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

by Read, Simon

  8 “heavy earth vibrations.” Air 40/2286/031.

  8 Laborers working the coal stores are responsible for microphone noise. Air 40/2286/031.

  8–9 Discovery and destruction of Tom. Gill, pgs. 140–141, 144; Carroll, pgs. 138–139.

  9 Building Harry. Andrews, pg. 46; Gill, pgs. 122–123, 155, 158, 166.

  9 The date set for the escape. Burgess, pg. 123.

  9–10 Lottery to go through the tunnel, and final preparations. Andrews, pgs. 53–54; Gill, pg. 163; Burgess, pg. 124.

  10 Rate of men through the tunnel. Carroll, pg. 211; Escape’s slow process and various mishaps. Andrews, pg. 54; Gill, pgs. 179–180, 184, 185.

  10 Outside temperature sinks to thirty below zero. Carroll, pg. 211.

  10 Prisoners 101 to 200 are ordered back to their bunks. Burgess, pg. 135.

  10 Only fifty men have so far managed to get away. Carroll, pg. 212.

  11 The first men out of the tunnel. Burgess, pgs. 129–130.

  11 Guard discovers tunnel exit. Gill, pg. 187.

  11 Chaos following the tunnel’s discovery, prisoners are rounded up outside. Gill, pgs. 188–190; Brickhill, pgs. 199–200.

  11 Prisoners spend nearly three hours standing outside; seventy-six men escaped. Brickhill, pg. 200.

  PROLOGUE: SUNDAY, MARCH 26

  13 Hitler calls a meeting with Göring, Himmler, and Keitel. Air 40/2487/011.

  13 Göring and Keitel clash over prisoner responsibility. IMT, pg. 2; Westhoff statement. Air 40/2487/131.

  14 Breslau Kripo initiate national hue and cry. Law Reports of Trials of War Criminals: Selected and Prepared by the United Nations War Crimes Commission (referenced from here on as UNWCC), pg. 35; Men being siphoned off to search for escapees. Westhoff statement. Air 40/2487/131.

  14 “It is incredible…” Carroll, pg. 243.

  15 “irrespective of whether it is an escape…” Stufe Römisch III order. Air 40/2487/045.

  15 “The persons recaptured are to be reported…” Stufe Römisch III order. Air 40/2487/045.

  15 Responses to Red Cross, case-by-case handling for American and British prisoners. Stufe Römisch III order. Air 40/2487/045.

  15 Details of Aktion Kugel. The Operation Kugel Order. Air 40/2487/049; Mathausen affidavit. Air 40/2487/050.

  15 “more than half the escapees.” UNWCC, pg. 33.

  15 Himmler proposes that fifty escapees be shot. UNWCC, pg. 39; Andrews, pg. 57.

  16 “The frequent mass escapes of officer prisoners…” UNWCC, pg. 33.

  16 Kripo charged with handing prisoners over to the Gestapo. UNWCC, pgs. 33–35.

  16 Wielen summoned to Nebe’s office in Berlin. Wielen statements. Air 40/2488/014 and Air 40/2487/150.

  16 Nebe’s office and red leather furniture. Wielen statement. Air 40/2488/016-017.

  17 “You look tired…” based on paraphrased conversation in Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/150.

  17 “was very angry.” Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/150.

  17 Wielen declines to accept responsibility. Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/150.

  17 “looked extremely tired…” Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/150.

  17 Breslau Kripo ordered to hand prisoners to Breslau Gestapo. Wielen statement. Air 40/2488/014-015.

  17 Wielen arranges meeting with Scharpwinkel. Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/151.

  17 “I shall do this personally.” Wielen statement. Air 40/2487/151.

  17 Thirty-five escapees imprisoned at Gorlitz. Air 40/2487/022.

  17–18 Details of recaptured escapees arrive in Nebe’s Berlin office. Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 “You have heard about the Führer Order…” Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 Nebe starts sorting through the index cards. Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 “He is so young…” Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 “He is for it.” Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 Nebe swaps one card for another and hands stack to Merten. Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 “Now quickly, the list!” Merten statement. Air 40/2487/076.

  18 Merten misstates the location of prisoners. Merten statement. Air 40/2487/077.

  CHAPTER 1: “THOSE ARE MY ORDERS”

  19 “I have to acquaint you with a top secret matter.” UNWCC, pg. 43.

  19 “It is an order from the Führer…” UNWCC, pg. 43.

  19–20 Post’s biographical details. Air 40/2287/036; Air 40/2279/007-008.

  20 Details and planning of operation under Post’s command. Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/026.

  20 “Anyone not complying…” Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/026.

  21 Catanach and Christensen catch 3:15 to Berlin. Gill, pg. 186.

  21 Route the men traveled following the escape. Andrews, pg. 72; Information pertaining to their arrest. Linke statement. Air 40/2279/008-009.

  21 Four airmen interrogated and placed in police prison; Berlin notified of capture. Linke statement. Air 40/2279/008.

  22 Type of cars driven. Struve statement. Air 40/2279/022.

  22 Gestapo agents have lunch in Flensburg, drive to prison. Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/026.

  22 Handcuffed prisoners escorted out to waiting cars and driven away in convoy. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/014.

  22 Post points out Kiel landmarks. Andrews, pg. 230.

  22–23 Exchange between Post and Catanach is taken from Post’s testimony at trial. Quoted in Andrews, pg. 230.

  23 Post anxious to make theater performance, drops tickets off at mistress’s apartment. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/014.

  23 Route driven to killing field; change in Post’s demeanor. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/014.

  23 Post marches Catanach into field, shoots airman. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/014.

  24 Oskar Schmidt tells airmen to get out and relieve themselves. Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/027.

  24 Prisoners react upon finding Catanach’s body in the grass. Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/027.

  24 “Shoot them!” Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/015.

  24 Airman survives initial shooting. Jacobs statement. Air 40/2279/020; Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/027.

  24 “He is still alive…” Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/027.

  24 Post and Kaehler leave the scene of the crime. Oskar Schmidt statement. Air 40/2279/027.

  24 “He was not mine…” Jacobs statement. Air 40/2279/021.

  24 “And so did mine.” Jacobs statement. Air 40/2279/021.

  25 Post arrives at undertaker’s. Kaehler statement. Air 40/2279/015.

  25 Leather coat and long boots. Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “I need you to collect some prisoners…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “What prisoners are they?” Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “French. Shot whilst trying to escape.” Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 Tischendorf asks Kaehler about the prisoners. Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “They’re British airmen.” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “Are they the same seventy-six airmen…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 “I shall have a car ready to leave…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  25 Details of the drive back to the meadow. Boll statement. Air 40/2279/037; Salau statement. Air 40/2279/038.

  26 Boll sees three men standing in field. Boll statement. Air 40/2279/037.

  26 Bodies stacked two to a coffin. Salau statement. Air 40/2279/038.

  26 Two corpses had bullet wounds to the head. Boll statement. Air 40/2279/037.

  26 “If the Russians get here…” Salau statement. Air 40/2279/038.

  26 Gestapo arrives at the c
rematorium with bodies to destroy. Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  26 “Here are four corpses to be cremated.” Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  26 “Do you have the necessary documents?” Based on paraphrased conversation in Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  26 “Berlin has ordered it.” Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  26 “You will not make any entries.” Based on paraphrased conversation in Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  26 Bodies to be registered only with Roman numerals I-IV. Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  27 “The corpses are those of prisoners…” Based on paraphrased conversation in Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  27 Schafer notes the victims’ clothing. Schafer statement. Air 40/2279/041.

  27 Jacobs takes possession of the urns. Jacobs statement. Air 40/2279/020-021.

  27 “Everything in order?” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  27 “Yes.” Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  27 “What kind of bodies were they?” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  27 “They were all shot from the back.” Based on paraphrased conversation in Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  27 Nothing more is said about the incident. Tischendorf statement. Air 40/2279/039.

  27 “harass, confuse, and confound the enemy.” Carroll, pg. 2.

  27 Massey biographical details. Carroll, pg. 73; Gill, pg. 96; Brickhill, pg. 23.

  28 Fate and whereabouts of those still on the run a mystery. Carroll, pg. 255; Brickhill, pg. 223.

  28 Pieber tells Massey the kommandant has “terrible” news. Brickhill, pg. 224; Gill, pg. 221.

  28 The camp’s rumor mill; Massey escorted to Braune’s office. Brickhill, pg. 224.

  29 The exchange between Massey and Braune is quoted in Brickhill (pgs. 224–226), Gill (pgs. 221–223), and Carroll (pgs. 225–256). The dialogue differs only slightly in each account. I have quoted the conversation reported by Brickhill, as he was an inmate in Stalag Luft III at the time of the escape.

  30 “Please do not think the Luftwaffe…” Brickhill, pg. 227.

  30 Massey calls a camp meeting. Brickhill, pg. 227; Gill, pg. 223; Numbers tallied. Andrews, pg. 59.

  30 Massey’s repatriation. Gill, pgs. 224–225.

  30 List of dead is posted; Swiss Protecting Power visits the camp. Air 40/2488/036.

  31 Breakdown of victims’ nationalities. Air 40/2488/003.

  31 “a full and immediate report.” Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons. May 19, 1945, vol. 400. Columns 437–439.

  31 Number of victims climbs to fifty, ashes arrive at camp. Air 40/2488/036.

  31 “No orders have at any time been given…” Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons. June 23, 1945, vol. 401. Columns 477–482.

  31 “His Majesty’s Government must, therefore…” Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons. June 23, 1945, vol. 401. Columns 477–482.

  CHAPTER 2: COLD CASE

  32 McKenna rents room from widowed officer, reviews files. Andrews, pg. 45.

  32 McKenna’s biographical details. “Sherlock Holmes.” Blackpool Gazette, February 28, 2007.

  33 McKenna joins RAF’s Special Investigating Branch after completing thirty operations. Blackpool Gazette, February 28, 2007.

  33 McKenna tasked with reviewing case files. Andrews, pg. 45.

  33 Details of escape found in government report on the incident. Air 40/2488/029-042.

  33 Bergsland, Muller, and Van der Stok’s escape routes. Gill, pgs. 206, 216–218.

  34 Task of identifying thousands of German POWs still incomplete. Air 40/2488/041-042.

  34 Naming of Wielen, Scharpwinkel, and Nebe. Air 40/2488/038-039.

  34 Majority of prisoners captured in Breslau area and imprisoned in Görlitz. Air 40/2488/032; Number of murdered men (27). Air 40/2487/024.

  34 The various challenges posed by the investigation: seventeen months since the crime, Gestapo destroying papers, agents on the run with false identities, Germany carved up among the Allies. Air 40/2488/041-042.

  35 “In view of these difficulties…” Air 40/2488/042.

  35 McKenna voices doubt about case. Burgess, pg. 226.

  35 “There appears to be little more evidence…” Air 40/2488/041.

  35 McKenna assigned the case. Burgess, pg. 226; Andrews, pg. 76.

  36 McKenna and Williams leave for Germany on September 3, 1945. Andrews, pg. 79.

  36 McKenna afraid of the water. Andrews, pg. 36.

  36 Absalon strips Lindeiner-Wildau of his command. Based on information in Air 40/2487/014-015 and Air 40/2487/110, which includes references to Lindeiner-Wildau’s pro-British sentiments.

  36 “Nineteen of the escaped officers…” Air 40/2487/020.

  37 “200 grams of black bread and one liter of watery soup.” Wolter statement. Air 40/2488/008.

  37 Inmates tried before a special court. Wolter statement. Air 40/2488/008.

  37 “Presumably, it was Absalon…” Air 40/2487/020.

  37 “a good sort of commandant…” Air 40/2487/014.

  38 Lindeiner-Wildau’s humane treatment of prisoners. Translation of German report. Air 40/2488/093.

  38 Names added to the Central Register of War Criminals and Security Suspects. Andrews, pg. 79.

  38 “The first task…” Air 40/2488/046.

  39 “If it is found possible…” Air 40/2488/046.

  40 23,000,000 people. MacDonogh, pg. 250; “a staggering 93 percent.” MacDonogh, pg. 255.

  40 McKenna contacts relevant authorities during the first few days of the investigation. Andrews, pgs. 88, 89; Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2488/057.

  41 Prisoners at GÖrlitz informed they would not see loved ones again; ten inmates taken away on March 31 and cremated at Liegnitz. Air 40/2488/033.

  41 Humphreys and Stewart shot down. Blackpool Gazette, February 28, 2007; Vance, pg. 186.

  42 “camps and concentration areas.” Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2488/057.

  42 McKenna’s assessment ten days into investigation. Andrews, pg. 93.

  43 Absalon’s parents in Düsseldorf. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  43 Parents’ address in Düsseldorf. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  43 “We have not heard from him…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  44 “Yes. She lives in Düsseldorf.” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  44 Frau Absalon’s address. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  44 Frau Absalon left to care for two young children and mother. Air 40/2488/026; Andrews, pg. 95.

  44 Wife received letter from Absalon in February. Investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  44 “Relations between my husband and myself…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  44 “If I do hear from him again…” Based on paraphrased conversation detailed in investigation progress report: September 25, 1945. Air 40/2272/108.

  45 “well groomed and smartly dressed.” Air 40/2488/026.

  45 Details of the Battle of Breslau. Bessel, pgs. 39–40.

  45 Details of Belsen. Ryan, pg. 328; Andrews, pgs. 90–91; BBC News.

  45 Displaced persons from Breslau. Andrews, pgs. 97–98; Bessel, pg. 272.

  45 McKenna acquires a list of Breslau refugees in Rinteln. Burgess, pg. 232.

  47 McKenna spends an unproductive day in the rain. Burgess, pg. 232; Andrews, pg. 98.

  47 McKenna’s nightmare. Documentary Great Escape: The Reckoning.

  48 McKenna hits the street
s for second day of questioning. Burgess, pg. 232; Address in Rinteln. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  48 McKenna invited into woman’s house to wait. Burgess, pg. 233.

  49 Lonsky speaks English. Andrews, pg. 99.

  49 Lonsky’s military and police background. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  49 “In this way, I got to know Dr. Gunther Absalon…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  49 “Whilst I was in the Military Police…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  49 “We were to take them…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  50 “There was a Dr. Scharpwinkel…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  50 “I remained in the Military Police…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/075.

  50 Lonsky wounded at Breslau. Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  50 “I had a good knowledge…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  50 “Approval was given…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  51 “Since the capitulation…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  51 “I met him in Rinteln recently…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  51 “I saw Dr. Absalon on occasions…” Lonsky statement. Air 40/2488/076.

  51 Mercier survives Breslau, is questioned by the Russians. Kah statement. Air 40/2489/008.

  52 Mercier eventually makes his way to Hamburg and tries to establish himself in the wine business. Kah statement. Air 40/2489/008-009.

  52 Informant calls the police to say Mercier is staying at guest lodge. Burgess, pg. 236.

  53 Mercier taken into custody, tries to escape, refuses to answer questions. Burgess, pg. 237.

  53 Kah number twelve on RAF’s Wanted List. Investigation progress report: October 30, 1945. Air 40/2488/095.

  54 Kah offers up Seetzen. Investigation progress report: October 30, 1945. Air 40/2488/095; description of Seetzen. Air 40/2488/059.

  54 Raid to take Seetzen into custody. Andrews, pg. 104.

  54 Seetzen swallows cyanide capsule. Andrews, pg. 104; Kah interrogation. Air 40/2488/107.

  CHAPTER 3: VENGEANCE

  56 The story of Russian soldiers taking away Scharpwinkel was relayed to McKenna by Hubertus Zembrodt. Zembrodt statement: Air 40/2488/073-074.

  56 Zembrodt’s wartime experiences. Zembrodt statement. Air 40/2488/073-074.