Appalling Display of German Bad Manners

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 5

Appalling Display of German Bad Manners

NEGOTIATIONS IN CHANNEL ISLANDS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 10. An appalling exhibition of bad man ners and lack of dignity on the part of the defeated Germans preceded the liberation of the Channel Islands, according to a correspondent. Instead of a high-ranking officer, the Germans sent an arrogant youth in his early twenties, in a dirty, tattered mine sweeper to meet the British destroyers Bulldog and Bengle at the arranged rendezvous. The German youth came aboard the Bulldog in a clumsy rubber dinghy, stripped to the waist. In response to a rifle salute and boatswains’ whistles, he gave an exaggerated, Nazi salute. He was Captain-Lieutenant Amim Zimmerman, of the 46th German Mine sweeper Flotilla. Facing him across the surrender table were Brigadier A. E Snow, the chiei emissary, and Admiral Stuart, representing the British Navy, and also representatives of the Royal Air Force and several staff officers.

The Nazi youth produced credentials empowering him to receive armistice terms on behalf of Vice-Admiral Huffoneir, and was told that unconditional surrender was the only terms offered. Zimmerman then told the British officers that they must move their ships away from the Channel Islands immediately, with an implied threat that otherwise they would be fired on by German 15-inch guns. Sternly he was told to withdraw while instructions regarding the next rendezvous were prepared.

An hour later, when these were handed to him he cried “Hoch,” salut ed, and scrambled back into the dinghy. As he drew away he saluted in the Nazi fashion several times. TERMS ACCEPTED

The destroyers withdrew and return ed six hours later, when searchlights revealed a German armed trawler from which came an eight-cared cutter carrying the same Nazi officer, but with I him was a resplendent ngure in light blue army uniiorm with large red lapels. He was Major-General Heine, of the German army. Major-General Heine was immediately asked if he accepted unconditional surrender on behalf of his commander-in-chief. He replied “Ja.” It was nearly 2 a.m. before the formalities had been completed, so MajorGeneral Heine was escorted to a cabin and told that the documents would be signed at dawn. When he was sum moned for the signing he came hesitatingly, almost tottering. He signed his name to eight copies for the Allied Powers and for other purposes, and was sternly told, “You will immediately cause all the German flags and ensigns now flying in the Channel Islands to be hauled down.” He answered “Ja,” and returned to his craft.