Wormhout Massacre discussed on TV with two SS Officers

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Drew5233, Dec 11, 2009.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I noticed today that the Wormhout Massacre in France 1940 was debated on TV quite a few years ago.

    The show was called the Cook Report and it was aired on 7/6/88 (The day after I passed my Driving Test). The show had to ex SS Officers on it who held the rank of Colonel during WW2. Leslie Aitken (Padre of Dunkirk Vets Assoc.) was also present as was one or two survivors.

    Does anyone recall watching it and more importantly is it still possible to view?

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just found this in The Independent:

    Senf's statement says Heinrichs ordered him to escort the prisoners further, and when he asked the other escorts, who were all corporals or lance corporals, where they were going, he 'was told they had orders from Mohnke to shoot the prisoners'. He says he told Heinrichs he was not happy with the order. 'Heinrichs replied that we had just heard ourselves how Mohnke shouted at him.' Heinrichs died on the eastern front.

    SS oath of silence foiled massacre inquiry: Papers show investigators were certain that officer ordered killing of up to 90 British prisoners. Stephen Ward reports - UK, News - The Independent
     
  3. Mark Hone

    Mark Hone Senior Member

    Yes. Roger Cook was a famous and (quite literally) larger-than-life investigative reporter, originally from New Zealand, who had made his name on the BBC radio 'Checkpoint' programme confronting conmen, fraudsters etc and often got battered for his pains. The character of Eddie Shoestring in the TV detective series was partly based on him. I can only remember the details of the TV programme vaguely but it ended with Cook attempting to 'doorstep' the aged Wilhelm Mohnke at his house, but apart from catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure disappearing quickly indoors, he didn't manage to secure an interview.
    No doubt Richmond Upon Thames College, who seem to record every tv programme, have it in their archives, but you have to buy a licence from them to access their recordings and theoretically they only supply to educational institutions.
    Richmond Upon Thames College - Video Library
    It's amazing what is now available on Youtube.
    Leslie Aitken wrote the most detailed account of Wormhout: 'Massacre on the Road To Dunkirk' which is worth getting hold of.
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Mark....I remember Roger Cook (Showing my Age now) but not that particular show.

    I finished reading the book yesterday (Lots of info for my next trip) although I suspect a lot of its contents are straight from the NA files which I have.

    I did think of checking Youtube - Will do that later today. I'm quite interested in what these two SS Officers had to say.

    Cheers Mark
    Andy
     
  5. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    I suspect one of the 'vets' was Monekel or something like that....he was later right at the end of the year in Berlin at Hitelr's bunker.....I guess you looked on youtube????

    Sorry his name was Mohnke.....
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I suspect one of the 'vets' was Monekel or something like that....he was later right at the end of the year in Berlin at Hitelr's bunker.....I guess you looked on youtube????

    Sorry his name was Mohnke.....

    He is the main suspect...He wasn't on the show but as Mark says Mr Cook rocked up at his house just outside Hamburg.

    Not looked on Youtube yet...I'm still at work.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No Cook Report clips on youtube or the net by the looks of it.
     
  9. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    4jonboy, Dave55, JohnH and 4 others like this.
  10. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Wouldn't it be out then?

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  11. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I don't understand enough about the historiography to know.
    Or even if it's already found its way out in some form. It'd require the 1940/archives types to confirm.
    Interesting film, though.
    The old chaps walking towards their replica hut quite affecting.
     
  12. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Sorry, what I meant was whether a 2022 release date would have meant opening the file on 1 Jan past.

    All the best

    Anreas
     

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