SOLDIERS SENTENCED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25304, 14 August 1943, Page 5

SOLDIERS SENTENCED

GUN-RUNNING TO PALESTINE LONDON, Aug. 12.

Allegations that British troops’ Army depots and Army and Air Force lorries have been used for large-scale gun-running and ammunition running to Palestine were made at the trial of two British soldiers, who were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. The soldiers are Private Charles Alfred Stoner and Christopher Ronald Harris, of the British Army, who were tried before a military court at Jerusalem. Both admitted possessing firearms and ammunition < without authority. The president of the court said the evidence pointed to a widespread organisation extending even to the army. Eviden6e was given that soldiers with forged passports carried German, Italian, and American guns, as well as ammunition, in service lorries in what was apparently a legitimate convoy. Journeys were made from several places, including El Alamein battlefield. One of the largest consignments included 300 rifles and 105,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, for which the soldiers received £9OO. Three civilians have also been charged as accomplices, and their trial is proceeding.