EXCERPT FROM THE LONG NIGHT
Fünfteichen
Ernst was transferred to a commando that was responsible for cleaning the halls. Fortunately, the Kapo of the cleaning commando was Abram Hellmann, a twenty year old, distant cousin with a thorough camp education.
“He had already learned to behave like other Kapos, oppressing the weak ones with unpleasant duties. When he could, he would favour the stronger ones, giving them lighter duties and allowing them breaks so they could keep warm. He was a total arse- licker to all his superiors. He had quickly and certainly grasped the essentials of how to survive in such a “community”, and after working for a short period as assistant to a Kapo he was promoted to a full Kapo in his own right.”
SS barracks and the Fünfteichen camp HQ [www.miloszyce.republika.pl]
