Concentration Camp Ausweis Capo Pass?

[Justin Holmes]

Hi,
Does anyone know what this is? Obtained from a dealer as a concentration camp related item. It is 68mm by 50mm and was enclosed in lucite by someone long ago.

The web translation comes out to "owner is on the road". Is that close? What is a hallen-capo? I assume that is a type of capo?

Thanks in advance!

Justin

[Wilhelm]

It means he is traveling "in the service". Hallen, hall, same word. Capo of some hall? Looks overly simple to me. But I know Jack about KZ stuff.

[Sonderkommando]

I'd say it's total rubbish since it's typed on modern lined paper, and since it's a mixture of german and italian words. (capo = boss in italian, kapo = overseer in german).
Is that a date of 2004 on the top right?

[carltiger]

I've just taken a look at the research notes I made some time ago, related to this term (Capo/Kapo), as it is is one of interest and continues to be debated.

It would be incorrect to state that "CAPO" was not used within the KZ system - both the Ravensbrück and Dachau permanent exhibitions display insignia examples with the spelling "CAPO", not "KAPO".

There have been mixed opinions on the actual origin of the use of the term for a Funktionshäftling (Prisoner Functionary) who held the role of Capo/Kapo within a concentration camp - some believe that it derives from an abbreviation of the word Kameradschaftpolizei (Comrade Police Force) yet other views claim that it is of Italian origin - meaning "Boss"/"Head". The French word for Corporal ("Caporal") has also been claimed to be the origin as has the German Lagercapo - "Camp Captain".

Carl

[FrenchVolunteer]

Hi,

did you check the paper under UV light ?

See You

Vince

[Justin Holmes]

Yes, it's stone dead under a UV light.

Thanks for the responses