Informing the enemy: Australian prisoners and German intelligence on the Western Front, 1916–1918

Abstract

This article considers the intelligence value of prisoners captured during the First World War. 3848 troops of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) were taken prisoner by the German Army on the Western Front between the years 1916 and 1918. Because their capture was at odds with a heroic representation of the Australian war experience in the post-war period, little has been written about their war in captivity. But historians who have written about captivity tend to dwell on the personal, subjective nature of captivity and rarely consider the benefit prisoners are to the armies that capture them. This study addresses both omissions, and looks at prisoners of war as intelligence sources through the experience of Australian troops captured by the German Army on the Western Front. This paper uses prisoner testimony and German intelligence records to demonstrate that most Australian prisoners were ‘sturdily determined’ not to reveal any information of value to the enemy, yet the German Army still managed to obtain ‘very important information’ from them. It looks at AIF counter-intelligence methods, German procedures for handling prisoners for intelligence purposes, interrogation methods, prisoner experiences, what the German Army learned from Australian prisoners, as well as examples of how the German Army used information obtained from prisoners. It also looks at two cases of Australian troops who willingly disclosed information about the AIF and its operations having deserted to the enemy.

Keywords::

• prisons and prisoners
• world war
• 1914–1918
• Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
• intelligence
• German Army
• interrogation

Acknowledgements

The author expresses his gratitude to his supervisors Bill Gammage and Peter Stanley, as well as, Karl James, Lachlan Grant, Robert Nichols and Ashley Ekins. He also thanks Peter Barton, Amelia Hartney, Andrew Arthy, Barbara Schäfer, Immanuel Voigt and Annerose Scholz for their assistance.

Notes

^1. Australian War Memorial (AWM) AWM30 B16.7, repatriated prisoner statement by Capt Charles Mills, 31 Bn; Solleder, Vier Jahre Westfront, 229–31; Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv Abteilung IV (BayHStA/Abt.IV), RIR21, Bü 7, Ergebnis der Unterhaltung mit den gefangenen australischen Offizieren, 22 July 1916. Bean refers to the incident but makes no mention of Mills. Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, 442. Excerpts from Mills' captured diary are held at BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 23, Auszüge aus Briefen an Angehörige der 5. austral. Division, 5 August 1916.

^2.Kramer, Dynamics of Destruction, 63–64; Cook, ‘The Politics of Surrender’; and Blair, No Quarter: Unlawful Killing.

^3.Pöhlmann, ‘German Intelligence at War’.

^4.Nicolai, The German Secret Service, 182.

^5.van Emden, Prisoners of the Kaiser; Morton, Silent Battle: Canadian Prisoners; Jackson, The Prisoners, 1914–18; Noble, ‘Raising the White Flag’; and Moynihan, Black Bread and Barbed Wire.

^6.Ferguson, The Pity of War, 371; Speed, Prisoners, Diplomats and the Great War; Rachamimov, POWs and the Great War; Connes, A POW's Memoir; and Heinz, Gefangen in Großen Krieg.

^7.Jones, Violence against Prisoners of War.

^8.Coombes, Crossing the Wire.

^9.Jones, ‘A Missing Paradigm?’

^10.Gerster, Big-Noting: The Heroic Theme, 2, 20, 230; and Gerster, ‘Hors de combat’, 222.

^11.Thomson, ‘Steadfast Until Death?’, 477.

^12.Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, 442.

^13. AWM27 312/12, ‘Example Set by an Officer and Man of Our Forces after Capture (March 1918)’.

^14.Sheldon, The German Army on the Somme, 40.

^15. AWM4 23/4/12, war diary, 4th Bde, September 1916, 13 Bn raid order, 25 September 1916.

^16. AWM4 23/30/23, war diary, 13 Bn, entry for 27–28 September 1916, ‘Appendix B4’; ‘Appendix 19’.

^17. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü588, untitled handwritten intelligence document, 30 September 1916.

^18. AWM30 B13.1, statement by Pte Donald Muir, 13 Bn; Baden-Württemberg Hauptstaatsarchiv (B-WürHStA) M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 578, Aussagen des am 28. 9. morgens im Diependaal Grund am Taleck vom J. R. 127 gemachten Gefangenen, 28 September 1916; B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 588, untitled handwritten intelligence document, 30 September 1916.

^18. AWM30 B13.1, statement by Pte Donald Muir, 13 Bn; Baden-Württemberg Hauptstaatsarchiv (B-WürHStA) M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 578, Aussagen des am 28. 9. morgens im Diependaal Grund am Taleck vom J. R. 127 gemachten Gefangenen, 28 September 1916; B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 588, untitled handwritten intelligence document, 30 September 1916.

^19.War Office, Field Service Regulations 1909, 148–55.

^20. AWM25 423/4, ‘Instructions for Intelligence Duties, Second Army, revised 23 March and 10 June 1916’; AWM27 491/4, ‘Notes on the Prevention of Espionage and Leakage of Information’, 21 October 1915.

^21. AWM4 23/7/10, war diary 7th Bde, June 1916, ‘Operation order No. 14’.

^22. AWM4 23/7/10, war diary, 7th Bde, June 1916, ‘Operation order No. 14’.

^23. AWM4 1/50/7, war diary, 5th Div, September 1916, Part II, ‘Memorandum No. 27’.

^24. AWM4 1/50/7, war diary, 5th Div, September 1916, Part II, ‘Memorandum No. 27’.

^25. Hague IV (1907), Chapter II, Article IX; AWM27 474/7, ‘The soldier's DONT'S of international law’, c.1917.

^26. AWM27 491/1, ‘Notes on the Prevention of Espionage and Leakage of Information’, 17 December 1916.

^27. An additional 11 Australian pilots were captured flying in RFC and Royal Naval Air Service squadrons, but have not been included in this figure. Roberts, Wingless: 20–38.

^28.Royal Air Force, Instructions Regarding Precautions, 2–5.

^29. Untitled extract published in the newsletter of the Society of Australian World War 1 Aero Historians, April 1971.

^30. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 23, Nachrichtengewinnung durch Gefangenenvernehmungen, 29 July 1916.

^31. Ibid.; B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 588, Eintreffen von Gefangenen, undated, c.1917.

^32. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 588, Auszug aus Armeebefehl Nr. 3., 30 July 1916.

^33. Ibid.

^34. AWM30 B11.10, statement by LCpl Ernest Gaunt, 13 Fld Amb.

^35. State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW) ML MSS885, LCpl Claude Benson, 13 Bn, manuscript: 2.

^36. AWM 3DRL/4043, Capt Joseph Honeysett, 47 Bn, manuscript: 17.

^37. AWM 3DRL/4043, Capt Joseph Honeysett, 47 Bn, manuscript: 17.

^38. Duffy, Through German Eyes, 41.

^39. AWM47 111.05/01, ‘Note on Prisoners Statements’, 71.

^40. See Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, fn 641.

^41. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 581, Vernehmung von 4. Gef. vom 22. austr. Batl. 6. austr. Brig. 2. austr. Div. gef. gen. am Morgen des 26. II. im Warlencourtriegel (Abschnitt E) auf Höhe 124, 26 February 1917.

^42. AWM PR0112, 2 Lieut Ivo Agnew, No. 2 Sqn AFC, diary entry for 2 October 1917.

^43. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 582, Vernehmung eines am 2.10. mittags südöstlich Valenciennes notgelandeten englischen Fliegeroffizieres, 5 October 1917.

^44. AWM30 B3.12, statement by Lieut Wentworth Randell, No. 4 Sqn AFC.

^45. Private collection, Lieut Archibald Rackett, No. 2 Sqn AFC, manuscript: 35–6.

^46. Cull, At All Costs, 143.

^47. AWM30 B13.14, statement by Pte Percy Cook, 51 Bn. Cook could be referring to Pte William Nimot, 1st Bn Wellington Regiment NZEF, who deserted to German troops at Houplines in June 1916. See Puglsey, On the Fringe of Hell, 77–90.

^48. AWM30 B6.7, statement by Cpl Thomas Grosvenor, 30 Bn. Official memoranda after the Somme warned of such practises. See AWM27 491/1, ‘Prevention of Espionage and Leakage of Information’, 27 December 1916.

^49.Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, 858.

^50. AWM30 B11.3, statement by Pte Hugh West, 51 Bn.

^51. AWM30 B13.14, statement by Pte Percy Cook, 51 Bn.

^52. AWM30 B11.3, statement by Sgt Luke Ramshaw, 51 Bn.

^53. AWM4 23/13/31, war diary, 13 Bde, 18 August, ‘Interpretation of a Captured German Document’.

^54. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 23, Aussagen von 1 Offizier und 10 Mann vom XX/Bat New South Wales “B” und “C” Comp, 5. Brig., 2nd austral. Div. (Australian Imperial Exp. Force), 6 May 1916.

^55. AWM30 B6.14(1), statement by Lieut Norman Blanchard, 20 Bn; BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 23, Aussagen von 1 Offizier und 10 Mann vom XX/Bat New South Wales “B” und “C” Comp, 5. Brig., 2nd austral. Div. (Australian Imperial Exp. Force), 6 May 1916.

^56. Ibid.; Hauptmann Karl Tettenborn, intelligence officer of AOK6, circulated a diagram of 9 Bde colour patches after the first 3 Div prisoners were captured in December 1916. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 35, Aussagen von 2 Mann vom 33. Jnf. Batl. (a-Komp.) 9. austr. Brig., 3. austr. Div. gefangen genommenen am 12.12. abends hart nördlich der Strasse Armentières-Lomme, 14 December 1916.

^57. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 588, Bericht ueber Dienst im Gefangenen-Lager der 1. Armee getrennt nach Vernehmungs-und Lager-Dienst, no date.

^58. Duffy, Through German Eyes, 41, 55.

^59. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 579, Vernehmung eines Sergeanten des V. Jnf Batl. (2 austr. Brig. 1. Austr. J.D.), gefangenen genommen 26.7. 3° früh nördlich Pozières, 27 July 1916.

^60. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 579, Nachtichten über den Gegner vor der Front der Armeegruppe Böhn (25.-28.7.16), 29 July 1916.

^61. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 579, Vernehmung von in der Nacht vom 14. zum 15. VIII. 16. gef. gen. Offizieren und Mannschaften des XIII. Batl., 4.Brig., 4. austr. Div., 21 August 1916.

^62. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 6BRD, Bü 23, Der Angriff auf die 6.bayer.Res-Div. in der Gegend nordwestlich von Fromelles am 19. 7. wie von Gefangenen beschrieben (hauptsäschlich Offizieren), 30 July 1916.

^63. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 579, Auszüge aus dem Tagebuch eines Unteroffiziers vom XXV. austr. Batl. (2. austr. Div.), 10 August 1916.

^64. B-WürHStA M33/2, XIIIAK, Bü 581, Aus australischen Papieren, 30.3.17; AWM38 3DRL 8042/86, ‘Broadcasts, 1917; comprise abstracts from German broadcasts relating to Australian POWs’.

^65. National Archives of Australia (NAA) B2455, Lieut Harold Ferguson, ‘Court of Enquiry Proceedings’; ‘Service and Casualty Form’.

^66. AWM30 B6.11(2), statement by Lieut Harold Ferguson, 7MGC.

^67. The orders were those issued to 7 Bde on 17.9.17. AWM4 23/7/25, war diary, 7th Bde, September 1917, ‘Order no. 127’.

^68. AWM38 3DRL606/88/1, diary entry for 21 Septmeber 1917; Bean, The A.I.F in France, 1917, 758–9; AWM47 111.05/01, ‘Did the Germans Capture an Officer with Plans and Maps on His Person?’; and NAA B2455, Lieut Harold Ferguson, ‘Return of Officers of the AIF under Arrest in the London Area during Week Eending 8.2.19’.

^69.Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, 940–1. According to Australian Red Cross records, Yeo was one of just two 4th Division men captured by the German Army in the winter of 1916.

^70.Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916, 951–2.

^71. AWM4 23/4/14, war diary, 4 Bde, November 1916, ‘Fourth Australian Infantry Brigade Order No. 94’.

^72. AWM4 1/48/9, war diary, 4 Div, December 1916, entry for 1 December 1916; AWM38 3DRL606/245: 115.

^73. AWM4 1/20/11, I ANZAC Corps Intel HQ, December 1916, ‘Intelligence Summary No. 126’; ‘Information Obtained from Prisoner (Wounded) Belonging to the Ist Co., I Bn., 101 R.I.R. Captured in N.20.I. on 1 December 1916’; and Bean, The A.I.F in France, 1916, 951–2.

^74. NAA A1 1914/2454, Peter Christian Christiansen Petersen, ‘Certificate of Naturalisation’.

^75. NAA B2455, personal service dossier, 161 Pte Charles Christiansen, ‘Court of Enquiry’, 21 March 1917.

^76. AWM4 23/61/6, war diary, 44 Bn, entry for 13 March 1917.

^77. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 23. Inf. Regt., Bü 9, Aussagen eines Überläufers der A - Komp. des XXXXIV. Btl., der 11. Brig. der 3. austr. Div., 18 March 1917.

^78. AWM4 23/61/6, 11 Bde, March 1917.

^79. BayHStA/Abt.IV, 23. Inf. Regt., Bü 9, Aussagen eines Überläufers der A = -Komp. des XXXXIV. Btl., der 11. Brig. der 3. austr. Div., 18 March 1917.

^80. Duffy, Through German Eyes, 38.

^81.Nicolai, The German Secret Service, 184.

^82. AWM27 312/12, ‘7th Australian Infantry Brigade Circular – Extracts from German Intelligence Summary Indicating Information Passed by Captured Men (May 1918)’; see also Bean, The A.I.F. in France during the Allied Offensive, fn 90–1; AWM30 B7.2, statements by officers and men, 33 and 34 Bn.

^83. AWM38 3DRL606/113, diary entry for 31 May 1918.

^84.Bean, The A.I.F. in France during the Allied Offensive, fn 109.

^85. Bean, The A.I.F. in France, 1916.