Human Game: The True Story of the 'Great Escape' Murders and the Hunt for the Gestapo Gunmen (40 page)

75
“I can only say that…” Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/166.

76
Names Kiowsky. Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/166.

76
“I have been told that driver Fritz…” Schauschütz statement. Air 40/2487/166.

76
Relevance of Schauschütz statement. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/041.

76
Schwarzer’s possible whereabouts. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/041.

76
Vaca and the prison at Pankratz. Burgess, pg. 241.

77
Bowes identifies suspects in bar mural. Brickhill, pg. 253; Burgess, pg. 242.

77
“This is Knuppelberg…” Brickhill, pg. 253.

77
Kiowsky questioned in judge’s office. Burgess, 243.

78
“You are obliged to say nothing…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

78
Kiowsky’s biographical details. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

78
“I entered his office…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

78
Kiowsky identifies picture of Knuppelberg. Burgess, pg. 243.

78
Kiowsky retrieves prisoners. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

78
“Both officers were handcuffed…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

78
“As I was curious…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

79
“Tell him in English…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

79
“I received the order…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/157.

79
Zacharias gives the thumbs-down. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

79
“I knew for the first time…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

79
Cars pull over outside of Zlín. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

79
“I knew that he was carrying a gun…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

80
Schwarzer asks for a smoke. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

80
“I gave him a cigarette…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

80
“the dark uniform…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

80
“everything has passed off smoothly…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/158.

80
“Ziegler then gave us the strictest instructions…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/159.

81
Kozlowsky constructs cover story. Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/159.

81
“He showed us a plan…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/159.

81
“If asked, that the two fliers…” Kiowsky statement. Air 40/2487/159.

81
“harmless persons and ex–customs officials.” Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/042.

81
Frau Zacharias can confirm the information. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/042.

81
Frau Zacharias confirms information. Andrews, pg. 135; Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/042.

82
Onetime clerk who speaks English. Johann Heger statement. Air 40/2491/065.

82
“I spoke to both the officers in English…” Heger statement. Air 40/2491/065.

83
Bowes and Lyon visit crime scene. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/043.

83
“It’s open country…” Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/043.

83
“The body of the first man…” Statement of Emil Schreier. Air 40/2491/068.

83
“Before I left…” Statement of Emil Schreier. Air 40/2491/068.

84
Krupa’s account of what transpired at crematorium. Krupa statement. Air 40/2491/069.

84
“The Gestapo men…” Krupa statement. Air 40/2491/069.

84
Urn numbers are listed in Krupa’s statement. Air 40/2491/069.

84
“I don’t know where the urns…” Krupa statement. Air 40/2491/069.

84
Ziegler and Kozlowsky spotted at hotel two weeks prior. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1946. Air 40/2491/043.

84
Travel arrangements to meet up with McKenna. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1945. Air 40/2491/044; Andrews, pg. 136.

85
Raid on hotel at 0100 hours. Investigation progress report: March 12, 1945. Air 40/2491/044.

86
“No Gestapo from Brno…” Investigation progress report: March 12, 1945. Air 40/2491/044.

86
“They bled me white…” Investigation progress report: March 12, 1945. Air 40/2491/044.

86
“With regard to the question…” Investigation progress report: March 12, 1945. Air 40/2491/044.

86
McKenna arrives in Bremen and stakes out refrigeration plant. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

86
McKenna sees Zacharias approaching. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
Zacharias stripped and sent to Karlsburg. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
McKenna seeks permission to take over custody of Zacharias. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
Zacharias escapes. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
Zacharias runs into a bombed-out building. Andrews, pg. 141.

87
McKenna returns to Rinteln to wait. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
“Erich has been ill…” Burgess, pg. 247.

87
Return address of house. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
March 31 raid on house. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/285.

87
McKenna finally takes custody of Zacharias. Investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/286.

88
“I bought it in Zlín.” Quoted exchange is based on information in investigation progress report: April 4, 1946. Air 40/2481/286.

88
“Why did you escape…” Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
“I was afraid.” Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
“Of what?” Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
“I know why you arrested me…” Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
Years serving with the Gestapo. Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
“I last saw him in Zlín.” Zacharias interrogation. Air 40/2491/287.

88
“I carried out the first task…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/292.

88
Kirby-Green protests being shackled. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/292.

88
“I reported this to Ziegler…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/292.

88
Officers placed in car for supposed transfer. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
“I had the Canadian officer in my car…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
Vehicles pull over. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
“I made the prisoner get out of the car…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
Zacharias and Knuppelberg fire their guns simultaneously. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
“I fired a second shot…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
Zacharias confirms Kidder is dead. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
“I ran to Knuppelberg and saw his prisoner…” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/293.

89
Zacharias reports back to Ziegler. Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/294.

89
“He replied, ‘Good, that’s all right…’ ” Zacharias statement. Air 40/2491/294.

CHAPTER 5: THE LONDON CAGE

90
Nazi propaganda lies regarding the destruction of London. Andrews, pg. 143.

90
Details about the London Cage, including street address and number of interrogators. “The Secrets of the London Cage,”
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

91
“for their height, rather than their brains.”
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

91
“groceries and provisions trade.” Scotland, pg. 16.

91
Scotland biographical details. Scotland, pgs. 15-29.

91
Guard standing with a foot on the prisoner’s back.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

91
“Abandon all hope ye who enter here.”
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

91
Threats of violence and prisoners deprived of sleep.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

91
Prolonged standing at attention.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

92
Scotland turns away representative from the Red Cross.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

92
Scotland writes a letter explaining his actions.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

92
“must proceed in Germany…”
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

92
Allegations of torture made by SS Captain Fritz Knoechlein.
Guardian,
Saturday, November 12, 2005.

93
“a lame allegation.” Scotland, pg. 86.

93
“[He] gave us an example of what might have been…” Scotland, pg. 86.

93
“a wild young brute.” Scotland, pg. 147.

93
“abnormally large, powerful hands [and] remarkably thick neck.” Scotland, pg. 148.

93
Escape impossible with Scots Guards watching the premises. Andrews, pg. 143.

93
Girl’s rape and murder. Scotland, pg. 148.

94
“He showed neither remorse for the act…” Scotland, pg. 148.

94
Zacharias made to strip and kneel for hours. Andrews, pg. 145; Scotland pgs. 148–149.

94
“Take him away…” Scotland, pg. 149.

94
Details of Zacharias’s escape taken from an
Evening Standard
article filed in Air 40/2492/032; Andrews, pg. 144.

94
“a Nazi police officer.” “German Prisoner Recaptured,”
Sunday Times,
May 14, 1946.

94
“His escape is one of the boldest…”
Evening Standard.
Air 40/2492/032.

94
“a dark blue reefer jacket…”
Evening Standard.
Air 40/2492/032.

95
“Italian prisoners of war…”
Evening Standard
. Air 40/2492/033.

95
Zacharias found in bush. Andrews, pg. 145.

CHAPTER 6: PRIME SUSPECTS

96
Erich Graes found in Neümunster Civilian Internment Camp. Air 40/2722/088.

96
Graes charged with search in Danzig area. Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

96
Order to police and military personnel quoted by Graes. Air 40/2490/071.

97
“in the best room in the police station.” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

97
“The next morning I went to the office…” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

97
“Top secret.” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

97
Graes finds out about the killings. Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

97
“forty-three or forty-seven.” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/069.

98
“Is this true?” based on conversation detailed in Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

98
“We do not do that sort of thing.” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/068.

98
“It’s a rather distant suburb.” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/072.

98
“I am at any time ready…” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/069.

98
“He’s big and elegant looking…” Graes statement. Air 40/2490/070.

99
“the manners and appearance of a thug.” Report on Karl Neitzel interrogation: January 28, 1946. Air 40/2490/42.

99
Identification of Dr. Leopold Spann. Report on Karl Neitzel interrogation: January 28, 1946. Air 40/2490/42.

99
Files in French Zone suffer from poor organization. Investigation progress report: March 16, 1946. Air 40/2491/092-093.

99
French viewing themselves as conquerors. MacDonogh, pgs. 269–270.

99
French atrocities in Stuttgart and Freudenstadt. MacDonogh, pgs. 78, 79.

99
“looting, destruction and rape.” Hastings, pg. 477.

99
“It was not that a sex-starved Russian soldier…” Hastings, pg. 478.

99
Trying to establish contact with the Russians; believing the Soviet Zone “held the key.” Investigation progress report: March 16, 1946. Air 40/2491/091.

100
“The enquiry appears to be opening…” Investigation progress report: March 16, 1946. Air 40/2491/091.

100
Escapees shot in Liberec and cremated in Brüx. Air 40/2487/024-025.

100
Affidavit sheds some light on murders. Affidavit by I.P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/025.

101
Bull, Kierath, Mondschein, and Williams captured in the mountains. Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/025.

101
Tonder and Stower’s escape and their walk through the woods. Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/025.

101
Deciding to travel by train and their eventual capture. Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/025.

102
“During this time…” Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/026.

102
The Gestapo take four men away. Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/026.

102
“You are a Czech.” Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/026.

102
Tonder eventually ends up in Colditz. Affidavit by I. P. Tonder: August 24, 1945. Air 40/2491/027.

103
Search of records and the discovery of the cremation order. Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.

103
“This is conclusive proof…” Investigation progress report: April 3, 1946. Air 40/2491/124.