Son of Anderson Teague of Oklahoma and Annie Teague of Mississippi.
Brother to Oma, Paul, Alfred, Hazel, Catherine, and Imogene.
Staff Sergeant Aubrey E Teague of Willis Oklahoma was a Top Turret Gunner and Engineer in the 8th Air Force during World War 2. Teague was flying as a crew member on the B-17 bomber tail number 42-102638 piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Raymond D. McClintock. Flying with the 447th Bomb Group, 711th Bomb Squadron on the 13th of May 1944 they were shot down over Osnabruck, Germany while on a bombing mission. Staff Sergeant Teague was taken as a Prisoner of War with most of the crew and ended up in Stalag Luft IV in Poland.
Waiting with his fellow POW's for wars end and a trip home Teague would not make that trip alive. Shot through both shoulders by a German guard after jumping out a window to dump some trash from his room (Disobeying orders) on 22 June 1944 Teague died a few hours later. This was witnessed at the time by S/S John A Gingrich, S/S Arthur E Crowe Jr., S/S Robert R Wallace and others. He was buried in grave near by the camp and it was marked with cross and ID tag as witnessed by Compound "B" leader Willard C Miller of Carenero, LA.
Crew of B-17 42-102638:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Raymond D. Mc Clintock
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert M. Dalby
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Stanley Gillman
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Walter H. Trotter
Radio Operator: S Sgt. Benjamin F. Little
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Robert R. Wallace
Tail Gunner: Sgt. John C. Young
Right Waist Gunner: Sgt. Leon Bernedc
Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. John A Gingrich
Murder at Stalag Luft IV.
As liberated prisoners streamed back into Allied control, scores of investigators took testimony from them at Camp Lucky Strike, in France. Later, back at hospitals in the States, case files were developed around the shooting deaths of Aubry Teague, George Walker, Walter Getsey and Walter Nies. The identities of the guards involved remained a mystery, but profiles of their officers began to emerge. Capt. Pickhardt and Sgt. Schmidt were the most notorious of the Germans associated with the "Run up the Road". Col. Bombach, Capt. Raypert and Maj. Gruber were identified as the officers in charge of the evacuation of Luft 6. In a memorandum of 23 May, the Judge Advocate states:
"There is sufficient evidence to support a charge of cruel treatment...it is believed that with further investigation... a charge of murder can be proven...The German officers' ... names (should) be placed on the wanted list for war criminals."
Through June and July, statements by American prisoners broadened the scope of events and focused attention on others in the Luft 4 cadre. The apprehension of Maj. Gerber became the key to solving the shootings of Sgts. Walker and Nies (it was felt he was the officer in charge). Feldwebel Fahnert and Hauptman Mueller were sought in connection with the Teague investigation. Mistreatment of prisoners in camp and on the Black March, was attributed to Cpls. Stemberger, Greenwald and Sgt. Schmidt.
As the months wore on, the cases were consolidated under the name of Pickhardt. Lager officers Schliep, Wienart, Zallman and Wolf were added to the growing list of the accused, and the file was given an "A" classification (ready for prosecution). Key testimony was given by Frank Paules about the inner workings of the German staff. Their shadowy world was thrown into the spotlight, revealing character and deeds for the record.
In its' final form, Register #1648 "United States against Germany- case #1" , named 14 officers and guards as the perpetrators of crimes against prisoners during the evacuation of Luft 6 and afterwards, at Luft 4.
In spite of the capture of Pickhardt, Bombach and Fahnert, the case languished. In 1946, Special Agents were sent out to confirm the identities of the accused who'd been caught. They showed photos to a number of those who'd witnessed the shootings or been on the camp staff. It appears that few German records were obtained by the Judge Advocate, and American camp files were buried when the camp was evacuated. No "paper link" was established between the accused and the events.
In a letter dated 19 September,1947, Maj. Walter L. Parker wrote the epitaph for the case:
Lt. Col. Bombach:
38, 5'-6", thin features, black hair combed back, spoke English; aka Snaggletooth or The Big Wheel Deputy Commandant at 6, top man at 4;Nazi Party man,possibly pre-war agent in France,refused to acknowledge PW complaints
Maj.Gruber:
5'-8", stocky 170, wore patch on left eye, thin straight blond hair;aka Hollywood, Medals, Snake-Eyes Security officer at 6, Lager officer compound A at 4,in charge of Baltic boatride,set pace on Run up the Road.
Hauptman Voltz:
45, 5'5", 200 lbs, bald, wore tortoise shell rim glasses, gold teeth, walked with hands behind his back, Lager officer at 6, in charge of guards on Baltic boatride,on duty when Sgts. Nies and Walker were shot.
Hauptman Pickhardt:
45, 5'-3", reddish complexion, bulky, wore white coat; aka Ice Cream Man,Mad Captain, Butcher of Berlin, Captain of Guard at 4,fanatical Nazi in charge of Run,abused PWs physically, pilfered belongings and supplies.
Hauptman Wolf:
Appeared to work for PW's benefit, had influence, often left camp, Lager officer of compound B, opposed Pickhardt and Fahnert.
Hauptman Weinert:
Limped, spoke English, wore leather coat, boots, demanded salute from POW & guards, Lager officer compound C at 4, said to be repatriated pilot with leg shattered from crash.
Major Zallman:
Elderly Prussian military officer, no match for Abwehr, Lager officer compound D at 4, responsible for deaths of 2PW's on Black March due to neglect.
Hauptman Sommers:
40, 5'10", dark Hair,grey at temples, unsympathetic to PW suffering, Chief medical officer, diagnosed 200 dog and bayonet wounds as sunstroke, refused aid on March.
Oberfeldwebel Fahrnert:
50, 6', thin, horn rimmed glasses, sharp features, aka Iron Cross, OKW sgt. in charge of security at 4, possible Nazi agent with Bombach, key role on Run, led searches with Big Stoop, implicated in Teague shooting and theft of supplies.
Feldwebel Schroeder:
Interpreter at 6 and 4, made constant attempts to aid PW's in camp and on Black March.
Feldwebel Schmidt:
6'-7", oafish, heavyset, fair hair, large hands, mean face, aka Big Stoop, Slap Ears, Ham Hands. Notorious guard at 4, triggerman for Fahnert, physically abused hundreds Pw's, pilfered supplies.
Major Stahle:
aka Rigor Mortise, Abwehr and second in command at 4.
Hauptman Schliep:
first lager officer of compound A, at 4.
Hauptman Lindemann:
Abwehr officer,weak,passive, left operations to Fahrnert.
Hauptman Mueller:
short, slender build, light complexion, light hair, Officer in charge of lager at time of Teague shooting, at 4.
Hauptman Raypert,Zimmerman:
officers at Heydekrug (6).
Feldwebel Goldstein,Schultz:
guards at Kiefeheide (4.
Unter off. Heitz,Peschel:
Abwehr guards at Heydekrug (6).
Cpl Greenwald,Steinberger:
Abused PW's on Black March.
Cpl Birtel:
50, 6, 150 lbs, glasses, dark hair, thin face, grey eyes, Austrian Liaison between PW's and camp doctor.
Crowbar Pete:
32, 5'-8", 170 lbs, big nose, hard eyes, leathery skin, dark complexion guard at luft 6 & 4.
Trigger Happy:
55, 6', 180 lbs, medium build, blue eyes, large ears, pointed chin, 2 chevrons guard on duty, north east corner tower, morning sgt. Nies was shot at Luft 6.
Green Hornet:
Spoke English, wore Green Wehrmacht coat, guard at 6 & 4, compounds A & B, worked in U.S., on Black March.
Chick:
mild mannered, talkative guard compound A, butcher in Chicago.
Upsteen:
Short, stocky, dark hair, handyman, loved coffee, x-rated cartoon books Fritz, Seven Dwarfs, Rifle Butt, Dirty Gus, Twenty Kilometer Joe, the Spider, Emil, Pop, Gimpy
Sources: R. Scalley, J. Shirley, J. Odonnell, L.Nordstrom, E. Jurist, F.Paules, D.Kremper, G. Christoff, D.Kirby, R. Doherty, - records of J.A.G. and UNWCC
Brother to Oma, Paul, Alfred, Hazel, Catherine, and Imogene.
Staff Sergeant Aubrey E Teague of Willis Oklahoma was a Top Turret Gunner and Engineer in the 8th Air Force during World War 2. Teague was flying as a crew member on the B-17 bomber tail number 42-102638 piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Raymond D. McClintock. Flying with the 447th Bomb Group, 711th Bomb Squadron on the 13th of May 1944 they were shot down over Osnabruck, Germany while on a bombing mission. Staff Sergeant Teague was taken as a Prisoner of War with most of the crew and ended up in Stalag Luft IV in Poland.
Waiting with his fellow POW's for wars end and a trip home Teague would not make that trip alive. Shot through both shoulders by a German guard after jumping out a window to dump some trash from his room (Disobeying orders) on 22 June 1944 Teague died a few hours later. This was witnessed at the time by S/S John A Gingrich, S/S Arthur E Crowe Jr., S/S Robert R Wallace and others. He was buried in grave near by the camp and it was marked with cross and ID tag as witnessed by Compound "B" leader Willard C Miller of Carenero, LA.
Crew of B-17 42-102638:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Raymond D. Mc Clintock
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert M. Dalby
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Stanley Gillman
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Walter H. Trotter
Radio Operator: S Sgt. Benjamin F. Little
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Robert R. Wallace
Tail Gunner: Sgt. John C. Young
Right Waist Gunner: Sgt. Leon Bernedc
Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. John A Gingrich
Murder at Stalag Luft IV.
As liberated prisoners streamed back into Allied control, scores of investigators took testimony from them at Camp Lucky Strike, in France. Later, back at hospitals in the States, case files were developed around the shooting deaths of Aubry Teague, George Walker, Walter Getsey and Walter Nies. The identities of the guards involved remained a mystery, but profiles of their officers began to emerge. Capt. Pickhardt and Sgt. Schmidt were the most notorious of the Germans associated with the "Run up the Road". Col. Bombach, Capt. Raypert and Maj. Gruber were identified as the officers in charge of the evacuation of Luft 6. In a memorandum of 23 May, the Judge Advocate states:
"There is sufficient evidence to support a charge of cruel treatment...it is believed that with further investigation... a charge of murder can be proven...The German officers' ... names (should) be placed on the wanted list for war criminals."
Through June and July, statements by American prisoners broadened the scope of events and focused attention on others in the Luft 4 cadre. The apprehension of Maj. Gerber became the key to solving the shootings of Sgts. Walker and Nies (it was felt he was the officer in charge). Feldwebel Fahnert and Hauptman Mueller were sought in connection with the Teague investigation. Mistreatment of prisoners in camp and on the Black March, was attributed to Cpls. Stemberger, Greenwald and Sgt. Schmidt.
As the months wore on, the cases were consolidated under the name of Pickhardt. Lager officers Schliep, Wienart, Zallman and Wolf were added to the growing list of the accused, and the file was given an "A" classification (ready for prosecution). Key testimony was given by Frank Paules about the inner workings of the German staff. Their shadowy world was thrown into the spotlight, revealing character and deeds for the record.
In its' final form, Register #1648 "United States against Germany- case #1" , named 14 officers and guards as the perpetrators of crimes against prisoners during the evacuation of Luft 6 and afterwards, at Luft 4.
In spite of the capture of Pickhardt, Bombach and Fahnert, the case languished. In 1946, Special Agents were sent out to confirm the identities of the accused who'd been caught. They showed photos to a number of those who'd witnessed the shootings or been on the camp staff. It appears that few German records were obtained by the Judge Advocate, and American camp files were buried when the camp was evacuated. No "paper link" was established between the accused and the events.
In a letter dated 19 September,1947, Maj. Walter L. Parker wrote the epitaph for the case:
Lt. Col. Bombach:
38, 5'-6", thin features, black hair combed back, spoke English; aka Snaggletooth or The Big Wheel Deputy Commandant at 6, top man at 4;Nazi Party man,possibly pre-war agent in France,refused to acknowledge PW complaints
Maj.Gruber:
5'-8", stocky 170, wore patch on left eye, thin straight blond hair;aka Hollywood, Medals, Snake-Eyes Security officer at 6, Lager officer compound A at 4,in charge of Baltic boatride,set pace on Run up the Road.
Hauptman Voltz:
45, 5'5", 200 lbs, bald, wore tortoise shell rim glasses, gold teeth, walked with hands behind his back, Lager officer at 6, in charge of guards on Baltic boatride,on duty when Sgts. Nies and Walker were shot.
Hauptman Pickhardt:
45, 5'-3", reddish complexion, bulky, wore white coat; aka Ice Cream Man,Mad Captain, Butcher of Berlin, Captain of Guard at 4,fanatical Nazi in charge of Run,abused PWs physically, pilfered belongings and supplies.
Hauptman Wolf:
Appeared to work for PW's benefit, had influence, often left camp, Lager officer of compound B, opposed Pickhardt and Fahnert.
Hauptman Weinert:
Limped, spoke English, wore leather coat, boots, demanded salute from POW & guards, Lager officer compound C at 4, said to be repatriated pilot with leg shattered from crash.
Major Zallman:
Elderly Prussian military officer, no match for Abwehr, Lager officer compound D at 4, responsible for deaths of 2PW's on Black March due to neglect.
Hauptman Sommers:
40, 5'10", dark Hair,grey at temples, unsympathetic to PW suffering, Chief medical officer, diagnosed 200 dog and bayonet wounds as sunstroke, refused aid on March.
Oberfeldwebel Fahrnert:
50, 6', thin, horn rimmed glasses, sharp features, aka Iron Cross, OKW sgt. in charge of security at 4, possible Nazi agent with Bombach, key role on Run, led searches with Big Stoop, implicated in Teague shooting and theft of supplies.
Feldwebel Schroeder:
Interpreter at 6 and 4, made constant attempts to aid PW's in camp and on Black March.
Feldwebel Schmidt:
6'-7", oafish, heavyset, fair hair, large hands, mean face, aka Big Stoop, Slap Ears, Ham Hands. Notorious guard at 4, triggerman for Fahnert, physically abused hundreds Pw's, pilfered supplies.
Major Stahle:
aka Rigor Mortise, Abwehr and second in command at 4.
Hauptman Schliep:
first lager officer of compound A, at 4.
Hauptman Lindemann:
Abwehr officer,weak,passive, left operations to Fahrnert.
Hauptman Mueller:
short, slender build, light complexion, light hair, Officer in charge of lager at time of Teague shooting, at 4.
Hauptman Raypert,Zimmerman:
officers at Heydekrug (6).
Feldwebel Goldstein,Schultz:
guards at Kiefeheide (4.
Unter off. Heitz,Peschel:
Abwehr guards at Heydekrug (6).
Cpl Greenwald,Steinberger:
Abused PW's on Black March.
Cpl Birtel:
50, 6, 150 lbs, glasses, dark hair, thin face, grey eyes, Austrian Liaison between PW's and camp doctor.
Crowbar Pete:
32, 5'-8", 170 lbs, big nose, hard eyes, leathery skin, dark complexion guard at luft 6 & 4.
Trigger Happy:
55, 6', 180 lbs, medium build, blue eyes, large ears, pointed chin, 2 chevrons guard on duty, north east corner tower, morning sgt. Nies was shot at Luft 6.
Green Hornet:
Spoke English, wore Green Wehrmacht coat, guard at 6 & 4, compounds A & B, worked in U.S., on Black March.
Chick:
mild mannered, talkative guard compound A, butcher in Chicago.
Upsteen:
Short, stocky, dark hair, handyman, loved coffee, x-rated cartoon books Fritz, Seven Dwarfs, Rifle Butt, Dirty Gus, Twenty Kilometer Joe, the Spider, Emil, Pop, Gimpy
Sources: R. Scalley, J. Shirley, J. Odonnell, L.Nordstrom, E. Jurist, F.Paules, D.Kremper, G. Christoff, D.Kirby, R. Doherty, - records of J.A.G. and UNWCC
Son of Anderson Teague of Oklahoma and Annie Teague of Mississippi.
Brother to Oma, Paul, Alfred, Hazel, Catherine, and Imogene.
Staff Sergeant Aubrey E Teague of Willis Oklahoma was a Top Turret Gunner and Engineer in the 8th Air Force during World War 2. Teague was flying as a crew member on the B-17 bomber tail number 42-102638 piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Raymond D. McClintock. Flying with the 447th Bomb Group, 711th Bomb Squadron on the 13th of May 1944 they were shot down over Osnabruck, Germany while on a bombing mission. Staff Sergeant Teague was taken as a Prisoner of War with most of the crew and ended up in Stalag Luft IV in Poland.
Waiting with his fellow POW's for wars end and a trip home Teague would not make that trip alive. Shot through both shoulders by a German guard after jumping out a window to dump some trash from his room (Disobeying orders) on 22 June 1944 Teague died a few hours later. This was witnessed at the time by S/S John A Gingrich, S/S Arthur E Crowe Jr., S/S Robert R Wallace and others. He was buried in grave near by the camp and it was marked with cross and ID tag as witnessed by Compound "B" leader Willard C Miller of Carenero, LA.
Crew of B-17 42-102638:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Raymond D. Mc Clintock
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert M. Dalby
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Stanley Gillman
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Walter H. Trotter
Radio Operator: S Sgt. Benjamin F. Little
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Robert R. Wallace
Tail Gunner: Sgt. John C. Young
Right Waist Gunner: Sgt. Leon Bernedc
Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. John A Gingrich
Murder at Stalag Luft IV.
As liberated prisoners streamed back into Allied control, scores of investigators took testimony from them at Camp Lucky Strike, in France. Later, back at hospitals in the States, case files were developed around the shooting deaths of Aubry Teague, George Walker, Walter Getsey and Walter Nies. The identities of the guards involved remained a mystery, but profiles of their officers began to emerge. Capt. Pickhardt and Sgt. Schmidt were the most notorious of the Germans associated with the "Run up the Road". Col. Bombach, Capt. Raypert and Maj. Gruber were identified as the officers in charge of the evacuation of Luft 6. In a memorandum of 23 May, the Judge Advocate states:
"There is sufficient evidence to support a charge of cruel treatment...it is believed that with further investigation... a charge of murder can be proven...The German officers' ... names (should) be placed on the wanted list for war criminals."
Through June and July, statements by American prisoners broadened the scope of events and focused attention on others in the Luft 4 cadre. The apprehension of Maj. Gerber became the key to solving the shootings of Sgts. Walker and Nies (it was felt he was the officer in charge). Feldwebel Fahnert and Hauptman Mueller were sought in connection with the Teague investigation. Mistreatment of prisoners in camp and on the Black March, was attributed to Cpls. Stemberger, Greenwald and Sgt. Schmidt.
As the months wore on, the cases were consolidated under the name of Pickhardt. Lager officers Schliep, Wienart, Zallman and Wolf were added to the growing list of the accused, and the file was given an "A" classification (ready for prosecution). Key testimony was given by Frank Paules about the inner workings of the German staff. Their shadowy world was thrown into the spotlight, revealing character and deeds for the record.
In its' final form, Register #1648 "United States against Germany- case #1" , named 14 officers and guards as the perpetrators of crimes against prisoners during the evacuation of Luft 6 and afterwards, at Luft 4.
In spite of the capture of Pickhardt, Bombach and Fahnert, the case languished. In 1946, Special Agents were sent out to confirm the identities of the accused who'd been caught. They showed photos to a number of those who'd witnessed the shootings or been on the camp staff. It appears that few German records were obtained by the Judge Advocate, and American camp files were buried when the camp was evacuated. No "paper link" was established between the accused and the events.
In a letter dated 19 September,1947, Maj. Walter L. Parker wrote the epitaph for the case:
Lt. Col. Bombach:
38, 5'-6", thin features, black hair combed back, spoke English; aka Snaggletooth or The Big Wheel Deputy Commandant at 6, top man at 4;Nazi Party man,possibly pre-war agent in France,refused to acknowledge PW complaints
Maj.Gruber:
5'-8", stocky 170, wore patch on left eye, thin straight blond hair;aka Hollywood, Medals, Snake-Eyes Security officer at 6, Lager officer compound A at 4,in charge of Baltic boatride,set pace on Run up the Road.
Hauptman Voltz:
45, 5'5", 200 lbs, bald, wore tortoise shell rim glasses, gold teeth, walked with hands behind his back, Lager officer at 6, in charge of guards on Baltic boatride,on duty when Sgts. Nies and Walker were shot.
Hauptman Pickhardt:
45, 5'-3", reddish complexion, bulky, wore white coat; aka Ice Cream Man,Mad Captain, Butcher of Berlin, Captain of Guard at 4,fanatical Nazi in charge of Run,abused PWs physically, pilfered belongings and supplies.
Hauptman Wolf:
Appeared to work for PW's benefit, had influence, often left camp, Lager officer of compound B, opposed Pickhardt and Fahnert.
Hauptman Weinert:
Limped, spoke English, wore leather coat, boots, demanded salute from POW & guards, Lager officer compound C at 4, said to be repatriated pilot with leg shattered from crash.
Major Zallman:
Elderly Prussian military officer, no match for Abwehr, Lager officer compound D at 4, responsible for deaths of 2PW's on Black March due to neglect.
Hauptman Sommers:
40, 5'10", dark Hair,grey at temples, unsympathetic to PW suffering, Chief medical officer, diagnosed 200 dog and bayonet wounds as sunstroke, refused aid on March.
Oberfeldwebel Fahrnert:
50, 6', thin, horn rimmed glasses, sharp features, aka Iron Cross, OKW sgt. in charge of security at 4, possible Nazi agent with Bombach, key role on Run, led searches with Big Stoop, implicated in Teague shooting and theft of supplies.
Feldwebel Schroeder:
Interpreter at 6 and 4, made constant attempts to aid PW's in camp and on Black March.
Feldwebel Schmidt:
6'-7", oafish, heavyset, fair hair, large hands, mean face, aka Big Stoop, Slap Ears, Ham Hands. Notorious guard at 4, triggerman for Fahnert, physically abused hundreds Pw's, pilfered supplies.
Major Stahle:
aka Rigor Mortise, Abwehr and second in command at 4.
Hauptman Schliep:
first lager officer of compound A, at 4.
Hauptman Lindemann:
Abwehr officer,weak,passive, left operations to Fahrnert.
Hauptman Mueller:
short, slender build, light complexion, light hair, Officer in charge of lager at time of Teague shooting, at 4.
Hauptman Raypert,Zimmerman:
officers at Heydekrug (6).
Feldwebel Goldstein,Schultz:
guards at Kiefeheide (4.
Unter off. Heitz,Peschel:
Abwehr guards at Heydekrug (6).
Cpl Greenwald,Steinberger:
Abused PW's on Black March.
Cpl Birtel:
50, 6, 150 lbs, glasses, dark hair, thin face, grey eyes, Austrian Liaison between PW's and camp doctor.
Crowbar Pete:
32, 5'-8", 170 lbs, big nose, hard eyes, leathery skin, dark complexion guard at luft 6 & 4.
Trigger Happy:
55, 6', 180 lbs, medium build, blue eyes, large ears, pointed chin, 2 chevrons guard on duty, north east corner tower, morning sgt. Nies was shot at Luft 6.
Green Hornet:
Spoke English, wore Green Wehrmacht coat, guard at 6 & 4, compounds A & B, worked in U.S., on Black March.
Chick:
mild mannered, talkative guard compound A, butcher in Chicago.
Upsteen:
Short, stocky, dark hair, handyman, loved coffee, x-rated cartoon books Fritz, Seven Dwarfs, Rifle Butt, Dirty Gus, Twenty Kilometer Joe, the Spider, Emil, Pop, Gimpy
Sources: R. Scalley, J. Shirley, J. Odonnell, L.Nordstrom, E. Jurist, F.Paules, D.Kremper, G. Christoff, D.Kirby, R. Doherty, - records of J.A.G. and UNWCC
Brother to Oma, Paul, Alfred, Hazel, Catherine, and Imogene.
Staff Sergeant Aubrey E Teague of Willis Oklahoma was a Top Turret Gunner and Engineer in the 8th Air Force during World War 2. Teague was flying as a crew member on the B-17 bomber tail number 42-102638 piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Raymond D. McClintock. Flying with the 447th Bomb Group, 711th Bomb Squadron on the 13th of May 1944 they were shot down over Osnabruck, Germany while on a bombing mission. Staff Sergeant Teague was taken as a Prisoner of War with most of the crew and ended up in Stalag Luft IV in Poland.
Waiting with his fellow POW's for wars end and a trip home Teague would not make that trip alive. Shot through both shoulders by a German guard after jumping out a window to dump some trash from his room (Disobeying orders) on 22 June 1944 Teague died a few hours later. This was witnessed at the time by S/S John A Gingrich, S/S Arthur E Crowe Jr., S/S Robert R Wallace and others. He was buried in grave near by the camp and it was marked with cross and ID tag as witnessed by Compound "B" leader Willard C Miller of Carenero, LA.
Crew of B-17 42-102638:
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Raymond D. Mc Clintock
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert M. Dalby
Navigator: 2nd Lt. Stanley Gillman
Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Walter H. Trotter
Radio Operator: S Sgt. Benjamin F. Little
Ball Gunner: Sgt. Robert R. Wallace
Tail Gunner: Sgt. John C. Young
Right Waist Gunner: Sgt. Leon Bernedc
Left Waist Gunner: Sgt. John A Gingrich
Murder at Stalag Luft IV.
As liberated prisoners streamed back into Allied control, scores of investigators took testimony from them at Camp Lucky Strike, in France. Later, back at hospitals in the States, case files were developed around the shooting deaths of Aubry Teague, George Walker, Walter Getsey and Walter Nies. The identities of the guards involved remained a mystery, but profiles of their officers began to emerge. Capt. Pickhardt and Sgt. Schmidt were the most notorious of the Germans associated with the "Run up the Road". Col. Bombach, Capt. Raypert and Maj. Gruber were identified as the officers in charge of the evacuation of Luft 6. In a memorandum of 23 May, the Judge Advocate states:
"There is sufficient evidence to support a charge of cruel treatment...it is believed that with further investigation... a charge of murder can be proven...The German officers' ... names (should) be placed on the wanted list for war criminals."
Through June and July, statements by American prisoners broadened the scope of events and focused attention on others in the Luft 4 cadre. The apprehension of Maj. Gerber became the key to solving the shootings of Sgts. Walker and Nies (it was felt he was the officer in charge). Feldwebel Fahnert and Hauptman Mueller were sought in connection with the Teague investigation. Mistreatment of prisoners in camp and on the Black March, was attributed to Cpls. Stemberger, Greenwald and Sgt. Schmidt.
As the months wore on, the cases were consolidated under the name of Pickhardt. Lager officers Schliep, Wienart, Zallman and Wolf were added to the growing list of the accused, and the file was given an "A" classification (ready for prosecution). Key testimony was given by Frank Paules about the inner workings of the German staff. Their shadowy world was thrown into the spotlight, revealing character and deeds for the record.
In its' final form, Register #1648 "United States against Germany- case #1" , named 14 officers and guards as the perpetrators of crimes against prisoners during the evacuation of Luft 6 and afterwards, at Luft 4.
In spite of the capture of Pickhardt, Bombach and Fahnert, the case languished. In 1946, Special Agents were sent out to confirm the identities of the accused who'd been caught. They showed photos to a number of those who'd witnessed the shootings or been on the camp staff. It appears that few German records were obtained by the Judge Advocate, and American camp files were buried when the camp was evacuated. No "paper link" was established between the accused and the events.
In a letter dated 19 September,1947, Maj. Walter L. Parker wrote the epitaph for the case:
Lt. Col. Bombach:
38, 5'-6", thin features, black hair combed back, spoke English; aka Snaggletooth or The Big Wheel Deputy Commandant at 6, top man at 4;Nazi Party man,possibly pre-war agent in France,refused to acknowledge PW complaints
Maj.Gruber:
5'-8", stocky 170, wore patch on left eye, thin straight blond hair;aka Hollywood, Medals, Snake-Eyes Security officer at 6, Lager officer compound A at 4,in charge of Baltic boatride,set pace on Run up the Road.
Hauptman Voltz:
45, 5'5", 200 lbs, bald, wore tortoise shell rim glasses, gold teeth, walked with hands behind his back, Lager officer at 6, in charge of guards on Baltic boatride,on duty when Sgts. Nies and Walker were shot.
Hauptman Pickhardt:
45, 5'-3", reddish complexion, bulky, wore white coat; aka Ice Cream Man,Mad Captain, Butcher of Berlin, Captain of Guard at 4,fanatical Nazi in charge of Run,abused PWs physically, pilfered belongings and supplies.
Hauptman Wolf:
Appeared to work for PW's benefit, had influence, often left camp, Lager officer of compound B, opposed Pickhardt and Fahnert.
Hauptman Weinert:
Limped, spoke English, wore leather coat, boots, demanded salute from POW & guards, Lager officer compound C at 4, said to be repatriated pilot with leg shattered from crash.
Major Zallman:
Elderly Prussian military officer, no match for Abwehr, Lager officer compound D at 4, responsible for deaths of 2PW's on Black March due to neglect.
Hauptman Sommers:
40, 5'10", dark Hair,grey at temples, unsympathetic to PW suffering, Chief medical officer, diagnosed 200 dog and bayonet wounds as sunstroke, refused aid on March.
Oberfeldwebel Fahrnert:
50, 6', thin, horn rimmed glasses, sharp features, aka Iron Cross, OKW sgt. in charge of security at 4, possible Nazi agent with Bombach, key role on Run, led searches with Big Stoop, implicated in Teague shooting and theft of supplies.
Feldwebel Schroeder:
Interpreter at 6 and 4, made constant attempts to aid PW's in camp and on Black March.
Feldwebel Schmidt:
6'-7", oafish, heavyset, fair hair, large hands, mean face, aka Big Stoop, Slap Ears, Ham Hands. Notorious guard at 4, triggerman for Fahnert, physically abused hundreds Pw's, pilfered supplies.
Major Stahle:
aka Rigor Mortise, Abwehr and second in command at 4.
Hauptman Schliep:
first lager officer of compound A, at 4.
Hauptman Lindemann:
Abwehr officer,weak,passive, left operations to Fahrnert.
Hauptman Mueller:
short, slender build, light complexion, light hair, Officer in charge of lager at time of Teague shooting, at 4.
Hauptman Raypert,Zimmerman:
officers at Heydekrug (6).
Feldwebel Goldstein,Schultz:
guards at Kiefeheide (4.
Unter off. Heitz,Peschel:
Abwehr guards at Heydekrug (6).
Cpl Greenwald,Steinberger:
Abused PW's on Black March.
Cpl Birtel:
50, 6, 150 lbs, glasses, dark hair, thin face, grey eyes, Austrian Liaison between PW's and camp doctor.
Crowbar Pete:
32, 5'-8", 170 lbs, big nose, hard eyes, leathery skin, dark complexion guard at luft 6 & 4.
Trigger Happy:
55, 6', 180 lbs, medium build, blue eyes, large ears, pointed chin, 2 chevrons guard on duty, north east corner tower, morning sgt. Nies was shot at Luft 6.
Green Hornet:
Spoke English, wore Green Wehrmacht coat, guard at 6 & 4, compounds A & B, worked in U.S., on Black March.
Chick:
mild mannered, talkative guard compound A, butcher in Chicago.
Upsteen:
Short, stocky, dark hair, handyman, loved coffee, x-rated cartoon books Fritz, Seven Dwarfs, Rifle Butt, Dirty Gus, Twenty Kilometer Joe, the Spider, Emil, Pop, Gimpy
Sources: R. Scalley, J. Shirley, J. Odonnell, L.Nordstrom, E. Jurist, F.Paules, D.Kremper, G. Christoff, D.Kirby, R. Doherty, - records of J.A.G. and UNWCC
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