Amon Goeth - Dismissal and Capture

Dismissal and Capture

On 13 September 1944 Goeth was relieved of his position as Commandant of Płaszów and was assigned to the SS-Wirtschafts-Verwaltungshauptamt (German for administration office or administration service). Around November 1944 in Vienna, Goeth was charged with theft of Jewish property (which, according to Nazi legislation, belonged to the state), and was arrested by the Gestapo. He was scheduled for an appearance before SS judge Georg Konrad Morgen, but due to the progress of World War II and Germany's looming defeat, a court martial was never assembled and the charges against him were summarily dismissed.

He was next assigned to Bad Tölz, Germany, where he was quickly diagnosed by SS doctors as suffering from mental illness and diabetes. He was committed to a mental institution. He remained there until he was arrested by the United States military in May 1945. At the time of his arrest, Goeth claimed to have been recently promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer and, during later interrogations, several documents listed him as "SS-Major Göth". Rudolf Höss was also of the opinion that Goeth had been promoted and, when called to give testimony at Goeth's trial, indicated that Goeth was an SS-Major in the Concentration Camp service.

Goeth's service record, however, does not support the claim of a late war promotion and he is listed in most texts as having held the rank of only SS-Hauptsturmführer, equivalent to Captain.