SHOT IN GERMANY

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1944, Page 5

SHOT IN GERMANY

47 ALLIED AIRMEN Attempt to Escape LONDON, May 20. It turns out that forty-seven officers of the R.A.F., Dominion and Allied air forces Were shot by the Germans after a mass escape from Stalag Luft 3. Two were New Zealanders. This was stated by the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) in the House of Commons to-day. The two New Zealanders were: Flying Officer Porokoru Patapu (John) Pohe, Taihape, and FlightLieutenant Arnold George Christensen, Hastings, as well as one other New Zealander, Acting-Sergeant-Leader J. E. A. Williams, Whose next-of-kin is in Australia, and who was serving with the R.A.F. The others comprise three Australians, twenty-five Royal Air Force, six Canadian, three South African, one Fighting French, fou'r Polish, two Norwegian ana one Hellenic airmen. Mr Eden said: “Seventy-six officers escaped from Stalag Luft 3 on March 22. Of these 76 officers fifteen have been recaptured, fourteen were still at large, and fortyseven had been shot, some whilst resisting arrest and some in the course of a new attempt to escape after capture. His Majesty’s Government is profundly shocked at this news and it has urgently requested Switzerland, the protecting Power to demand from the German Government a full and immediate report of the circumstances in which these men met their death and an explanation of its failure to report the facts at once to the protecting Power. Sir Percy Harris (Liberal) asked Mr Eden if he would make it clear that the German Government itself was responsible for all breaches of international law.

Mr Eden replied: That is certainly the position. I sent a telegram some days ago to the protecting Power asking them to make a full investigation. I would rather say no more until I get a reply. Sii’ Jocelyn Lucas: Will Mr Eden find out the name of the camp commandant and anyone else responsible?

Mr Eden: We have asked the House to wait until I get a reply from the protecting Power. Mr E. Granville (Independent) said he was sorry to press the point, but relatives were most anxious. When the list was first published it was five. Now there were fortyseven. All the relatives of officers in this camp were wondering whether that was the total. Mr As far as I am aware, my statement, which is the only official statement issued, contains all the facts in the possession of the Government,

The aviation correspondent of the “Daily Express” states that the shootings occurred at the time when the R.A.F. and the U.S.A.F. blitz against German industrial cities was at its height. Frankfurt and Berlin were being heavily attacked at the time the officers escaped. News of the shootings has deeply shocked Royal Air Force flying personnel. They regularly attend private lectures on how to behave in the event of being taken prisoner.

The “Daily Mail” says: The shootings of Allied Air Force officers by the Germans took place, it is believed, when officers were found away from the camp and not at the time they attempted to escape. It says it is reported Gestapo agents when the escape, was reported, were ordered to stop the officers, 47 of whom were later found, and all died. Letters from Stalag Luft 3 since March 23, the day of the killings had not mentioned the incident. The Gestapo appeared to have taken the matter from the German military authorities’ hands. Any Government holding prisoners of war is required, under the Geneva Convention, to notify the government concerned as quickly as possible if a prisoner dies from any cause. It is still a mystery Why the German Government did not notify the Swiss Government immediately the shootings occurred, but left it to be discovered by Swiss inspectors. Stalag Luft 3 accommodated from four thousand to five thousand Royal Air Force, Dominion and Allied pilots, many of whom have been behind its barbed-wire for nearly three years with barely half a mile of grounds in which to exercise. None of the pilots have .any time been allowed outside the Stalag Luft 3 on parole or under escort. Officers twice previously tried f° escape from Stalag Luft 3. Those trying’ in the first attempt tunnelled their way under the camp, only to be frustrated at the last moment. Ninety men, on another occasion, joined in an escape, but all were recaptured. A “Daily Express” correspondent stated: To save relatives unnecessary alarm and worry, there is nothing in the reports so far received to suggest the shootings were, a punishment or reprisal. Severe punishment for trying to escape is not permitted under the Prisoner of War Convention. Every prisoner who has not given his word of honour that he will not try to escape is entitled to do what he can to get away. The British Government and the other Governments concerned will want to be assured that the German guards at the camp have done nothing illegal. A Swiss official will have access to prisoners at Stalag Luft 3, who will be able to make a statement to him about the affair. WELLINGTON, May 20.

Hon. D. G. Sullivan stated: “The Government is deeply shocked at the incident, and I. join with all citizens of New Zealand in expressing sympathy to the next-of-kin of these brave men, who, served by a strong sense of duty, were making every effort to escape and rejoin their colleagues in the fight against Nazi tyranny.”