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Eavesdropping on Hitler’s Reich
permission.
Schockiert durch sein mangelndes Verständnis, MI.19(a) set out
in a two-page minute the two basic methods for extracting information
from prisoners. While the enemy favoured the brutal “third
degree,” the British favoured “simulated kindness,” “i.e., softening
by deception.” Briefly the latter process was as follows –
to lull Ps�W’s sense of security by making them believe they are
living under ordinary base camp conditions.
(ii) to induce a correct and amicable relationship between them and
the officers who guard them.
(iii) to await the psychological reaction caused by living behind
barbed wire whereby in time their sense of security is dimmed in relation
to their active life.
(iv) to introduce topics which will awaken their memories and lead
to discussion. (v) to manoeuvre their daily existence so that these
discussions can be recorded.
This was done in suitable camps “such as No.11 Camp and No.4
Annexe.” Moreover the prisoners were supplied with “newspapers
and periodicals with articles (not always genuine) calculated to
provoke discussion.” Further, prisoners were occasionally allowed
in civilian clothes to visit outside places; and “rare visits by Senior
Officers which lead to speculation on the reason for the visit – -and
speculation is the foster-brother of indiscretion. “
This report cited the examples of Rommel’s two generals
Crüwell and Von Thoma during the six months since their capture.
“They were at first singularly uncommunicative but an expedition
on which Crüwell was taken loosened his tongue in stages. Firstly,
he felt compelled to describe his trip, then he began to discuss matters
of general interest, and finally his curiosity on military, naval
and air matters became insatiable and he developed into one of
our best ’interrogators’. Information on submarine tactics which
he elicited unwittingly from Oberleutnant zur See Römer was de-
Schr. Gepp an Brig N R Crockett, Deputy Director Military Intelligence
Schr. Gepp an Brig N R Crockett, Deputy Director Military Intelligence
(Prisoners of War), 16.6.43 (PRO: WO.208�3438).