Human Game: The True Story of the 'Great Escape' Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen (42 page)

135
Cochran execution and the transporting of the body to the camp. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

135
“We have been unlucky…” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

135
Ganninger smiles. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

136
“I am already in the picture.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

136
“Do you now want a death certificate?” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234.

136
“to produce this death certificate in the highest quarters.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/235.

136
Herberg is denied a death certificate. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/234-235.

136
“In Karlsruhe, where I reported by telephone…” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/235.

136
Herberg summoned from movie theater and dispatched to Berlin. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/235.

137
“an unguarded moment.” Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/235.

137
Müller dictates report. Herberg statement. Air 40/2487/235.

137
June 4 meeting with Barkworth. Investigation progress report: June 15, 1946. Air 40/2286/007.

138
Wochner’s sentence and Ganninger’s suicide. Investigation progress report: July 4, 1946. Air 40/2272/074; Investigation progress report: June 15, 1946. Air 40/2286/007.

138
McKenna works his way from camp to camp in the American sector. Andrews, pg. 182.

139
“round, unhealthy face…” Air 40/2492/219.

139
Preiss biographical details. Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/236.

139
“The order has been given…” Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/237.

139
Preiss shoots Cochran. Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/238.

139
“The pistol did not quite touch his head…” Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/238.

140
Preiss takes ashes to
Kripo
in Breslau. Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/239-240.

140
“I declare that I only acted…” Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/240.

140
“This was my first and last execution.” Preiss statement. Air 40/2487/237.

140
Boschert hospitalized with broken spine; McKenna arrives in Karlsruhe for interrogation. Investigation progress report: July 3, 1946. Air 40/2286/006.

140
Boschert stays with car. Boschert statement. Air 40/2487/225.

140
“After about half a minute to a minute…” Boschert statement. Air 40/2487/225.

141
“I never saw the body again.” Boschert statement. Air 40/2487/225.

141
Boschert moved to Paderborn for eventual transfer to London. Investigation progress report: July 3, 1946. Air 40/2286/006.

141
Gmeiner in French custody. Investigation progress report: August 6, 1946. Air 40/2493/036.

141
“By order of the Führer…” Order reproduced in Gmeiner statement. Air 40/2487/226.

141
“Having received the order…” Gmeiner statement. Air 40/2487/230.

142
“I became a civil servant…” Gmeiner statement. Air 40/2487/231.

142
“If in my forty-second year…” Gmeiner statement. Air 40/2487/231.

142
“This case can now be regarded as completed.” Investigation progress report: August 6, 1946. Air 40/2493/036.

CHAPTER 9: SAARBRÜCKEN

143
German hatred toward Allied airmen. Nichol and Rennell, pg. 325.

143
A firsthand account of airgunner Tom Tate’s ordeal can be found in Nichol and Rennell, pgs. 338–345.

144
“First of all…” Sgt. L. H. Harcus. IWM.

144
Inmates stripped upon arrival at Dulag Luft; measurements of cell. Durand, pgs. 60, 64.

144
Red Cross form and interrogation techniques. Rolf, pgs. 41–43; Durand, pg. 63.

145
“There are too many people…” RAF Master Engineer Robert James Goode. IWM.

145
“Go ahead and shoot.” RAF Master Engineer Robert James Goode. IWM.

145
Interrogator sends airman back to his cell. RAF Master Engineer Robert James Goode. IWM.

145
“made from various mixtures of hay…” Durand, pg. 61.

145
Men denied toiletries and cigarettes; daily rations at Dulag Luft. Durand, pgs. 60, 61.

145
Germans increase heat in cells to stifling levels. Durand, pg. 64; Cell walls heavily insulated and windows sealed. Rolf, pg. 41.

145
“We used to go in these rooms…” Flight Lt. H. Burton. IWM.

146
Early escape attempt from Dulag Luft. Gill, pgs. 32–33; Brickhill, pg. 6.

146
Bushell’s escape plan. Gill, pgs. 41–42; Brickhill, pgs. 7–8.

146
Bushell runs, is captured, and shipped to Barth. Brichill, pg. 8; Carroll, pg. 33.

146
Bushell loses forty pounds while imprisoned at Barth. Brickhill, pg. 8; Gill, pg. 43.

146
Bushell’s escape from the train. Gill, pgs. 41–43; Brickhill, pgs. 8–9.

146
Host family in Prague murdered, Zafouk shipped to Colditz, Bushell held by the Gestapo before arriving at Stalag Luft III. Gill, pg. 10; Brickhill, pg. 9.

148
Scheidhauer’s escape by boat. Vance, pg. 203.

148
Scheidhauer’s biographical details. Carroll, pgs. 190–191.

148
Bushell and Scheidhauer numbers five and six in tunnel. Gill, pg. 178; Purchase tickets and are approached in Saarbrücken. Carroll, pgs. 223, 240.

149
“Good luck.” Carroll, pg. 240.

149
“Thank you.” Carroll, pg. 240.

149
Bushell and Scheidhauer are captured and interrogated. Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/190-191; Brickhill, pg. 258.

149
Dingermann takes call from Spann, makes necessary arrangements; meets with concerned officer. Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/190.

149
“I heard in confidence…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/190.

150
“I seriously do not believe…” Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/190.

150
“What struck me…” Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/189.

150
“When informed a few days later…” Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/190.

150
“About three or four weeks ago…” Dingermann statement. Air 40/2491/191.

151
Lampel names Bender as arresting agent. Lampel statement. Air 40/2490/118.

151
“I presume he is still living there.” Lampel statement. Air 40/2490/118.

152
Schmoll’s statement and Breithaupt’s arrest. Andrews, pgs. 203, 204.

152
“to be returned to a camp in the Reich.” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/211.

152
Captured airmen retrieved from Lerchesflur prison. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/211.

152
“This is not compatible with the honor of an officer.” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
Route taken on journey to killing field. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
“Don’t drive so fast…” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
Schulz and Spann get out of car. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
“I have received an order by teleprint…” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
Bushell and Scheidhauer are ordered out of the car. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

154
“Shots will be fired immediately…” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

155
“sounded almost like one.” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

155
Schulz is ordered to stand watch over the bodies. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

155
“You are not allowed…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

155
Bodies are loaded into a box and driven to Neue Bremm. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/212.

155
“What’s going to happen…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

155
“They are to be cremated.” Based on paraphrased conversation in Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

155
Information on Neue Bremm, including reference to “expanded police prison.” Landsman.

155
“He pointed out an empty space…” Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

155
Description of Schulz and his last known address. Breithaupt statement. Air 40/2487/213.

156
Tracking down the Schulz family to Frankenholz. Andrews, pgs. 206–207.

156
McKenna searches the house. Andrews, pg. 207;
Daily Mail
, October 24, 2009.

156
“My dearest, brave darling…”
Daily Mail
, October 24, 2009.

156
Frau Schulz denies the letter comes from her husband; McKenna takes letter as evidence. Andrews, pgs. 207–208.

157
“South African born…” Andrews, pg. 208.

157
McKenna shows camp commandant letter; guards bring Ernst Schmidt in for interrogation. Andrews, pg. 208.

157
McKenna shows prisoner letter, Schulz confesses to his true identity. Andrews, pg. 209.

157
“
Ich bin Emil Schulz.
” Andrews, pg. 209.

157
Schulz lets prisoner out of vehicle; Spann fires several shots. Schulz statement. Air 40/2487/221.

158
“I also fired one of these shots…” Schulz statement. Air 40/2487/221.

158
Schulz shoots Bushell in the temple. Schulz statement. Air 40/2487/221.

158
“Death took place immediately.” Schulz statement. Air 40/2487/221.

158
McKenna offers cigarettes to commandant and hurries from French Zone. Andrews, pg. 210.

158
McKenna asks Schulz if he wants to relieve himself. Andrews, pg. 211.

158
“I had never killed a man before…” Andrews, pgs. 10-11.

159
“Dear Angela, dear Ingeborg…” Letter reproduced in Andrews, pg. 213.

160
“strict rules governing fraternization.” Andrews, pg. 213.

160
Schulz joins civil police in 1928, posted to Gestapo ten years later. Schulz statement. Air 40/2487/220.

160
“That’s not good…”
Daily Mail
, Oct. 24, 2009.

CHAPTER 10: DANZIG

161
Kozlowsky rumored to have been torched to death. Andrews, pg. 148.

161
Knuppelberg freed by the Russians. Andrews, pg. 277; Air 40/2272/023.

162
Monitoring Hans Ziegler’s mail. Investigation progress report: March 21, 1947. Air 40/2478/013.

162
“In the death records of the Kriminal Polizei office…” Document quoted in Andrews, pg. 215.

163
“Deep powerful voice…” Investigation progress report: June 24, 1946. Air 40/2286/009.

163
“It is interesting to point out…” Investigation progress report: July 4, 1946. Air 40/2286/005.

163
Graes, in his statement, provided several months earlier. Graes statement. Air 40/2490/070.

164
“One morning in the late summer…” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/171.

164
“I remember at about that time…” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/171.

164
“Of course, Bruchardt was subordinated to Venediger directly…” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/171.

164
“Until then, all I knew…” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/171.

165
“Never at any time…” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/171.

165
“Possibly, Berlin got them.” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/172.

165
“He has not yet been captured.” Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/172-173.

165
Achterberg discovers his wife is having an affair. Achterberg statement. Air 40/2487/173.

165
Bruchardt’s bullwhip and his reputation for violence; McKenna told to find Frau Blum. Andrews, pgs. 192, 195.

165
McKenna searches for—and finds—Frau Blum. Andrews, pg. 196.

167
“Please tell Frau Blum…” Andrews, pg. 197.

167
Blum reveals Bruchardt’s location; leads to a flat above the local police station. Andrews, pg. 197.

168
Arrest and beating of Bruchardt. Andrews, pg. 198.

168
“smoothly.” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

168
“formerly employed in the border fights…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

168
“respectively white Russians…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

168
RAF officers shot while trying to escape. Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

168
“It appeared to me…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

169
Guard drunk at the time of the shooting. Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

169
“When he led me into the woods…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115.

169
Bruchardt debriefs Venediger. Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/115-116.

169
“What purpose would it have served…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/116.

169
Bodies destroyed and shipped to Berlin; destined for England. Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/116.

170
“Since the Nuremberg trials…” Bruchardt statement. Air 40/2493/116.

CHAPTER 11: FINDING SCHARPWINKEL

171
What the RAF knew about the Breslau murders. War Crimes Report: August 7, 1945. Air 40/2488/032.

171
Threats to captured airmen are quoted in War Crimes Report: August 7, 1945. Air 40/2488/032.

171
“Ten civilians of the Gestapo type”; Six prisoners taken away, their ashes arrive at Stalag Luft III shortly thereafter. War Crimes Report. Air 40/2486/032-033.

172
“battered looking, pugilistic type of face.” Ogilvie statement. Air 40/2490/203.

172
Ten prisoners taken from the jail, their ashes returned to Stalag Luft III. War Crimes Report: August 7, 1945. Air 40/2486/032-033.

172
Threats made and Kalanowski’s depression. War Crimes Report: August 7, 1945. Air 40/2486/032.