Read on Twitter
1/
Four SBS men were murdered on or about this day in 1944:
George Miller, MM
Ray Jones, MM
George Evans, MM
Leo Rice.
For decades their fate was a mystery.
Until a presidential campaign in 1986 revealed the truth.
Pic in 1944: Evans front right & Jones 2 from left back
Four SBS men were murdered on or about this day in 1944:
George Miller, MM
Ray Jones, MM
George Evans, MM
Leo Rice.
For decades their fate was a mystery.
Until a presidential campaign in 1986 revealed the truth.
Pic in 1944: Evans front right & Jones 2 from left back
2/
This is the story of Georges Evans, pic as a baby in the east end of London. His dad's work on the railway took the family to Derby.
He grew into a handsome man of 6ft 2, something of a local heart-throb. He enlisted as a driver in the Sherwood Foresters in Jan 1939 aged 18.
This is the story of Georges Evans, pic as a baby in the east end of London. His dad's work on the railway took the family to Derby.
He grew into a handsome man of 6ft 2, something of a local heart-throb. He enlisted as a driver in the Sherwood Foresters in Jan 1939 aged 18.
3/
In June 1942 Evans was reported missing after the fall of Tobruk. His parents (pic: George with his mum) spent several anxious weeks waiting for news before on Sep 4th they received a telegram from their son: “Please don’t worry all well and safe.”
In June 1942 Evans was reported missing after the fall of Tobruk. His parents (pic: George with his mum) spent several anxious weeks waiting for news before on Sep 4th they received a telegram from their son: “Please don’t worry all well and safe.”
4/
A letter followed, mostly enquiries from George (2nd from rt) about his old girlfriends. He didn’t reveal that he’d been awarded a MM for his escape from Tobruk. “Evans not only escaped alone but showed the most remarkable endurance,” ran the citation. “A courageous effort.”
A letter followed, mostly enquiries from George (2nd from rt) about his old girlfriends. He didn’t reveal that he’d been awarded a MM for his escape from Tobruk. “Evans not only escaped alone but showed the most remarkable endurance,” ran the citation. “A courageous effort.”
5/
Evans volunteered for the SBS in early 1944, joining S Squadron, who were soon in the Aegean, carrying out raids against the islands.
On April 7 an SBS patrol, led by Capt Bill Blyth, was captured as they carried out a recce on Alimnia (pic).
Evans volunteered for the SBS in early 1944, joining S Squadron, who were soon in the Aegean, carrying out raids against the islands.
On April 7 an SBS patrol, led by Capt Bill Blyth, was captured as they carried out a recce on Alimnia (pic).
6/
Blyth (who survived) was separated from the men. They were taken to Salonika for interrogation but, in the words of a German communique, proved “very obstinate”. Particularly George Miller (pic).
“Miller was a very strong personality and well thought of,” Dick Holmes told me.
Blyth (who survived) was separated from the men. They were taken to Salonika for interrogation but, in the words of a German communique, proved “very obstinate”. Particularly George Miller (pic).
“Miller was a very strong personality and well thought of,” Dick Holmes told me.
7/
I've corresponded with Miller's family. George was from Camberwell, south London. His mum died when he was young, his dad was often absent. He looked after himself & his 2 younger siblings.
His death devastated his brother, who found it hard to talk about him. He died in 2009
I've corresponded with Miller's family. George was from Camberwell, south London. His mum died when he was young, his dad was often absent. He looked after himself & his 2 younger siblings.
His death devastated his brother, who found it hard to talk about him. He died in 2009
8/
The Wehrmacht discussed the men’s fate with the Gestapo. It was agreed that the men should be subjected to a more rigorous interrogation. This also proved ‘fruitless’.
On April 27 it was deemed the POWs should ‘receive special treatment in accordance with the Fuhrer’s order’.
The Wehrmacht discussed the men’s fate with the Gestapo. It was agreed that the men should be subjected to a more rigorous interrogation. This also proved ‘fruitless’.
On April 27 it was deemed the POWs should ‘receive special treatment in accordance with the Fuhrer’s order’.
9/
In other words: execution.
The details of their deaths are unknown.
Their families received a War Office telegram in 1946: “It has been decided to record officially that private A.G Evans (pic 1939) is presumed to have died while a POW, on or shortly after 7th April 1944.”
In other words: execution.
The details of their deaths are unknown.
Their families received a War Office telegram in 1946: “It has been decided to record officially that private A.G Evans (pic 1939) is presumed to have died while a POW, on or shortly after 7th April 1944.”
10/
Later the families were told they’d drowned when their POW ship was sunk at sea.
It wasn’t until 1986 that the truth emerged. That year Kurt Waldheim, UN Sec-Gen, ran for the Austrian presidency. Rumours about his war record had long hinted at a dark side. So journalists dug.
Later the families were told they’d drowned when their POW ship was sunk at sea.
It wasn’t until 1986 that the truth emerged. That year Kurt Waldheim, UN Sec-Gen, ran for the Austrian presidency. Rumours about his war record had long hinted at a dark side. So journalists dug.
11/
As they dug, they unearthed cables sent from his wartime Intelligence unit that interrogated & executed the SBS men in Salonika. There was no evidence he was personally involved in war crimes. Historian Robert Herzstein, part of the investigation into Waldheim concluded:
As they dug, they unearthed cables sent from his wartime Intelligence unit that interrogated & executed the SBS men in Salonika. There was no evidence he was personally involved in war crimes. Historian Robert Herzstein, part of the investigation into Waldheim concluded:
12/
"But this non-guilt must not be confused with innocence. The fact Waldheim played a significant role in military units that unquestionably committed war crimes makes him at the very least morally complicit in those crimes."
Waldheim (2 from left) & SS General Phleps (right)
"But this non-guilt must not be confused with innocence. The fact Waldheim played a significant role in military units that unquestionably committed war crimes makes him at the very least morally complicit in those crimes."
Waldheim (2 from left) & SS General Phleps (right)
13/
Waldheim won the presidential election & in 1994 he was awarded a papal knighthood.
Waldheim won the presidential election & in 1994 he was awarded a papal knighthood.
14/
In 1991, a memorial service was held for the 4 SBS men in St Paul’s Church, Athens. Among the congregation were the families of George Evans & Ray Jones, as well as George Jellicoe, the wartime C.O of the SBS, & David Sutherland, who’d led S Sqn.
Sutherland gave the address:
In 1991, a memorial service was held for the 4 SBS men in St Paul’s Church, Athens. Among the congregation were the families of George Evans & Ray Jones, as well as George Jellicoe, the wartime C.O of the SBS, & David Sutherland, who’d led S Sqn.
Sutherland gave the address:
15/15
He ended: “Their courage and endurance under interrogation was incredible. They came through their appalling ordeal in triumph…I am proud to have served with them.”
In memory of:
George Miller
Leo Rice
Ray Jones
George Evans (pic)
He ended: “Their courage and endurance under interrogation was incredible. They came through their appalling ordeal in triumph…I am proud to have served with them.”
In memory of:
George Miller
Leo Rice
Ray Jones
George Evans (pic)
@threadreaderapp unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
