Churchill’s German Army

Churchill’s German Army

National Geographic Channel

Madman

R4 DVD

This documentary chronicles the lives of six German Jews who escaped to Britain and became part of the British war effort. Most never saw their families again. Although their stories are sad each one handled the crisis in his own way and they came out of the war with surprising records of valour and stories of survival.

Initially they were regarded with distrust by the British, including Churchill (the DVD title is misleading – Churchill appeared to have no idea of the value of German speakers in invading Germany). Some tried to make a living in Britain, but were eventually rounded up and interned as enemy aliens when war was declared. Some joined the Pioneer Corps, a semi-military construction organization. These fared somewhat better and were usually regarded as having proved their loyalty.

In the military they soon proved their value. Some were decorated for their work, one left the Army with the honorary rank of Major. Unlike Churchill, the military soon came to recognise their value. In later life success followed some of them as well.

When sent back into Germany on combat duty their names were anglicised in case of repercussions if they were captured. Willy Herschfeld became Willy Field and served in a tank crew in the attacks towards Nijmegen in Holland. His tank was blown up and he was the only survivor. It affected him greatly, as he had become firm friends with the others of the tank troop who knew his background and accepted him as he was. When he returned to active service he was stationed in Denmark and had the incredible fortune to arrest the notorious Lord HawHaw, a Briton who broadcast propaganda for the Germans.

Claus Hugo Adam became Ken Adam and flew Typhoon ground attack fighters, a highly dangerous job. After the war he became a production designer for the film industry and was responsible for the look of many of the James Bond films.

Claus Ascher joined the Royal Marines and became Colin Anson. He was severely injured in the landings on Sicily with what should have been a fatal head wound.

The saddest part is the mens’ reaction to re-entering Germany. The cities where they had grown up were razed, most of the people they knew were gone. It now seemed like a foreign country to them, even after only a few years absence, and they all felt they were British rather than German. It became even sadder when they entered the death camps and realised what had happened to their families.

Over ten thousand Germans volunteered to fight for Britain. Their history has been almost completely ignored until now. This documentary will help to set the record straight.

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