1956-04-28 — Page 6

London Expret šestice

THE CHINA'. MAIL," SATURDAY, APRIL `28," 1956.

THE VENGEANCE

of

PRIVATE POOLEY

(PART SEVEN)

Adapted from the book

By CYRIL JOLLY

THAT'S THE MURDERER!

THE STORY SO FAR

ALBERT POOLEY and William O'Callaghan travel to Hamburg to give ovidence in a war crime trial. They are the only survivors of 99 prisoners, men of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, captured by Germans at Le Paradis, Northern France, in May 1940, and brutally shot down in a No one believod their story when they were field by two machine guns.

man still suffering from his repatriated to England. Pooley-a sick wounds and privations-returned at his own expense to Le Paradis in 1946 to establish the details of the crime. His visit led to the opening of an inquiry. At last, after a long and painstaking investigation by the War Crimes Unit, the S.S. officer Fritz Knoochlein is accused of the atrocity.

T

HE man in the dock, insignificance. In 1934 he joined said the prosecuting the SS, and a year later was

pehood of war counsel.

"was directly responsible

for the crime at Le Paradis

It

Was OB

him his oppor- Totenkop! the

sent to the S S fare.

The war gave tunity When

Division his orders to (Death's Head)

were formed in 1939,

moted captain, and he com- manded No. 3 Company of the 2nd Infantry Regiment through- The small, panelled court- out the campaign of the Western

fire that the men

massacred."

room

iva

al front. Curiohats the Hamburg was crowded. On 41

he was

wud pro-

was He

high daia at the President and Thereafter bis progress four members of the court, and

stendy JE unspectacular. with the served on the Russlan front. the Judge Advocate, shorthand writers in front of commanded a battalion with the them. Many reporters were rank of major n 1942, and was present. Members of the public promoted Beutenant-colonel crowded into the few available commanding 2 regiment in meats.

1944, In the process he collect- medals the ed the inevitable fron

France.

The Cross in German Cross and the Knight's Cross In Russia.

among

the

Conspicuous friends and relatives of those concerned in the trial was blonde German woman. She was the wife of the prisoner.

The Royal Norfolk Hegiment rat an official observer.

There was nothing particu

impremive Larly

about the he wrote in his re- prisoner, port. He was of medium height and build. dressed in a sober balde-dress sult of dark blue

the to maleh. with collar and and on first appearance showed

ruthless

123

"n

He told of the battalion's last stand, of their surrender, of the trutal treatment they received from their captors, of the march to the fatal field where he and

shut down his comrades were

"Can you see the man in court who was in the meadow on that day?

Pooley looked round the court and indicating the accused said, Ithik that is the

vian.

More positive

The Judge Advocate suggest- ed that it would help the witness to be more positive it Knoechiel was dressed in uniform. and the court agreed that this should be done

類藥

FRITZ KNOECHLEIN

The shrill voice of Mme. Romaine Castel,

an old French peasant woman, broke the tense silence of the courtroom. A toil-worn finger pointed at Fritz Knoechlein—that's the man. That's the man

over there...

an excited German officer alter the shouting.

Just

IF YOU WERE THINKING OF A HOLIDAY IN SPAIN THIS YEAR'

Better Brush Up Your American!

By TOM POCOCK

THE

HE moon hung high over ming, James Mason scowling, the Guadarrama moun- Mitchum shooting, and a par- Grace Kelly queering, Robirt tains of Spain. It was a tridge in a pear tree. night for wine and harsh On the box stalls are such

singing gipsy

nnd

89 the magazines

House Beautiful, restrained passion of A

guitar.

New Funnies, Fantastic

Science Fiction.. True Ex perlence, There are Spanish

Then, from the open win- versions of such comics 43

white-walled Superman und Texas Bill.

dow of

farmhouse floated these words:-

of

In the toyshops are clockwork Stratocruisers and lead COW- boys and Indians. The first

"If you wanna please me space-gus has arrived in

you only potta squeeze me, Madrid, feet so crazy when you enddie me. . . .”

STEAM HEAT

On the postcard stands the wkic, toothpaste amites of Roy Rogern and Gene Autry grin among the fig -snarls of the

Headquarters of the invaders Hilton Hotel, milionaire Conrati Hilton'

Madrid radio that popular bullfighters. brought me that first impact is the Castellana

the new Invasion that is

irring Spanish customs more fabulous, all-American castle in

thoroughly than anything since Spain.

the Moors stormed into Andu-

lusia 1,248 years age.

ICED WATER

HD menu lists jumbo-size prawns, obleken o la king. brolled ribs or steer, com

021

The Moors Introductd the turban. the steam bath, the harem, and the Arab horse,

The Americans are Introduce ing the buriton-down collar, there it 1st-omelette (Spanish- akcam-heating, women's clubs, style). There is leed water un

the cob, ham'n'egg", and

and the Town and Country con- the

vertible,

Like the Moers, the Americans are largely warriors and their wives. They are building the vast networks of air and naval basen,

and highways systems across Spain.

power

table and steam in the radiators. In the palle a parrot

quawks, "Hiya!"

The Invaders are happy. They say the Spaniarda make swell Sabrejet pilots and can drive a bulldozer better than a Mexican. Later this year strategic

In Madrid the marks of the bombers will be able to use the

big airfields, and the invader are most obvious.

second wave of Invaders, the thousands of ground and base staff soldiers, sailors, and airmen, will come

POPCORN

the bolel THE barman 19

PRYSEB you popecen, and when you Bay Gracias he says "You're welcome!" Already, in central Madrid, there is a Texas Saloon and a Cowboy Bar.

In the cinema you find Miss

and

Mr

Lancaster

ΣΗ

starring in a "HURICAN DE They're all EMOCIONES!" there: Esther Williams swim-

first

*Fire!" shouted

and Fritz Knoechlein rose slowly

Mayo and Schroedel and Petri who, on his to his feat in the dock,

ordered the guns (o command, Madame Castel came right up to

yes scanning open fire. bun, her bright every feature of his face. Then she stopped and said with cer- tainty in her voice: "That is the man. Yes, you are the one who His threatened mo"

He

She was only a short distance of away, and heard the burst machine-gun Are and the groan of the dying men. The German officer wore a pepited can.

and face

eyes twitched. threatened her with a revolver, told her she was a spy, said he would shoot her.

"I said to him, 'You will kill a mother.' and asked him,

mother your Haven't you

SS self?"

The prosecutor paused before his next question, "Mme. Castel, do you think you would recog- Pooley also told of his return

nise that man again if you saw September him?" Le Puradis

and how he had 1946,

dug bullets from the wall, He was questioned about by Dr Uhde. 90 the defence comsel.

the man who, This was October 11, 1948, stood in the dock and pleaded not guilty to the crime of "being concerned The killing of about prisoners of war" of Le Paradis May 27, 1940, in violation of the laws and usages of war." First witness

"Were you interrogated before to France?"I wanted going To make sure of certain fact, and that i was not a dream.'

"You must have known it was

but a fact?"" opening not a dream. prosecutor's statement took up the whole of knew, but other people refused After lunch to believe it. They pooh-poohed for the pro-

Nazi

The

no sign of the

I had expected to see. fanatic Ha only marked character all

of the was a violent blinking eyes, which was to become more pronounced

examization.

unier

A refuge

Fritz Knoechlein was born at

the first morning. the flat withers secution was called.

#t.

Foley told the count: cuuse A

was followed Madame Castel by German witnesses. The bat- talkom adjutant of R2 told revealing story. After the fight ing he wan standing with German MO near a group about 20 British wounded when Knoechlein, shouting and very excited, came running up

of

The prisoners began to fall. It was all over in a few seconds.

O'Callaghan gave evidence on the sixth day. Knocchlein was with again brought into court three other Germans In uni- form and Identified by O'Callaghon, who had not been allowed in count before,

Dr Unde asked him how he recognised Knocchlein.

19

"By his general appearance. O'Callaghan suld, "and the Im- "The prisonera pression he gave me of piercing "He roared:

you. to do with are nothing

eyes and a hooked nose." They belong to me, My first

wns Dr Uhdo disputed impression of Kaoechlein that he had gone mad. The MO Knoechlein had a hooked would not let the prisoners go."

O'Callaghan retorted the peaked cap gave him EPPERTANDE.

but

In

FOOTNOTE: I am proud to report that Britain still makes

10

the

her mark in Spain. There is a special programme British Institute in Madridj

On gramophone records, Gilbert and Sullivon's

Trial By Jury" and "H.M.S. Pina- tere."

hear.

(COPYRIGHT)

ALL IN A DOCTOR'S DAY

DOCTORS ARE NOT

FORTUNE TELLERS

"T:

HAVEN'T been to doctor for 10

years,

-but they can often she said, "so predict

what is

I thought it was time I

came to see you. Besides, it likely to go wrong

your

health

that

nose.

that

this

by

Scotland, allen,

was in the cards." I didn't quite understand that re- with ference to cards. Anyway, Knoechlein's there

Romething ห ณ ส London mysterious about her, some from.

inner restlessness.

In my experience short stout

The little woman nodded her

That night Males went round His pic- head vigorously, "Yes.

the regiment that prisoners had for

Evidence about mind ture was on my

3 Company No. been shot in months."

at the battalion sector. The

com- examination

that District Cage was given mander told the adjutant "Very well. Now, look round the tales were correct. He said: Lieut-colonel A. P.

to others, are likely to suffer

and see if you can see him here "Knocchlein Is blackguard CO of the War Crimes Investi- She pushed back her long, people seem to have a merrier

ก

He denied that black hair that looked as if outlook. They talk and laugh had complained it had been brushed with

today. Come down here in the and a showman but no soldier. gation Unit. niddle of the court if you can't He actually maintains he is in Knoechlein

the right. There was never any about his treatment. see.

thing like in the World War.

Uncertain

"Be-

1 have of this incident

hospital only 2 # of wis in yours

of the on

One of the must moments of the trial

second 1:te

the bodies

A tall, haggard figure in navy blue suit imped into the withess-box and took the wath

"Js pour name Allri Leonard Pooley?"

The little black-dressed figure witness- came down from the box. She stopped in the centre and bewildered of the court, dramatic uncertain of herself. Her bent occurred gure with the little black head. Mme. cop looked diminutive and out day. The man whur. he Romaine Castel. an old French of place against the

in and dignity of the court. peasant worman. dressed

and volubly to with much gesticulation, told how she had been threatened by

This

Was

the end

Munich in May 1911. Like to journey many Germans of his generation lay wounded among whose ambitions outron their of his comrades, had sworn to black, speaking abilities, he donned Nani form as a refuge from H own

avenge their murder began

tell his story.

THE CAR SO MANY PEOPLE

ARE VERY PROUD TO OWN!

Austin A90 West- minator 6 cylinder engine _comfortable and roomy body.

and the

from the

thing springs whole

of ideas mad Reichsfuchrer (Himmler).

thhe

In

rick case, this swinish ony spoils the day's success for me."

On the fourth day of the trial,

more

con-

Trump card

The prosecutor held back one of his trump cards until came to the end of his case,

ho

It

fresh, bright tar.

"Please extend your hands," I sold.

The fingers didn't tremble at all as they do, for example, with people who have a anxious disposition.

nervous

or

"Can doctors tell much from people's hands?" she asked.

I thought how the

fingers

tremble in alcoholics

or of that

heart

thin,

much more though that external cheerfulness sometimes conceals an inner Insecurity. Also they are more prone to suffer from gall bladder disease and trouble than those long

with people terso

cowboy figures.

On the other hand those long characters with pallia com- plexions are more liable to con-

tract tuber- culosis in

in

by CEDRIC

CARNE their youth.

of

while inter e

a higher them Boom relative

on identification parade was was Exhibit 19, and consisted of a number of captured German arranged in the courtroom. Four

into court men were led

in documents. There was a cover. Pooley again identi- ing der from General Staff, uniform.

XVI Army Corps, to Sixth Army Knocchleir, solemnity fied

fidently this time. "Seeing him HQ. It was dated June 3, 1940, in uniform does help," he said. and headed: "Shooting of Eng-

lish Prisoners by S.S.-T.-Div."

fine tremor seen in the disease percentage A major had reported finding called thyrotoxicosis where the suffer from ulcers

with neck is athers the bodies on May 28. Asked to thyroid gland in the

I thought of the bulld explain the circumstances, the over-active,

concave nails of S.S. Division had replied curtly spoon-shaped that the English had used dum those who have anemia and the in dum bullets and

a clubbing of fingert seen that

tend to have re- who exhibited, people swastika flag was

current chest infections. "luring our soldiers from cover, whereupon they were wiped out

She obviously did not know where to loot dor the accused. net- Her eyes moved quickly, vously, over the members of the

the court.

interpretes, the crowded courtroom.

Her

she stopped. Suddenly nervousness and embarrassment dropped from her. She shot out her arm and pointed a toil-worn finger at Fritz Knoechlein.

Her shrill voke broke the tense silence of the courtroom: That's the man. That's the man over there.

For hours

One of the most damaging witnessce was Theodor Emke. Hour after hour Dr Ulde sub- Jected him to a gruelling cross- examination, but he stuck to his story.

Emke had been a section com- by machine-gun are.” mander, in charge of the two XVI Army Corps demanded a machine-guns which had been fuller report, and listed честь used for the murder, but they questions which they wamled were taken over by his platoon answered.

this commander, Petri,

To

a different

to to

body

"And they tend to be melán.. choly as well," she said.

"Perhaps," I smiled, "but I'm generalising and one shouldn't do that particularly; in medicine,"

"Yes," I said, "doctors can tell much from the handa, the fingers and nails. All sort of things." All the same, if doctors can't stare into crystal bulls ey yet "In my profession, too," she remember that common things cocur most commonly that demand remarked, "we learn much from I om a

certain conditions are linked there was no reply. The Division the hands. You see

to certain types of constitutions, inesses affect men No longer an incongruous le

that scane It was Petri who ordered the left Corps Command on June 1, fortune teller."

Of course, I should have figure but

women Nemesis stood in guns into position in the field. This, it appeared, represented

more commonly than No. 6 Court that day. It was o He told Emke that some men the sum total of the German guessed; she was a gipsy.

"Yes," she continued, "but Women are more ilable to suc If death tapped the shoulder of were going to be shot. Two S.S. Army's perfunctory attempts to

to hysteria, migraine and |Lieut.-colonel Knoechlein. His officers stood at the entrance to investigate the facts behind the

face blanched and be leaned the field-Knocchlein and Cap crime of Le Paradis. back, away from that pointing twin Schrendel, who commanded anger.

The prosecuting counsel said: "Go up and have a closer look if you would like to." Then he turned to the dock and said: "And let the accused stand up, please."

No. 4 Company.

"Knoochteln was obviously in command," said Emke, "and was conspicuous by his dominat- Ing behaviour." As the column of prisoners marched across the fold, it was Krocchlein

MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN

"IWITHIN AN HOUR, THE BSE WAS THE SIZE YOU SEE NOW. MY LAB WAS A SHAMBLES --

who

(COPYRIGHT)

NEXT SATURDAY: Justice Is Done

|"Z GOT ACAGE--FORTUNATELY,

HE'S A GENTLE BEE--BUT WHAT A DISCOVERYIN

WILL HE

STAY THAT SIZE?

the hands I also, inesses of thal nature. Men Apurt from see how my client is bullt. I know, for example, that the to diseases of the bones, joints, short, elout, florid person Is lungs and heart. inclined to be of a happy, level- "Anyway, there's not much tempered disposition."

wrong with you," I said, "You ——————-* She was, I suppose, roughly were right to come for a chock- right.

There is a relationship up whatever the Jack of Clubs In people's constitution and their suggested. But everything in temperament. Not to mention fine." the illnesses 'scine, as opposed

(COPYRIGHT)

By Lee Falk and Phil Davis

THEN I SUPPOSE YOU'RE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT GIANT GRASSHOPPERT

Huh?

WHAT

GRASS

HOPPER

TALK

ABOUT

I'VE NO IDEA. THE *PROBLEM IS TO

GIVE HIM ENOUGH FOOD TO KEEP HIM ALIVE AND SEE.

AUSTIN You can depend on it.

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