Hello, My name is Gus and I'm trying to identify an old black and white WW2 movie where two German soldiers are captured by the Allies and placed in a German prison camp. The German Officers accused them of desertion and a trial is held. This all takes place in the prison and the War is about to end. The soldiers are convicted and sentenced to death. The German Officers plea with the Allies and ask for rifles to form a firing squad. After some debate, rifles were provided and the soldiers were shot. The German officer then asks for a pistol and shoots the soldiers in the head for the coup de grace. It was a very powerful movie, but I don't know the title or the actors. It could have been a European film. I remember seeing it over 30 years ago. Does anyone remember this movie? I would appreciate any help. Thank you
Hello, My name is Gus and I'm trying to identify an old black and white WW2 movie where two German soldiers are captured by the Allies and placed in a German prison camp. The German Officers accused them of desertion and a trial is held. This all takes place in the prison and the War is about to end. The soldiers are convicted and sentenced to death. The German Officers plea with the Allies and ask for rifles to form a firing squad. After some debate, rifles were provided and the soldiers were shot. The German officer then asks for a pistol and shoots the soldiers in the head for the coup de grace. It was a very powerful movie, but I don't know the title or the actors. It could have been a European film. I remember seeing it over 30 years ago. Does anyone remember this movie? I would appreciate any help. Thank you Welcome to the forum.This sounds like the last episode of `Secret Army` very similar.I believe theres a thread about it some where on here .I think there was mention of an actual event involving Canadian guards? Someone I am sure can tell you more
Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sure that some of our movie goers will remember the title. Regards Tom
I know the film you're refering to but can't think of the name of it. Not much help I know! But I think it was either a British or Hollywood movie, not European.
something like this happened in reality:shortly after the German capitulation,a German officer asked the allied commanding officer for permission to execute some POW that had been condemned to death by a German court-martial,the permission was given and the men were executed by a German firing squad consisting of German POW .Maybe,the allied commander was thinking:if these"Krauts" want to kill each other,who am I to oppose it . Source :Feldgrau :view topic:php ? f =59§t =22792
I knew there was a thread on this somewhere the answer you seek is here ;- http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/15848-execution-german-soldiers.html
Hello, My name is Gus and I'm trying to identify an old black and white WW2 movie where two German soldiers are captured by the Allies and placed in a German prison camp. The German Officers accused them of desertion and a trial is held. This all takes place in the prison and the War is about to end. The soldiers are convicted and sentenced to death. The German Officers plea with the Allies and ask for rifles to form a firing squad. After some debate, rifles were provided and the soldiers were shot. The German officer then asks for a pistol and shoots the soldiers in the head for the coup de grace. It was a very powerful movie, but I don't know the title or the actors. It could have been a European film. I remember seeing it over 30 years ago. Does anyone remember this movie? I would appreciate any help. Thank you I originally posted this search for the title of this movie about 2 German prisoners that were executed. I have since found out the name of movie for those who may be interested. It is called "Fifth Day of Peace" starring Richard Johnson and Franco Nero filmed in 1969. I remembered it in black and white, but it is in color.
Is the story about two german soldiers who deserted and surrendered just prior to capitulation, but then had the misfortune to be sent to a pow camp for German soldiers, where they were tried for desertion and shot? If so, its based on a true story - I can dig out their names if its of any interest. If not, just ignore my ramblings...... Pete
Medicine Hat Murders For many observers, the murder of Karl Lehmann that took place at the Medicine Hat, Alberta POW Camp during World War II is best summed up in the outcome—four German prisoners executed in a sobering spectacle that was the largest mass hanging in Canadian history since the Riel Rebellion in 1885. But that is only one significant aspect of the events at Internment Camp 132, as the case actually involved two murders with interesting outcomes. In a lower-profile case, August Plaszek was beaten and then hung by his fellow prisoners on June 22, 1943. One of the three accused would be executed by hanging in June 1946, his last words being, “My Fuehrer, I follow thee.” The second murder was that of Karl Lehmann, killed on Sept. 10, 1944, the result of which on December 1946 all four of the accused were executed by hanging. The RCMP investigated both cases and all of the accused were tried separately in Medicine Hat. The trials were held in civil rather than military courts, and the executions at Lethbridge Jail were also a civil responsibility. From: http://www.albertasource.ca/lawcases/criminal/powmurder/powmurder.htm POW - Behind Canadian Barbed Wire (2004). This book formed the basis for the National Film Board of Canada production 'The Enemy Within' ; and for the CBC TV COUNTRY CANADA documentary 'Murder Behind the Wire', and for a GERMAN ZDF-TV film for viewing in Germany. 'Murder Behind the Wire' was seen by an estimated 1.2 million viewers across Canada.
Here is a link to a PDF of the entire story. http://www.wlu.ca/lcmsds/cmh/back%20issues/CMH/volume%202/issue%201/Madsen%20-%20Victims%20of%20Circumstance%20-%20the%20Execution%20of%20German%20Deserters%20by%20Surrendered%20German%20Troops%20Under%20Canadian%20Control.pdf
Here is the movie you mentioned. 5th Day of Peace Dio è con noi(1972) PG During the days after World War II, two out-of-uniform German soldiers roaming the battle-scarred landscape end up court-martialed for desertion and condemned to die -- despite an Allied decree preventing Germans from holding military tribunals. A Canadian officer (Richard Johnson) in charge of the prisoner-of-war camp must decide whether to let the Germans put the pair to death. Giuliano Montaldo directs this gripping tale based on a true incident. Genre:Military & War Dramas, Classic War Stories This movie is:Dark AvailabilityVD
Medicine Hat Murders For many observers, the murder of Karl Lehmann that took place at the Medicine Hat, Alberta POW Camp during World War II is best summed up in the outcome—four German prisoners executed in a sobering spectacle that was the largest mass hanging in Canadian history since the Riel Rebellion in 1885. Sorry if this is hijacking this thread but on searching for a suitable place to put what I wanted to say, this thread came up, and it has a connection to Canucks posting. It's a thread on another Forum about a shotdown Heinkel over RAF Watton in Norfolk and leads to Medicine Hat. Heinkel 111 shot down Watton ????? - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
