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The first 30 prisoners arrived on 20 May 1940 from the Sachsenhausen camp. German “career criminals” (Berufsverbrecher), the men were known as “greens” (Grünen) after the green triangles on their prison clothing. Brought to the camp as functionaries, this group did much to establish the sadism of early camp life, which was directed particularly at Polish inmates, until the political prisoners took over their roles.Bruno Brodniewicz, the first prisoner (who was given serial number 1), became Lagerälteste (camp elder). The others were given positions such as kapo and block supervisor.
