A SPY FOR BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 21, 25 July 1945, Page 7

A SPY FOR BRITAIN

COMMANDER OF GERMAN AIRFIELD

LONDON, July 24,

A German anti-Nazi, Baron Major yon Schlage, was a British agent and commanded an important German airfield in Belgium during the war., He transmitted German air force secrets to Britain before he was detected and killed by the Gestapo. Schlage's story has been told by an American security officer in Metz, and by Belgian patriots who have honoured the baron's grave. He was a member of one of the oldest and most brilliant military families in Germany. He hated Hitler's methods. As commander of "the biggest German airfield in Belgium, Schlage secretly transmitted information about bombers which left the field to attack shipping in the North Sea.

The Gestapo finally came to the airfield to investigate the mysterious defeats suffered by the bombers. The commander of the airfield was the last man. they thought of investigating, but finally they cross-examined him. When the Gestapo asked for his personal documents Schlage knew there was no hope of sidetracking them. He reached in his pocket for papers, but produced a revolver and shot two Gestapo men dead. He escaped, but was later captured and killed.