MOTUIHI INQUIRY
GUARD TROUBLES
COLONEL TURNER'S STORY
OF THE ESCAPE
EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS PLANNED AN IMPERTINENT LETTER CB.v Telegrauh-Sneotal Correspondent.) \ Auokland, December 20. The Court of Inquiry sot up to in- . quire into tho escape of the German prisoners from Motuihi Island on Thursday evening last continued its sitting to-day. Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Turner, continuing his evidence, stated that the whole of the island was within bounds for the prisoners with, the exception of certain beaches and a portion of the interior.- First-class prisoners of war were confined to their barrack buildings between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., sec-ond-class prisoners wero confined to their barrack buildings between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the winter and 7.30 p.m. and.6 a.m. in the summer. A roll ■was called of the second-class prisoners by the orderly-corporal or eergeanfc at 5.30 p.m., after which they were not allowed out. Wlien he first took over the island there were about seventeen first-class prisoners. The soldier ovderly would see these prisoners threo times a day at their meals, and ho could tell the guard if any of their number were missing. Although the first-class prisoners gradually increased in numbers, the same system prevailed, and a system of roll call was not introduced. Prisoners could obtain special permission from witness to visit another barrack loom, the names of such prisoners being entered in a book in tho guardroom. With the exception of the men on duty as already explained, no other measures wore taken to ensure these rules being observed. There was :i roll call of second-class prisoners at 8.45 each morning. Canteen Run by a Cerman Prisoner. .There was a canteen on the island where food could bo obtained on payment. The man selling the food was a German prisoner named Paulsen. The canteen was actually in charge of the sergeant-major,' and could only he entered through the office. The. wnoiint of food kept in the canteen was very limited, and if a prisoner desired say a nam or a tin of fish it bad to be specially ordered from town. Except in the case of special fatigues the prisoners' occupations and actions were not under supervision except in so far as they were seen by the sentrios.
Prisoners Employed on the Farm, On the island, in addition to the guard, there was a farm manager and a ploughman, both. British subjects, and the farm manager's cook, already referred to. These were the only residents on the island outside the detachment and the prisoners. The farm ■ Manager's quarters were out of bounds, put the prisoners wore allowed free intercourse with the manager and his servants at times. A considerable number of prisoners were employed on the farm for the Agricultural Department. Ihreo were permanently so employed, lort.; Witness never received any once ,„ 10 days and would stay thoro Jne or two Apart from this Mess had frequently been over to Auck land pa duty, such as attending court martial and mqmries. Last SqS *LT ' *>"»e duty in. Auckland on iZIV eparatG On'the other .mncl, there were periods when he would 'e three weeks on the island without Shi' Si " scare witness W ' 10 , ™ s riKht iu saying that there had always been an officer on the island at n.sht i witness were called away Witness had only been away from the island on duty since the scare. On December 1, 1917, Major Osborne Lilly Director of Personal Services, visited the. island.. Witness had received on JNovember 30 a.memorandum'from the latter, dated November 27. The memorandum was the one referred to in paragraph 3 of the Order of Reference That night he drafted his reply. Major I>'ll7 said he was particularly concerned, about his memorandum of November 27. find that he made a spec'-tl trip to Auckland in consennenee. Witness read to''him the draft of his (witreply. At Major Lilly's su.egestion witness nddprl n. note to his memorandum to the effect that the system of iwlipp p P i+rnl= was snffipiTit' until the mt.Totluct.ion of a frrsh element in the officers of the See Adlor. Reducing the (Tuard. In reply to tho letter from Major Lilly, read at the opening of tlio inquiry and referred to in paragraph 3 of the Order of Reference, witness wrote as follows:— In July last when in Wellington' I called upon the G.0.C., and ho said that he was of opinion that I should be able to reduce tho strength of tho guard here, and directed mo to consider the matter and consult with tho O.C.D. Auckland. At that time tho strength was 35 of all ranks, which provided the details necessary for an armed guard of one n.c.o. and three men, and a patrol at the back of tho island, on a 24-hour tour of duty.. After considering how tho strength could be reduced, and arriving at a conclusion (.hat the only method was to introduce a system of police patrols in place of tho armed guard, and after consultation with tho 0.C.D., a reduction to a strength of 24 was made during September, but as the men then wont on duty in pairs for eight hours at a time, they could not carry rifles, and from tho experience of tho conduct of the prisoners of war, it was considered that the rifles could be dispensed with. This system has been carried out satisfactorily for the last three months until last week, when owing to certain information given to me by the O.C.D. I increased the men from two to four on duty from 11 p.m. to daylight, and have armed these four. The guard was not carrying arms when the Minister was here because the duty lias been done without arms for the last three months. The reduction of tho strength from 35 to 24 represented a daily reduction in expenditure of (pay and £3 15s. or lOd. a day a prisoner." The letter, after detailing the guards placed on the island and 1 the steps taken to censor parcels, went on to state— ■Tho system of police _ patrols was adequate until the introduction of a fresh element into the camp of the officers of the See Adler. I understand that Auckland ■District Headquarters has applied for an increase of ten men for tho guard. Had tho application been referred to me 1 should have applied for an addition of ono subaltern officer and tai men. If this
addition is granted the system of a standing guard will bo resumed. I am of opinion that the ammunition should not be stored in the guardroom, that it is much safer where it is, but to find a sontry for tho soldiers' barracks would mean a standing guard of ono n.c.o. and six men and a very con- . sidorable further increaso in tho strength of tho detachment. • "A Dosperato Character." Continuing his evidence, witness stated that during Major Lilly's inspection he (witness) remarked to him that the instructions were that tie. See Adler prisoners wore to be kept under clofg surveillance. Witness drew attention to the difficulty of carrying out these instructions under the existing conditions. Continuing, witness said, "You have also written to no about a German whom you hayo detailed from Somes Island. He is evidently a desperate character, and vill require even closer surveillance than the See Adler men." Major Lilly replied: "I know, but you muflt do the best you can.". The question was brought up about detailing a subaltern officer to assist witness. When witness was originally appointed he had been told by the Adjutant-General that he should have a subaltern officer, but though he had frequently referred to the matter nothing had been done. Major Lilly wae decidedly of the opinion that such an appointment should , be made. They went into the question "of communication between the island and 'Jie mainland, which depended solely on the telephone. When he learnt that witness had no signalling lamps, bo said that he would see that some wore procured and that ho would get Colonel Patterson to have the sontrios on the forts warned to keep a lookout for signals. There were one or two converted Begbie lamps for signalling, but they were in very poor condition, and had become useless. Ho had not made any report about the lamp 3 being; useless, nor did be apply for an issue, as he did not think the lamps were necessary.
Again the Question of Expense. Under the existing conditions on the island and tho buildings available, it was impossible to placo the two See Adler officers in separate confinement on the island without incurring extra expense. For instance, even if tents had been provided and pitched by themselves hi a separate area, it would have necessitated a separate guard, and in his opinion would not have been in accordance with the regulations laid down in tho manual of military law. With the exception of a few instructions from Wellington received at various times he had had to work on Chapter 14 of the "Manual'of Military Law, 1914." When he took over tho island a copy of-the "Royal Warrant for Treatment of Prisoners of War" was sent to him at his request, hut he was only permitted to keep it for a couple of days, as it was the only copy avaifaßle in the country. Subsequently lie received it a second time for a short _ period. Hβ took a few notes from it, but it was too lengthy to make a complete copy of. "Their Word of Honour as German Officers." The president: On November 23, after you had returned to normal conditions (after the scare), what were the restric-! tions on the two officers of the See Adler ?—"Between that time and the escape practically nothing." They had tho free run of the island ? —"Yes; with this exception, that the detachment was reminded that they must particularly keep these two men under observation. On the day after they were allowed .their freedom as iirst-class prisoners at the end of October, they came to me on their return from a walk. and gave me their word of honour as German officers that they would comply with all the regulations regarding the island , .' They had iot given their parole. The president: Between the date of the scare and their escape, were any visitors allowed on the island?—"l am not sure, but speaking from memory, I think that Colonel Patterson di dissuo some permits. I could find out from the official or the guard report in tho iland."
. Were any prisoners allowed to leave the island between those dates.(o£ the scare and the escape?—"No, sir, with the exception of tho two men employed in my launch." On this side, had thoso two men access to anybody on shore?—" Distinctly no, sir. The instructions were that things remain in the cabin, and the escort of two men, or sometimes one, were there to see that this instruction was obeyed. If the launch had to remain any time on this side it would proceed to Dcvonport to the torpedo yard wharf, where it was under guard." ■ Between these dates, were you on the island al ltbe time?—"No, I was hero for two court-martials and I was relieved by an officer sent from D.H.R. In addition there were four other days on which I paid visits to Auckland, on which days I was not relieved." Could any prisoners have been iaken to Auckland and back in your absence?—" No. That would be impossible. On the days when I was in town the launch did not, to my knowledge, return to the island. It was at the torpedo yard all the time." » Colonel Turned asked to bo allowed to state the length of time for which the sparking plugs bad been brought ashore. Ho I'ad perhaps given the Court to understand that this had been.going on fo ar long time. This special precaution had been observed on and after November 29, in consequence of information received on liis return to the ieland on that date.
Story of the Escape. The president: Now we como to December 13. Colonel Turner: On December 13 1 arrived back from Auckland at 6 p.m. In addition to myself, there were present in the launch my daughter, Bugler 'Wainwright as escort, and prisoners of war Freud and Paulsen. We employed the prisoners for certain duties and those who had been there a long time were given a certain amount of latitude. The wharf was in bounds only for prisoners on fatigue duty. At the end of the wharf were prisoners of waT Fischer and Schmidt, who were employed, Fischer as mailman, and Schmidt as carter. They were there under instructions. Fischer was there as part of his routine, and I personally told Schmidt that morning that ho must be there to meet tho launch. Paulson was at the wheel when we enmo alongside, and lie shook his head very emphatically, with a peculiar _ smile on his face, to the two prisoners on tho wharf. I thought this action was to convey to Fischer that there was no mail, and I said to Fischer "There is no mail." Just before reaching tho wharf I spoke to both prisoners about bringing the sparking plugs ashore. My daughter, Wainwright, and I landed, and the prisoners immediately took the launch towards the mooring buoy. As I walked along the wharf, Schmidt and Fischer and Wainwright passed mo and got into the cart at the ond of the wharf and drovo off. This was my custom. I turned several time 3 as I walked along the road and watched tho,launch. I watched them pick up the buoy, and unship the dinghy aft. Instead of adopting my usual practice of watching the dinghy land, I passed in to my quarters. Another circumstance was that the sergeant-major did not follow his usual custom of meeting me at tho wharf. I bad not seen my daughter for a long timo, and wo were talking hard. That caused me to think no more of the sparking plugs. They would not have como to me at once—
they might have gone to tho guard room and boon sciitTto mo after dinner. At about 0.15, tho £ci'gciint-niajor came to mo and reported that all had r>oim correct on tho island all day, ami 1 gavo him the password. I wont into my bedroom and hoard tho cart coming down tho alley way, an unusual thiiiß. could see in the cart Schmidt, and Jirtlmann, and I rang up tho guard room and asked why tin, cart had gono down, and wns told it had gono down for sonic coal. Erdmann had been in tho habit of assisting Schmidt to "art tho coal. At G. 30 I. wont to dinner, llio sergeant-major reported to mo liv telephone at 7.10 p.m. He said': . lm ' r «'»gl«y "as got away, and is " 0 - ing along at tho hack of the barracks in a sinking condition, and tho laimc 1 ! lias gone to pick it up." Such an occurrence as the breaking away of tho dinghy did not strike mo as extraordinary, because it might easily have happened. I went <h f , the wharf and the sergeant major followed me a few mbutes later, having with him a prisoner of war whom he had brought with him to report to me exactly what he had seen lhis prisoner said ho had seen tho dinghy getting way.
Where is that—Count— I was still not suspicious. Then [ noticed that a trolly on the wharf had been moved since wo had landed, to the outer end of tho wharf. I said to the sergeant-major, "Something has been taken in that trolly down the wharf sinco I landed," and I immediately said, "Where is that Count?" I proceeded to the barracks as fast as I could. I asked the two soldiers in tho guard room, "Have you seen tho Count lately?" and they said, "Not since you arrived," whicli would moan that they "had not seen him since 6.30 p.m. I spoke to tho German prisoner who waits at the first-class prisoners' mess as the quickest way of finding out who had been absent from dinner. Ho told mo that Von Luckner and Kirtcher had had an early tea about 5 p.m.', in one of the other prisoner's rooms, and had been absent from mess. At dinner time I went to the guard room to ring up District Headquarters, and sent the orderly corporal to go through the barracks and find out who was absent. I could get no answer from Auckland, but this did not moan necessarily that there was a fault on the line. Sometimes they did not answer us for half an hour, but tho bell was not ringing properly, and we concluded that the circuit was wrong. Wo tried the telephones and could hear signals faintly, so that wo knew the line was not severed.. I at once ordered a bonfire to be built, hoping that this would draw attention from tho mainland, as only a few days beforo we had been rung up and asked by District Headquarters whether a fire that could be seen was on our island. We kept the fire going with kerosene for about two hours, and seeing some rockets sent up from Auckland hoped that it was a reply. Not long afterwards we saw the lights of two boats coming down the harbour, but they did not come near us. Ono steamer passing up to Auckland was stopped by tho S.O.S. signal with a lantern. She appeared to reply with a Morse lamp, but owing to the number of her lights we rould noE read the signals. Another steamer was stopped in the same way firm tn'e end of the wharf, but after a slight pause she, too, passed on. This would bo about 11 p.m. , In the meautimo we had tried to ring up tho farmhouse on j the island about balf-a-mile away, and not being able to get communication, the sergeant and ono mail went nlong tho line. They went to the tarm-ho.uso without finding anything but on their return they lound the- obstruction which had been missed before uwing to the thick bush. Tho wires !iad been earthed at a post. Previously tlie wire had been uscdat C.lo. The tault was found close on midnight.
The Prisoners' Message. I rang up Captain Kuish, in rliargo of Defence vessels at Devonport, and told him to get Ins steamers ready, awl 1 communicated with Major Price to report tho wholo occurrence. The information 1 had then was that ten prisoners had gone. It was fome time later during that night that 1 discovered tliat Von Egidy was also absent. All but three- of tho' men were accounted for at the 0 o'clock roll call. All tiie eight wore not at the roll call, but they were known to be on duties. Tlio other threo were tho first-class prisoners, who did not have to answer their names at, roll call. Colonel Turner explained that Von Luckner and Kircher had been seen out walking, but in this tho prisoners were not breaking the regulations. There was an old boat belonging to tho farm on the itland. The prisoners' stove in this boat Deforo leaving.
An Impertinent Letter. One of tho prisoners, Mellcrfc, who ;.vas employed at the farm, left the iollowmg letter to his employer:— My country calls, and I uavo to follow. For two years I havo ivorked on the farm, and I lisvo always done my duty. With tins letter i leave ail the necessary i.otes like milk supply, mutton supply, and the list uf the cows, i nopo .vou ivill have ilo difficulty to arrange all under my successor, fkindly ask you to givo , my rages to Klaibor. as I owe him suinc - thing, and he shall pay my can-teen-bills. You might take unsaddle and bridle and pay a bill of about 30s. to Hoffman (photogra-' pher) for me. I like to bo square with, everybody, and I havo not got money enough to do so. I hope you will not have too much trouble by my departure, and with host wishes to vou, — "I remain yours, "(Signed) D. MELLERT."
Rifles and Ammunition Intact. Colonel Turner said that tho rifles and ammunition were checked that day and again after the escape, and found to be correct. In answer to tho president, witness said tTiat if the sparking plugs had beeu brought to tho house while he was at dinner they would be given to his orderly, who was at tho door, and the orderly might not report the receipt of them until after dinner. Outside of meal hours he would receive them himself, and he would not necessarily say anything to his ordclry about them. The time had not arrived for Rim to become concerned about tho uparlung plugs, and to ask his orderly whether tho sparking plugs had been brouglft to liis quarters. It was not impossible for the prisoners to get to know that tho plugs were kopt in his rooms. Tho launch was very silent, and the engine could not bo heard at any distance. Ho was not surprised that he had not heard the launch when it moved off. Apparently no one was there to sec tho launch move off.' The patrol must havo been up towards the guardroom, from where the launch could not bo seen. He did not think of sending any armed men to fire on tho launch when she was said to bo getting away. He had questioned the man at tho wharf, but had not been able to linu* any man except one Kercher, a prisoner, who would say that ho had seen the launch, and Kerchor had given information which was contradictory and indefinite. So far as ho could learn no ono saw tho launch after it passed round the point from tho moorings. When his suspicions wero fully aroused it was too lato to send men to different parts of tho island to keep a look-out for the launch. Darkness had como down, and it was a very dark night. It did not occur to him to send patrols to different parts of the island in caso the launch might be in tho vicinity. His feeling was that if tho prisoners had gone in the launch slio
had gone clear away. So far as ho know thcro was lose than a tin of benzine on tho boat on the return from Auckland. He believed that the prisoners bad got away with, two cases of benzine and two cases ii distillate. When he left the island ho had not obtained definite information as to whether tho prisoners had taken any food. Evidence of a Planned Escape. After tho escape a scaled kerosene tin of fresh water was found behind :bo quarters of ono of the escapeen, indicating thai, they had been preparing. There was no food on the launch, ami not moro than two gallons in tho fresh water tank in the boat. The telephone was last used at about 5.30 p.m. from Motuihi to Auckland. Ho did not send a, party to examine the telephone wire at once, because lie thought the prisoners had cut tho cable and not the land lino.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 75, 21 December 1917, Page 5
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3,896MOTUIHI INQUIRY Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 75, 21 December 1917, Page 5
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