DUTCH SABOTEURS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1941, Page 10

DUTCH SABOTEURS

STORY OF “COLONEL VERDUN.” LONDON. May 11. The romantic exploits of a Dutch Scarlet Pimpernel known as “Colonel Verdun.” who, from a secret headquarters on the banks of the Maas, is directing a brilliant and successful war-against the German Army of Occupation in Holland, are recounted by Mr George Slocombe in the “Sunday Express.” Verdun’s followers, he says, know only two others, and the members are unknown to the leaders. They receive instruction in code.. Forty-three were recently tried at The Hague Court. One of 19 sentenced to death admitted he was a member of an organisation formed to make life impossible for the Germans throughout Holland. The society’s methods range from -the very crudest to the very subtle. Germans are killed from ambush and pushed into canals. Railways, roads and bridges are destroyed. The members say the organisation is not only a terror group, but an organisation ready to assist a British landing on the Continent. It was revealed at the trial that information was collected for the R.A.F., including details of German 1 troop movements and armament dumps. The prosecutor alleged that Germans had been killed by poisoned pencils, drinks and drawing pins. The writer adds: “Verdun's followers are neither Socialists nor Communists, but mostly middle-aged intellectuals. Verdun is destined to play an influential role in the second year of the Nazi occupation. His organisation is a spearhead for a future British invasion, which will only be possible with the aid and courage of the Low Countries.”