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Vitz Memorial Archive: Allied Victims of Axis Murders


Allied Losses Nordic RAAF Losses RNZAF Losses USAAF Battle of Britain Paradie RCAF Archiwum Polish War Graves Runnymede Kracker Luftwaffe
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Data derived from many sources. Corrections/Additions requested through Helpdesk

GENEVA CONVENTION AS APPLICABLE TO 1939 - 1945 (Part 1 Article 2)
'Prisoners of war are in the power of the hostile Government, but not of the individuals or formation which captured them.
They shall at all times be humanely treated and protected, particularly against acts of violence, from insults and from public curiosity.
Measures of reprisal against them are forbidden.'


The data in this database is largely based on a list of Allied airmen murders collected by the late Willi Wachholz. He published his findings on a web site which is no longer available. Traugott Vitz found Mr Wachholz's list in the web archive when he co-authored a book on 'Hangmen At War' which included several airmen murder cases where the culprits were hanged. He then added to this list based on his own research using the 'Review and Recommendations' papers of the US war crime trials held at Dachau, and (British) National Archive files. These sources were also used to note and correct errors in Mr Wachholz's list. Researchers of airmen casualties within the borders of present-day Austria (which was incorporated into the German Reich in 1938) may perhaps appreciate the Memorial Book of all members of the American and British/Allied Air Forces killed in the air war in that area which was published by two Austrian researchers, in 2016, under the title 'Missing in Action - Failed to Return', freely downloadable in bilingual German/English.

In the course of our continuing research by Traugott Vitz and Ralph Snape it has become clear that the Archive should not restrict itself to air force personnel and accordingly we also cover cases involving other services as well as civilians.

Many cases are covered in more detail than in the Notes accompanying this database. A list of such cases may be found here. (Note that this list contains entries in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, which is outside the scope of the Vitz Memorial Archive.)
All Unknown Allied Air Force victims killed in Germany Search for ALLIEDGER
All British Army victims killed in Germany Search for BritArmyGER
All British Army victims killed outside Germany Search for BritArmyOUT
All Free French Air Force victims killed in Germany Search for FFAFGER
All Norwegian Air Force victims killed in Germany Search for NAFGER
All Polish Air Force victims killed in Germany Search for PAFGER
All Polish Air Force victims killed outside Germany Search for PAFOUT
All RAAF victims killed in Germany Search for RAAFGER
All RAAF victims killed outside Germany Search for RAAFOUT
All RAF victims killed in Germany Search for RAFGER
All RAF victims killed outside Germany Search for RAFOUT
All RCAF victims killed in Germany Search for RCAFGER
All RCAF victims killed outside Germany Search for RCAFOUT
All Royal Hellenic Air Force victims killed outside Germany Search for RHAFOUT
All RNZAF victims killed in Germany Search for RNZAFGER
All South African Air Force victims killed in Germany Search for SAAFGER
All South African Air Force victims killed outside Germany Search for SAAFOUT
All SOE killed outside Germany Search for SOEOUT
All USAAF victims killed in Germany Search for USAAFGER
All USAAF victims killed outside Germany Search for USAAFOUT
All US Army killed in Germany Search for USArmyGER
All US Army killed outside Germany Search for USArmyOUT

JURISDICTION
In the main trials were held under United States, British or Canadian jurisdictions. However, two were held under Federal Republic of Germany jurisdiction. These may be found through a Search for FedRepGer.

Click the Names button to see the spelling of all names in the database.

You can Search for a Name and when you see his Unit/Aircraft Number you can then Search on the Aircraft number to see the fate of any crew members. For further information on an individual, check our other databases.

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NOTES
Links are provided where more information has been found. Where you see Notes this link will take you to supplementary information we have found on the individual. Review and Recommendations Trial Papers for most cases are available via the Helpdesk.

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You searched for: “rafger

#NameFirst NamesRankService NumberCategory CodeCategoryUnit/Aircraft NumberTrial ByCase NumberDateOfDeathPlace-of-DeathName(s) of Perpetrator(s)ExecutionDatePhotosRemarksLinks
1 MansellStephane Peter AnthonyF/O150982RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Glider #293BritainWO 235/381945-03-2946342 Velen[imprisonment]-.-
2 RobinsonAlan KennethF/Sgt2206328RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG186 A4-OBritainWO 235/4971945-03-0899628 Buttstädt[2 defendants, both acquitted]-.-
3 PriceStanley JohnSgt2209960RAFGER Member of the Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NP953 C8-GNonenone1945-02-15Pockau [investigation file names an accused who was never tried] -.-Brit. Nat. Archive Kew holds investigation file WO 309/1296.
4 PercivalEdward ArthurF/Sgt1263001RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany HB799 BU-KBritainWO 235/2351945-03-1775181 (Pforzheim-)Huchenfeld Hans Christian Knab, Max Köchlin, Wilhelm Niklaus (plus Friedrich Hauser [WO 235/420] on 26/02/1948) 1947-01-23

Image courtesy Oleg Marin

5 MorrisRobertSgt3020201RAFGERMember of Royal Air Force, killed in GermanyNE119 LQ-PBritainWO 235/4061945-03-1538707 AltenauOtto Fricke1948-01-29
6 MilnerLeonF/O160860RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB542 AR-D2BritainWO 235/561944-12-1345149 EssenErich Heyer, Johann Braschoß (plus Franz Kircher [WO 235/86] on 15/05/46)1946-03-08Image courtesy Marc Hall and Sean Feast.
Commemorated at Runnymede, panel 208
7 MawsonHarrySgt1591864RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB554 6O-MBritainWO 235/561944-12-1345149 EssenErich Heyer, Johann Braschoß (plus Franz Kircher [WO 235/86] on 15/05/46)1946-03-08Image courtesy Marc Hall and Sean Feast.
Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery 13.E.13
8 MatthewsSidney ClaydenF/L142217RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany HB799 BU-KBritainWO 235/2351945-03-1775181 (Pforzheim-)Huchenfeld Hans Christian Knab, Max Köchlin, Wilhelm Niklaus (plus Friedrich Hauser [WO 235/420] on 26/02/1948) 1947-01-23

Image courtesy Oleg Marin

9 MartinezMarianoFlight Sergeant1392648RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG296 QJ-DFedRepGerSchwurgericht Limburg/Lahn, 2 Ks 1/501944-12-0635614 Oberlemp (in the woods near O.) [Chief suspect acquitted for lack of evidence] -.-
10 SandersDanielSgt1196410RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany BK804 WP-JNONEno trial1943-06-2347139 Duisburg[3 suspects]-.-
11 LudlowCyril JohnSgt1863182RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany ME864 DX-EBritainWO 235/4211944-07-2975177 (Pforzheim-)Eutingen [Chief suspects suicide; remaining two accused acquitted - lack of evidence] -.-
12 LivingstoneJames KeithF/L155465RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG197 PO-GBritainWO 235/3851945-02-0156587 (Rengsdorf-)StraßenhausCornelius Kayser1947-11-14
13 LittleDerek ArthurFltSgt1802092RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB187 AR:EBritainWO 235/4681945-03-1247139 Duisburg-Beeck[One death sentence commuted to Life; one Life sentence shortened to 21 yrs]-.- Identification of victim by historic research. See Notes.
14 LindenboomKevin PatrickF/Sgt1293195RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany LW168 DY-ONONEno trial1944-12-2447798 Krefeld [suspect unfit for prison, died before trial] -.- War Crime investigation file at WO 309/284 and WO 309/1345
15 Leigh Thomas BarkerF/L46462RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great EscapeBritainWO 235/5731944-03-3102826 Görlitz (vicinity)[2 accused: one death sentence, quashed on review; one acquitted]-.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
16 Hunter, DFCGeoffrey Colin DevasF/L126596RAFGERMember of RAF, killed in GermanyMM231no trial foundWO 309/2216 [Investigation]1944-09-1819205 (Holdorf-)Meetzen[name of suspect known]-.-Buried Berlin 1939-1945 War Cem. 6. H. 27
Relevant Kew files: TS 26/613; WO 309/106; WO 309/804; WO 309/1012; WO 309/2216
17 HumphreysEdgar SpottiswoodeF/L44177RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great EscapeNONEno trial1944-03-3102826 Görlitz (vicinity) [no one ever formally charged with victim's death] -.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
18 FilekJacekSgtP/780727RAFGer Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG501BritainWO 235/1141945-03-02Cologne (Köln), Germany [8 years imprisonment for mistreatment] -.-
19 HewittKenneth WilliamPlt Off183777RAFGerMember of the Royal Air Force, killed inside GermanyPB141 6O-FNoneWO 309/2381944-12-23Köln-EhrenfeldChief suspect killed in action 1945-04-10.-.-Buried Heverlee War Cemetery 10. D. 9. Mentioned in Sean Feast "Heroic Endeavour" (2006)
20 WynessDrew Rothwell CullenS/L103028RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG180 KC-SBritainWO 235/4641944-10-0779415 Rheinweiler [main suspect fled before trial] -.-
21 WoodrowRoy WilliamF/O175154RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NF926 HA-XBritainWO 235/3871944-12-3142655 Solingen[accused was found not guilty]-.-
22 WoodEdward FrederickSgt181621RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany LM742 PG-SBritainWO 235/339ff1944-11-0648432 Rheine [no one convicted of this victim's death] -.-
23 WilliamsRonald HenryF/L126045RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG180 KC-SBritainWO 235/4641944-10-0779415 Rheinweiler [main suspect fled before trial] -.-
24 WilliamsJames GeorgeF/Sgt1891702RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ871 DY-GBritainWO 235/2271944-12-2441460 NeussJohannes Esser1947-01-23No known grave.
25 WebbCyril StanleySgt162973RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany ME595 QR-YBritainWO 235/3881944-10-1838112 Völkenrode (b. Braunschweig) Hermann Dinge, Georg Gawliczek, Josef Bussem 1947-11-14 Image courtesy Marc Hall.
26 WatsonWilliam NeilSgt1568847RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NF926 HA-XBritainWO 235/3871944-12-3142655 SolingenFritz Schulze1947-11-14
27 HughesDonald JohnF/Sgt1873494RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG352 EA-JBritainWO 235/1401945-03-1897286 SommerhausenJosef Axt (shot at Werl)1946-08-23In US Case 12-3193 B, charge 4, Kriminalrat Kurt Hans (chief of CID Würzburg) and Kriminalrat Dr. Richard Schulze were sentenced to death for their part in this murder. They were reprieved.
28 VinallJames WilliamF/O169518RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany HB799 BU-KBritainWO 235/2351945-03-18 75180 (Pforzheim-)Dillweißenstein Hans Christian Knab, Max Köchlin, Wilhelm Niklaus (plus Friedrich Hauser [WO 235/420] on 26/02/1948) 1947-01-23
29 TaylorJack HardyF/L123032RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany SW415 (182 Ftr Sq)BritainWO 235/611945-02-2849163 Bohmte August Bühning, Friedrich König 1946-03-08
30 TalesJohn HenryP/O186308RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PD374 HA-CBritainWO 235/333f1944-11-0846509 (Xanten-)Röschen[imprisonment]-.-
31 Slade-BettsKenneth GordonF/O175509RAFGERMember of Royal Air Force, killed in GermanyJN803BritainWO 235/339ff1944-12-3148432 Rheine[evidence showed: no murder case; cause of death: multiple burns]-.-
32 SibleyCyril WilliamSgt1898606RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ351 MP-XBritainWO 235/1831945-02-2167246 DirmsteinAdolf Wolfert, Georg Hartleb 1946-10-11
On 27/03/2009, the people of Dirmstein set this Stumbling Stone in remembrance of Sgt. Sibley.
33 ScottPeterF/L169005RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG186 A4-OBritainWO 235/4971945-03-0899628 Buttstädt[2 defendants, both acquitted]-.-
34 ScottJohnSgt644319RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PD264 DX-KBritainWO 235/3951944-12-0735075 Gladenbach[Death sentence commuted to 20 years]-.-
35 CrossIan Kingston PembrokeS/Ldr39305RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great EscapeBritainWO 235/5731944-03-3102826 Görlitz (vicinity)[2 accused: one death sentence, quashed on review; one acquitted]-.-

Portrait by Eric Kennington
50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
36 EvansBrian HerbertF/L42745RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great Escape (A/C: P4404)NONEno trial1944-03-3102826 Görlitz (vicinity) [no one ever formally charged with victim's death] -.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders.
37 EdwardsWilliam JamesP/O195404RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany RG529 KN-C1945-03-19 -.-P/O Edwards was for some time thought to be victim of a war crime ("Opladen Case"). However it is far more likely that this crime concerned three RCAF airmen.
38 DoyleJoseph WilliamSgt1588990RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany ED708 ZN-NONEno trial found1943-07-2820538 (Hamburg-)Veddel [suspect known, outcome unknown] -.-War Crime investigation file at WO 309/2158
39 DelieuAlbert WilliamFg Off154385RAFGERMember of the Royal Air Force, killed in GermanyPB780 IQ-TnoneWO 309/10851945-02-2375242 Neuhausen (Enzkreis)unknown-.--.-Crew comrade saw his bloodstained and cut uniform and believed he was killed while PoW. Fruitless investigation by the US.
40 DavisJohn ClementF/Sgt1814561RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB853 IQ-PBritainWO 235/153 1945-03-24 44803 (Bochum-)LaerFriedrich Fischer (death sentence) and others (imprisonment)1946-10-11
41 CuthbertsonFrederick WilliamW/O1090342RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany R7771 (182 Ftr Sq)BritainWO 235/611945-02-2849163 Bohmte Friedrich König, August Bühning 1946-03-08
42 CrowArthur MauriceF/L116137RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NS791 540 Sq.BritainWO 235/851944-12-2929364 LanglingenHeinrich Friedrich Uhrig1946-05-15
43 CrossleyErnestP/O185784RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany KB782 NA-HBritainWO 235/3511944-11-0542651 Solingen[Death sentence commuted to 20 years]-.-
44 Fielden, DFCJohnF/O141154RAFGERMember of RAF, killed in GermanyMM231no trial foundWO 309/2216 [investigation]1944-09-1819205 (Holdorf-)Meetzen[name of suspect known]-.-Buried Berlin 1939-1945 War Cem. 6. H. 28
Relevant Kew files: TS 26/613; WO 309/106; WO 309/804; WO 309/1012; WO 309/2216
45 CaseyMichael JamesF/L39024RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great EscapeBritainWO 235/5731944-03-3102826 Görlitz (vicinity)[2 accused: one death sentence, quashed on review; one acquitted]-.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
46 CarleyHenry JosephP/O195101RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ932 DT-ZBritainWO 235/4651945-03-0834454 Bad Arolsen [acquittal: "shot while escaping" could not be refuted] -.-
47 BushellRoger JoyceS/Ldr90120RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany N3194BritainWO 235/424-4321944-03-2966877 RamsteinEmil Schulz1948-02-26 He was one of 50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, and shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders.
48 BrysonCharles Kenneth LesbirelFlt.Lt.112710RAFGER Member of RAF, killed in Germany T5164 DM-O-.-TS 26/4491945-04-0927412 Westertimke [unknown camp guard, suspicious circumstances] -.-
49 BloomfieldAlec PeterF/Sgt1604008RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ806 DT-RBritainWO 235/3571944-11-2164732 Bad König [actual killers dead; imprisonment for others] -.-
50 BartonJohnSgt1622233RAFGER Member of RAF, killed in Germany NG330BritainWO 235/1331944-12-3142799 Leichlingen [A policeman; acquitted. Justifiable homicide could not be ruled out.] -.-Buried Rheinberg XI.D.18
51 ArmstrongAlexanderF/Sgt1567638RAFGERMember of Royal Air Force, killed in GermanyMZ348 MH-DBritainWO 235/821945-03-2248477 DreierwaldeWilhelm Scharschmidt, Bruno Böttcher, Otto Bopf, Hermann Lommes, Ludwig Land, Emil Günther (plus Karl Amberger [WO 235/84])1946-05-15
52 GunnRichard FrancisSgt1721922RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ348 MH-DBritainWO 235/821945-03-2248477 DreierwaldeWilhelm Scharschmidt, Bruno Böttcher, Otto Bopf, Hermann Lommes, Ludwig Land, Emil Günther (plus Karl Amberger [WO 235/84])1946-05-15
53 HoweRalph SidneyW/O1034631RAFGER Member of the Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG186 A4-ONONEno trial1945-03-1599628 Buttstädt [suspected: unnamed German physician] -.-Suspicious circumstances surrounding death. British National Archives hold investigation files WO309/338 and /1251.
54 HorseyHarry AlfredF/O186751RAFGER Member of the Royal Air Force, killed in Germany SN138 W2-NBritainWO 235/491945-04-0326219 Bösel[Imprisonment]-.-
55 HonigHerbert WalterF/O15110RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG180 KC-SBritainWO 235/4641944-10-0779415 Rheinweiler [chief suspect fled before trial] -.-
56 HislopEdwardP/O187942RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany LW168 DY-ONONEno trial1944-12-2447809 Krefeld [suspect killed himself in prison while awaiting trial] -.- War Crime investigation files at WO 309/284 and WO 309/1345
57 HarrisGilbert JohnSgt1852682RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany LM213 PH-GBritainWO 235/339ff1944-01-1648432 Rheine Heinz Stellpflug, Friedrich Hochstätter 1947-09-05
58 HammondReginaldSgt1335044RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany BK804 WP-JNONEno trial1943-06-2347139 Duisburg[3 suspects]-.-
59 HallGordon AlbertF/O149916RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany HB799 BU-KBritainWO 235/2351945-03-1775181 (Pforzheim-)Huchenfeld Hans Christian Knab, Max Köchlin, Wilhelm Niklaus (plus Friedrich Hauser [WO 235/420] on 26/02/1948) 1947-01-23

Image courtesy Oleg Marin

60 Hales Richard BenjaminSgt1810455RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany MZ806 DT-RBritainWO 235/3571944-11-2164732 Bad König [chief suspects dead; imprisonment for others] -.-
61 AppleyardRobertF/O182177RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany NG186 A4-ONONEno trial1945-03-0899439 Vippachedelhausen [main suspect killed late in the war] -.-War Crime investigation file probably related to this murder at WO 309/1271.
62 GunnAlistair Donald MackintoshF/L60340RAFGERMember of Royal Air Force, killed in GermanyGreat EscapeNONEno trial1944-04-0602826 Görlitz (vicinity)[no one ever formally charged with victim's death]-.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
63 GrundyKennethSgt1892367RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB187 AR:EBritainWO 235/4681945-03-1247139 Duisburg-Beeck[One death sentence commuted to Life; one Life sentence shortened to 21 yrs]-.- Identification of victim by historic research. See Notes.
64 GrismanWilliam JackF/L45148RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany Great EscapeNONEno trial1944-04-0602826 Görlitz (vicinity) [no one ever formally charged with victim's death] -.-50 Air Force officers, recaptured after escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan, were shot by Gestapo upon Hitler's personal orders. They are marked "Great Escape" instead of their former airplane number.
65 GrahamNewellSgt1289237RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany BK804 WP-JNONEno trial1943-06-2347139 Duisburg[3 suspects]-.-
66 GisbyMichaelF/O153015RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany PB554 6O-MBritainWO 235/561944-12-1345149 EssenErich Heyer, Johann Braschoß (plus Franz Kircher [WO 235/86] on 15/05/46)1946-03-08Image courtesy Marc Hall and Sean Feast.
Commemorated at Runnymede, panel 206
67 FryArthur GeorgeSgt2235922RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany JA857 PM-M-.-WO 309/133 (investigation file)1945-03-0899610 Vogelsberg[allegedly a local policeman]-.-
68 FrostHaroldF/O169864RAFGER Member of Royal Air Force, killed in Germany HB799 BU-KBritainWO 235/2351945-03-1775181 (Pforzheim-)Huchenfeld Hans Christian Knab, Max Köchlin, Wilhelm Niklaus (plus Friedrich Hauser [WO 235/420] on 26/02/1948) 1947-01-23

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