15 YEARS’ SENTENCE

Evening Star, Issue 25672, 21 December 1945, Page 7

15 YEARS’ SENTENCE

COURLANDER ARRIVES IN DOMINION PENALTY FOR AIDING GERMANS (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 20. A passenger on the Mooltan which arrived to-day was Lance-corporal R. N. Courlander, who came out in custody to serve a sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for aiding the Germans. [Before, a New Zealand court martial at Westgate-on-Sea, England, on October 3, Lance-corporal Courlander pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding the enemy in Europe between October. 1942. and September. 1944, by writing and delivering broadcasts, by joining and working for an organisation controlled by the enemy known as the British Free Corps, and also by joining the armed forces of the enemy. Courlander was born in London and was stated to have joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force while living on an island off the coast of New Zealand at the outbreak of war. The prosecution called 16 witnesses, including four Australian soldiers. The prosecution alleged that Courlander, who was captured at Kalamata. Greece, in April, 1941, joined-the Germans in planning the foundation and organisation of the British Free Corps, from which lie endeavoured to oust John Amery. Courlander joined the S.S. as a propagandist and war reporter. The prosecution also alleged that lie had made a statement in which ho outlined his ideas for the British Free Corps. He had admitted in the statement broadcasting talks on colonial affairs, and also his reminiscences as a prisoner. Courlander left the Free Corps and was stated to have joined the S.S. in August 1944. 'He went from Berlin to the 'Western Front wearing an S.S. uniform, and in Brussels was taken over by the British forces on September 4, 1944. He claimed that he intended to escape and that he also joined the Free Corps to control it or sabotage it if he was unable to use it against the enemy.]