On 16 December 1942 Reichsführer SS (Reich SS-Leader) Heinrich Himmler ordered the deportation of the »Gypsies« still living on former Austrian territory to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Although certain so-called »Gypsies of mixed race« and those married to non-Gypsies were to be exempted, under pressure from the local authorities as many persons as possible were deported after all. Individual »Gypsies of mixed race« serving in the army were ordered back from front-line duty and deported as well. From early April 1943, around 2900 Austrian »Gypsies« were taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they had to stay in a specially circumscribed area, the so-called »Gypsy family camp.« Until the end of 1943, 70 % of the prisoners of the »Gypsy camp« perished. In late July 1944, all inmates fit for work were transferred to other concentration camps. On the night to 3 August, all prisoners still living in the »Gypsy camp« were murdered in the gas chambers.

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Directive of the criminal police in Vienna to regional authorities concerning the selection of »Gypsies« for deportation to the Auschwitz death camp, 11 March 1943.