Books photos about executed POWS June 1944

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Hi Mark,

I've just been browsing this thread as I often do.

I'm wondering WHERE you found this information about Uncle Eddie having first been listed as KIA at Putot-En-Bessin on June 8 ... and then the CORRECTED information? I haven't come across anything explaining any of this ... did they only know for sure when his body was actually discovered? And WHEN was his body discovered and classsified as EXECUTED as opposed to KIA? Especially when was he officially listed as executed.

Hi Karmen;

From my post on page 1 of this thread:

"Your Uncle, Rifleman Smith, E., was indeed murdered, after capture on 8 June 1944, at Fontenay-le-Pesnel. This is the site where Mohnke was responsible for the murders.

Both the book CONDUCT UNBECOMING and the video TAKE NO PRISONERS, place your Uncle has one of the victims at Fontenay-le-Pesnel.

The memorial erected at Audrieu, by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, in 1989, bears your Uncle's name upon it, along with the others who were murdered and also, he is now listed by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as being murdered.

I will post a more detailed response concerning Fontenay-le-Pesnel, once I've put the details together.

Originally, your Uncle was not one of the ones listed as being executed after capture by the 12th SS, he was listed as being Killed in Action, at Putot-en-Bessin, on 8 June 1944."

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
And WHY did the Royal Winnipeg Rifles not list him as such until ... what? 1989 you say? I don't understand THIS part at all.

If I remember correctly, the error wasn't found until around 1985, or so, while further research was being done on a forthcoming updated and exbanded edition of the Rifles history, and if I remember right, it was Don Zorniak who passed this along to me. In the current edition of the Rifles history (1983)(Roll of Honour), Eddie is carried as being KIA on 8/6/44, this is also to be corrected in the forthcoming publication.

Hope this answers your questions.

Cheers