Canadian Military History
Volume 21 Issue 2 Article 4
2015
Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
Peter Kikkert
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Recommended Citation Peter Kikkert "Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?." Canadian Military History 21, 2 (2015)
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German? Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
Peter Kikkert
n 8 June 1944 troops from the Canadian servicemen stationed in 12th SS Hitlerjugend Panzer Abstract: The brutal executions West Germany. O of Canadian prisoners of war in Division herded seven Canadian The brutal executions of Normandy revealed during the war soldiers into the ancient Norman crimes trial of SS Brigadeführer Kurt Canadians that came to light during courtyard of the Abbaye d’Ardenne Meyer in December 1945 elicited Kurt Meyer’s war crimes trial in and searched them for important an incredibly strong emotional and December 1945 filled the Canadian documents and rations. Shortly moral response from Canadians. This public and press with an outrage article evaluates the public response afterwards a tall, blond officer that remained extremely powerful to the Meyer affair between his trial, approached the prisoners and his early release from prison and his years afterwards. B.S Macdonald, started to interrogate them, hoping death in 1961. As the years passed the prosecuting lawyer in the trial, one would divulge more than the and the world changed, Canadians stated that, “Probably no single standard name, rank, and serial never forgot about Meyer. Most hated event in World War II aroused 1 Meyer and saw him as the physical number. The Canadians refused to manifestation of the evils of Nazism, more widespread and continued answer his questions. The frustrated but some Canadians defended the interest in Canada than the trial and officer started to taunt the soldiers, general. They argued that his trial was subsequent treatment of SS Major- sneering at them as he told the group unjust and that Canadians were guilty General Kurt Meyer.”4 Newspaper the terrible fate about to befall them. of the same crimes. The Cold War stories and editorials, Maclean’s brought former enemies together and These seven men, prisoners moved gave new value to the military skills articles, and personal correspondence far from the heat of battle, would of old Nazis like Meyer. The response all dealt extensively with Meyer’s be murdered by their SS captors in to Kurt Meyer remained strong and trial, the commutation of his sentence contravention of all the rules of war. divided until his death and provides a month later, his 1951 transfer from Told their fate, the young Canadians a window through which Canadian a Canadian prison to a German one, perspectives on the world, the war, shook hands with one another, justice and Germany can be seen. his release in 1954, and his life as a some with tears streaming down beer salesman to the Canadian NATO their faces, and said their goodbyes.2 force in Germany. One by one they were led to a small 5,000 Waffen SS veterans and other An examination of the editorials, garden and shot in the back of the sympathizers greeted Meyer, lining stories, and private letters written on head, their bodies left in a bloody the main street to form a triumphant Meyer provides an important look heap. Witnesses would later describe laneway complete with burning into public opinion. The fact that the soldiers walking to their deaths torches.3 The man held responsible the government received enough with their heads held high, in one last for the deaths of the seven murdered correspondence on Meyer in 1946 to act of resolute courage. Canadians and others like them warrant the creation of 12 standard On 7 September 1954 a very received a hero’s welcome. Although reply letters to answer various different scene developed as SS originally sentenced to death by a objections to his commutation Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer, recently Canadian military tribunal, Meyer speaks strongly to the importance released from a West German prison, served only nine years in prison. of the man to many Canadians.5 travelled back to his home town of Within a year the old hero of the Contemporary newspapers assist Niederkruchten. A crowd of over Third Reich was selling beer to the historian in understanding
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newspaper and magazine articles that supported him to plead his innocence and describe the injustice of his trial.8 Meyer argued that as time went on and the wounds of war began to heal, many Canadians began to view him as a victim, rather than a perpetrator of murder. In his memoirs, My Life, Chris Vokes, the man who commuted Meyer’s sentence, also used the press coverage of the trial to defend his decision to commute the death sentence. Vokes argued that Canadians reacted negatively
Library and Archives Canada PA 174293 Canada PA Library and Archives because “most of the crap coming out of the trial from the media had Meyer condemned even before the trial was over.”9 In their recent works on the Meyer trial, historians Patrick Brode and Howard Margolian both used a small sampling of private correspondence and editorials from the period to claim that Canadians were incensed by the commutation, transfer, and early release of Kurt Meyer. In an historiographical analysis of all the published literature, Whitney Lackenbauer argued that “a critical assessment of the mass of correspondence and newspaper editorials” is still needed.10 Karen Priestman attempted to meet this challenge in her 2003 MA thesis, and Kurt Meyer in his cell during his war crimes trial. concluded that by the 1950s Meyer Aurich, Germany, December 1945. had been “forgiven and forgotten” by Canadians.11 Still, the thesis, like the public perceptions about Meyer Although a number of authors Brode and Margolian books, made because they both reflected and have investigated the Kurt Meyer limited use of private correspondence shaped Canadian opinion on the trial and its aftermath, few have and drew on relatively small samples man. Letters to newspapers also written on the response of the press of newspapers. To argue that provide an important source with and public to the whole affair. In Canadians were universally outraged which to gauge the feelings of the the 1950s the participants in the by Meyer or that they eventually public.6 Finally, newspapers present trial began to release books and forgave him simplifies a complex and regional perspectives, allowing memoirs containing their versions intense public reaction. the historian to see where an event of events, which provided different This article re-evaluates the had the most impact. Perhaps one perspectives on the role the press public response to the Meyer affair. of the most noticeable elements of and public played. In The Trail of Kurt His trial elicited a very strong the Meyer affair, however, is the Meyer, B.S. Macdonald argued that emotional and moral response from uniformity of the press responses, Canadians were united against the the Canadian press and public. By both negative and positive, towards commutation of Meyer’s sentence, 1945, Canadians understood that they the Nazi throughout the country, believing him guilty of war crimes.7 would play no role in the Nuremburg despite different geographic locations Kurt Meyer published his memoirs, Trials and the prosecution of the and political leanings. Grenadiers, in 1956 and used Canadian major war criminals. Thus, Meyer https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/434 2 : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
became the manifestation of the evil invasion of the Soviet Union. He that Canada had been fighting for six quickly rose through the ranks and 1946: A Near Unanimous years and his cold and unfeeling face became well known in Germany Response became a symbol of Nazi Germany. for his acts of bravery.12 On 7 June His opponents invoked the memory 1944 Meyer was in command of the hile the press remained of the murdered soldiers, defended 25th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiment Wrelatively quiet during the the process by which he had been of the 12th SS, which opposed the months leading up to the trial, brought to justice and the fairness of 3rd Canadian Infantry Division’s once the proceedings commenced his trial, and warned of the dangers advance inland from Juno Beach after Meyer became front page news. War of releasing Meyer back to Germany. the D-Day landings. In the ensuing correspondents from the Canadian In editorials, news stories, and days the men of the 12th SS murdered Press and individual newspapers personal letters about Kurt Meyer more than 150 Canadians soldiers. provided Canadians with every spanning the years 1945 to 1961, Troops directly under Meyer’s detail of the trial, including the however, some Canadians defended command were held accountable arguments of both the prosecution him. Meyer’s supporters argued that for killing 55 prisoners on 7 and and the defence. The newspapers his trial violated the core principles of 8 June, including 18 executed at often presented the gruesome stories justice for the sake of vengeance and the regiment’s headquarters in the of the murdered Canadian prisoners claimed that Canadian soldiers were Abbaye d’Ardenne. These murders on the front page in emotionally guilty of the same crimes as Meyer’s occurred within 150 metres of charged articles.15 Ralph Allen, the men. Others, mostly high ranking Meyer’s command post, which he correspondent for the Globe and veterans, were inclined to view occupied during the killings and Mail, opened one article with the Meyer’s actions in Normandy as the from which he easily could have declaration: “A story of sadism work of a military genius and refused heard the executions.13 A witness and mental torture that sounded to hold him responsible for the later testified that he heard Meyer like an oriental horror tale entered atrocities committed by his troops. order his young soldiers to take no the records today.”16 Still there Finally, a number of Canadians more prisoners during the battle.14 was initially little reaction to the argued that Meyer should be released The evidence indicated that if Meyer proceedings in editorials or letters. as the threat of communism grew had not directly ordered the murders, Astonishingly, only the and West Germany became an ally. he had surely known about them and editorialist for the London Free Press In the end, the response to Kurt did nothing to stop them. commented upon Meyer’s death Meyer remained strong and divided In December 1945 Canada’s sentence in the days following its throughout the entire affair and first war crimes trial began. On 27 announcement. He too had noticed provides a window on Canadian December Meyer was sentenced to the lack of editorial response, the perspectives on the world, the war, death for his role in the murders, only result, he suggested, of the outcome justice and Germany. to have his sentence commuted to life being a foregone conclusion.17 The imprisonment days later by Major- editor, nevertheless, argued that Canada’s First War General Chris Vokes, the senior Meyer’s conviction represented an Crimes Trial Canadian officer in Germany. Within important victory for justice. Noting months, Meyer was imprisoned that perpetrators of war crimes s an officer in the elite in New Brunswick’s Dorchester received much harsher penalties in ALeibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Penitentiary where it seemed he the aftermath of the latest war than Kurt Meyer distinguished himself in would quietly live out his days. they had in the First World War, he combat during the first three years of the war, particularly in the German
Kurt Meyer (centre, no hat, back to camera) stands in the courtroom before the Canadian judges (l.-r.): Brigadier J.A. Roberts; Brigadier H.A. Sparling; Lieutenant-Colonel W.B. Bredin (judge advocate); Major-General Harry W. Foster ( p r e s i d e n t ); B r i g a d i er Ian S. Johnston; and Brigadier Henry P. Bell-Irving.
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concluded: “It is a step forward when Canada’s war dead.21 A letter in the future trials of German war criminals German generals learn that crime Toronto Telegram stated that, “Our and threatened all of the sentences does not pay.”18 Later, on 11 January boys were innocent. This man should achieved at the larger and more 1946, an editorialist with the Winnipeg be made to suffer in the same way he important Nuremburg Trials.26 In a Free Press wrote an article on the trials made them suffer.”22 In the Winnipeg particularly scathing letter addressed of Nazi war criminals, arguing that Free Press one man wrote, “One can to defence minister Douglas Abbott, every guilty verdict was a vindication now visualize Meyer’s supercilious one veteran, R. Martineau, argued of the “decencies by which men have grin, but there are no smiles on the that the failure to execute Meyer, lived.”19 The editorialist believed the faces of the 48 families in Canada a “Nazi gangster by profession,” trials of men like Meyer proved that bereft of their loved ones.”23 would lead to a breakdown in society that code by which men had lived for Many declared that this was a when culprits realized that even the ages had been tested, yet emerged miscarriage of justice that undermined most atrocious crimes would not be triumphant. the integrity of a perfectly fair trial.24 punished.27 Despite the muted response Several newspapers claimed that The Toronto Star published the to Meyer’s conviction, Canadians Canada lost its only chance to show statements of Rabbi A.C. Feinburg overwhelmingly and vocally opposed the German people the strength and who declared that the war against the subsequent commutation of the retributive powers of Canadian law fascism was not over and that Nazis death sentence. This intense response and provide a warning for all those such as Meyer must be dealt with and the resulting pressure on the who would dare harm Canadian severely.28 A number of editorials and government became an important prisoners of war in the future.25 letters expressed the sentiment that all story in many newspapers.20 Both the St. Catharines Standard and Nazis were butchers and murderers Editorialists argued the commutation the Toronto Star warned that the who deserved to die, especially of Meyer’s sentence was a betrayal of decision set a dangerous pattern for Meyer. The Globe and Mail argued that
https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/436 4 : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
this “beast did not know the meaning far as to claim that Kurt Meyer was a angrily against this press release. of sympathy, let alone how to act as victim of petty “victor’s justice” and “Let the man be forgotten,” said the a human being.”29 Articles frequently that the trial had been bungled.35 A editor; there should be “no more mentioned Meyer’s support of the retired lieutenant-colonel, Philip stories, a convict should have no Nazi ideology and wrongly claimed Passey, wrote to Stuart Garson, the publicity. Part of the punishment is that he served as a member of Hitler’s minister of justice, pointing out that his disappearance from the eyes of bodyguard. the tribunal responsible for passing man; he is a number not a name.”38 Despite the weight of opinion judgement on Meyer was composed against commutation, there were a of officers who had recently fought The Fight to Free Meyer few who spoke out in support of the against the general and who were former general. Three army officers likely motivated by envy, malice, n 1949 the press began receiving wrote to the Maple Leaf, the newspaper or vengeance. He went on to state Ireports that an anonymous group, of the Canadian Army, stating that that, “The whole procedure smacks possibly of senior military men, they did not approve of the strict had hired several prominent standard to which Meyer was lawyers to launch an appeal for held as a commander. “Are we Meyer.39 Meanwhile, in Moncton such little angels with respect to a German building contractor, the charges that this man was Fritz Lichtenberg, started condemned to death?” they to vocally promote Meyer’s asked.30 The Windsor Star also innocence and encouraged contended that Vokes commuted reporters to comment on the sentence because he realized the injustice of the general’s that Canada’s generals were conviction.40 likely guilty of the same crimes as In February 1950, Ralph Meyer, and thought, “There but Allen published an article in
for the grace of God go I.”31 Most 132444 Canada PA Library and Archives Maclean’s entitled, “Was Kurt of the press and public, however, Meyer Guilty?” Allen, who seemed to agree with General apparently forgot about his Harry Foster, the chairman description of the murder of the of the tribunal that convicted Canadian solders at Meyer’s Meyer. In a declaration that headquarters as an “oriental appeared on the front page horror tale,” argued that the of most newspapers, Foster trial violated some of the claimed that he never ordered “most precious principles of his men to execute captured Canadian law” and was really Germans and criticized Meyer Kurt Meyer is led to his cell in handcuffs, a weakly hidden attempt at for not doing more to protect Aurich, Germany, October 1945. “conqueror’s justice.”41 He also Canadian prisoners.32 Though sought to personalize Meyer Foster’s assertion silenced critics and claimed that upon hearing for a time, in later years the debate of Judaic vengeance – an eye for an his sentence, “[Meyer’s] eyes were over whether or not Canadians eye.”36 Already in 1946, when hatred alternately hard and caressing, as committed the same crimes as Meyer of the Nazis and Kurt Meyer reached they sought the eyes of the woman would reappear. its peak, some Canadians supported [his wife] in the 10th row.”42 Allen Other Meyer defenders suggested the former general. insisted that the prosecution had been that his trial and sentence were After Meyer’s imprisonment allowed to use faulty and hearsay unfair. The Maple Leaf argued that in the Dorchester Penitentiary, the evidence, documents with unverified Meyer’s conviction was excessively press and public gave little attention authenticity and key witnesses harsh and that life imprisonment to the man and seemed willing to let whose testimony proved biased and would be a fair sentence.33 While him drift into obscurity. At times, contradictory. “While men live by not contending that Meyer might be however, his name did appear in laws,” Allen concluded, “they cannot innocent, the Globe and Mail urged the news. In 1947, for instance, live freely and without fear unless all that if there was some doubt as to newspapers reported that Meyer men are equal before these laws.”43 Meyer’s guilt, there should be a new was working in the penitentiary Brode has argued that Allen’s article trial.34 The Hamilton Spectator went so library.37 The Ottawa Journal reacted lacked substance and objectivity,
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provided limited evidence, and exact a price for their allegiance. Meyer should be given a new trial showed ignorance of the process in By 1951 Meyer was the only Nazi because the Germans, with whom courts martial.44 By 1950, however, war criminal imprisoned outside Canada was attempting to establish Maclean’s had an average circulation Germany and the Germans wanted good relations, had to be shown of 404,000.45 Thus, regardless of their him released or transferred to one that “justice is our only guide.”51 shortcomings, Allen’s arguments of their own prisons.48 Thus, on The British Columbian, advocating were widely broadcast and would 19 October 1951, in an attempt a practical view on Meyer, thought often be used by Meyer’s supporters to facilitate relations with West that the former general would be in the coming years. Germany, the Canadian government an asset to a rearmed Germany, Few editorialists commented transferred Kurt Meyer to the military although his crimes would not be on Allen’s article, but Maclean’s did prison at Werl, Germany. forgiven or forgotten.52 The Hush publish a number of letters to the There was an intense, protracted, Free Press, a nationally circulated editor in the following weeks. P.M. and divided reaction. In January 1951, supermarket tabloid, argued that Wass of Newport Station, Nova the rumour that Meyer’s petition for in supporting German rearmament Scotia, stated that “strutting Nazi clemency might be approved began Canada had done a “right about face” hybrid Meyer condemned himself by to circulate in the press and would towards its old enemies. If Canada word and action…Hitler’s gangsters do so sporadically for the entire could ally itself with Germany, why derided and savaged our precepts, year. The belief that Meyer would not give clemency to Meyer for a they broke every law governing soon be released intensified with his “new and worse enemy has arisen human rights; they fattened their egos transfer to Germany in October. In against Germany…Former foes are
on mass murder. No legal quibbles late November the journalist Douglas needed on the side of righteousness ever bothered them.”46 Another letter How reported on his visit to the to fight against him.”53 Reverend used the Meyer affair to argue that prisoner’s hometown in Germany, H.E.D. Ashford mentioned Meyer the threat of nuclear war made all of where he found Meyer at home with several times from his pulpit in humanity guilty of the same atrocities his family. Meyer had been granted Charlottetown and on one occasion the Nazis committed: “Is it any worse a week’s leave, a standard practice told his congregation that Meyer to club a helpless prisoner to death in German prisons.49 In an interview should lead a new German army than to blow a defenceless woman to with How, the former general stated fighting under the flag of an pieces?”47 The Cold War was starting that “nationalism is dead” and international force.54 to shape opinion on the Meyer Affair. claimed, “I would become a soldier Other Canadians rallied to again only as a member of a European support the former general. In a Cold War Considerations Army, not as a member of a German letter to the defence minister, Brooke army alone.”50 How’s report became Claxton, veteran Alden Nolan asked s the Cold War heated up and front page news in Canada. the government to release Kurt Athe threat of a Soviet attack As the Cold War intensified, and Meyer from his “pitiful confinement” increased, the West began to view Canada fought in Korea and stationed for he is a “good soldier” and a “noble the rearmament of West Germany as troops in West Germany, some gentleman,”55 a sentiment widely a necessity for the defence of Europe. Canadians began to look at Meyer in a expressed by Meyer’s supporters.56 The Germans would, however, new light. The Globe and Mail felt that Others continued to argue that https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/438 6 : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
Canadians committed the same of Meyer in with the dangers of as an ardent Nazi to discredit any crimes as Meyer in the war. In a letter rearming Germany: stirring up the attempt to secure his release. James to the Ottawa Citizen, J. Koop called latent militaristic aggression that McDonald, president of Local the whole Meyer affair a “double existed in all Germans with the 4481 of the United Mill Workers of standard of morality” for “any former real possibility they would foment America, stated “we do not wish to serviceman who has seen action in another war.62 The Toronto Star be associated or accused of being Europe can tell of instances where supported French efforts to keep all associated with Nazism in any groups of German POW’s were of their war criminals behind bars and form.”69 The Canadian Congress machine gunned or blown to bits adamantly opposed the rearmament of Women believed Meyer to be a by hand grenades.”57 A number of of Germany. The editorial stated fanatically devoted Nazi and could editorialists went slightly further, that the French “know full well that not fathom why NATO wished to claiming that all who engage in war when you give a German a gun he associate itself with such a detestable are guilty of murder58 and reminded immediately starts walking toward criminal.70 Others felt that to release Canadians that the Allies had the French border.”63 Both the B’nai Meyer would demonstrate that the dropped the atomic bombs in Japan, B’rith Hillel Foundation and the evils of the Nazis had been forgotten a crime far worse than the one Meyer Canadian Jewish Congress sent altogether.71 The Regina Labour committed.59 As irrational as these strongly worded letters of protest Council begged the government to arguments were, they represented a to Lester B. Pearson, the secretary of “refuse the pardon in the name of current of thought in Canada. state for external affairs, urging the the victims of Nazism and guarantee Following the lead of Ralph government not to release Meyer and that the monster Kurt Meyer will Allen, a number of Canadians enflame the Nazi spirit that lingered never again commit crimes against believed that Meyer should be in many Germans.64 humanity.”72 released because of the injustice of As in 1946, Canadians appealed A large number of those who his trial. The Globe and Mail, which in to the memory of the soldiers Meyer’s responded negatively to the transfer 1946 had been one of the newspapers men murdered in Normandy in of Meyer and the rumours of his calling loudest for Meyer’s blood, their arguments that the man should imminent release argued that such a ran a number of editorials exploring be kept safely behind bars. Allan move would be detrimental to justice. the inadequacies of the general’s Chun, the president of the Norman These people felt that Meyer had trial. The first, entitled, “Procedure Bethune Club in Winnipeg, wrote to received a fair trial, had been allowed Unusual in Meyer Trial,” argued that Stuart Garson saying that Meyer’s an excellent legal defence, was fairly much of the evidence used against release was a “profound insult to convicted and his original sentence of the general had been hearsay and the memories of those Canadian execution should have been carried inadmissible in an English Court of lads whose lives he so ruthlessly out.73 The Ottawa Citizen wrote that Law. The editorialist thought Meyer took.”65 His release would insult the “Whoever put the bandage over the should be given a chance to win his Canadian soldiers who had risked eyes of the statue of justice – Boy, freedom before the Supreme Court, their lives in the war and violated was he right! Justice is sure blind.”74 but acknowledged that this would the principles that so many had died Justice demanded that Meyer be not happen for it would repudiate to protect.66 A.G Munich, president imprisoned for life. before the whole world the rules of the Quebec Legion and the Hong In a pamphlet widely circulated by which Canada judged its war Kong Veteran’s Association, argued in British Columbia and entitled criminals.60 Another editorial, “No that any reduction of Meyer’s “Wanted for Murder,” Ray Gardner, Time to Lose,” claimed that haste, sentence would show the world that a prominent Vancouver newspaper strong passions, and the confusion the Canadian government did not man and free-lance writer, drew of war, may have resulted in a faulty consider the shooting of its soldiers together all of the arguments against verdict in the Meyer case.61 This after surrender a serious crime.67 In Meyer’s release: a secret plot had writer also wanted to give Meyer the a letter to the Globe and Mail, Mary been hatched to give war criminals opportunity to plead his case before Logan stated that Meyer’s release like Meyer leadership roles in a the Supreme Court. would anger all servicemen and that rearmed Germany. Gardner called Despite the growth in support “our Minister of Justice, also, Minister Meyer the most “depraved scum the for Meyer, for the majority of of Defence, should keep in mind we world has ever known” and claimed Canadians the prospect of releasing may all need our boy’s help again.”68 he will be a “future Hitler.”75 Gardner the convicted war criminal seemed a A large portion of the Canadians supported Meyer’s original sentence terrible mistake. Many editorialists who wrote about Meyer, privately and believed that the Nazi’s guilt and letter writers tied the release and publicly, highlighted his past had been proven beyond a doubt. He
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argued that the push to free Meyer government that Meyer would be Windsor Star commented that it had came from the Canadian officer caste, released that September became taken only nine years of peace for whose morals and values had been front page news and Canadians soon Canada to lose its determination to put aside in the atmosphere of the voiced their opinions on the matter “teach war-making Germany that acts Cold War.76 and sent petitions to the Canadian of savagery would demand their full government asking that Meyer measure of atonement.”83 A number 1954: A Divided Response not be released.78 On 9 September of individuals and organizations the Sudbury Star wrote, “Had the expressed the belief that rearming he debate over German horror of the murdered men’s blood Germany and releasing men like Trearmament and the attempt by become so unrealistic that Canadian Meyer would automatically bring the West Germans to have Meyer officials could decide to reduce the another war.84 When Canadians heard released dragged on from 1951 life sentence.”79 Many lower ranking about the warm homecoming Meyer
to 1954. In mid-1952 Kurt Meyer veterans declared their anger that the received, the anxiety over the impact appeared on a list of war criminals government had so easily forgiven the former SS general would have on that the German government the murder of Canadian soldiers the “aggressive” German spirit grew. wanted released. In September 1953 because Meyer might serve a useful Many maintained that the Germans a clemency board suggested that purpose in the new Wehrmacht.80 The had not changed whatsoever after Meyer’s sentence be reduced and Victoria Colonist warned Meyer never two world wars and the revelations the request was approved by the to return to Canada as long as people of the atrocities the Nazi regime Canadian cabinet in January. The lived who remembered the terrible committed.85 The Winnipeg Free former general gained his freedom crimes he had committed against Press wrote that the release of Meyer on 7 September 1954, a decade after Canadian troops.81 A cartoon in the and other war criminals meant that his capture by Allied forces. As Calgary Herald showed a warden, “German militarists will once again historian Lisa Goodyear concluded: who represented the government, be able to exercise their special talents, “Canada was not willing to strain its push 18 murdered soldiers out of the the mass murder of men, women, relationship with West Germany to way as a goose stepping Kurt Meyer and children.”86 Other Canadians keep Meyer in prison for a few more left his cell.82 Although nine years compared the weakness shown by years.”77 The man condemned to die had passed since the end of the war, their government in releasing Meyer in 1946 was released after serving only the memory of Canada’s murdered with the policy of appeasement nine years. The response of the public soldiers remained strong. adopted by the West prior to the war. and press to Meyer’s release in 1954 Various Canadians formed their The London Free Press believed such was far more divided than it had been opinion about Meyer on the basis weakness would come to haunt the in response to earlier developments. of anti-German prejudice and fears world for “Germans respect power The January announcement by the about rearming West Germany. The more than they admire mercy.”87 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/440 8 : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
A number of Canadian colonel stated plainly that he did Once again, many argued that newspapers once again attempted “not think that a brigadier should the general’s original sentence had to prove Meyer’s guilt of war crimes be held responsible for the actions been unjust. The Saskatoon Star- and defended the conduct of his trial. of every man in his brigade.”92 The Phoenix believed that the Meyer case The Montreal Gazette stated that “If Corner Brook Western Star argued that had always been unfairly tainted Canadian blood is not on his hands, neither side emerged blameless from by Canadian nationalism and he was standing near enough to what the struggle and Meyer could not be claimed that the general had been a happened that some of it spattered blamed for the terrible things that victim of vengeful justice.95 Several upon him. The stain of it should happen in war.93 The Quebec Chronicle newspapers conceded that the trial not now be politely ignored.”88 Telegraph took the argument further, of Kurt Meyer had been influenced Colonel John Wise, executive of the claiming that if Meyer is guilty, so by the impassioned fervour of post- BC Veterans Association, called the are all Canadians. All Canadians war Canada.96 Maclean’s published release of Meyer, “a betrayal of the were “accessories after the fact” a very condemnatory article about principles of justice which protects because they assisted in supplying the way the Canadian government Canadians.”89 The Montreal Star the weapons which killed in the handled the Meyer case. According declared that the ideals of the trial war.94 Like Meyer, Canadians were to Maclean’s, an innocent man had and the desires of the Canadian indirectly responsible for murder. been imprisoned for nine years after people were lost “in some curious Similar sentiments were expressed being convicted in an unfair trial. The emergence of a professional spirit, throughout Canada. article concluded by stating that the a kinship between officer corps, between men who, as professionals in war, do not like the development of a trend which means that orders given in the heat of battle can be held against them.”90 The idea that the Canadian military had somehow sabotaged all efforts to give Meyer a proper punishment remained a © Bettmann/CORBIS popular conspiracy theory in 1954. Although the majority of Canadians continued to view Meyer as nothing more than a detestable Nazi, his supporters also grew in number. The Toronto Star conducted an interview with H.P. Bell-Irving, a brigadier on the tribunal that judged Meyer, who described the general as “a very brave man” and a “great leader” who deserved his release.91 In an interview with the Sarnia Canadian Observer, a former
Happy Frau Meyer has a bouquet of carnations ready for her husband, former SS Major-General Kurt Meyer, Canada’s last remaining major war criminal who was released from Werl war crimes prison. Meyer, originally sentenced to death for the killings of Canadian prisoners of war, was released ten years after he fell into Allied hands. 7 September 1954.
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treatment of Meyer “had weakened by many Canadians that Meyer forgive Meyer. Distance also allowed the cause of the whole free world.”97 almost had Germany in his Nazi certain Canadians to argue that Many believed that with the release clutches.104 Meyer’s job as a salesman their soldiers committed the same of Kurt Meyer, justice had finally selling beer to the Canadian troops crimes as Meyer’s men in the Second been achieved. in West Germany became the most World War, an argument that would In 1954 the realities of the newsworthy aspect of his new life.105 have been tantamount to sacrilege Cold War again influenced the The Fredericton Gleaner found it in 1946. In addition, Meyer’s most way Canadians thought about the shameful that Canadian officers had loyal supporters organized into a whole affair. Even B.S. Macdonald sat down for a drink with Meyer, group which encouraged Canadians concluded his book on Meyer’s trial although the author hoped that to protest the imprisonment of the by stating, “If Meyer could serve a perhaps they did not know what “great” general. This call spurred useful purpose in the West German the man had done. However, the men like Ralph Allen, the prominent army, which might result in the paper noted “they know now and writer, and H.E.D. Ashford, the well saving of lives of Canadian youth in perhaps some of them detect a taste known minister, to speak out against another conflict, his release would be of blood in their glasses.”106 The the “injustices” done to Meyer. Their justified.”98 Gerald Waring, an editor popular reporter, Gordon Sinclair, arguments soon caught on amongst with the Montreal Herald, claimed that wrote a piece for the Liberty Magazine many Canadians, especially higher Meyer would assist West Germany in begging the Canadian public to stop ranking veterans who still carried becoming a leading contributor in the “tar and feathering” an innocent clout in Canadian society. In the defence of Western Europe.99 The Port man and allow him to live his days 1950’s, arguments that Meyer’s trial Arthur News Chronicle sympathized out peacefully, selling his beer, as he was unjust and that he was a decent with Canadians who were angered should have been doing since 1945.107 man abounded and Meyer gained with the release of Meyer, but believed While Canadian interest in Meyer more and more supporters. that his release served an important started to wane by the late 1950s, As the Cold War developed, purpose in international politics.100 they still remembered the man and Canadians began to look at Meyer in a Even elements of the Legion, which his crimes and wrote about them until new light. Although the government had always condemned Meyer, began his death in 1961.108 never admitted to the public that to believe that his release would it transferred and released Meyer be justified if he fulfilled a useful * * * * * to foster better relations with the purpose on behalf of the Western etween 1946 and the late 1950s, Germans, Canadians still knew. powers.101 BCanadians responded to the Almost every person that responded Kurt Meyer affair with an intensity to the Meyer affair in the 1950s Of Blood and Beer and frequency that highlights the understood that the release of the importance of this man in postwar former general would help achieve fter Meyer’s release he became Canada. He aroused a multitude of the political goal of drawing the West Aa leading member of the Waffen emotions in Canadians. While most Germans into the Western alliance. SS Veterans Association and was hated him, others respected and Some lashed out against this reality employed as a beer salesman. He admired the former general. Those and argued that the release of Meyer never rejoined the German military who condemned him remembered to a rearmed Germany would spell because of the large number of the soldiers his men murdered, disaster. Others wholeheartedly high ranking German officers with saw Meyer as a brutal Nazi and an supported the release of the man clean war time records that sought embodiment of Germans’ innate whom they believed could lead positions. He remained unrepentant aggressiveness and propensity for the West to victory against the for the crimes of his men and worked violence. He was a symbol of all communists. As Howard Margolian to vindicate the name of the Waffen the hurt and pain caused by the explained, for these Canadians “the SS. Several Canadian newspapers Third Reich and Canadians wanted war began to recede from public attacked Meyer’s involvement with vengeance on the man. memory and the new threat of Soviet the SS association.102 The Halifax As time went on, however, support expansionism superseded fears of a Mail Star worried that Meyer would for Meyer expanded exponentially. Nazi revival.”109 The Cold War had stir up old hatreds amongst these By 1950 Canadians had known five a dramatic effect on how Canadians veterans and create trouble.103 The years of peace and as memories about understood the Meyer affair. Montreal Gazette commented on the the horrors and hatreds of the war Canadians never forgot about fearful and far-fetched notion held started to subside it became easier to Kurt Meyer. Even as years passed
https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/442 10 : Kurt Meyer and Canadian Memory Villain and Monster, Hero and Victim or worse – a German?
and the world changed, he survived 9. Chris Vokes and John Maclean, Vokes: 29. “A Bewildering Decision,” editorial, Globe My Story (Ottawa: Gallery Books, 1985), and Mail, 14 January 1946. in the public memory. Many hated p.205. 30. The Maple Leaf, 11 January 1946. Meyer for the terrible crimes his 10. Brode, Casual Slaughters, pp.108-10, 31. Windsor Star, editorial, 17 January 1946. men committed against Canadian 210, Margolian, Conduct Unbecoming, 32. “Shooting Best for Meyer; Detest His p.169; P. Whitney Lackenbauer, “Kurt Kind; Foster,” Globe and Mail, 17 January soldiers and for his dark past as a Meyer, the 12th SS Panzer Division, 1946; “Never Shot German Prisoners,” Nazi. They always remembered the and the Murder of Canadian Prisoners Globe and Mail, 17 January 1946; “Bloody blood that stained Meyer’s hands of War in Normandy: An Historical Nazi Should be Shot,” Ottawa Citizen, and Historiographical Appraisal,” 17 January 1946. Most historians would and wanted his full punishment Gateway 3 (March 2001), University of support Foster’s assertion. While in to be carried out. The war was a Saskatchewan
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Veterans Association to the Minister 71. Nelson Dearing, Chrysler Membership, 92. “Local Opinion Divided on Release of of External Affairs Lester B. Pearson, to the Minister of Justice Stuart Garson, Kurt Meyer,” Sarnia Canadian Observer, February 1951, DHH 159.95 (D1). 16 March 1951, ibid.; Mrs. Florence M. 18 January 1954. 55. Alden Nolan to the MND Brooke Claxton, Langille, “The Voice of the People,” 93. “Kurt Meyer,” editorial, Corner Brook 17 February 1951, DHH 159.95 (D1). The Halifax Chronicle Herald, letter to the Western Star, 9 September 1954. 56. H.R. Emmerson to the Minister of Justice editor, 14 October 1951. 94. “Meyer and the Way of Forgiveness,” Stuart Garson, 2 February 1951, DHH 72. Nelson Dearing, Chrysler Membership, editorial, Quebec Chronicle Telegraph, 19 159.95 (D1); J. Koop, “Kurt Meyer’s to the Minister of Justice Stuart Garson, January 1954. Crime,” letter to the editor, Ottawa Citizen, 16 March 1951, DHH 159.95 (D1). 95. “Meyer Case,” editorial, Saskatoon Star- 3 December 1951. 73. Stephenson, W.J., “Letters to the Editor,” Phoenix, 19 January 1954. 57. J. Koop, “Kurt Meyer’s Crime,” letter to Globe and Mail, 12 February 1951; J.L 96. “Surprise! Kurt Meyer is Going Free,” the editor, Ottawa Citizen, 3 December Frankel, to Prime Minister Louis St. editorial, Calgary Herald, 19 January 1951. Laurent, 4 December 1951, DHH 159.95 1954; “Meyer Will Raise Old Questions,” 58. “What Shall be done?” editorial, Hush Free (D1). editorial, London Free Press, 12 September Press, 25 February 1951. 74. W.J. Matthews, “Justice and Kurt Meyer,” 1954. 59. Paul LeBerge, “Injustice,” editorial, Le editorial, Ottawa Citizen, 8 September 97. “Kurt Meyer is Free: Is Ottawa’s Droit, 30 November 1951. 1951. Conscience?” Maclean’s 67, no.20 (15 60. “Procedure Unusual in Meyer Trial,” 75. Ray Gardner, “Wanted for Murder,” in October 1954). Globe and Mail, 8 December 1951. Lackenbauer and Madsen, eds., Kurt 98. Macdonald, p.206. 61. “No time to Lose,” Globe and Mail, 11 Meyer on Trial, p.612. 99. Gerald Warring, “Ottawa Report,” December 1951. 76. Gardner, “Wanted for Murder,” p.612. Montreal Herald, 8 September 1954. 62. W.C Ross to the Minister of Justice, Stuart 77. Goodyear, “In the name of Justice,” p.84. 100. “Case of Kurt Meyer,” editorial, Port Garson, 15 February 1951; “Meyer Wants 78. C. James Branch of the Canadian Legion, Arthur News Chronicle, 9 September 1954. Out,” editorial, Windsor Star, 1 February Winnipeg, to the MND Brooke Claxton, 101. “Legion Expects Many to Oppose Freeing 1951. 22 January 1954; Wallace Wright, Meyer,” Ottawa Journal, 16 January 1954. 63. “Protest to Move Meyer,” Toronto Star, 6 Representative of the Canadian Corps 102. “7000 Hail Meyer Talk on Slander,” February 1951. Association, to the MND Brooke Claxton, Montreal Gazette, 19 July 1957; “Kurt 64. Rabbi Aaron Kamerling, director of 24 January 1954; Victoria and District Meyer Rejects Overtures by East: Is the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation, to Trades and Labour Council, to the MND Adenauer’s Man,” St. John Telegram, 19 the Minister of External Affairs, Lester Brooke Claxton, 26 January 1954, DHH January 1955. B. Pearson, 18 December 1951; Saul 159.95 (D1). 103. “Kurt Meyer Leads German SS,” Halifax Hayes, National Executive Director of 79. “Cold Blooded Massacre,” Sudbury Star, Mail Star, 1 August 1957. the Canadian Jewish Congress, to the 9 September 1954. 104. Arthur Blakely, “Menace from the Right,” Minister of External Affairs Lester B. 80. “Legion to Protest Freeing of Meyer,” Montreal Gazette, 23 February 1957. Pearson, 2 January 1952, DHH 159.95 (D1). Montreal Gazette, 16 January 1954; C.J. 105. “Kurt Meyer Selling Beer to Canadian 65. Allan Chunn, chairman, Norman Bethune Jakes, “Meyer Remembered,” Edmonton Army,” Toronto Star, 6 July 1956; “Kurt Club, Winnipeg, to the Minister of Justice, Journal, 26 January 1954; Frank Ayres Meyer Sells Beer to Canadians: Killer of Stuart Garson, 9 February 1951, ibid. to the MND Brooke Claxton,18 January P.O.W’s Calls at Messes,” Windsor Star, 7 66. A. Mayer, Secretary, Regina Trades 1954, DHH 159.95 (D1). July 1956. and Labour Council, to the Minister of 81. Victoria Colonist, editorial, 4 September 106. “From Blood to Beer,” Fredericton Gleaner, Justice Stuart Garson, 12 February 1951; 1954. 7 July 1956. June Liska, president, Sudbury Ladies 82. “Keep Moving – Don’t block the exit!” 107. Gordon Sinclair, “Let’s Stop Tarring Kurt Auxiliary, to the Minister of Justice Stuart Calgary Herald, 28 January 1954. Meyer,” Liberty Magazine, October 1956. Garson, 26 February 1951; Roy England, 83. “Justice Tempered with Expediency,” 108. See for example “Kurt Meyer Now has president, Local 200 United Automotive Windsor Star, 7 September 1954. Support of a Half-Million Germans,” Workers to the Minister of Justice Stuart 84. DC Peace Council, to the MND Brooke Globe and Mail, 30 June 1960; “General Garson, 6 February 1951, ibid. Claxton, 15 January 1954; Mrs. R. Dupuis, Kurt Meyer, Convincted in Slaying of 18 67. “Legion Official Condemns Removal to the MND Brooke Claxton, 16 January Canadian Soldiers, Dies of Heart Attack,” of Kurt Meyer,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 1954, DHH 159.95 (D1); “Meyer’s Release Globe and Mail, 25 December 1961. October 1951; Charles Black, president, Dull Prospect,” editorial, Windsor Star, 16 109. Margolian, Conduct Unbecoming, p.182. Hong Kong Veterans Association, to January 1954. the Minister of Justice Stuart Garson, 8 85. “Heil Herr Meyer,” editorial, Windsor February 1951, DHH 159.95 (D1). Star, 10 September 1954. 68. Mary Logan, “Feel Their Sons Died in 86. “Kurt Meyer’s Release,” editorial, Vain,” letter to the editor, Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 September 1954. 1951. 87. “Meyer Will Raise Old Questions,” 69. James McDonald, president Local 4481 editorial, London Free Press, 12 September Peter Kikkert is a PhD candidate in United Mill Workers of America, to the 1954. the Department of History, Western Minister of Justice Stuart Garson, 9 March 88. “He Always Said He Would Get Out,” University. His research interests include 1951, DHH 159.95 (D1). Montreal Gazette, 9 September 1954. the history of the Old Commonwealth 70. Mrs. H. Murray, Congress of Canadian 89. “Release of Meyer Called Betrayal,” St. countries and the United States in the Women, Toronto Chapter, to Stuart Johns News, 5 September 1954. Polar Regions, Canadian-American Garson, 6 February 1950; Regina Chapter 90. Montreal Star, editorial, 8 September 1954. relations during the Early Cold War, and of the Congress of Canadian Women, to 91. “Kurt Meyer’s Judge Favours His the role war criminals, like Kurt Meyer, the Minister of Justice Stuart Garson, 29 Release,” Toronto Star, 23 July 1954. have played in international relations. February 1951, ibid.
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