The whipping rack used at Dachau Concetration Camp's shower room, often used by the more sadistic of the Allgemeine SS Guards there as a form of punishment. 'Punishment' is a loose term in such a place. Twenty lashes with the rod seen mounted could be given for such a minor thing as stumbling out of line or missing a button. In line with the efficency of administrativness of the Nazi regime, a prisoner would not be punished on the spot, a form would be filled out in regards to the 'offense' and be sent to Himmler's office in Berlin, approved and sent back, which could take several weeks. This may sound odd, but its purpose is readily apparent to those who understand the SS way of thinking.
By causing a wait between offense and punishment, you cause the prisoner incredible mental stress dreading the when and how he will be punished in the coming weeks. The abuse itself was often announced and doled out at morning roll call.
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