S4 E20 Ilse Koch: The Witch of Buchenwald

In this episode of The Dark History Podcast, we examine the life and crimes of Ilse Koch — the woman whose name became synonymous with cruelty inside Buchenwald concentration camp. You’ll hear a first-person composite account based on survivor testimony, followed by a detailed investigation into Koch’s early life, her rise within the Nazi regime, and the brutality she inflicted on prisoners.

We look closely at the allegations that made her infamous: the selection of tattooed prisoners, the killings connected to the pathology block, and the accusations surrounding objects said to be made from human skin. We also break down the legal battles that followed the war, including her convictions, sentence reduction, re-arrest, and her final years in prison.

This episode avoids sensationalism. Instead, it places Koch within the wider structure of Nazi authority and explores how ordinary people can become active participants in atrocity. It is a difficult story, but understanding it is essential when studying the mechanics of genocide and the consequences of unchecked power.

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Step into the shadows of the past—where truth is more disturbing than fiction. The Dark History Podcast drags the forgotten, the forbidden, and the downright horrifying stories of our world into the light. From blood-soaked streets of Victorian London to the twisted minds of history’s most ruthless figures, every episode plunges you into an immersive narrative built on meticulous research and haunting detail.

Hosted by Rob Bradley, Dark History doesn’t just tell stories—it makes you feel them. Each episode unravels real events that shaped our world in ways you were never taught, told through vivid storytelling that grips you from the first word to the last breath.

History isn’t always written by the victors. Sometimes, it’s whispered from the gallows, buried beneath ruins, or etched in blood.

If you crave the truth behind the horror, and the stories history tried to forget—welcome to The Dark History Podcast.

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