Natzweiler
The labour camp Natzweiler-Struthof was set up in the spring of 1941 in Eastern France, and was the only Nazi-built and -run concentration camp on French soil (though there were other transit camps like Drancy). Prisoners here endured hard labour in the nearby quarries, and although it was not intended as a death camp, thousands died from illness, abuse and malnourishment. There was also a high number of formal executions of resistance fighters. Many French and Belgian Nacht und Nebel (Night and Fog) members were sent here; in addition, extensive medical experiments were performed in the camp, particularly on Jews and Roma and Sinti prisoners.
Little is known about music here. We do know, however, that there was a band, acquired through an unusual quirk. When the music-loving camp commander of Dachau, Egon Zill, was transferred to Natzweiler, he was concerned at the idea of leaving his orchestra behind; he thus had the members of one of the Dachau bands, along with their instruments, transported here.
Sources
Fackler, G., 2000. "Des Lagers Stimme"– Musik im KZ. Alltag und Häftlingskultur in den Konzentrationslagern 1933 bis 1936, Bremen: Temmen.
