Editing August Becker (section)

=== Carrying out the first killings ===
For
<nowiki> </nowiki>the first gassing the maintenance personnel led about 18 - 20 persons 
into the disguised gas chamber. These men had had to undress in an 
antechamber (''Vorraum''), so that they were completely naked. The 
door was locked behind them. According to Becker, the victims went 
calmly into the area and showed no signs of agitation. As Widmann let in
<nowiki> </nowiki>the gas<sup>[5]</sup>
 Becker watched through the observation port. After about one minute,
the victims fell down and lay on top of one another. Becker said he saw 
no scenes or tumult. After a further five minutes the area was aired 
out. At this point, using specially designed stretchers, SS personnel 
cleared the bodies out of the area and took them to the incinerators.<sup>[4]</sup>

Becker's boss, Victor Brack, and his office had designed the 
stretchers and the incinerator equipment, which was intended to allow 
mechanical feeding of the corpses into the furnace. Brack was present at
<nowiki> </nowiki>this first gassing to observe his system in operation. According to 
Becker, afterwards Brack appeared satisfied, and made some remarks, 
saying that "this action should be accomplished only by the physicians" 
and recited the saying that "the syringe belonged into the hand of the 
physician." Subsequently, professor Dr. Brandt spoke and stressed 
likewise that only physicians would carry out these gassings.<sup>[4]</sup>
 At the same time, Widmann informed the institute physician Dr. Eberl
and Dr. Baumhart, who later took over extermination efforts at Grafeneck
<nowiki> </nowiki>and at Hadamar. The second gassing trial and later extermination 
measures were accomplished thereafter by Dr. Eberl alone and on his own 
authority.<sup>[4]</sup>