NAZI TERROR IN POLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 52, 2 March 1943, Page 3

NAZI TERROR IN POLAND

A Polish prisoner, who Avas lucky enough to escape from a German prison, in Poland,, gives the folloAVing graphic description of a Gestapo examination: —■ "After reaching the prison avc were left undisturbed for about a Aveek, waiting to be. put tliorugh a spccial, examination. During this time the Gestapo Avas collecting material. When they liaA r e collated it the prisoners Ave re taken to Gestapo headquarters, in a separate building. If the prisoner Avas of no great importance, or Avas undergoing a supplementary examination, lie Avas examined in one of the cells. "The prisoner Avas usually escorted by two Gestapo men. On arrival at the Gestapo the prisoners were lined up in a row, with faces to> the Avalli, and not more than a liandspan aAvay. In such a position it Avas impossible for them to talk. To frighten the prisoners A'arious articles Avere left, lying about, Avliips, sticks, and even surgical instruments. "When a prisoner Avas to be examined he Avas ordered to face about and, ji|lging by my experience, Avas usually treated to a cigarette, but immediately after struck in the face. Frequently the Gestapo men began their examination in polite, terms, but suddenly, Avlien the prisoner was least 'expecting it, he AA r as struck Avith a Avhip on the chest or head. I Avas able to see for myself how strong the human cranium is. I rermember seeing one man Avho Avas only half conscious, and. the Gestapo ordered him to Avrite out a confession in Polish. When his hand shook, they said with a sneer that perhaps one pen Avas not sufficient for him.. So he. Avas told to pick up two pencils, and then the Gestapo man suddenly struck -him on the hand Avith all the force of his fist. The 1 blow Avas sufficient to make the man swoon, and dislocate his fingers. Gestapo Third Degree "If the prisoner Avas recalcitrant lie was hung up by his legs and the Gestapo men'boxed with him, striking and kicking him. In'such a position the head suffers most of all. A method commonly resorted to Avas to lay a prisoner on the table with his legs hanging oA'er the edge, qjid then beat him. One of my comrades Avas beaten on the head Avith a hammer in order to knock' the truth out of him. A locksmith Avas mending a door, and a Gestapo man, thinking to be funny, snatched a hammer out of the. hand and beat my friend on the head, shouting: 'You're an English s!aA*e.' The Germans; like to A r ary their forms of amusement. "Military men Avere subjected to especially bestial treatment. Ii remember a colonel Avho, after interrogation, told me all that had happened.. EA'en Avorse than the pain he suffered AA'ere the. indignities inflicted upon him derogatory to his honour as a soldier. That colonel died not so much as the result of physical tortures as from a broken heart. "A doctor was usualty present during the examination, and he gave the prisoners an injection of camphor aftenvards, as frequently they did not the strength to Avalk. Even then the torture Avas not ended, for on arriA'al at the prison, prisoners Avere often struck on the head Avith the. doorkeys, and on reaching the cell had to fall into line. When the Gestapo man asked: 'Alies gut?' (Is all avcII?) tliey had to answer: 'Alles gut.' Then the Gestapo man asked again: 'Alles gut?" and this time all the prisoners had to answer in chorus: 'Alios gut.' "In eA r cry larger prison was a cell in which the Gestapo man made 'special examination' of prisoners. In this cell a prisoner always 'passed out,' for he Avas carried straight to the hospital and thence to his graA'e. We frequently heard, of one of our comrades haA'ing 'gone OA*er,' by Avhich Ave meant he had been tortured to death." 5