A Capo (or Kapo) was a prisoner trusted by the SS and given various duties and privileges. At many camps Capos were in charge of the distribution of food in a block (at the the camp) and had the right to whip prisoners for minor breaches of discipline.
One of the more revolting features of the Holocaust was that the victims, viewed collectively, were forced to collaborate with their own destruction.
A few Capos seem to have collaborated quite happily(!), and some were tried and convicted of various crimes after the war. A few were hanged.
AnswerA concentration camp prisoner who took charge of other prisoners for the Nazis in order to gain personal power or advantage from his or her captors.
AnswerKapos were the inmate trustees who carried out the instructions of the
camp commandants and concentration camp guards.
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Kapo is actually derived from the French word for 'corporal' (Caporal) or the Italian word 'Capo'. In German it means 'foreman'.
A Polish kapo was a kapo (overseer of the prisoners in concentration camps) that was Polish.
A gypsy Kapo.
Elie Wiesel had seen Kapo Idek having sex with a female Polish prisoner. This was, of course, against the rules and Idek wanted to terrify Elie so that he would keep quiet about it.
Kapos were appointed as and when the SS thought they needed them.