German passport with Kommandant stamp - 1935

[huddyhuddy]

Hi,

Thought of sharing this very interesting Reisepass from 1934: the holder, Jewish, was placed into the Esterwegen camp for 4 months in 1935, and just before his release, the front page of the original old 1934 passport was changed with a 'new' one, dated November 1935, and his 'new' photo afixed onto it and stamped by the camp itself, with some officials signature at the bottom signing it on his (inmates) behalf. I can not make out the rubber stamp: Kriminal-S ?

Very unique passport, one would think they would issue him a new one!

Neil

[Sir Payne]

very interesting item, thanks for showing

[huddyhuddy]

Welcome.
First time for me. Odd indeed.

[CARL]

A fine, unusual document, thank you for sharing it with us all.

KL-Esterwegen:

The site was one of the early "wild camps", so called due to their lack of intricate organistation when compared to the Konzentrationslagers that followed later. During its existence, which lasted for three years beginning in the summer of 1933, it was, at one time, second in size only to KL-Dachau. Nobel prize winner Carl von Ossietzky was a notable prisoner. Many prisoners referred to the camp as "Hölle am Waldesrand" ("the hell on the edge of the forest"), due to the poor conditions and harsh treatment by the staff. The site was surrounded by a 2.5m whitewashed wall. Later, it was utilised as a prison camp.

Regards,

Carl

[huddyhuddy]

Thanks for the info Carl.
Very interesting.

[CARL]

Thanks for the info Carl.
Very interesting.

Most welcome. I have more notes regarding the camp somewhere, if I remember next time I have that particular file to hand, I'll add to the thread.

[huddyhuddy]

If I am not wrong he was a communist activist...

[HPL2008]

I can not make out the rubber stamp: Kriminal-S ?

Very likely Kriminal-Sekr. for Kriminal-Sekretär. (The stamp did not fully transfer.)

[huddyhuddy]

Tnx.
What would this individuals 'job' be if he was stationed in Esterwegen camp? Gestapo?
Anyway to identify the signature of the Kriminal-Sekretär?

[huddyhuddy]

Could the signature be of Rudolf Diels? anyway to compare it to a known sample?
Tnx