35 Facts About Amon Goeth

Early Life and Rise in the Nazi Party

Amon Göth's journey into infamy began with his early life and rise within the Nazi Party. Here are some key facts about his beginnings:

1. Amon Göth was born on December 11, 1908, in Vienna, Austria. His family was prosperous, involved in publishing, and his name was inspired by the Egyptian god of fertility.

2. In 1931, Göth joined the Austrian Nazi Party. He had previously been active in the party’s youth chapter, marking the start of his deep involvement with Nazi ideology.

3. Göth became a member of the SS in 1932. The SS was the elite paramilitary corps of the Nazi movement, and his membership marked a significant escalation in his commitment to the regime.

4. He engaged in illegal SS activities in Austria, which forced him to flee to Germany. This period was marked by clandestine operations that further entrenched his Nazi beliefs.

5. After the Anschluss in 1938, Göth returned to Vienna. He remarried and stayed in Vienna through World War II, continuing his rise within the Nazi ranks.

Commandant of Plaszow and Brutality

Göth's most notorious period was as the commandant of the Plaszow concentration camp. His actions there were marked by extreme cruelty and corruption.

6. In February 1943, Göth was appointed commandant of the Plaszow concentration camp in Krakow, Poland. This role marked the beginning of his brutal tenure.

7. Göth was involved in the violent closures of several ghettos, including the Kraków ghetto in March 1943, the Tarnów ghetto, and the Szebnie concentration camp in September 1943.

8. He was known for his cruelty and corruption. Göth often took target practice on prisoners from the balcony of his villa and executed his Jewish dog handler because the dogs preferred the handler’s company.

9. Göth sold rations intended for prisoners on the black market. This practice further exacerbated the suffering of the inmates under his command.

10. Oskar Schindler’s enamelware factory was moved adjacent to the Plaszow camp. Schindler bribed Göth to secure better treatment for his workers, highlighting Göth’s corrupt nature.

Personal Life and Relationships

Göth's personal life was as tumultuous and scandalous as his professional one. His relationships and actions outside the camp further illustrate his character.

11. Göth was married twice. His first marriage was arranged by his parents, and he had three children with his second wife, Anna Geiger, though their first-born son died young.

12. He had an affair with Ruth Irene Kalder, Oskar Schindler’s secretary, and fathered an illegitimate child with her, adding to his personal scandals.

13. In September 1944, Göth was arrested for brutality and corruption. He was diagnosed with diabetes and sent to an SS sanitarium in Bad Tölz, Germany.

14. Göth was arrested by U.S. troops in early 1945. He was held in Breslau (Wrocław) until October and then sent to Bad Tölz, where he was arrested again.

15. Göth’s trial began on August 27, 1946. He was sentenced to death by hanging on September 5, 1946, and executed on September 13, 1946, in Montelupich prison in Krakow.

Crimes and Atrocities

Göth's actions during his time as commandant were marked by extreme violence and inhumanity. His crimes left a lasting impact on the survivors and history.

16. Göth is estimated to be directly responsible for the deaths of about 500 people. Additionally, 5,000 to 8,000 people died in the Plaszow camp, and several thousand more died on his orders during ghetto liquidations and deportations.

17. His execution faced complications. The first two attempts at hanging him failed due to incorrectly calculated rope lengths, but the third attempt was successful.

18. Göth’s crimes were highlighted in Steven Spielberg’s film "Schindler’s List." Ralph Fiennes portrayed him, bringing his brutal nature to a wider audience.

19. Josef Levkovich, a Holocaust survivor, captured Göth after the war. Levkovich described Göth as a beast who killed for fun and was responsible for countless deaths.

20. Göth often started his day by shooting prisoners from his villa’s balcony. He used aggressive dogs trained to kill prisoners on command, further showcasing his brutality.

Legacy and Remembrance

Göth's legacy is one of horror and brutality. His actions during the Holocaust are remembered through various mediums and survivor accounts.

21. Göth’s villa in Plaszow was known for orgies and parties. These events confirmed his status as an alcoholic and a sexual deviant.

22. He executed prisoners without justification. One incident involved forcing a prisoner to eat his own excrement before shooting him.

23. Göth believed in collective punishment. If one person in a group committed an infringement, the entire group would be punished, leading to widespread suffering.

24. Hujowa Gorka was a site of mass killings ordered by Göth. It is estimated that 12,000 people were executed there.

25. Göth was accused of stealing Jewish property. This property was supposed to belong to the state and the Nazis, highlighting his corrupt activities.

26. The Plaszow camp was known for its poor conditions. Prisoners were not given adequate food, and Göth violated rules regarding prisoner punishment.

27. Göth was deemed mentally ill and sent to a mental institution in Bavaria. However, this diagnosis did not mitigate his crimes, and he was eventually arrested by U.S. troops.

28. Josef Levkovich captured Göth after the war. Levkovich had been subjected to forced labor and witnessed Göth’s brutal treatment of prisoners.

29. Levkovich became a Nazi hunter after surviving the concentration camps. He helped find hidden Jewish children in Europe and contributed to the arrest and conviction of many Nazi criminals.

30. Göth was placed in an isolated cell after being recognized by Levkovich. Levkovich recalled being reprimanded for beating Göth but felt justified given Göth’s actions.

31. Levkovich continued his efforts to bring Nazi criminals to justice. He helped rescue 600 Jewish orphans hiding with Polish families and in monasteries, finding them refuge in Israel.

32. Göth’s crimes are remembered through films like "Schindler’s List." His execution serves as a reminder of the consequences of such heinous actions during the Holocaust.

33. Göth’s actions epitomized the worst of human nature. His rise through the Nazi ranks, brutal treatment of prisoners, and eventual execution highlight the atrocities committed during World War II.

34. The detailed account of Göth’s life provides a chilling glimpse into the darkest period of human history. His legacy is one of horror and brutality, remembered through survivor accounts and historical records.

35. Göth’s execution was a significant moment in post-war justice. It marked the end of a man whose actions left a lasting impact on history and the survivors of the Holocaust.

Amon Goeth's Dark Legacy

Amon Goeth's life is a chilling reminder of the depths of human cruelty. Born into a prosperous family, he chose a path of brutality and corruption, rising through the Nazi ranks to become the commandant of the Plaszow concentration camp. His actions led to the deaths of thousands, earning him the nickname "Hitler's Butcher." Goeth's story is not just about his heinous crimes but also about the resilience of those who survived his reign of terror. His eventual capture, trial, and execution serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of such atrocities. The portrayal of Goeth in "Schindler's List" and survivor accounts ensure that his dark legacy is remembered, highlighting the importance of remembering history to prevent such horrors from happening again.