This is the testimony of Dr. Leslie Caplan, 31 December 1947, in the matter of mistreatment of American prisoners of war of Stalag Luft IV from November 1944 to May 1945, war’s end. The testimony was taken by Lt. Col. William C. Hoffman, AGD Summary Court, for the Warm Crimes Office, Civil Affairs Division, WDSS, United States of America.

Dr. Leslie Caplan was a Major, M.C. ASN 0-413434, Flight Surgeon with the 15th Army Air Force, 449 Bomb Group, 719 Bomb Squadron.

Four members of our crew were on this march — Scully, Dimeo, Galenas and Dumas. As stated in my own POW history, the Germans could have taken us off the train and we would have been a part of this march.

Questions by: Lt. Col. William C. Hoffman, AGD

Q — State your name, permanent home address, and occupation.

A — Leslie Caplan, Dr., 1728 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN; Resident Fellow in Psychiatry, University of MN & Veterans Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

Q — State the date and place of your birth and of what country you are a citizen.

A — 8 March 1908, Steubenville, Ohio; citizen of the United States of America.

Q — State briefly your medical education and experience.

A — Ohio State University, B.A., 1933; MD 1936; University of Michigan Post Graduate work in Public Health; University of Minnesota Graduate School; one year general internship, Providence Hospital, Detroit, Michigan; 4 years general practice of medicine in Detroit, Michigan 1937-1942; 4 years Flight Surgeon, U.S. Army 1941-1945.

Q — What is your marital status?

A — I am married.

Q — On what date did you return from overseas?

A — 29 June 1945.

Q — Were you a prisoner of war?

A — Yes.

Q — At what places were you held and state the approximate dates?

A - Dernisch, Jugo-Slavia 13 October 1944 to 20 October 1944; Zagreb, Jugo-Slavia 27 October 1944 to 1 November 1944; Dulag Luft, Frankfort., Germany, 15 November 1944 to 22 November 1944; Stalag Luft #4 February 1945 to 30 March 1945; Fallingbostel Stalag IIB March 10 1945 to April 6 1945; on forced march from 6 April 1945 to 2 May 1945.

Q — What unit were you with when captured?

A — 15th Air Force, 449 Bomb Group, 719 Squadron. I was Flight Surgeon for the 719 Squadron.

Q — State what you know concerning the mistreatment of American prisoners of war at Stalag Luft #4.

A — The camp was opened about April 1944 and was an Air Force Camp. It was located at Gross Tyshow about two miles from the Kief Heide railroad station. In the summer of 1944 the Russian offensive threatened Stalag Luft #6, so approximately 1000 Americans were placed on a ship for evacuation to Stalag Luft #4. Upon arrival at the railroad station, certain groups were forced to run the two miles to Stalag Luft #4 at the points of bayonets. Those who dropped behind were either bayoneted or were bitten on the legs by police dogs.

Q — Were these wounds serious enough to cause any deaths?

A — All were flesh wounds and no deaths were caused by the bayoneting.

Q — Did you see these men at the time of the bayoneting?

A — No. This happened prior to my arrival at Luft #4.

Q — Did you see any of the men who were bitten by dogs?

A — Yes, I personally saw the healed wounds on the legs of a fellow named Smith or Jones (I am not certain as to the name) who had been severely bitten. There were approximately fifty bites on each leg. It looked as though his legs had been hit with small buckshot. This man remained an invalid confined to his bed all the time I was at Luft k#4.

Q — Did you know how many men were injured as a result of the bayonet runs?

A — I was told that about twenty men had been hospitalized as a result. Many other bayoneted men were not hospitalized due to limited medical facilities.

Q — Who told you of these incidents?

A — Capt. Wilbur E. McKee, 1462 Sw. Seventh St., Louisville, KY., who was Chief Camp Doctor — He should have some authentic records. Captain Henry J. Wynseth, 346 E. Havenwood Ave., Youngstown, Ohio, also knew of the incidents. There were also two enlisted men who were elected by the soldiers as camp leaders and known officially as “American Man of Confidence” who could give an account of the camp and of the bayoneting. The chief “American Man of Confidence” was camp leader and should have complete records of the incident. His name is Frank Paules, 101 Regent St., WilkesBarre, PA. Francis A. Troy, Box 233, Edgerton, Wyoming, the other enlisted man, and “American Man of Confidence” should also verify the incidents. Both of these enlisted men were also on the forced march when Stalag Luft #4 was evacuated.