Roll Call - Berlin
Appell Yard was used for twice-daily roll calls, hangings and public punishments. The prisoners were made to wait until all were accounted for and usually lasted 3 hours, but sometimes 12 or even 16 hours of standing to attention in both summer and winter.
1940, Camp Commander Rudolf Höß forced over 800 to stand still for the whole day in sub-zero temperatures. 140 prisoners collapsed and died. 4 months later Höß subsequently was promoted to be in charge of Auschwitz.