish officer who spent 947 days inside the camp to report the truth to the world, and explore the dark irony of Commandant Rudolf Hoss’s family life just feet away from the chimneys.
0:00 - The Mystery of the Sketchbook
15:17 - The Death Factory
25:42 - Rudolf Höss: The Commandant
42:35 - Witold Pilecki: The Voluntary Prisoner
War Stories is your one-stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: bit.ly/4pyExyn
You can find more from us on:
facebook.com/WarStoriesDocs
This channel is part of the History Hit Network. For any queries, please contact owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com.
#warstories #documentary #military
