| Robert Hodgson World War II P. O. W. Interrogation |
| A Fuller Account of the Questioning at the Interrogation Centre - Written by Robert Hodgson May 2003 After a train journey, arrived at Oberusel, near Frankfurt, arrived around 3:30 p. m. on the 5th of Nov. and taken to the Interrogation Centre. Here I was ordered to fully disrobe. My clothing and body was fully searched. After redressing I was finger printed and a mug shot was taken. All my personal belongings were taken - watch, ring, wallet, dog tags. I was presented with a form (3 pages) on which there were a number of questions (probably 50 or more). I filled in my name, rank, number and I scored a large X on the face of the rest of the papers; later a corporal clerk came to pick up my paper and when he saw the large X'she said "You are in trouble, these forms must be filled out in full." I suppose there were many airmen who filled out the form without realizing the implications - throughout our service life there always seemed to be forms we were asked to complete. After this initial onslaught I was taken to a lock up cell. I estimate that the cell measure 5 X 9 feet, it contained a wooden cot (bunk, bed) a stool and on the wall was an electric heater. The "bed" had four six inch wide boards that were meant to support the straw mattress and the sleeper (me). I placed the board so that there was one under my feet, one under my butt, one under my shoulders and one under my head. I was not provided with a blanket or pillow. The cell had no windows, light was provided by an electric bulb, high up in the ceiling. Wne an urge for the lavatory arose one had to turn a crank, located by the door, which released a "hammer" that struck the outside wall with a thump and thus alerted the guard that you needed relief. There are times when the guard ignored the thump and short of raising a rumpus, which would probably have been a bad idea, one was left awaiting the guard replacing the "thumper". Daily eats were: Breakfast: 2 slices of black bread spread with marg and a cup of ersatz coffee. Lunch: soup (not too much in it) Supper: 2 slices of black bread and jam. The electric light was left on all day and turned off I would guess at around 8 p. m. Prior to "lights out" the electric heater was turned on - the cell became unbearably hot so that I had to strip off most of my clothing - later the heat was turned off and it became very cold in the cell. Interrogation: On the morning of Nov. 6th taken from the cell and marched to an office within the building. I was presented to a German officer. He bid me sit down and started a general conversation about the weather etc. the mood became quite chatty until I realized that I was being drawn in and so I shut up. He asked me why I had not completed the registration form and proceeded to give me a reprimand for defacing the form. Then he called for the guard and sent me back to the cell. On Nov. 9th (?) I was brought before the same officer. He again mentioned my not filling in the Registration form and offered me a new one to complete, to which I replied "I have supplied you with my name, rank and number, that is all I am required to do." He started a general conversation which included what did I know about Village Inn. As I did not engage in the |
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