Human Game: The True Story of the 'Great Escape' Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen (39 page)

31
“His Majesty’s Government must, therefore…” Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons. June 23, 1945, vol. 401. Columns 477–482.

CHAPTER 2: COLD CASE

32
McKenna rents room from widowed officer, reviews files. Andrews, pg. 45.

32
McKenna’s biographical details. “Sherlock Holmes.”
Blackpool Gazette,
February 28, 2007.

33
McKenna joins RAF’s Special Investigating Branch after completing thirty operations.
Blackpool Gazette,
February 28, 2007.

33
McKenna tasked with reviewing case files. Andrews, pg. 45.

33
Details of escape found in government report on the incident. Air 40/2488/029-042.

33
Bergsland, Muller, and Van der Stok’s escape routes. Gill, pgs. 206, 216–218.

34
Task of identifying thousands of German POWs still incomplete. Air 40/2488/041-042.

34
Naming of Wielen, Scharpwinkel, and Nebe. Air 40/2488/038-039.

34
Majority of prisoners captured in Breslau area and imprisoned in Görlitz. Air 40/2488/032; Number of murdered men (27). Air 40/2487/024.

34
The various challenges posed by the investigation: seventeen months since the crime, Gestapo destroying papers, agents on the run with
false identities, Germany carved up among the Allies. Air 40/2488/041-042.

35
“In view of these difficulties…” Air 40/2488/042.

35
McKenna voices doubt about case. Burgess, pg. 226.

35
“There appears to be little more evidence…” Air 40/2488/041.

35
McKenna assigned the case. Burgess, pg. 226; Andrews, pg. 76.

36
McKenna and Williams leave for Germany on September 3, 1945. Andrews, pg. 79.

36
McKenna afraid of the water. Andrews, pg. 36.

36
Absalon strips Lindeiner-Wildau of his command. Based on information in Air 40/2487/014-015 and Air 40/2487/110, which includes references to Lindeiner-Wildau’s pro-British sentiments.

36
“Nineteen of the escaped officers…” Air 40/2487/020.

37
“200 grams of black bread and one liter of watery soup.” Wolter statement. Air 40/2488/008.

37
Inmates tried before a special court. Wolter statement. Air 40/2488/008.

37
“Presumably, it was Absalon…” Air 40/2487/020.

37
“a good sort of commandant…” Air 40/2487/014.

38
Lindeiner-Wildau’s humane treatment of prisoners. Translation of German report. Air 40/2488/093.

38
Names added to the Central Register of War Criminals and Security Suspects. Andrews, pg. 79.

38
“The first task…” Air 40/2488/046.

39
“If it is found possible…” Air 40/2488/046.

40
23,000,000 people. MacDonogh, pg. 250; “a staggering 93 percent.” MacDonogh, pg. 255.

40
McKenna contacts relevant authorities during the first few days of the investigation. Andrews, pgs. 88, 89; Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2488/057.

41
Prisoners at GÖrlitz informed they would not see loved ones again; ten inmates taken away on March 31 and cremated at Liegnitz. Air 40/2488/033.

41
Humphreys and Stewart shot down.
Blackpool Gazette,
February 28, 2007; Vance, pg. 186.

42
“camps and concentration areas.” Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2488/057.

42
McKenna’s assessment ten days into investigation. Andrews, pg. 93.

43
Absalon’s parents in Düsseldorf. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

43
Parents’ address in Düsseldorf. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

43
“We have not heard from him…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

44
“Yes. She lives in Düsseldorf.” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

44
Frau Absalon’s address. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

44
Frau Absalon left to care for two young children and mother. Air 40/2488/026; Andrews, pg. 95.

44
Wife received letter from Absalon in February. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

44
“Relations between my husband and myself…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

44
“If I do hear from him again…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

45
“well groomed and smartly dressed.” Air 40/2488/026.

45
Details of the Battle of Breslau. Bessel, pgs. 39–40.

45
Details of Belsen. Ryan, pg. 328; Andrews, pgs. 90–91; BBC News.

45
Displaced persons from Breslau. Andrews, pgs. 97–98; Bessel, pg. 272.

45
McKenna acquires a list of Breslau refugees in Rinteln. Burgess, pg. 232.

47
McKenna spends an unproductive day in the rain. Burgess, pg. 232; Andrews, pg. 98.

47
McKenna’s nightmare. Documentary
Great Escape: The Reckoning.

48
McKenna hits the streets for second day of questioning. Burgess, pg. 232; Address in Rinteln. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

48
McKenna invited into woman’s house to wait. Burgess, pg. 233.

49
Lonsky speaks English. Andrews, pg. 99.

49
Lonsky’s military and police background. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

49
“In this way, I got to know Dr. Gunther Absalon…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

49
“Whilst I was in the Military Police…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

49
“We were to take them…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

50
“There was a Dr. Scharpwinkel…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

50
“I remained in the Military Police…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

50
Lonsky wounded at Breslau. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

50
“I had a good knowledge…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

50
“Approval was given…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

51
“Since the capitulation…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

51
“I met him in Rinteln recently…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

51
“I saw Dr. Absalon on occasions…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

51
Mercier survives Breslau, is questioned by the Russians. Kah statement. Air 40/2489/008.

52
Mercier eventually makes his way to Hamburg and tries to establish himself in the wine business. Kah statement. Air 40/2489/008-009.

52
Informant calls the police to say Mercier is staying at guest lodge. Burgess, pg. 236.

53
Mercier taken into custody, tries to escape, refuses to answer questions. Burgess, pg. 237.

53
Kah number twelve on RAF’s Wanted List. Investigation progress report: October 30, 1945. Air 40/2488/095.

54
Kah offers up Seetzen. Investigation progress report: October 30, 1945. Air 40/2488/095; description of Seetzen. Air 40/2488/059.

54
Raid to take Seetzen into custody. Andrews, pg. 104.

54
Seetzen swallows cyanide capsule. Andrews, pg. 104; Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

CHAPTER 3: VENGEANCE

56
The story of Russian soldiers taking away Scharpwinkel was relayed to McKenna by Hubertus Zembrodt. Zembrodt statement: Air 40/2488/073-074.

56
Zembrodt’s wartime experiences. Zembrodt statement. Air 40/2488/073-074.

56
“The Russians also arrested…” Zembrodt statement. Air 40/2488/073.

56
“The arrest at the hospital…” Zembrodt statement. Air 40/2488/074.

57
Dr. Rudolf Diels. Investigation progress report: October 10, 1945. Air 40/2488/086.

57
“Nebe was regarded as a most interesting prisoner…” Additional information to supplement particulars contained in “Consolidated Wanted List.” Air 40/2488/088.

58
“Believed dead but not yet confirmed.” Investigation progress report: November 17, 1945. Air 40/2488/138.

58
“Believed killed or taken by the Russians.” Investigation progress report: November 17, 1945. Air 40/2488/138.

58
Kah held for interrogation by British Army. Investigation progress report: October 10, 1945. Air 40/2488/086.

58
The account of McKenna’s journey to Berlin and his encounter with the Russians is taken from a firsthand account printed in Andrews, pgs. 109–110.

61
“I think you are prepared to help us with information.” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/105.

61
“Yes, Germany has lost the war…” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/105.

61
“If you do not tell us the truth…” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

61
“I want to help you voluntarily…” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

61
Kah’s knowledge of Scharpwinkel. Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/103-105, 107.

62
“Do you know what happened to him?” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

62
“No. The capitulation was so much in a hurry…” Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

62
Courtney arrives in Germany with Fritz the German shepherd. Andrews, pg. 112.

63
Lyrics quoted in “German Reactions to Nazi Atrocities.” Janowitz, pg. 141.

63
Information at Dachau leads to the arrests of Walde, Grosch, and Hoffman. Investigation progress report: December 5, 1945. Air 40/2488/156.

63
Statements of Hoffman, Walde, and Hoffman. Investigation progress report: Dec. 1945–Jan. 1946. Air 40/2489/133-136. (Individual statements are archived as follows: Hoffman—Air 40/2489/049-052; Walde—Air 40/2489/130-132; Grosch—Air 40/2489/137-138.)

64
Information on Fritz Panzinger. Investigation progress report: December 20, 1945. Air 40/2489/106.

64
“The Americans are interested…” Investigation progress report: December 20, 1945. Air 40/2489/106.

64
“head of the Reich security office…” Gill, pg. 9.

65
Killing of Reinhard Heydrich. MacDonald, pgs. 170–175, 192–196.

65
“seventeen rows of corpses in bloody clothes…”
The Massacre at Lidice

65
German soldiers destroy graveyard, ship women and children off to concentration camp.
The Massacre at Lidice
(Holocaust Education and Research Team).

65
Dr. F. V. van der Bijil allowed to question suspect. Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/144.

66
“Detailed information has just come into my possession…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/144.

66
“The driver of one was Kiowsky…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/144.

67
“a harmless person.” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/144.

67
“Arriving at a spot somewhere between…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/144.

67
“It is asserted that these murders…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/145.

67
“I, therefore, request [Your] Excellency…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/145.

67
“I would add that I am deeply interested…” Letter to British Ambassador in Prague: December 2, 1945: Air 40/2489/145.

CHAPTER 4: ZLÍN

68
“overgrown Spaniard.” Brickhill, pg. 26.

68
Description of Kirby-Green. Gill, pg. 48

68
Kirby-Green biographical details. Carroll, pgs. 57–58; Gill, pg. 48;
Daily Telegraph.
September 26, 2004.

69
“We were on our way home…”
Daily Telegraph.
September 26, 2004.

69
“don’t do well…”
Daily Telegraph.
September 26, 2004.

70
Kidder biographical details. Vance, pg. 172.

70
“My beloved adored darling…”
Daily Telegraph
, September 26, 2004.

71
Kirby-Green in the tunnel. Brickhill, pgs. 184-185; Gill, pgs. 184-185.

71
Kirby-Green and Kidder at the station. Carroll, pg. 209; Gill, pgs. 184–185; Andrews, pg. 68.

71
Kirby-Green and Kidder board 1
A.M.
train; captured in Hodinin. Gill, pgs. 186, 210.

72
Bowes background. Andrews, pg. 33.

72
“We can now accept…” Special Investigation Branch memo: January 21, 1946. Air 40/2489/142.

73
Lyon’s biographical details. Burgess, pg. 239.

73
Details of investigation in Czechoslovakia. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/041.

74
Questioning Schauschütz. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/041.

74
Schauschütz dispatched to Zlín as temporary head of police. Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/160-161.

74
“As he handed me…” Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/161.

75
Schauschütz ordered to write report. Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/161.

75
Report is approved. Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/161.

75
“I had nothing further to do…” Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/165.

75
The naming of other suspects. Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/166; Nöelle last seen in Prague. Air 40/2493/057.

75
Rumors regarding Nöelle’s fate. Air 40/2493/057.

75
“Nöelle would have had to transmit…” Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/166.