An Alte Kämpfer is someone who became a member of the Nazi party before Adolf Hitler came into power as the German chancellor. The term literally translates from German into “old fighters,” meaning they did not simply join the Nazis to be part of the winning team when Hitler became chancellor. Major Wilhelm Trapp was an Alte Kämpfer, which is part of why he was given command of the Reserve Police Battalion 101. Other Alte Kämpfer were given higher positions in the infamous SS, but Trapp’s characteristic tenderheartedness and lack of enthusiasm for using violence reportedly disqualified him from that kind of position.
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Alte Kämpfer Term Timeline in Ordinary Men
The timeline below shows where the term Alte Kämpfer appears in Ordinary Men. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5: Reserve Police Battalion 101
The battalion commander, Major Trapp, is a WWI veteran and career policeman. Despite being an Alte Kämpfer , Trapp is never taken into the SS because, as Browning says, he isn’t SS...
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...group is still useful as policemen. About 25 percent are Nazis; six of them are Alte Kämpfer .
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