GERMAN SHOT DEAD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 5

GERMAN SHOT DEAD.

FIELD COMMANDER AT NANTES. SHOTS FIRED IN A BLACK-OUT. (Roc. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, Oet. 20. Lieut.-Colonel Dr. Karl Friedrich Holtz, German commander of the Nantes region, in occupied Franco, was shot dead early this morning in the principal square while on his way to headquarters. Two men fired shots, escaping in the resulting confusion. The German High Command, confirming the shooting, stated that Dr. Haltz _ was field commander of the Nantes area (which confers powers far exceeding those usually held by a lieu-tenant-colonel). The British United Press correspondent at Vichy says that Dr. Holtz was killed instantly, two bullets entering |iis back. German patrols immediately rounded up scores who were in the quays and streets despite the curfew. The police believe the assassination was carefully planned, and that Dr. Holtz was trailed for a long time before lie was caught alone in the quiet, darkened square near the cathedral.

Another source states that the shooting occurred in a total black-out. Six shots were fired, allegedly by two Communist terorists, thereby reviving the Communist agitation which has been quiet for the last three weeks.