Human Game: The True Story of the 'Great Escape' Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen
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196 “special mission.” Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/011.
196 “a man caught on the frontier during the Fahndung.” Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/011.
196 “been shot by Hilker whilst trying to escape.” Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/012.
196 Hilker’s activities following Hayter affair; false papers. Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/012.
196 “In the beginning of 1945…” Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/012.
197 Description of Hilker. Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2278/012.
197 Cremation records examined at Strasbourg. Investigation progress report: December 14, 1946. Air 40/2272/053.
197 “All the entries are in name form…” Investigation progress report: December 12, 1946. Air 40/2278/019.
197 Information provided by Rudolf Peters. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
197 “That’s an English Air Force officer.” Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
197 “In my presence…” Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
197 Hayter is questioned in Peters’s room. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
198 Hayter is placed in a cell. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
198 Peters sees Hayter bundled into a waiting car. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
198 Peters told to mind his own business. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
198 “Stop asking questions…” Peters statement. Air 40/2278/03.
198 No paperwork filed regarding Hayter’s capture. Peters statement. Air 40/2278/003.
198 Schimmel accused of being soft. Andrews, pg. 250.
199 Shooting of Hayter is based on Schimmel’s statement quoted in Andrews, pgs. 249–250.
199 Hayters’s shooting and cremation. Andrews, pgs. 249, 250.
199 Hilker’s wife and inquiries in Karlsruhe. Investigation progress report: December 14, 1946. Air 40/2272/053; Air 40/2278/020.
199 The fates of Dissner and Hilker. Andrews, pgs. 250, 260.
CHAPTER 13: THE ORDER OF THE BLOOD
201 Catanach’s love of adventure and his joining the air force. Vance, pg. 92.
202 “Take care of it…” Vance, pg. 92.
202 Catanach and crew fly against Cologne. Vance, pg. 93.
203 “Boys, I think we’d better be getting home now.” Vance, pg. 93.
203 Catanach awarded DFC, becomes squadron leader, assigned to protect arctic convoys. Vance, pg. 93.
203 Catanach and crew shot down and taken prisoner. Vance, pg. 93.
203 Details of Christensen’s wartime experiences leading up to capture. Vance, pgs. 74–75.
204 Christensen’s Danish lineage, responsible for intelligence on Denmark. Gill, pgs. 91, 147.
204 Espelid responsible for intelligence on Norway. Gill, pg. 147.
204 Espelid’s wartime service and capture; meets Fuglesang in Stalag Luft III. Vance, pgs. 175, 176.
205 Fuglesang shot down over Flushing and captured. Vance, pg. 176.
205 Lyon commences investigation with “battle order” of Kiel Gestapo. Investigation progress report: September 24, 1946. Air 40/2493/113.
205 Schafer produces cremation records. Schafer statement. Air 40/2493/156.
206 Town clerk is told Gestapo does not require permission to conduct its business. Fahl statement. Air 40/2493/154.
206 “The corpses were cremated…” Schafer statement. Air 40/2493/156.
206 “No, I didn’t know their names…” Schafer statement. Air 40/2493/156.
206 Russian laborer suspects bodies are British or Australian officers. Schafer statement. Air 40/2493/156.
206 Tischendorf recalls the night of the murders. Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2493/138.
207 “I cannot remember the date and times very clearly…” Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2493/138.
207 Four airmen recaptured as they make their way through town, confess to being British officers. Linke statement. Air 40/2493/141.
207 “Concerning the escape proper…” Linke statement. Air 40/2493/141.
208 List of police record numbers for the recaptured men. Linke statement. Air 40/2493/141.
208 “In the built-up area of the town…” Linke statement. Air 40/2493/141.
208 Berlin notified of capture; Post shows up to take men away. Linke statement. Air 40/2493/141.
208 Typists confirm Post’s presence during interrogations. Christiansen statement. Air 40/2493/140; Rodenberg statement. Air 40/2493/153.
208 Clausen provides Oskar Schmidt’s name. Clausen statement. Air 40/2493/146.
209 “Officially, I had nothing to do with the case…” Mueller statement. Air 40/2493/152.
209 Kaehler, Jacobs, Franz and Oskar Schmidt are arrested. Andrews, pg. 222.
209 “This looks bad.” Andrews, pg. 222.
209 “sworn under penalty of death and degradation…” Investigation progress report: November 18, 1946. Air 40/2493/174.
209 Summary of Kiel murders. Investigation progress report: November 18, 1946. Air 40/2493/174-175.
210 Franz Schmidt hangs himself. Andrews, pg. 224; Investigation progress report: November 18, 1946. Air 40/2493/176.
210 “Schlechter mann, schlechter mann…” Andrews, pg. 224.
210 Oskar Schmidt details shootings and is summoned to chief’s office. Schmidt statement. Air 40/2493/170.
211 “He told me that he would merely believe…” Schmidt statement. Air 40/2493/170.
211 Jacobs details Post’s brutality, turns back on scene. Jacobs statement. Air 40/2493/164.
211 “I wish to emphasize…” Jacobs statement. Air 40/2493/164.
211 Kaehler says both Schmidts and Jacobs took part in shooting. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2493/159.
211 “All of the prisoners fell forward…” Kaehler statement. Air 40/2493/159.
212 “I can just as well recall…” Kaehler statement. Air 40/2493/160.
212 “I wish to finish this statement…” Kaehler statement. Air 40/2493/160.
212 Oskar Schmidt concedes he may have fired one shot. Schmidt statement. Air 40/2493/151.
212 “If Kaehler says that I shot…” Schmidt statement. Air 40/2493/151.
212 Arrest of Struve and Denkmann. Struve statement. Air 40/2493/166; Investigation progress report: November 18, 1946. Air 40/2493/173; Andrews, pg. 222.
212 Types of the cars used in the killing. Struve statement. Air 40/2493/166.
212 Struve drops off prisoners, hears shots fired. Struve statement. Air 40/2493/167.
212 “one loud detonation.” Struve statement. Air 40/2493/167.
212 “They are lying there.” Struve statement. Air 40/2493/167.
212 Struve peers over the bush and sees the bodies. Struve statement. Air 40/2493/167.
213 “On the return journey…” Struve statement. Air 40/2493/167.
213 “Sturmbannführer Schmidt and Kriminalkommissar Post…” Investigation progress report: November 18, 1946. Air 40/2493/175, 176-177.
213 “I believe this was the most-bitter winter…” Andrews, pg. 232.
213 “appalling.” Andrews, pg. 232.
213 Winter conditions kill twelve thousand Germans. MacDonogh, pg. 497.
213 “Whenever I recall the winter of 1946 to 1947…” Carl Zuckmayer quoted in MacDonogh, pg. 496.
213 “I shall never forget that drive…” Andrews, pg. 233.
213 “After the rigors of the winter…” Andrews, pg. 233.
213 Post and Schmidt’s postwar travels. Baumann statement. Air 40/2493/148.
215 Details regarding Schmidt’s clothing and family. Baumann statement. Air 40/2493/148.
215 Details regarding Post’s family and mistress. Baumann statement. Air 40/2493/148.
216 Raid on Heidt household; McKenna gets hands on photograph. Andrews, pg. 225; Investigation progress report: January 26, 1947. Air 40/2
279/010.
216 Searching houses in Kiel, information provided by Heidt’s cousin, Post’s P.O. Box. Investigation progress report: January 26, 1947. Air 40/2279/010.
217 “From all police offices…” quoted in Bessel, pg. 55.
217 German military not immune to Nazi brutality; Berlin residents shot or hanged from trees. Bessel, pg. 63; Ryan, pg. 480.
217 List of war crimes against Allied soldiers and airmen. Cab 66/56/4.
219 “very old and an imbecile.” Investigation progress report: August 7, 1947. Air 40/2272/010.
219 Visiting Schmidt’s mother; two decades to find Schmidt. Investigation progress report: August 7, 1947. Air 40/2272/010; Andrews, pg. 231.
219 “spasmodic…of information given to various officials…” Investigation progress report: May 23, 1947. Air 40/2272/028.
219 Number and status of wanted men tracked down by the RAF. Loose minute: May 23, 1947. Air 40/2272/026-027.
219 Daniel hunts for Ziegler, interrogates the man’s mother, sister, and nephew. Andrews, pgs., 165–166; Investigation progress report: September 24, 1946. Air 40/2272/064.
220 McKenna notified of Pohlmann’s arrest. Investigation progress report: May 21, 1947. Air 40/2272/033.
220 “a haulage contractor.” Andrews, pg. 225.
220 “in connection with the murders of 300 people…” Investigation progress report: May 21, 1947. Air 40/2272/033.
220 McKenna travels to Minden to interview the prisoner. Investigation progress report: May 21, 1947. Air 40/2272/033.
220 McKenna studies prisoner through spy hole in cell door and examines picture of Post and Heidt. Andrews, pg. 226.
221 “That’s me. I am Post.” Andrews, pg. 226.
221 Catanach asks, “Why?” Andrews, pg. 231.
221 “How could you do such a thing as this?” Andrews, pg. 12.
221 “Inhuman! I was dealing with sub-humans…” Andrews, pg. 12.
222 McKenna and Bowes consider the Kiel case closed. Investigation progress report: June 30, 1947. Air 40/2492/020.
222 “It has now been established…” Investigation progress report: June 30, 1947. Air 40/2492/020.
222 “This can be considered…” Investigation progress report: June 30, 1947. Air 40/2492/021.
CHAPTER 14: REMEMBRANCE
223 McKenna distributes photo sheets. Air 40/2272/007-010; information provided by Schäfer’s wife. Air 40/2272/010.
223 Mug shots of wanted men are published in Rogue’s Gallery. Air 40/2272/007.
223 Ziegler is captured and commits suicide. Andrews, pg. 258.
223 Eighteen defendants go on trial in Hamburg. UNWCC, pg. 31.
224 Charges quoted in UNWCC, pg. 31.
224 Individual charges leveled against defendants. UNWCC, pgs. 31–32.
225 Specific charges against Wielen; all defendants plead not guilty. UNWCC, pg. 32.
225 “Owing to the Grossfahndung (the nation-wide search)…” UNWCC, pg. 35.
225 “I could not have been a National Socialist…” Carroll, pg. 297.
225 “the plea of superior orders.” UNWCC, pg. 46.
225 “International law must not place the subject…” UNWCC, pg. 50.
225 “My attitude is quite clear…” Andrews, pg. 256.
226 “statute or decree…” UNWCC, pg. 50.
226 “a British hospital ship which was sunk by a submarine.” UNWCC, pg. 48.
226 “Patzig’s order does not free the accused of guilt.” UNWCC, pg. 48.
226 “infringement of civil or military law.” UNWCC, pg. 48.
226 “liable to punishment.” UNWCC, pg. 48.
226 “The term ‘war crime’ is a technical expression…” UNWCC, pg. 51.
226 “on the uncorroborated evidence…” UNWCC, pg. 51.
226 “that the evidence given was true.” UNWCC, pg. 51.
227 Zacharias claims he was penetrated by an electric probe. Andrews, pg. 145.
227 “information on Gestapo hot-iron methods…” Andrews, pg. 145.
227 Zacharias made to strip and kneel for hours. Andrews, pg. 145.
227 “I can only die once…” Andrews, pg. 145.
227 Testimony: “I did not want…I could not get a confession of torture.” Reproduced in Andrews, pg. 145.
227 Testimony: “Surely as a British soldier…singular punishments were given in the London Cage?” Reproduced in Scotland, pgs. 155–156.
228 “Yes.” Scotland, pg. 156.
228 “If that were true…” Scotland, pg. 156.
228 “would become common property.” Scotland, pgs. 156–157.
228 “manufactured tales.” Scotland, pg. 158.
228 “the brutal fate of those fifty RAF officers.” Scotland, pg. 158.
228 “I did not make this statement upon oath…” Andrews, pg. 147.
229 “It was to be expected that the world…” Scotland, pgs. 158, 159.
229 “It is only when you lose the war…” Andrews, pg. 255.
229 Details of the defendants on the stand come from Scotland, pg. 154.
230 Exchange between Judge Advocate and Schimmel: “Why did you not carry…passing on the order to another official.” Andrews, pgs. 254, 255.
230 Court considerations when determining verdicts. UNWCC, pg. 52.
230 Verdicts rendered by the court. UNWCC, pgs. 52, 57-58.
230 Russians inform the British that Scharpwinkel is dead. Andrews, pg. 258.
231 Second trial, verdicts, and sentences. Davies, pgs. 143–144; New York Times, November 7, 1948.
231 Death of Absalon, OBE honors for McKenna and Bowes. Andrews, pg. 258.
232 British Foreign Secretary announces an end to war crimes prosecutions. Andrews, pg. 258.
232 Schäfer never charged in Munich murders. Andrews, pg. 259.
232 Venediger and Schmidt eventually come out of hiding and each receives two years for their involvement in the Sagan murders. Andrews, pg. 260.
233 “by British authorities as an act of clemency.” New York Times, October 25, 1952.
233 “duty to avoid capture” and “duty to escape.” Davies, pg. 173.
233 “didn’t see escaping as a sport…” Davies, pg. 173.
233 The seventy-two men identified by the RAF and their fates. Andrews, pg. 261.
INDEX
Page numbers in italic indicate photographs; those followed by “n” indicate notes.
Absalon, Gunther (SS), xiv, 36–37, 42–45, 189, 190, 232
Absalon (Gunther’s wife), 44–45
Absalon, Paul and Martha (Gunther’s parents), 42–44
Achter, Josef (Munich Gestapo), 113–114
Achterberg, Kurt (Danzig Gestapo), xv, 163–166
A.E.L. Nordmark Concentration Camp, 220
Air Directorate of Intelligence, 73
American Authorities’ Headquarters in Wiesbaden, 40–41
American Occupation Zone, 38, 40, 41, 62, 99, 109, 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, 117, 121, 124, 138, 151, 153, 166, 181, 223
Auschwitz concentration camp, 155
Australian murdered escapees, 31. See also specific murdered escapees
Austria, 84, 85, 86, 121
Baatz, Bernhard (Liberec Gestapo), xvi, 103, 104, 104n
barbarity of Nazi Party, 216–218, 221
Barkworth, Bill (Major), 131–132, 137–138
Battle of the Bulge, 118
Baum, Abraham J. (Captain), 119, 120–121
Baumann (Gestapo driver), 214–216, 218
Bavaria/Bavarian Alps, 81, 118, 127
Bavarian Police Gazette, 162
BBC, 94–95
Belgium, 33
Belsen internment camp, 45–46, 155
Bender (Saarbrücken Kripo), 151–152
Berghof at Obersalzberg, 13
Bergsland, Peter (Lieutenant), 33
Berlin, Germany, 10, 20, 21, 45, 58, 59, 60, 64, 100, 202, 208
Bethell, R. A. (Flight Lieutenant), 171–172, 174, 245
Bev
in, Ernest (British Foreign Secretary), 232
Birkland, Henry (Flying Officer), viii, 189, 239
Blackpool Borough Police, 32, 41, 232
Blenheim bombers, 191–192
Blitzkrieg on France and Low Countries, 3
Blum, Frau, 165–167
Boll, Wilhelm (mortician laborer), 25–26, 27
Boschert, Heinrich (Karlsruhe Gestapo), xv
Cochran murder, 134, 135, 137, 139, 140–141, 224
Sagan Case trial, 224, 229, 230
Bowes, Wilfred “Freddie” (Wing Commander), xiii, 219. See also Special Investigating Branch (SIB), RAF
background of, 72
final report on Sagan Case, 222
killing field examined by, 83
Kiowsky interrogation, 77–81, 83
Krupa and, 84
Landhaus Brichta hotel raid, 85–86
Lyon and, 101, 103
McKenna and, 72, 84, 85, 87, 100, 142, 222
mural of Gestapo satyrs, 77
Order of the British Empire, 232
Pankratz prison atrocities, 76–77, 82
Polish uncooperation in Breslau, 105–106
Russians and, 100
Sawerthal and, 103–104
Schauschütz interrogation, 74–76
Stalag Luft III visit, 106–107
Urbanek and, 81
Vaca and, 76–77
van der Bijil’s letter and, 72
Venediger and, 232
Zacharias interrogation, 86–89
Zlín Frontier Police headquarters, 81–83
Brandt, 167. See also Bruchardt, Reinhold (Venediger’s right-hand man)
Braune (Colonel, kommandant of Stalag Luft III), 28–30, 31
Breithaupt, Walter (Spann’s driver)
Bushell and Scheidhauer murders, 153–156, 224, 230
Bremen, Germany, 40, 86, 106
Breslau (Gestapo and Kripo), xiv. See also specific members
defense of Breslau, 50, 51, 56, 62, 174–175
investigation of, 105–106, 107, 162, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176–179, 180–190
murder of recaptured Stalag Luft III escapees, 17
recapture of escapees, 17, 34, 49
responsibility for Stalag Luft III, 13–14
Russian Occupation Zone and, 39, 40, 45, 47, 56
Sagan region jurisdiction, 36
Breslau evacuees interviews, 47, 48–51
Brettell, Edward (Flight Lieutenant), viii, 96, 162–170, 231, 239