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How an Auschwitz Prisoner Saved the Lives of Twins Targeted for Nazi Medical Experiments

BBG News

60 years after the release of Auschwitz, the largest death camp under Nazi Germany, a fresh documentary airing on June 6 highlights a 29-year-old prisoner who nurtured young twins enduring Nazi medical tests—offering them optimism in an apparently bleak circumstance.

Beginning on June 6, Liev Schrieber narrates the screening of The Last Twins at the Quad Cinema in Manhattan. This documentary, significant in World War II history, coincides with the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in the Allied forces’ journey towards victory.

The documentary showcases individuals who extol the virtues of their guardian angel, Erno “Zvi” Spiegel – a Hungarian Jewish prisoner tasked with caring for them during the difficult times. Today, his daughter, Judith Richter, shares insights from her father’s brave deeds in the movie, emphasizing the enduring lessons they hold.

Let me share some insights regarding the medical tests conducted on twins at Auschwitz, as well as the narrative of “The Last Twins” that focuses on Zvi’s life experiences.

Why did Auschwitz conduct experiments on twins?

Known as the “angel of death,” Josef Mengele was infamously referred to as one of the most cruel Nazi doctors by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. His chilling title stemmed from his macabre interest in conducting gruesome medical experiments on victims, particularly twins who were brought to Auschwitz concentration camp. Among these victims was a twin named Spiegel, who was tragically separated from his sister Magda upon arrival at the camp. Under Mengele’s orders, Spiegel cared for a group of male twins and led them to Mengele’s office for these horrific experiments.

It’s not entirely clear what specific medical tests were carried out on these boys during that time. As David Marwell, author of Mengele: Unmasking the Angel of Death, points out, there isn’t much information about the procedures involved. This is because most of the boys who underwent these experiments didn’t survive to share their experiences. The twins featured in The Last Twins are among the rare few left. Many of the twins subjected to these experiments did not live long enough to speak about it.

The twin prisoners at Auschwitz were not given any choice, and the experiments were not conducted under standard scientific research practices. In cases where a twin died during an experiment, Mengele ordered the surviving twin to be killed so their bodies could be examined and compared. Twins might have been spared from the gas chamber, but many who survived the experiments ended up severely injured for life.

One survivor, Ephraim Reichenberg, recounts in the film how he and his brother endured injections in their necks. Their voices were of interest to the Nazis, with experiments conducted on their necks. Tragically, Ephraim’s brother passed away a year after the war in great pain, while Ephraim himself had his throat and esophagus removed in 1967. In the documentary, he speaks through an amplifier. Spiegel, as he tells it, cared for all the young children, taught them, and watched over them.

How Spiegel helped the twins

Despite being unable to halt the experiments, Spiegel took every effort to ensure the boys’ survival. In an environment where prisoners were identified by numbers etched onto their arms, he encouraged them to address each other using their genuine names. If a boy discovered any food, he would make sure the rest of his companions also got a share, ensuring everyone had something to eat. He even imparted knowledge about math, history, and geography within the barracks. As Tom Simon, a survivor, recalls, “He was like a father figure to us. We didn’t have fathers there.

The documentary includes a man who was secretly brought in as a twin by Spiegel to protect them both. Gyorgy Kun explains that he and his brother were led to twin medical experiments, despite not being actual twins themselves. Rather than dismissing them, Spiegel altered the birthdates of the Kun brothers on documents, making it appear as if they were born on the same day. This deception allowed them to avoid being sent to the gas chambers.

Mengele, the infamous Nazi doctor, escaped justice for his atrocities and spent his life in constant dread of being brought to account. According to Marwell, there’s no clear indication that he ever showed any regret for his actions.

As a devoted cinephile reflecting on history, I can’t help but recall the chilling tale of a man who vanished from the public eye only to reemerge years later. Following the conclusion of the global conflict, this enigmatic figure, known as Mengele, chose Brazil as his new sanctuary. It was TIME Magazine that bestowed upon him the title, “the most despised individual on Earth,” in a 1985 obituary. A testament to the profound impact he left on humanity, even in death.

Following the liberation of Auschwitz, Spiegel relocated to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, where his twin sister Magda, who also survived the concentration camp, resided. He wed, had a child, and emigrated to Israel in 1949. In 1981, LIFE magazine spotlighted him in an article about Mengele, which prompted surviving twins to connect with him. He was always receptive to their calls. He passed away in 1993 at the age of 78.

Richter shares that her father often reminded his children: “Nazis might seize your family, home, possessions, but they can never steal what you’ve learned and the wisdom you’ve gained.” This belief spurred her to delve into academia, establishing an educational program for youngsters in essential medical skills. Today, she serves as a co-founder and energetic chairperson of Medinol, a company specializing in ethical medical devices. This stands in stark opposition to the unethical treatments witnessed by her father at Auschwitz.

She expresses her hope that the viewers will find inspiration to assist others and take action, stating that “one individual truly makes a difference.” By sharing her father’s tale, she aims to instill courage in people during difficult times. She further clarifies that this movie isn’t merely about the Holocaust; it is a universal narrative that showcases the human spirit overcoming adversity. It is a story of resilience, not just about enduring, but also safeguarding others.

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2025-06-06 15:07

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