Command of Haidari Concentration Camp
On November 28, 1943, Radomski was appointed commandant of Haidari concentration camp, near Athens, Greece. The previous German commandant, sergeant Rudi Trepte, and his two Greek interpreters had been arrested by the Gestapo, for reasons as yet unknown.
Under Radomski, the camp inmates were put to labour in two four-hour shifts each day except Sundays. The inmates were divided into groups of 100 men, with a hecatontarch in charge of each. However, the labour was not intended for any productive purposes, but merely to break the prisoners' morale: they were made to dig holes and then refill them, build walls and then break them down.
The first execution in the camp was carried out on 7 December, when Radomski personally executed a Greek Jewish man named Levi in front of the prisoners because he "attempted to escape during his arrest". This execution was to serve not only as a warning to the others, but, according to post-war psychological research, to "put the inmates in constant fear of their lives". In total, in the camp's one year of operations, about 1,800 people were executed, while another 300 died as a result of torture either at Haidari or in the Gestapo headquarters at Merlin street in central Athens. These numbers included 30 women, 104 invalids, and 230 students.
Radomski was relieved of his post in February 1944, after he threatened to shoot his own adjutant while drunk, and was replaced by Lieutenant Karl Fischer.
After the war track of Radomski was lost.
Read more about this topic: Paul Otto Radomski
Famous quotes containing the words command of, command and/or camp:
“How did you get in the Navy? How did you get on our side? Ah, you ignorant, arrogant, ambitiouskeeping sixty two men in prison cause you got a palm tree for the work they did. I dont know which I hate worse, you or that malignant growth that stands outside your door. How did you ever get command of a ship? I realize in wartime they have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. But whered they ever scrape you up?”
—Frank S. Nugent (19081965)
“An actor must communicate his authors given messagecomedy, tragedy, serio- comedy; then comes his unique moment, as he is confronted by the looked-for, yet at times unexpected, reaction of the audience. This split second is his; he is in command of his medium; the effect vanishes into thin air; but that moment has a power all its own and, like power in any form, is stimulating and alluring.”
—Eleanor Robson Belmont (18781979)
“All of us recognize the great benefits to our own nation and to the world of a strong and progressive Iran. Your support of the Camp David accords and your encouragement of the leaders who are or may be involved in consummating the peace effort would be very valuable.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)