Lieutenant Kotler is forced to leave the Auschwitz camp primarily due to his father’s dissent against the Nazi regime. His father, who serves in a position that contradicts the ideologies and actions of the Nazi party, becomes a point of embarrassment for Kotler. The higher-ups in the Nazi hierarchy prioritize loyalty and alignment over familial ties, leading to Kotler’s reassignment.
This situation reflects the overarching theme of the randomness and cruelty of war, as well as the effects of familial loyalty versus ideological loyalty. Kotler’s character embodies the struggles and conflicts within the Nazi ranks, illustrating how closely individual destinies were tied to the political climate of the time. His forced departure highlights the idea that even those who appear to be in power can experience abrupt changes in fortune due to the complex web of loyalty and ideology in wartime.