Ill-treatment of POWs on march from Lamsdorf, Stalag 344, formerly Stalag VIII B

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by dbf, Nov 14, 2011.

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    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
    UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS
    CASE No: UK-G/B 194

    - PAGE 4 -

    NOTES ON THE CASE
    (Under this heading should be included the view taken as to (a) the degree of responsibility of the accused in view of his official position, e.g., was offence committed on the offender's own initiative, or in obedience to orders, or in carrying out a system approved by authority or a legal provision; (b) the probable defence; (c ) whether the case appears to be reasonably complete. )

    The case in its earlier stages does not differ greatly from the others of this series but it shows possibly even more brutal callousness than is some of the other cases towards marching and exhausted men.

    As with preceding cases, and as will be seen in subsequent cases, responsibility must rest on the first two of those accused since with knowledge of conditions a policy was prescribed and carried out which in all the circumstances it is submitted cannot be defended.

    The conditions at Stalag VIII A, at GORLITZ, were such as to justify putting the Commandant, who is the third accused, on trial for breach of fundamental articles of the Convention relating to the Treatment of Prisoners of war.

    The remainder of those accused, individually and collectively must be held responsible without any possible excuse for the shocking conditions of the stages, in particular the final stages, of the march. Beating and shooting exhausted and starving men, tying them up in the open and setting dogs on them, are atrocities in the most real sense of the word, and one is surprised that no more than one death has, so far as is known, resulted from their conduct.

    The officers who are fourthly accused may not have had responsibility beyond EISENACH so far as the FRANKFURT party was concerned, but the inference is fair that they were. In any case great complaint is made of them so it is submitted that they are rightly included in respect of the march between GORLITZ and EISENACH.

    If they were not in charge from EISENACH others must be identifiable in time as those in charge and responsible for this last stage.
     
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    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
    UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS
    CASE No: UK-G/B 195 *


    - PAGE 1 -


    NAME OF ACCUSED, HIS RANK AND UNIT, OR OFFICIAL POSITION (Not to be translated)
    (1) Field Marshal Wilhelm KEITEL, Chief of Staff
    (2) S.S. General BERGER, Chief of Prisoners of War Affairs in GERMANY at material times.
    (3) The German Officer or Officers immediately responsible for the dispatch on the 10th February 1945 of about 3,000 prisoners from MELLINGEN to Stalag IX A ZIEGENHAIN and in charge of the march.
    (4) German guards on the said March.

    DATE AND PLACE OF COMMISSION OF ALLEGED CRIME
    10th February - 12th March 1945.
    On the road from MELLINGEN to ZIEGENHAIN.
    (Note. MELLINGEN cannot be found on motoring map, but all the evidence points to its having been in the neighbourhood of EISENACH.)

    NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION OF CRIME IN WAR CRIMES LIST
    REFERENCES TO RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL LAW
    No.xxix. Ill-treatment of prisoners of war.

    Breach of Laws and usages of warfare and in particular of Article 2 of the Geneva Convention 1929 relating to the treatment of prisoners of war.

    Assault.

    Manslaughter.


    SHORT STATEMENT OF FACTS.
    A column of men 3,000 strong, already overtired in many cases by previous forced marches, was kept on the road for 30 days with inadequate rations and accommodation, and subjected to brutal treatment by the guards. One man was shot dead and four others died from sickness, due to exposure and malnutrition.


    TRANSMITTED BY: TREASURY SOLICITOR
     
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    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
    UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS
    CASE No: UK-G/B 195 *


    - PAGE 2 -


    PARTICULARS OF ALLEGED CRIME
    This would appear to be a narrative of the experience of a portion of the whole body of prisoners of war from Stalag 344 to the neighbourhood of EISENACH, the treatment of whom forms the subject of the preceding Charge.

    According to the statement made by Mr. A KADLER of the Protecting Power by W/O. A.M. CURRIE, the party consisting of about 3,000 men (the majorit of whom had just completed a march of 280 kilos from Stalag 344, left Stalag VIII A. on February 10th, 1945, some of the men having had as short a period of rest as one day, and the whole having been for some time on minimum rations) split up, after reaching MELLINGEN on the 1st March, into three parts, that to which W/O CURRIE belonged making for ZIEGENHAIN which it reached on March 12th having averaged 20 kilometres a day.

    During the march the rations were inadequate and their supply spasmodic, in some instances 24 and even 48 hours late. For four days the men lived on 125 grams of knackbroth (biscuits) a day plus a little cheese and fats. Soup was provided at irregular intervals. Water often not for 48 hours at a time. As many as 700 sick were left behind at various Lazaretts and 4 men whose names are not given died from sickness on the march. The guards behaved with great brutality, frequently beating men with their rifles, even when they knew them to be sick. On occasions also (though why it does not appear) they fired into crowded billets and thus wounded men, and in particular killed Private Harold PEAT, who was shot at SEIBLEDEN on March 4th. Complaints to the officer in charge of the column were disregarded. Billets were often only reached after dark, no lights were provided (possibly as a precaution against aircraft) and chaotic conditions in consequence prevailed.

    It is possible that Private PEAT is the same as Private PETT in the preceding case.

    The point will be cleared up by reference to the military records of personnel.
     
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    :poppy:
    Corporal HAROLD PEAT 4612192, 1st Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) who died age 31 on 04 March 1945
    Son of George and Selina Peat; husband of Annie Peat, of Manningham, Bradford, Yorkshire.
    Remembered with honour BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
    Grave/Memorial Reference: 11. A. 11.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details
     
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    CONFIDENTIAL.

    BRITISH

    No. 746.

    SPECIAL REPORT ON MARCHING CONDITIONS FROM STALAG VIII A GOERLITZ TO STALAG IX A ZIEGENHAIN.

    On the occasion of the delegate's visit to Stalag IX A ZIEGENHAIN W/O A.M. CURRIE POW No. 24806, Service No. Aus. 407822 reported the following:

    A march group compromising approximately 3,000 men, who, with the exception of 200 Russians, had just marched 280 kilometres from Stalag 344 LAMSDORF were marched out of Stalag VIII A on February 10th, 1945, after a bride respite there of 1 to 6 days on minimum rations. The group reached MELLINGEN on 1st March and on 2nd March were split into 3 parties, one of approximately 560 to proceed to BAD ORB, a second of approximately 1,100 for ZIEGENHAIN, and a third, compromising mostly of sick, exhausted and boot-worn for Stalag IX C.

    The second party, which W/O CURRIE accompanied, duly reached Stalag IX A on 12th March 1945 having covered 510 kilometres.

    Apparently 4 men died from disease, one man died from shooting and 2 men were wounded by rifle fire, in the course of this march. The name of the man who died as a result of shooting was Private Harold PEAT, POW No. 55400, Service NO. 4612192, shot at SIEBLEBEN at approximately 1800 hours on March 4th, and died at 18.55 hours on the same day in spite of immediate attention by the Medical Officer.

    During the course of this march rations were very inadequate, for example, for 4 days, 125 grams of knackebrot and a little chess or fat daily. On one occasion issues were 48 hours and on another 24 hours overdue. Soups were provided at times but generally rations were far too meagre for men marching on the average 20 kilometres daily, with only very occasional rest days, after having already marched from LAMSDORF under severe conditions.

    Treatment by guards was in many cases inconsiderate and brutal and there were innumerable occasions on which rifle butts were used on men known by guards to be sick and exhausted and marching either with a special sick column or riding on wagons provided for sick. Medical personnel were also at times maltreated.

    Shootings were unnecessary and in all cases could have been avoided, moreover the men who suffered were in most cases blameless and their injuries were occasioned by guards firing into crowded billets.

    Billets consisted mostly of barns and occasionally military barracks and in the former case lights were not generally provided even when the men arrived and had to be billeted after dark.

    After leaving MELLINGEN complaints about conduct of guards addressed to the officer in charge of the IX A column were disregarded and the brutalities passed off as being necessary for disciplinary purposes.

    On many occasions men were compelled to go for periods up to and in excess 48 hours without a hot or cold drink being provided and pleas for drinking water were disregarded with the result that the men were driven to drinking stagnant water, thus amplifying the suffering from dysentery, exhaustion, starvation and vitamin deficiency.

    Signed Albert A. KADLER.

    BERLIN, April 3rd, 1945.
     
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    Included in this file is another copy of the affidavit in post 4:

    MD/JAG/FS/22/122(3B )

    IN THE MATTER OF THE ILL-TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR ON A FORCED MARCH FROM STALAG 344 LAMSDORF TO GOERLITZ IN JANUARY 1945.

    BRITISH NATIONAL OFFICE CHARGE NO:

    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION REFERENCE:


    AFFIDAVIT

    I, Captain Turner McLardey (101989) ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS now stationed at the Militiary Hospital, Northfield, Birmingham, with permanent home address at 33 Weoley Hill, Birmingham, make oath and say as follows:-

    1. I was captured at TOBRUK in 1942 and in due course was taken to Stalag VIIIB LAMSDORF which subsequently became known as Stalag 344.

    2. In January 1945 the Germans decided to evacuate the Stalag due to he approach of the Russians. Accordingly on 22nd and 23rd January 1945 all prisoners able to march were evacuated in two parties. Each party was marched to GOERLITZ a distance of some 280 kilometres.

    3. I proceeded with the second party which left on 23rd January and I arrived at GOERLITZ on 5th February. I have no complaints to make against those who were conducting the party with which I travelled. On my arrival at GOERLITZ I found there the remnants of the party who had left LAMSDORF the day before me.

    4. In the course of my duties I examined many prisoners who had been members of the first party. All those whom I examined were emaciated and in a very distressed condition and suffering from starvation. I examined about 50 prisoners who were members of the first party and they were all in this starved and emaciated condition and in the 14 days of the march they had lost 2 to 3 stone in weight.

    5. I spoke to a number of warrant officers and N.C.O.s who had been on the first march and they told me conditions had been very hard. Often men had to sleep without cover in the snow and food had been very scarce, apparently only a fraction of what those on the second day's march had been given. There had been gross neglect and lack of organisation in respect of the first march and the responsible person named was Hauptmann SCHULTZ who was in charge of the column.

    6. The only officer on the first march was Captain Anthony STALLARD, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS who was in a shocking condition when I met him at GOERLITZ. Accounts of the conditions of the first march were written out by Warrant Officer A. CURREY (407822) of the ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE and by Regimental Sergeant-Major GOODLIFFE. These accounts were handed in to the Man of Confidence at GOERLITZ Regimental Sergeant-Major ROSSOW or ROSSEAU. Hauptmann SCHULTZ was on the staff of Stalag 344. I am unable to describe him but I believe he was there in the capacity of Abwehr Officer.

    7. On 10th February 1945 about 3,000 prisoners commenced a march from Stalag VIIIA at GOERLITZ to MELLINGEN where we arrived on 2nd March 1945. About 1,100 then proceeded from MELLINGEN to Stalag IXA at ZIEGENHAIN where we arrived on 13th March 1945 having covered a distance of some 570 kilometres.

    8. Conditions on these marches were terrible. Starvation conditions prevailed, night quarters were grossly overcrowded and there was poor organisation. I examined many prisoners during the march and most of them at the end and great numbers were seriously ill. They were suffering from the effects of starvation and dysentery. I know of 12 cases of men who died from starvation. A feature of the march was the brutality and ill-treatment of some of the sick prisoners at the hands of the guards. I have myself seen prisoners struck with rifle butts and ill-treated and I have had to stitch resulting wounds. There were two cases of prisoners who were shot, one of whom died. I do not know who was responsible for these shootings.

    9. The worst guards responsible for the ill-treatment were Unteroffizier BERGER and Stabsgefreiter HERTWIG. BERGER was aged about 38040, height about 5' 11", weight about 12 stone, had fair close-cropped hair, a colourless complexion, a round face, broad shoulders and well built. He was one of the guards from Stalag VIIIA.

    10. HERTWIG was a Stabsgefreiter aged about 35, 5' 8" in height, weighed about 10 stone, of medium build, had a thin sallow face, dark hair. He was also on the staff of Stalag VIIIA.

    11. The officer in charge of the march from GOERLITZ onwards was a Hauptmann SCHREIBER. He had been the Abwehr Officer at Stalag VIIIA. He was aged about 45, was about 5' 7" in height, weighed about 9 stone, had dark hair with blue eyes, thin face and pointed features. He was slightly round shouldered and of medium build. He may have lived at GOERLITZ. He always wore breeches riding boots and spurs. I repeatedly protested to him about the conditions and he would lead me to suppose some action would be taken but in fact no action was ever taken.

    12. I left Stalag IXA with a party of prisoners to march East on 29th March 1945 and was eventually liberated by the Americans on 4th April 1945.

    Signed T. McLARDEY

    SWORN by the above-named TURNER McLARDEY at 6 Spring Gardens in the County of London this 24th day of August 1945
    Before me,

    Signed G. BARRATT,
    Major Legal Staff
    Judge Advocate General's Office, London
     
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    IN THE MATTER OF FORCED MARCH FROM LAMSDORF, SILESIA FROM 22 JANUARY 1945 UNTIL 13 MARCH 1945.

    BRITISH NATIONAL OFFICE CHARGE NO:

    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION REFERENCE:


    AFFIDAVIT

    I, No. 1421047 B.S.M. PRINCE, H.J., 6 ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY, 2nd ANTI-AIRCRAFT REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY, with permanent address at 2, Carden Avenue, Selby Road, Halton, Leeds, Yorkshire, make oath and say as follows:-

    1. In January 1945 I was a prisoner of war at Stalag 8B, LAMSDORF. On the morning of 22 January 1945 we were ordered to move at two hours' notice. I was in the first party which left the camp consisting of about 3,000 men leaving about 8,000 men in the camp. We marched out that morning in three columns each of about 1,000. We were allowed to carry what kit we could and also one Red Cross parcel each and German rations of half a loaf of bread and a quarter packet of margarine. The Red Cross representative was at the camp on the day we left.

    2. The weather was freezing with deep snow and ice bound roads. On the first day we marched about 30 kilometres until 0230 hours when we were crowded into a barn for the rest of the night. We were in darkness in the barn and so crowded that we were unable to move.

    3. On subsequent days the daily march started at varying times between 0800 hours and 1000 hours and on most days the column was kept waiting on the road for anything from one to two hours before starting the march. The distances covered each day varied from 13 - 15 kilometres. The column was under 40 German guards who carried no kit and had better rations. There was a German offer in charge of each column. One of the German N.C.O.s among the guard had been in charge of the compound I was in the camp but I cannot remember his name. He was a tall blond man of about 35 years of age and always wore a glove on his left hand. B.S.M. RICHARDSON, ROYAL ARTILLERY, was elected "man of confidence" for our column and as such would know the name of this Unteroffizier and also of the German officer who was in charge of the column. I believe that B.S.M. RICHARDSON lives near NEWCASTLE.

    4. We were never told where we were going nor did the Germans appear to know but they urged us to keep on marching as hard as we could. During the course of the march large numbers of my column fell out sick. I saw no conveyance for the sick. Those who were too sick to march were left behind with a guard.

    5. For the first 13 days we received no hot food or drink but only a daily ration of bread, margarine and tinned meat. Even this was not issued daily for on three separate days we received no rations at all and on three others days the only ration was a packet of biscuits.

    6. Washing was not allowed in the morning before starting the day's march but we were taken out of the barns or barracks where we had spent the night and taken straight on the road. During the march we were not allowed to draw water or fall out for any reason. I often saw men kicked and beaten either when they fell out sick or when they tried to get mangolds or similar food from the fields.

    7. After 9 days marching we were given one day's rest which was spent in a barn trying to see to the condition of the sick. The column contained British medical orderlies but they had no medical equipment.

    8. After about 18 days marching the 3 columns arrived at GORLITZ where we were put into a camp compound which had been evacuated by the Russians. In this compound we were housed in huts with concrete floors and no bedding or blankets, and bed frames each accommodating 56 men. There were about 450 in the hut that I was in. We were at this camp for about 4 days during which time daily rations of hot soup and bread and margarine were issued.

    9. I was with the first party to leave GORLITZ which consisted of about 1,000 ROYAL AIR FORCE, about 2,000 Army and about 1,000 Russians. We were split up into parties of about 1,000 each forming one column. On this march the organisation was better. We were given a 10 minute halt every hour and marched an average of about 20 - 30 kilometres per day. We were given the same dry rations but in addition had hot soup every night. At night we were housed either in barns or in barracks. After we had been marching for about 10 days the column split up. I was in a party which was to go towards CASSEL. One of the other parties consisting of ROYAL AIR FORCE and sick were told they were going to 9C and the other party were told they were going to BAD SALZBURG. All three parties continued to march on the same road until March 13th when we were told that the destination was three days march ahead. At this stage 114 of the party including myself, and all of whom were sick, were put on a train and taken to MEINENGEN where we were met by British Red Cross personnel and put into hospital.

    10. From GORLITZ onwards Captain GIBBON or GIBSON of the ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS was in charge of our column as medical officer. He did a great deal of excellent work for the men sparing himself not at all.

    11. On the march from GORLITZ onwards each of the three parties were in charge of a German Officer and there was one German officer in charge of the whole column whose name was Hauptmann SCHREIBER. I do not know the names of the other German officer in charge of the parties nor of any of the guards nor can I describe them. From GORLITZ onwards nearly all the guards were members of the Volksturm. Serjeant Major BADRICK of the OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY whose home is, I believe, near HIGH WYCOMBE, was our man of confidence for the march from GORLITZ onwards and as such he would know the name of the officer in charge of our party.

    SWORN by the said B.S.M. PRINCE, H.J. (1421047) at the Judge Advocate General's branch, Headquarters, Northern Command, "Ashfield", Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, York, this 31st day of July, 1945

    Signed H.J. CURRIE, B.S.M.

    BEFORE ME ??
    Captain Legal Staff,
    Military Department,
    Officer of the Judge Advocate General.
     
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    IN THE MATTER OF THE ILL-TREATMENT OF BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR ON A JOURNEY BETWEEN STALAG 344 AND STALAG XIII C BETWEEN 23 FEBRUARY 1945 AND 4 MARCH 1945 GERMAN CONTRARY TO THE GENEVA CONVENTION 1929.

    BRITISH NATIONAL OFFICE CHARGE NO:

    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION REFERENCE:


    AFFIDAVIT

    I, Serjeant CHARLES HUGHES CORSANE make oath and say as follows:-

    1. My Army number is 7610725 and I am at present stationed at ROYAL ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS Mobilization Centre 'K' Camp Donnington Shropshire.

    2. In the month of January 1945 I was a prisoner of war at Stalag 344 at LAMSDORF.

    3. About the end of January or beginning of February 1945 the majority of the prisoners of war marched out of the Camp. Prior to the march the Medical Officers, two of whom were Captain SKEGG, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS and Captain FORNAM, NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORPS, selected the men who were unfit to march and those men together with others amounting in all to about two thousand remained behind.

    4. Most of the guards left at the same time as the party.

    5. On the morning of the 23 February 1945 we the remainder were told that we were to leave by train in the afternoon. Volksturm guards in odd uniforms took us over. I cannot remember the names or units of any of these guards.

    6. The Germans issued us with 1800 grammes of bread, 150 grammes of margarine as rations when we started. No other food was issued to us by the Germans until the hot meal which we received two days later and to which I refer hereafter.

    7. In Stalag 344 where R.S.M. SHERIFF, ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS, was camp leader we had charge of the Red Cross parcels. A number of these had been reserved for any emergency and when we started on this journey each man had a parcel issued to him by the British staff. We took what kit we could carry.

    8. We entrained at about 1500 hours on the 23 February. The train consisted of covered freight wagons and the average number of men in each wagon was forty. When we had entrained the doors were locked by the guards by means of bars on the outside.

    9. The doors of the trucks were opened only once daily and then for half an hour only.

    10. After two days journey at a place which I think was PRAGUE we were served with one hot meal which consisted of macaroni in gravy about half a litre in all. No bread or other food was issued with it.

    11. After this meal a number of the men in my truck had diarrhoea but although we frequently asked that the doors should be opened to enable them to get out to relieve themselves the guards always replied that they were not empowered to let us out. I myself did not suffer from diarrhoea.

    12. We had enough water. When the train stopped we used to pass our bottles out through the trap door in the van and they were filled either by a guard or a person detailed from one of the other trucks.

    13. Serjeant CHARLES of the UNION DEFENCE FORCES in my truck appeared to be suffering from appendicitis was in great pain and was passing blood. Although we asked for the Medical Officer to see him no Medical Officer came for two days. Then Captain FORNAM, NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORPS, examined him and some two or there hours later he was taken off the train.

    14. We frequently asked for more food and in particular for some hot food or hot drink but the guards said that we could not have any more until we came to a larger town where supplies could be obtained. The loaf we had received was the normal ration for seven days. After seven days had passed we were issued with a quarter of loaf each and about thirty grammes of sausage each.

    15. One day during the journey there was an air raid warning and the train stopped. All the guards took cover away from the line except one or two who remained beside the line with machine guns. The raid in fact took place further up the line and our train was not attacked.

    16. R.S.M. NOBLE was in charge of the British party on the train. One of the men in my truck was Private P.H. DAVIS, ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS who lives at Endways, Station Lane, Lapworth, Warwickshire, and another another was Corporal POAD, ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS. I do not now remember the names of any the others nearly all of whom were SOUTH AFRICANS.

    17. On 4 March 1945 we arrived at HAMMELBURG where we detrained for Stalag XIII C.


    Signed C.H. CORSANE

    SWORN at SHREWSBURY in the County of SALOP this tenth day of August 1945.

    Before me,

    ?
    Major, Legal Staff,
    Military Department,
    Judge Advocate General's Office.
     
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    MD/JAG/FS/22/126(3B )
    MD/JAG/FS/22/46(3B )
    MD/JAG/FS/22/122(3B )

    UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
    UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST GERMAN WAR CRIMINALS
    CASE No: UK-G/B 550


    -1-


    NAME OF ACCUSED, HIS RANK AND UNIT, OR OFFICIAL POSITION (Not to be translated)
    (1) Hauptmann SCHULTZ

    (2) Unteroffizier BURGER

    (3) Stabsgefreiter HERTWIG

    (4) Hauptmann SCHREIBER

    (5) The Burgermeister of STEUDNITZ

    (6) Kreisleiter MULLER of JENA

    (7) Oberleutnant TRANKEL

    (8) Feldwebel KUNSCH

    (9) Unteroffizier DERRING


    DATE AND PLACE OF COMMISSION OF ALLEGED CRIME
    January to March 1945, on a forced march from Stalag 344, LAMSDORF, to GORLITZ and thence to MELLINGEN, ZIEGENHAIN, MUHLHAUSEN and FRANKFURT-am-MAIN.

    NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION OF CRIME IN WAR CRIMES LIST
    No. XXIX Ill-treatment of prisoners of war causing death.

    REFERENCES TO RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL LAW
    Assault and manslaughter.

    BREACHES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
    Breach of laws and usages of war.

    SHORT STATEMENT OF FACTS.
    In January 1945 the Germans evacuated Stalag 34. Some thousands of prisoners were taken in several columns from LAMSDORF to ZIEGENHAIN, MULHAUSEN and FRANKFURT-am-MAIN, via GORLTIZ. They suffered very severely from the conditions, bitter weather, lack of food, medical supplies and attention. Many were brutally ill-treated by the German guards. Many died and there is at least on instance of a prisoner being shot.


    TRANSMITTED BY: Office of J.A.G. (Mil. Dept.)
     
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    DOMINION OF CANADA, PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, COUNTY OF YORK

    IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED WAR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR

    To Wit:

    I, B.28125, Ex-Lance-Corporal Alfred Carlyle JESSOP, Canadian Provost Corps, C.A., presently discharged from the Canadian Army, home address: 84 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ontario, home telephone number: Lombar 0473, make oath and say as follows:-

    1. I enlisted in the Canadian Army on the 13th day of September, 1939, at Toronto, Ontario, and was allotted Regimental Number B.28125 in the ROYAL CANADIAN ENGINEERS, 2nd Field Park Company. On the 16th day of December, 1939, I left Toronto, Ontario, with the 2nd Field Park Company, R.C.E., for overseas, and landed in the UNITED KINGDOM on the 31st day of December, 1939. About September, 1940, I was taken on strength the CANADIAN PROVOST CORPS. At 1200 hours, 18 August, 1942, I left the UNITED KINGDOM with No. 2 Company, CANADIAN PROVOST CORPS, and arrived at DIEPPE, FRANCE, at 0525 hours the 19th day of August, 1942. About 1300 hours the 19th day of August, 1942, I was taken prisoner by the Germans on the beach at DIEPPE, FRANCE.

    2. After my capture I was confined in the following German camps:-
    VERNOUILLE, FRANCE, 19 August 1942 to 28 August 1942
    LAMSDORF, STALAG 8B, OBERSILESIA, near the town of OPPELN, GERMANY, 1 September 1942 to June 1943
    FREIHEIT, GERMANY, near the town of TRAUTENAU, SUDENTENGAU, on the border of CZECHOSLOVAKIA and GERMANY, June 1943 to February 1944(This was a work party Det.)
    LAMSDORF, STALAG 344, OBERSILESIA, GERMANY, February 1944 to January 1945
    GORLITZ, GERMANY, STALAG 8A, for 5 days during February 1945
    DUDERSTADT, GERMANY, about 30 miles North-East of KASSEL, GERMANY, we were at this camp for 17 days from approximately 16 March 1945 to about 1 April 1945
    DIDFURT, GERMANY, liberated by the Americans 12 April 1945

    Periods which are not covered by above dates were spent marching backwards and forward through GERMANY.

    3. I have the following information in my possession regarding certain war crimes which I believe should be published for the purpose of aiding the War Crimes Commission in punishing the perpetrators:-

    In January, 1945, the position of LAMSDORF, STALAG 344, became untenable for the Germans as the Russians were advancing within a relatively short distance. A group of approximately 1,000 prisoners of which I was one moved from LAMSDORF and commenced a Westward march. We were the third such group to leave. Two more groups of about the same size followed us on the following day which left only the sick and a few of the allied staff in the camp to wait the oncoming Russians. However, it was about seven weeks before the Russians actually took LAMSDORF and in the intervening time the Germans moved the sick and allied staff from this camp by train and I think sent them down into AUSTRIA. We marched for 17 days and eventually reached GORLITZ, GERMANY. Prior to leaving LAMSDORF we had made small hand sleighs upon which we drew our kit and equipment. For about the first ten days of the march we had snow but eventually we had to break up the sleighs and carry our kit on our back. During the march the Germans issued us with eery scanty rations about every second day. The rations to us were supposed to last the whole two days, but at no time wee the rations sufficiently adequate for even one day's supply. The issue was far less on the march than it was when we were at STALAG 344 at LAMSDORF, GERMANY, doing nothing. During the march it usually meant that you ate the first day's rations and went without food on the second. Occasionally it was possible to steal vegetables en route and this was a help. Between January and April while we were on the march, I estimated that each prisoner received a total of about three quarters of a Red Cross parcel and about a third of this total was donated to us by a working party of British Naval prisoners whose camp we passed by while on the march. Many of the prisoners became ill from eating raw vegetables and became too weak to carry their full kit and as a consequence some of them discarded even their blankets and subsequently suffered from exposure as well as nutrition. If a prisoner lost or discarded his blankets he had no opportunity of securing another one. About the 16th day of March, 1945, we reached DUDERSTADT.

    4. There was no Stalag at DUDERSTADT, GERMANY, and we encamped in a brick factory. We remained here for approximately seventeen days. There were about 5,000 men representing all of the allies. One prisoner who was with us, a Palestinian by the name of PITWACH, could speak thirteen languages and during a day he could use all of these languages within the camp. Of the five thousand prisoners concentrated at DUDERSTADT only 150 were Canadians. During our stay at this point approximately fifty of the prisoners died of dysentery and malnutrition. I do not know the names of any who died. I cannot recall that any were Canadians. One American prisoner, whose name I do not know, was very sick with dysentery, went out of the building in which he was billeted through the wrong door without even his patnts or shoes on him. Though I did not hear any shot we found his body the following morning and noticed that he had been shot through the middle of the back. We found his body approximately fifteen feet outside the door on the billets and from the position of the body and proximity to the building we arrived at the conclusion that he had been shot without warning. After finding the body I helped move it on a narrow gauge railway wagon and pulled it down to the Red Cross first aid post, which was about 100 yards away from the point where he had ben shot. I do not know the name of the German guard or guards who shot him as I did not see the shooting take place nor have I any means now of ascertaining who was responsible.

    5. About the 21st day of March, 1945, a South African prisoner whose name I do not know, was shot by one of the Polish guards attached to the German Army, under the following circumstances: The prisoners had been instructed not to light fires of any description in the brick works. This South African went up on to the roof of the main building in which we were billeted and lit a fire in an improvised stove. His back was turned towards an embankment which was about seventy yards away, upon which the Polish guard was doing sentry duty. Without any warning cry the Polish guard shot and killed the South African. I do not know the name of the Polish guard. Apart from the fact that he was fairly young and had fair hair I cannot describe him, and the Germans moved him the following day. I was standing outside the building upon the roof of which the South African was killed and I witnessed the shooting. Another South African soldier named Des. HARRIS and Lance-Corporal Raymond NICHOLLS of the R.C.E. were upstairs in the building when the shooting took place. They heard the shot, went to the window and pulled in the body. I believe that he was still alive when they pulled in the body. I believed that he was still alive when they pulled him in but that he died almost immediately afterwards. The body was removed to the Red Cross first aid post and from there subsequently buried. The South African, Des. HARRIS, I believe was a Sergeant and his home address is 39 Henrietta Street, PIETERMARITZBURG, NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA. Lance-Corporal NICHOLLS home address is 65 Burtch Street, WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO, and his unit was the 2nd Field Company, R.C.E. I do not know the name of the British medical Officer who was in charge of the Red Cross First Aid Post at DUDERSTADT but Private Ronal F. BEAL of the ROYAL REGIMENT of CANADA would probably know it as he was assisting in the First Aid Post at this Camp. His address, I believe, is 955 Bloor Street, W., Apt. 4 Toronto, Ontario. While at DUDERSTADT the food situation was better than while we were on the march. Rations were issued dial but they were of poor quality and inadequate in quantity, but at least we had something to eat each day. A German field kitchen was set up about a half a mile away from the brick works and we were supplied with soup from it once a day. The work at this field kitchen was done by about 400 Polish girls who had been impressed into service.

    5. About the 1st April, 1945, we left DUDERSTADT and commenced marching Westwards again, sad once again our issue of rations became scanty and were only issued at intervals of every two days. I do not actually know of any casualties drink this part of the march as prisoners were falling out of the march from time to time and would probably be picked up by German transports and would be brought up to join the column again. There seemed to be no way of keeping actual track. During the march roll calls were not called and they would take count of the number in the column and issue rations accordingly. On one day the column's marching strength would be 700 strong, the following day 550 strong and on the next day back to 700. All this time the Germans did not worry particularly what we did or where were went or whether we stayed with the column or left it. We were liberated by an American spearhead of the THIRD ARMY at DITFURT on the 12th of April 1945.

    Signed A.C. JESSOP

    SWORN before me at the City of Toronto in the County of York the 22nd day of February, 1946 consisting of 3 pages each signed by Deponent

    Signed J.T. SHILLINGTON
    A Notary Public in and for the Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada
     
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    Report No.: PWIS(H)/LDC/894 - Le/Si

    CONFIDENTIAL

    Report on interrogation of PW LD 1032 Wachtmeister Curt BERGER

    At London District Cage, 26 November 1945.


    A. PERSONAL HISTORY

    12 December 1884 Born in VIESELBACH, Thuringia. PW is a carpenter with his own workshop in VIESEBACH.
    28 August 1939 Call-up to a Wach Bn in WEIMAR, SOPHIENSCHULE.
    7 September 1939 Discharged from the Army. PW returned to VIESELBACH.
    Mid June 1940 Call-up as Gefreiter to Bewachungs Bn, MEININGEN.
    Beginning July 1940 Bn moved to APOLDA
    End July 1940 PW discharged from the Army. He returned again to VIESELBACH.
    December 1942 PW was sent as civilian carpenter to BREMEN for about 3 weeks to repair bomb damage.
    7 February 1943 Call-up to Luftschutzpolizei, Feuer- und Entgiftungs- bereitschaft. (Air-raid police, fire and gas cleansing unit). PW had to undergo a course as a driver for fire fighting vehicles in BUTTROP (RUHR) which lasted approximately 3 months.
    Beginning May 1943 PW was posted to RECKLINGHAUSEN (RUHR) as Wachmeister, in the Luftschutzpolizei. The equivalent of this rank in the Army is Obergefreiter. He was permanently employed as a driver fro all classes of fire fighting vehicles. His unit was sent anywhere within the RUHR area as soon as an air-raid alarm was given.
    21 June 1944 PW had an accident whilst on duty and was sent to hospital. He stayed at various hospitals until
    3 January 1945 when he had to report back to his unit in RECKLINGHAUSEN but as he was still medically off duty he merely had to report once a day for roll call. He was under medical supervision and was sent from one hospital to another to be attended to.
    5 April 1945 On his way back from a visit to a hospital (confirmed by a document in his possession) in MESCHEDE he was captured by U.S. Troops. PW was still wearing his Luftschutzpolizei uniform which is not unlike the uniform of the German Luftwaffe.


    B. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.
    Height: 5' 3"
    Build: medium
    Face: oval
    Eyes: grey
    Special marks: Blind on left eye; right wrist broken on accident of 21 June 1944 and since then he has a stiff right hand.

    The above PW has no documents to substantiate his story but his general appearance is stolid, quiet and unruffled, and the opinion of the interrogator is that he is unlikely to be telling lies.


    L.D.C.
    26 November 1945

    DISTRIBUTION
    JAG 8 Copies
    MI 9/19 3 Copies
    AG3 (VW) 3 Copies
    File 3 Copies
     
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    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO "Q" FORM NO. 141 COMPLETED BY

    No. 896768
    Rank: Bombardier
    Name: YOUNG, C.G.
    Regiment or Corps: ROYAL ARTILLERY (FIELD)


    Further information is required as to the march from GORLITZ on 15 February 1945.

    PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
    THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM WILL IN NO WAY DELAY YOUR DEMOBILISATION.


    (1) To which camp did you belong when your march started? Give its location and number if possible.
    MANNSCHAFT - STAMMLAGER VIII A, GORLITZ N/SCHLESIEN.

    (2) Where exactly did your march being and end, and on which dates?
    GORLITZ 15 February 1945 ended KREIENSEN (HARZ) 1 April 1945.

    (3) If your march was part of a bigger evacuation march, can you say where the march originally started and where it eventually finished?
    General evacuation of SILESIA
    Finishing anywhere West of the ELOE.

    (4) Were parties from other camps assembled with your own party before departure? If so, can you identify these other camps?
    Yes; from LAMSDORF (MANN. STAMMLAGER 344)

    (5) Please give the names of any places through or near which you remember passing on the march, together with dates if possible.
    GORLITZ - BAUTZEN - KONIGSBRUCKE - MEISSEN - LOMMATSCH - BAD LAUSICK
    EISENBERT (THUR) - ST??DNITZ - JENA - MELLINGEN - DUDERSTADT (HARZ) - KREIENSEN.
    N.B. There were many other places I remember, but the general route is as above.

    (6) Were you joined by any other parties en route? if so, can you say where they joined you and to which camps they belonged?
    DUDERSTADT (HARZ) was an Auffangslager where parties from SAGAN POLAND XX A, XXI D, etc. were also.

    (7) Were any of the columns diverted from the main body en route? If so, do you know the destination of such parties?
    At MELLINGEN (THUR) 1,000 men were diverted to BAD SULZA (IX C) but all eventually arrived at DUDERSTADT.

    (8) Is there anything you now wish to add to the report made in your "Q" Form as to this march? Any further information you may have as to the identity of Germans responsible for the crimes you have reported, will be of particular value.
    No. - The main crime I wish to report occurred at ST??DNITZ (THUR).
    The general horribleness of the march is no doubt being dealt with elsewhere.

    Signed: Charles YOUNG, Bombardier
    Date: 15 August 1945
     
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    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO "Q" FORM NO. 359 COMPLETED BY

    No. 578097
    Rank: W.O.
    Name: F.G. STAPLETON
    Regiment or Corps: ROYAL AIR FORCE


    Further information is required as to the march from Stalag VIII A in February 1940.

    PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
    THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM WILL IN NO WAY DELAY YOUR DEMOBILISATION.


    (1) To which camp did you belong when your march started? Give its location and number if possible.
    Stalag 344. LAMSDORF, UPPER SILESIA near BRESLAU.

    (2) Where exactly did your march being and end, and on which dates?
    The march began at LAMSDORF and ended at Stalag II B FALLINGS BOSTEL near HANNOVER.
    Starting from January 20th 1945 ending April 6th.

    (3) If your march was part of a bigger evacuation march, can you say where the march originally started and where it eventually finished?
    The march finished at various places, for after leaving VIII A GORLITZ we were split up at MUHLHAUSEN and went to various Stalags.

    (4) Were parties from other camps assembled with your own party before departure? If so, can you identify these other camps?
    Yes. We had parties in from POSEN. Luft 4 near STETIN and Luft 7 KREISBURG

    (5) Please give the names of any places through or near which you remember passing on the march, together with dates if possible.
    JENA, ?, WEI??, MULHAUSEN, DUDENSTADT, MEISSEN, ?

    (6) Were you joined by any other parties en route? if so, can you say where they joined you and to which camps they belonged?
    Yes we were joined by ? parties at WEIMA, people from LUFT 3 SAAGEN and 18 B.

    (7) Were any of the columns diverted from the main body en route? If so, do you know the destination of such parties?
    Yes, we were split up into three bodies. One to FRANKFURT am MAIN.

    (8) Is there anything you now wish to add to the report made in your "Q" Form as to this march? Any further information you may have as to the identity of Germans responsible for the crimes you have reported, will be of particular value.
    -

    Signed: F.G. STAPLETON
    Date: 14 August 1945
     
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    2928525 I.E. DUNN, BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO "Q" FORM NO. 275 COMPLETED BY

    No. 2928525
    Rank:
    Name: I.E. DUNN
    Regiment or Corps: BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT


    Further information is required as to the march from LAMSDORF to ZIEGENHAIN, January - March 1945.

    PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
    THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM WILL IN NO WAY DELAY YOUR DEMOBILISATION.


    (1) To which camp did you belong when your march started? Give its location and number if possible.
    LAMSDORF KRIEGSGEFANGERLAGER 344 (OBERSILESIA near BRESLAU).

    (2) Where exactly did your march being and end, and on which dates?
    Began at LAMSDORF, OBERSILESIA on approximately 9th January 1945 and finished ZIEGENHAIN on approximately 14th March 1945.

    (3) If your march was part of a bigger evacuation march, can you say where the march originally started and where it eventually finished?
    Unable to say.

    (4) Were parties from other camps assembled with your own party before departure? If so, can you identify these other camps?
    No.

    (5) Please give the names of any places through or near which you remember passing on the march, together with dates if possible.
    WEIMAR - CHEMNITZ - MEISSEN - FULOA. (Unable to give dates).

    (6) Were you joined by any other parties en route? if so, can you say where they joined you and to which camps they belonged?
    No.

    (7) Were any of the columns diverted from the main body en route? If so, do you know the destination of such parties?
    Two days before end of March were split into 3 groups. All sick went to Camp 9C one to 9A and 3rd Group to 9B.
    9A at ZIEGENHAIN, 9B BAD ORB, 9C Unknown.

    (8) Is there anything you now wish to add to the report made in your "Q" Form as to this march? Any further information you may have as to the identity of Germans responsible for the crimes you have reported, will be of particular value.
    Major McLARDIE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS who was in charge of the British party kept three diaries of all names and incidents, dates, etc. Information was passed to him by the men.

    Signed: I.E. DUNN
    Date: 11 August 1945
     
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    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO "Q" FORM NO. 451 COMPLETED BY

    No. 1059761
    Rank: W.O.
    Name: G. MARTIN
    Regiment or Corps: ROYAL AIR FORCE


    Further information is required as to the march from LAMSDORF to ZIEGENHAIN 22 January - 12 March 1945

    PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
    THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM WILL IN NO WAY DELAY YOUR DEMOBILISATION.


    (1) To which camp did you belong when your march started? Give its location and number if possible.
    LAMSDORF, OBER SILESIA, Stalag 344.

    (2) Where exactly did your march being and end, and on which dates?
    Began LAMSDORF 22nd January 1945
    Ended ZIEGENHAIN 12th March 1945

    (3) If your march was part of a bigger evacuation march, can you say where the march originally started and where it eventually finished?
    The column of which writer was member was first column of 4,000 men to leave LAMSDORF. Understand that remainder of Camp left few days later.

    (4) Were parties from other camps assembled with your own party before departure? If so, can you identify these other camps?
    No.

    (5) Please give the names of any places through or near which you remember passing on the march, together with dates if possible.
    1. LAMSDORF
    2. GOLDBERG
    3. GORLITZ
    4. BAUTZEN
    5. KAMENZ
    6. KONIGSBRUCK
    7. JENA
    8. MEISSEN
    9. near WEIMAR
    10. MELLINGEN
    11. ZEIGENHAIN

    (6) Were you joined by any other parties en route? if so, can you say where they joined you and to which camps they belonged?
    No.

    (7) Were any of the columns diverted from the main body en route? If so, do you know the destination of such parties?
    At MELLINGEN column was divided into 3 columns. First went to ZIEGENHAIN. Second, originally intended for Lazarett near MELLINGEN eventually arrived at SEESEN and HALBERSTADT. Third column intended for Lager near FRANKFURT. Final destination not known.

    (8) Is there anything you now wish to add to the report made in your "Q" Form as to this march? Any further information you may have as to the identity of Germans responsible for the crimes you have reported, will be of particular value.
    All information known by writer was contained in 'Q' Form.

    Signed: G. MARTIN
    Date: 23 August 1945
     
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    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO "Q" FORM NO. 477 COMPLETED BY

    No. 1141319
    Rank: W.O.
    Name: G.J.E. HEXTELL
    Regiment or Corps: ROYAL AIR FORCE


    Further information is required as to the march from LAMSDORF to ZIEGENHAIN

    PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
    THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM WILL IN NO WAY DELAY YOUR DEMOBILISATION.


    (1) To which camp did you belong when your march started? Give its location and number if possible.
    Stalag 344, situated South East of BRESLAU in UPPER SILESIA.

    (2) Where exactly did your march being and end, and on which dates?
    It began at LAMSDORF on 22nd January 1945 and ended at ZIEGENHAIN on 22nd March approximately.

    (3) If your march was part of a bigger evacuation march, can you say where the march originally started and where it eventually finished?
    -

    (4) Were parties from other camps assembled with your own party before departure? If so, can you identify these other camps?
    No

    (5) Please give the names of any places through or near which you remember passing on the march, together with dates if possible.
    GORLITZ, DRESDEN, LEIPZIG, WEIMAR, EISENBURG, EISENACH, ?, MELLINGEN, JENA, ERFURT, BAUTZEN, MEISSEN.

    (6) Were you joined by any other parties en route? if so, can you say where they joined you and to which camps they belonged?
    No.

    (7) Were any of the columns diverted from the main body en route? If so, do you know the destination of such parties?
    We were split up into 3 parties at MELLINGEN the other 2 columns consisting mostly of sick personnel.

    (8) Is there anything you now wish to add to the report made in your "Q" Form as to this march? Any further information you may have as to the identity of Germans responsible for the crimes you have reported, will be of particular value.
    The German in charge of our party when we reached ZIEGENHAIN was a Hauptmann SCHREIBER. He was a source of trouble and discomfort to the men and was responsible for most of the punishment afflicted on them.

    Signed: George J.E. HEXTELL
    Date: 14 August 1945
     
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    DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND

    PW/A/53/42

    New Zealand Military Headquarters,
    Halifax House,
    51 - 55, The Strand,
    London,
    W.C.2.

    12 December 1946


    MEMORANDUM for:
    Military Deputy to the Judge Advocate General,
    6, Spring Gardens,
    Cockspur Street,
    LONDON, S.W.1.


    Subject: WAR CRIMES - ILL TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR

    1. Forwarded herewith, in duplicate, are sworn statements obtained from

    1880 W.O. I E.N.D. NATHAN
    39288 Corporal J.T. ANGELL

    of the 2 NZEF, relating to ill treatment of prisoners of war by unnamed Germans.


    2. In a memo forwarding these statements, Army Headquarters, New Zealand, say they were obtained following publicity given by W.O. I NATHAN to the ill treatment meted out to him in CRETE. At that time it was alleged his statement could be corroborated by Corporal ANGEL. However the latter deals mainly with the ill treatment of prisoners of war during the forced march into GERMAN before the advancing Russians.


    3. It will be noted that W.O. I NATHAN is unable to wear to the names or descriptions of the Germans responsible for his ill treatment in CRETE. However, Army Headquarters have asked that they should be forwarded to you in case they may prove of use in the prosecution of other war criminals.


    Signed ?
    Brigadier
    Military Liaison Officer, N.Z.
     
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    AFFADAVIT

    I, Joseph Tai ANGELL, of KAIKOHE, employed as a trainee in the Carpentry School of Instruction, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I enlisted in the 28th MAORI BATTALION at WHANGAREI in 1940. My Regimental number is 39288. My mother is living at WHIRINAKI, HOKIANGA. My age is now 29 years.

    I went with the MAORI BATTALION first to ENGLAND, and from there to EGYPT. From EGYPT we went to Mt. OLYMPUS in GREECE where we first made contact with the German Forces. I went through the fighting in GREECE and CRETE, and after the evacuation of our Forces from from CRETE I remained living secretly amongst the Cretan civilians for about 18 months.

    I was captured by the Germans in CRETE in May 1942, and after keeping us in CRETE for a further three months, the Germans took us to GERMANY, to Stalag 8 B in UPPER SILESIA which is within the Polish Border. When captured I held the rank of Corporal.

    We were treated reasonably well until January 1945, when the advancing Russian Forces were drawing close to our Camp.

    The Germans then commenced to move the War prisoners from Stalag 8 B across the German border, towards GERMANY.

    This was a forced march as we could frequently hear the firing of the Russian machine-guns behind us. This march was for a distance of 700 miles and occupied three months.

    There was a German Sergeant whose name I cannot remember in charge of the party of prisoners to which I was attached. He was a brutal man.

    A day's march would average 25 kilometres, and frequently we had to march day and night when the Russians were drawing too close.

    At nights we would be herded into any barns or sheds which were handy, and left to sleep on straw. Few of the prisoners had any blankets and those who did have blankets had to discard them as they became too heavy for the progressively weakening condition of the prisoners from lack of proper food, and the cold.

    I was the only New Zealander in our party. The rest were mostly British troops. Later in the march we came in contact with other New Zealanders.

    In the mornings it was a common thing to see several prisoners too exhausted to get up, and these were simply left to die.

    Our only food during the march was whatever potatoes, swedes, or other vegetables could be obtained from the local farmers. The Germans would instruct these farmers to send us the vegetables, and some of the prisoners would be detailed to boil these up in the coppers used by the farmers for boiling their pig-food.

    Our average ration would be two potatoes every 24 hours, with occasionally a carrot or swede added if we were lucky. Occasionally we had coffee without sugar. The coffee would be provided by the Germans who also occasionally gave us soup, without meat.

    The march was all done on foot by the prisoners. If a prisoner's boots wore out, he had to continue marching. Those prisoners who were too lame or too exhausted to march any further would be left behind.

    If the Germans thought that a lagging prisoner was able to keep going, they would beat him with their rifle butts. If the prisoner remonstrated at this they usually shot him. During the march I saw numbers of prisoners shot in cold blood. Those who were driven by hunger to break the ranks to collect vegetables growing in the fields near the road would be shot as this was regarded as an attempt to escape. Occasionally at nights while herded in a barn, several prisoners would creep out to obtain some vegetables. If seen by the German guards, the guars waited until the prisoners had reached their barn on their way back, and were then shot in cold blood as a warning to the others.

    I do not know the names of any of the Germans who treated the prisoners cruelly. We only referred to them as "Fritz" or "Carl" or some other common German Christian name, and never heard their real names.

    The food of the German guards on this march was not good, but it was better than we received. At nights, also, the Germans found billets for themselves in the farmhouse.

    Prior to our setting out on this forced march to GERMANY, I was placed in charge of a party of British troops who were working in a stone quarry.

    These prisoners were weak and exhausted and were often beaten by the Germans with the butts of their rifles. On several occasions I remonstrated at this inhuman treatment, but the only result was that I would be knocked down in the same way.

    I learned to speak German quite well and was able to make myself clearly understood by the Germans.

    I did not have to obtain any treatment as the result of being knocked down by the German rifle butts.

    I know Warrant Officer E. NATHAN. He and I were for a short while in one Prison camp in GERMANY where Greek prisoners were held, but I did not see Warrant Officer NATHAN subjected to any ill-treatment. He has informed me that he was ill-treatment by the Germans.

    I was never questioned by the Germans with the view to obtaining information of military value to them.

    On one occasion leaflets were left on our beds while I was attached to the Greek Prisoner camp, inviting us to join what was described at the "Free British Corps" to fight the Communists. These leaflets were no doubt distributed by the Germans, but none of us actually saw them delivered.

    I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the "Justices of the Peace Act, 1927".

    Signed J.T. ANGELL


    Declared at KAIKOHE this 10th day of October 1946, before me
    Signed James Be??good
    Justice of the Peace.
     
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    REPORT BY A.407822 W.O. A. McCURRIE, Royal Air Force, CAMP LEADER STALAG 344.

    Report of March from LAMSDORF to GORLITZ.

    (The original report of the march from LAMSDORF to GORLITZ was handed by me at GORLITZ to the Camp Leader to send on to the Protecting Power. This report is a brief summary and naturally is not a copy of the original report.)

    The R.A.F. March group, comprising 947 men, marched out of LAMSDORF on the 22nd January, 1945, and reached GORLITZ on the 3rd February, 1945, after having covered a distance of 265 kilometres.

    Conditions on this march were most severe owing to very low temperatures which, on many occasions reached 20 degrees below zero. Roads were bad owing to the fact that they were covered with ice and snow and many injuries were occasioned by men falling owing to the slippery surface. German food supplies were irregular and totally inadequate but all men were issued with one Red Cross parcel on leaving LAMSDORF so that no very great hardship occurred from lack of food.

    Treatment by guards was on the whole reasonable and only on the whole reasonable and only on rare occasions were men marching at the rear of the column maltreated owing to the fact that they were unable to keep up with the rest of the march group. In such instances they were kicked and struck with rifle butts.

    Approximately 360 men did not complete this march, having to remain behind in villages owing to their exhausted conditions, suffering from frost bite and starvation exhaustion. Many of these men later arrived at GORLITZ after having a few days' rest but when I left GORLITZ quite a number were still unaccounted for.

    On this march no soups were issued by the Germans - on one occasion cooked potatoes were issued but apart from this the only food issues were on an average of 375 grams of bread daily and a little margarine on two occasions.

    Towns passed through and number of sick left behind.

    On 22nd January, reached FRIEBORN where 35 sick were left behind
    On 23rd January, reached PRIEBORN where 130 sick were left behind
    On 24th January, reached GROSSE NEIGNITZ where 63 sick were left behind
    On 25th January, reached ZOBDEN where 34 sick were left behind
    On 26th January, reached DOMAMZE where NO sick were left behind
    On 27th January, reached DAMSDORF where 16 sick were left behind
    On 28th January, reached PETERWITZ where 27 sick were left behind
    On 29th January, reached GOLDBERG where 37 sick were left behind
    On 30th January, REST DAY
    On 31st January, reached LAUTENSEIFFE where 10 sick were left behind
    On 1st February, reached NEULANDS where 8 sick were left behind
    On 2nd February, reached ? [sic] where *7 were left behind

    *Transported from last haling place to GORLITZ by wagon.
     
  20. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    This is all the documentation I have.

    Just to clarify: I do not know anything further about the individuals mentioned.

    Hope this my be of help or interest to some.
     

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