Philipp Schmitt: The Notorious Commandant of Fort Breendonk
A Ruthless Legacy in Nazi-Occupied Belgium
Philipp Schmitt is infamous for his brutal reign as the commandant of Fort Breendonk, a notorious Nazi prison camp in German-occupied Belgium during World War II. His merciless attitude towards prisoners earned him a notorious reputation, and his name is still shuddered by those who lived through the horrors of the camp.
Early Life and Career
Born on November 20, 1902, in Bad Kissingen, Bavaria, Schmitt's journey into the darkness of Nazism began early. After World War I, he enlisted in a Bavarian Freikorps and later became a member of the Bund Oberland. He joined the NSDAP in 1925, but his membership lapsed in 1926. However, he renewed his party membership in September 1930 and joined the Schutzstaffel (SS) in March 1932.
Rise to Power and Atrocities
Schmitt's promotion to SS-Untersturmführer in September 1935 and to SS-Obersturmführer in September 1936 marked his rapid ascent in the Nazi hierarchy. In 1936, he was transferred to the SD (Sicherheitsdienst), the intelligence agency of the SS. Before the start of World War II, Schmitt was posted to Wiesbaden, where he oversaw order during the road works of the Organisation Todt.
Fort Breendonk and Mechelen Transit Camp
In August 1940, Schmitt was posted to Brussels as a SS-Sturmbannführer with the SD, where he established and commanded the prison camp in Fort Breendonk. His reign of terror lasted until November 1943, during which time he was known for his brutal treatment of prisoners, including the infamous use of his Alsatian dog, Lump, to attack inmates. Additionally, in July 1942, Schmitt was made commandant of the SS-Sammellager Mecheln, a detention and deportation camp established in the Dossin barracks at Mechelen. From this camp, over 25,000 people, mainly Jews, were deported to Auschwitz.
Corruption, Dismissal, and Execution
Schmitt's corruption and black marketeering eventually led to his dismissal from the Mechelen transit camp in November 1943. He later served in occupied Denmark and the Netherlands, but his atrocities finally caught up with him. After the war, Schmitt was convicted of war crimes and executed on August 8, 1950, becoming the last person executed in Belgium.
A Legacy of Horror
Philipp Schmitt's name is forever etched in the annals of history as a symbol of the brutality and horrors of the Nazi regime. His actions at Fort Breendonk and Mechelen transit camp serve as a grim reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II, and his fate serves as a warning to those who would perpetuate such evil.
FAQ
What was Philipp Schmitts role in the Schutzstaffel (SS)?
Philipp Schmitt was an officer in the Schutzstaffel (SS), one of the most powerful and feared organizations in Nazi Germany.
What was Philipp Schmitts most notable achievement or action?
Philipp Schmitts most notable action was his involvement in the Nazi regimes atrocities during World War II, including the persecution and murder of Jews and other minority groups.
What was Philipp Schmitts role in the Nazi regime?
Philipp Schmitt held various positions within the SS, including roles in the Gestapo and the Waffen-SS. He was responsible for implementing Nazi policies and carrying out orders from senior officials.
Did Philipp Schmitt face any consequences for his actions?
After the war, Philipp Schmitt was arrested and tried for war crimes, facing punishment for his involvement in the Nazi regimes atrocities.
What is Philipp Schmitts legacy in history?
Philipp Schmitt is remembered as a key figure in the Nazi regimes machinery of terror and oppression, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremism and hatred.
