The Notorious SS Officer Martin Sommer: His Brutality and Torture at Buchenwald

Throughout the Holocaust, a series of heinous crimes and acts of barbarism were committed by various Nazi officers. Among the most notorious was SS Hauptscharführer Martin Sommer, a deeply depraved and sadistic figure who left an indelible mark on the dark history of the Buchenwald concentration camp. This article delves into Sommer's violent actions, the charges brought against him, and his eventual fate.

The Nature of Sommer's Brutality

SS Hauptscharführer Martin Sommer was known for his extreme cruelty and the torture he inflicted on prisoners. His actions were so brutal that they even surpassed the standards of the Nazi regime. Sommer was one of the most feared and notorious SS officers, known for his sadistic tendencies and his role in the persecution of prisoners.

Investigation and Trials at Buchenwald

During the period of 1943, Heinrich Himmler appointed SS Judge Georg Konrad Morgen to investigate the corruption at the Buchenwald concentration camp. Morgen's investigations revealed the horrific acts committed by Sommer and other SS officials. Sommer was among those indicted and tried by Morgen.

The Trial of Martin Sommer

After his indictment, Sommer faced a trial where he was accused of excessive brutality and sadism. He was found to have a secret compartment under his desk, where he kept his personal instruments of torture. These included needles that he used to kill victims after torturing them. He would inject a lethal dose of carbolic acid or cause embolism by injecting air into their veins. Sommer was also known to hide the bodies of his victims under his bed and dispose of them in the morning. His brutality was so extreme that he was responsible for the deaths of several prominent figures, including Father Otto Neururer and Father Mathias Spannlang, who were reportedly crucified upside down.

Other Acts of Brutality

Aside from the torture and murder of prisoners, Sommer's brutal actions included inhuman practices such as beating a German pastor, hanging him naked outside during winter, and then dousing him with water until he froze to death. He also had a hand in the death of a Catholic priest who performed the Sacrament of Penance for an inmate.

Post-War and Aftermath

By the spring of 1943, Sommer was transferred to a combat division to serve in the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. However, as the war progressed, he was recalled and arrested. He was charged with embezzlement and committing unauthorized murders. Sommer initially denied his guilt but later admitted to secretly killing 40 to 50 prisoners.

The court was unable to allow him to testify about other murders that were committed on orders from his superiors. It has been noted that Sommer was only charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Whether he was actually convicted is not conclusively known, but he was sentenced to probation on the front lines. On April 8, 1945, Sommer was critically injured in an American bombing raid, an event that would leave his post-War fate uncertain.

Conclusion

SS Hauptscharführer Martin Sommer stands as a testament to the inhumanity of the Nazi regime. His acts of brutality, torture, and murder left a deep scar on the legacy of Buchenwald and other concentration camps. His story serves as a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust and the ongoing importance of upholding human rights and dignity.

Related Keywords

SS Hauptscharführer, Buchenwald, Martin Sommer