CANADIAN SOLDIERS MURDERED IN FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 182, 3 August 1944, Page 5

CANADIAN SOLDIERS MURDERED IN FRANCE

BY PANZER DIVISION

Reason Suggested: Refusal

To Talk N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 2. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, told the House of Commons in Ottawa that 19 Canadian soldiers were brutally murdered byNazi S.S. troops in Normandy. He added that a Court of Inquiry showed that the men were murdered under conditions, clearly violating international law.

A message from Normandy says that all Canadian troops in Normandy have been told that 19 of their comrades were murdered by members of the German 12th Panzer Division. The murders took place near Pavei, on the Caen-Bayeux road, on June 8. Thirteen of the men were shot in one group with machine-guns.

General Crerar «.

A Canadian Staff officer suggested that the men were murdered because of their refusal to talk when questioned.

The British United Press correspondent in Normandy says that the official record of German atrocities shows that the dastardly act was carried out in the following circumstances: —The Canadian 3rd Division, two days after landing, fought southward across the Caen-Bayeux road and reached the Pavei area, where a number of men fell into enemy hands. It was later discovered that 19 of them were taken to the rear and shot dead.

The bodies, which the British first buried, were exhumed, and an exhaustive pathological survey was made, including dozens of photographs. The investigation proved beyond doubt that the men were shot out of hand, apparently without reason.

The correspondent said that the Court of Inquiry consisted of senior British, American and Canadian officers. The evidence provided by their inquiries was sufficient to hang the murderers In any Court in the world.

General Crerar, General Officer Commanding the Canadian forces in Normandy, sent a message to Canadian troops, stressing that no retaliations must be taken out. "Canadian anger must be converted into steel-hard determination to destroy the enemy in battle." In a statement in the British House of Commons on the shooting of Canadian soldiers, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, said: "The Swiss Government yesterday was asked to lodge a strong protest to the German Government and to demand an immediate searching investigation, the punishment of those responsible and an assurance that strict orders will be issued to prevent a recurrence. "The United Kingdom Government and the Governments of the Dominions have associated themselves with these representations," Mr. Eden added. "The House expresses deepest sympathy with the relatives in Canada."