SENSATIONAL CRIME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 August 1943, Page 4

SENSATIONAL CRIME

GUN-RUNNING IN PALESTINE HEAVY SENTENCES IMPOSED ON BRITISH SOLDIERS. CHARGES ALSO AGAINST CIVILIANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) . LONDON, August 12. Allegations that British troops, Army depots and also Army and Air Force lorries, had been used for large-scale gunrunning and am-

munition running to Palestine were made at a trial when two British

soldiers were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. The soldiers are Privates Charles Alfred Stoner and Christopher Ronald Harris, of the British Army. Before a military court in Jerusalem, both admitted possessing firearms and ammunition without authority. The president of the court said the evidence pointed to a widespread organisation extending even to the Army. Evidence was given that soldiers with forged passports carried German, Italian and American guns and also ammunition, in service lorries, in what were apparently legitimate convoy journeys from several places, including the El Alamein battlefield. One of the largest consignments included 300 rifles and 105,000 rounds of small arm ammunition, for which the soldiers received £9OO.

Three civilians have also been charged as accomplices. Their trial is proceeding.