TREACHERY CHARGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1945, Page 5

TREACHERY CHARGES

TOBRUK ALLEGATIONS. (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 12. Nine charges of treachery while a member of His Majesty’s Forces, involving alleged incidents at Benghazi and Tobruk in 1942, were laid against Private Theodore John Schurch, 27, R.A.S.C., who appeared before a court martial in London. It is stated that only the death penalty is inflictable if the accused is found guilty. Schurdh successfully objected against a Jewish officer participating in the Court. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is charged with obtaining information from British prisoners regarding naval and military operations at Tobruk and a similar offence at Benghazi regarding the long-range desert group. Another charge alleges that he entered the British lines as an enemy agent about October, 1942, later returning to the enemy lines w’th information. He is also chargeci with remaining at Benghazi about November, 1942, when the city was captured by the British and crossing to the enemy lines with information. Other charges allege that he obffiined information in Rome regarding special air services and naval and i., vy m the Mediterranean. He is also charged with de...ciuiik in North Africa in October, 1942, with intent to. join the enemy. The Court has adjourned.