Human Game: The True Story of the 'Great Escape' Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen (41 page)

103
Bowes and Lyon visit crematorium, talk with Anton Sawerthal. Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.

103
“As the bodies were being unloaded…” Sawerthal statement. Air 40/2491/126.

104
The names of the deceased and the corresponding cremation numbers. Sawerthal statement. Air 40/2491/126.

104
“Shot while attempting to escape.” Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.

104
“The two chief Gestapo officials…” Sawerthal statement. Air 40/2491/126.

104
Reviewing the list of Liberec Gestapo. Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.

104
“It is possible…” Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.

105
Bowes and Lyon attempt to pursue Breslau enquiry. Investigation progress report: May 7, 1946. Air 40/2492/155.

105
Bowes and Lyon meet with the attorney for the district. Investigation progress report: May 7, 1946. Air 40/2492/155.

106
Bowes and Lyon denied meeting with Siedwidski or permission to visit other towns. Investigation progress report: May 7, 1946. Air 40/2492/155.

106
Polish police beat and plunder local German populace, “extort[ing] food and money.” Bessel, pg. 224.

106
“in a queue of expellees…” Bessel, pg. 224.

106
Evacuation of inmates from Stalag Luft III, inmates moved to neighboring farms and eventual liberation. Gill, pg. 238.

106
Bowes and Lyon visit the former site of Stalag Luft III. Andrews, pg. 172.

107
Bowes and Lyon visit memorial to the fifty. Andrews, pg. 172.

CHAPTER 7: MUNICH

108
Biographical information on Johannes Gouws and details of his capture. Vance, pgs. 128–129.

108
Biographical information on Rupert Stevens and details of his capture. Vance, pgs. 56–68.

109
Gouws’s and Stevens’s travel plans, last seen alive at Breslau station, ashes arrive at Stalag Luft III. Andrews, pg. 67.

110
1936 Winter Olympics; “Jews Not Wanted.”
Spiegel Online International,
January 22, 2010.

110
Nuremberg Laws and the concentration camps.
Spiegel Online International,
January 22, 2010.

110
Goring’s escape and Hitler’s mountain retreat.
Spiegel Online International,
January 22, 2010.

110
Exchange beginning with “Are you a party member?” Gassner interrogation. Air 40/2491/111.

110
Gassner’s police service and eventual arrest. Gassner interrogation. Air 40/2491/111.

111
“Do you remember…” Gassner interrogation. Air 40/2491/111.

111
“excellent German” and “good impression.” Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/197; Neely’s name. Andrews, pg. 152, Air 40/2487/029.

111
“The flying officer asked me…” Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/197.

111
Gouws and Stevens arrested on separate trains, Neely returned to Stalag Luft III. Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/198.

111
“The two other officers…” Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/198.

112
Gassner ordered to deliver parcels. Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/198.

112
“At first, Haselsberger…” Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/198.

112
Evidence relating to crime is destroyed. Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/199.

112
“About a fortnight before the arrival…” Gassner statement. Air 40/2491/199.

112
“What happened to the two RAF officers?” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

112
“They were handed over to the Gestapo…” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

112
“Did you see the urns?” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

112
“No.” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

112
“Do you know what happened…” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

112
“I don’t know…” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

113
“As head of the Munich Kripo…” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

113
“No, the matter finished for me…” Greiner interrogation. Air 40/2491/101.

113
Achter recalls Schneider showing up with a Russian tommy gun. Achter statement. Air 40/2487/185.

113
“I had not seen a model like that before.” Achter statement. Air 40/2487/185.

113
Oswald Schäfer summons a meeting. Achter statement. Air 40/2487/185-186.

113
“Weil resumed his seat opposite me…” Achter statement. Air 40/2487/186.

113
Achter puts pieces together after his arrest. Achter statement. Air 40/2487/186.

114
“Until then, I did not know this fact.” Achter statement. Air 40/2487/186.

114
“I heard Weil worked for the Americans…” Achter statement. Air 40/2487/186.

114
“There are various opinions about Schäfer’s whereabouts…” Achter statement. Air 40/2487/186.

114
Schermer’s suicide. Andrews, pg. 154.

114
Details regarding Peter Mohr. Mohr statement. Air 40/2487/089.

115
Gestapo forced to pay cremation expenses. Mohr statement. Air 40/2487/089.

115
Williams find cremation receipts. Andrews, pg. 157.

115
“It was two feet wide…” Andrews, pg. 157.

115
Emil Weil’s service with the police and Gestapo. Weil statement. Air 40/2487/205.

116
“Orders are orders.” Weil statement. Air 40/2487/205.

116
Car ride with prisoners and arrival at scene of execution. Weil statement. Air 40/2487/205-206.

116
“On the right of the prisoners was Geith…” Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

116
“Schermer said he had to drive…” Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

116
Schermer and Schneider return in a van. Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

117
“They’re dead.” Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

117
Schermer confers with civilian and officer. Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

117
“Shortly afterwards, the civilian and the police officer…” Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206.

117
Weil removes names from registry; records are destroyed. Weil statement. Air 40/2487/206-207.

118
Schneider’s wife leads investigators to Hammelburg. Andrews, pgs. 154, 157.

118
Conditions at Stalag XIII-B grim. RC Nov. 1, 1945.

118
The struggle to keep warm, no washrooms or hot water. RC Nov. 1, 1945.

118
“one-tenth of a loaf of bread…” RC Nov. 1, 1945.

119
Men bedridden by malnutrition. RC Nov. 1, 1945.

119
Air raid policies, tensions between prisoners and guards, inmate shootings. RC Nov. 1, 1945.

119
Task Force Baum sets out on rescue operation on March 26. Domes and Heinlein.

119
Ordeal of making it to the camp; Waters shot and carried back to camp. Domes and Heinlein.

120
Negotiations between camp officials and task force go forward; task force moves out at 20:00 hours. Domes and Heinlein.

120
Baum orders his men to fall back to nearby hill. Domes and Heinlein.

121
Baum ordered “every man for himself.” Domes and Heinlein.

121
Germans move into position during the night and attack in the morning; Baum is captured. Domes and Heinlein.

121
U.S. 14th Armored Division liberates the camp. Domes and Heinlein.

121
Johann Schneider’s background. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
Schneider summoned to headquarters and ordered to prepare a car. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
“We drive to police HQ.” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
Prisoners retrieved from police headquarters. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
“Be ready to leave…” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
Schermer returns to garage at 4:30
A.M.
Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
“On Schäfer’s orders…” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
Car ride to the killing field. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
“Stop. Pull up to the right.” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
“Relieve yourselves.” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201.

122
Prisoners and Gestapo agents exit the vehicle. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/201-202.

122
“Shoot! Shoot!” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

122
“I looked at him again briefly…” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

122
Schneider fires machine gun. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

122
“Take off the chains at once.” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

122
Bodies covered with tarpaulin; shell casings are collected. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

124
“If there is a commission of enquiry…” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

124
Weil and Geith remain with the bodies. Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

124
“Schermer told me later…” Schneider statement. Air 40/2487/202.

124
Geith’s biographical details. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/191.

124
Discussing the order of execution and deciding not to use service pistols. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/192-193.

125
“Schneider proposed after long hesitation…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/193.

125
Gestapo agents and captured airmen struggle past language barrier. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/194.

125
“Nothing went quickly enough for him.” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/194.

125
The prisoners are loaded into cars for final journey. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/194-195, 196.

125
Cars are stopped and the prisoners are told to relieve themselves. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/195.

125
“In my opinion…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/195.

126
One airman lay twitching on the ground. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/196.

126
“I’ll see to that.” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/196.

126
The bodies are unshackled and covered with branches. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/196.

126
“After all this had happened…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/196.

126
The coroner arrives on scene. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/197.

126
“Yes, there is certainly no more to be done here.” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/197.

126
“inwardly excited.” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/196.

126
“smallest detail” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/198.

126
Geith reads newspaper account of Eden’s speech. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199.

127
“I was compelled to agree…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199.

127
“This is one hell of a business.” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199.

127
Geith told all records pertaining to the murders will be destroyed. Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199.

127
“I did not take part in the happenings of my own free will…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199.

127
“I can give an assurance…” Geith statement. Air 40/2487/199-200.

127
Courtney tracks down Schäfer’s onetime secretary. Air 40/2272/065.

CHAPTER 8: A DEATH IN THE MOUNTAINS

129
Death of Cochran’s two friends, hatred of Germans, Whitley bomber downed. Gill pg. 148; Vance, pg. 148.

129
Cochran’s escape from Dulag Luft. Vance, pg. 148.

130
Cochran’s biographical details. Gill, pgs. 147–148, 164; Vance, pg. 148.

130
Escape plan and travel. Gill, pg. 186; Andrews pg. 71.

130
SAS launch sabotage operations behind enemy lines. Scholey, pg. 45.

131
Men and boys rounded up in Moussey. Scholey, pg. 46.

131
Raid on town.
Daily Telegraph,
February 7, 2007.

131
Bodies unearthed and identified as SAS operatives. Charlesworth, pgs. 24–25.

131
French officials release former Nazis from captivity. Charlesworth, pg. 32.

132
Twenty-two thousand inmates die at camp; Eighty-six men and women gassed to provide anatomical specimens. Natzweiler.

132
Law student, sports editor, joins Gestapo in 1934. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/232.

132
Barkworth forwards Herberg’s name to RAF. Investigation progress report: June 7, 1945. Air 40/2492/197.

132
McKenna breaks out of hospital. Andrews, pgs. 174, 175.

132
Herberg learns of escape while on leave. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/232.

133
“By order of the Reichsführer SS…” Reproduced in Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233.

133
“After I had noted…” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233.

133
“I’m still on leave.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233.

133
“You’ll get another day for this.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233.

134
Details of the killing are ironed out. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233.

134
Gestapo retrieves Cochran from the prison. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/233-234.

134
“You are to be taken to a camp…” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

134
Cochran becomes defiant when questioned about escape. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

134
“I can’t talk about that…” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

135
Car reaches the gate of the Natzweiler camp. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

135
“We’ve lost our way.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

135
Herberg stays behind as other walk Cochran into the woods; hears two shots. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.