Walter Purdy was a working class Brit who was pro-fascism and a fan of Oswald Mosley. Mosley had founded the British Union of Fascists. Purdy had attended several of his speeches. He ended up being drafted and put in the Royal Navy. His transport ship was sunk and he was captured. In the prison camp, he spouted pro-fascist beliefs and proclaimed that the British Empire was doomed. Meanwhile, John “Busty” Brown was setting himself up as a double agent. He wrote a positive article about life in a prison camp. He got noticed by the Germans and was brought to Berlin where he was interviewed by William Joyce, Lord Haw Haw. He agreed to be a collaborator, but instead was sending information back to British intelligence. Purdy was also targeted. He was transferred to a “holiday camp” where the prisoners were treated very well. They got hot meals, plenty of cigarettes, and even beer. Orchestras entertained them. They were taken on a river cruise. Purdy stood out even among like-minded prisoners. He lectured on the greatness of Nazism and the weakness of Britain. He was recruited to do a propaganda broadcast and allowed the freedom of travel. One day Brown found a letter written by Purdy which outlined his reasons for turning his coat. Brown and Purdy ended up in the famous Colditz camp. The most escape-minded British were put in this supposedly escape-proof facility. It wasn’t long before Purdy ratted out a tunnel that had been 7 months in the digging. Brown knew it had to be Purdy so he called for a court martial. The leading officers in the camp met secretly to conduct a trial. Purdy confessed and was sentenced to death, but the prisoners could not bring themselves to execute him. After the war, Purdy was found guilty of two counts of high treason. He was sentenced to death. He was saved at the last moment via a pardon. He was released from prison in 1954 and went to join his family in Germany.
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20220619/282230899360089
0 Comments