Uncovered: The narrative unfolding a Nazi indeed pilfered the lost painting discovered recently in an Argentine residence last week
In the aftermath of World War II, Friedrich Kadgien, a high-ranking Nazi SS officer and aide to Hermann Goering, managed to evade justice and build a new life in South America.
Kadgien's escape was facilitated by a combination of incompetence and the willingness of Swiss authorities to issue him a visa and shield him from an American extradition request. British officials tried to request Kadgien's extradition after learning he was in Switzerland, but a spelling mistake in his name helped him escape.
Kadgien joined the Nazi party in 1932 and became a member of the SS in 1935, rising to become a key aide to Goering. His criminal activities during the war included the acquisition of currency, securities, and diamonds stolen from Jewish victims.
In 1951, Kadgien, along with Ernst Imfeld and another associate, founded the firm Imhauka AG. Imfeld, an official at Swiss fuel firm Petrola, arranged visas and a spot on a Switzerland-bound train for Kadgien and other Nazis in late April 1945.
Kadgien, along with his associates, had amassed a significant amount of wealth, which they withdrew from Germany over the previous months. They met in Zurich in relative safety, where they were flush with money.
Kadgien's new life began in Brazil and Argentina, where he became a deal broker and arms dealer. Argentina, notorious for sheltering leading Nazis, provided a safe haven for Kadgien. Juan PeroΜn, the leader of Argentina from 1946 until 1955, had a secret tape recording revealing that he actively decided to save as many Nazi officials as possible from the Nuremberg Trials.
Investigations suggest Kadgien was influential in South America and connected to laundering money and arms sales, but there is no direct confirmed evidence that he was one of the leadership figures who specifically received Imfeld's passport to flee Switzerland to Latin America.
Recently, the painting, Portrait of a Lady by Fra Galgario, was discovered on an estate agent's website in the suburb of Buenos Aires where Kadgien's daughter lives. This discovery raises questions about the extent of Kadgien's involvement in the theft of art from Jewish victims during the war.
The fate of at least 800 pieces owned by Dutchman Jacques Goudstikker, including Portrait of a Lady, remains unknown as they were seized or bought under duress by the Nazis. Kadgien was interrogated by Dutch investigators searching for diamonds he had transported from the Netherlands to Germany. However, he was never brought to justice for his crimes.
Despite his escape, Kadgien's name remains tainted by his involvement in the atrocities committed during the war. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of holding those responsible for war crimes accountable for their actions.
