Here's why:
* Exhaustion and Starvation: The men were already severely weakened from years of deprivation in the concentration camps. The forced march, often in freezing conditions, pushed them to the brink of exhaustion and starvation. Many collapsed and died along the way.
* Disease: The crowded and unsanitary conditions of the march, combined with malnutrition, made them highly susceptible to diseases like typhus. This further contributed to the death toll.
* Lack of Medical Care: There was no access to proper medical care during the march, leaving those who were sick or injured with little hope of survival.
* Abandonment: The Nazis were ruthless in their treatment of the prisoners, often leaving the dying and the dead behind to be picked up by the next group of prisoners.
* Uncertain Final Destination: The men did not know their final destination, adding to the uncertainty and fear of their fate.
While it's impossible to know the exact fate of every individual, it's safe to say that the vast majority of those forced to run on the death march did not survive. The experience serves as a chilling reminder of the brutality of the Holocaust and the horrific treatment of those who were targeted by the Nazi regime.