SCENES AT EXECUTION

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 13, 16 July 1934, Page 10

SCENES AT EXECUTION

SHORT SHRIFT, SWIFT DEATH

FACING FIRINCi SQUAD

United Press Association—By Electric Tele

graph—Copyright. (Received July 16, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, July 15.

A, North American Newspaper Association message states that 4 German doctor, called in to testify to the death of Storm Troop leaders shot at tiehterfelde, gives a sensational account of the executions. He says: "■ Aeroplanes bringing prisoners from Munich lauded at Te'mplehofer Aerodrome, whence tho prisoners were rushed in polico cars to Lichterfelde Cadet School. They were immediately taken singly to courts-martial, three of which were sitting simultaneously. Each Court included a Judge and two Keichswehr officers, two of- General Goering's police officers, and one constable. General Goering and Herr Himmler, Beich leader of the Storm Guards, generally supervised the proceedings. Each trial lasted an hour. Prisoners wore sentenced to death only when the Court was unanimous.

"It was a terrifying spectacle in the desolate flood-lit drill ground, where the doomed men were placed against a high brick wall. The firing squads M-cre alternately Himmler's and Goering's men. Drums rolled and volleys cr-ashed. with awful precision. We doctors wore able to establish that death in all cases was instantaneous. I had the impression that all'those condemned realised their guilt, but did not reckon on the death penalty. "All died most bravely. Ernst was scornful and insolent before the Court, but, when he was sentenced, he collapsed.' He rallied before the volley was .fired, and cried, 'Long live Germany! Hail Hitler!' -Kurt, who won the highest war-time decoration, took his place against the wail where several bodies were already lying. He tore; open his 'coat, crying, ' Comrades, aim wtell!' Ernst's twenty-four-year-old adjutant,.von Detten,who was protesting his innocence' when the roll of drums, heralding the volley/began, and Ernst's chief-of staff, Zander,-were also executed." :