Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46)

Time 2021-05-09 11:12:09

Web Name: Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46)

WebSite: http://irishseamensrelativesassociation.com

ID:175360

Keywords:

Relatives,Seamen,Irish,

Description:

Consistently, the Irish National Commemoration held by the Irish Government in July each year has excluded from mention foreign seafarers who lost their lives through belligerent action while serving on Irish registered vessels during the Emergency 1939-1946. To restate: Seafarers from other countries who lost their lives as a result of belligerent action while serving on board neutral Irish flagged vessels during the emergency period 1939-1946, were awarded posthumously the Irish Mercantile Valour Medal with 3 Bars, Citation and Tunic Bar, which is the Irish Government's highest decoration for service during World War two. Consequently, foreign seafarers, who were lost while in the service of the Irish State during WW2, and who were honoured for their sacrifice by the same Irish State in 1945, being excluded from any mention during the annual Irish National Commemoration, is an insult to their memory, and indicates the Irish Government has lost its moral compass: 26 October 2020: WWII British Casualties from Irish Registered Merchant Ships: An ongoing project on behalf of the British National Merchant Navy Association hopes to submit documentation (we have supplied to them) in an effort to have British nationals lost on neutral Irish registered vessels during WW2 included and officially commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the UK. The continual omission by the Irish State to not include for mention the sacrifice of foreign nationals who lost their lives in the service of Ireland in a time of war during the Irish Government’s annual National Commemoration, is shameful. Thankfully shipmates in the British Merchant Navy Association are now on board in support and hopefully all British casualties lost on Irish registered vessels will be officially commemorated as war dead by the CWGC in due course: NOTE: The total figure for foreign nationals lost on Irish registered vessels through belligerent action during WW2 is now 25: (22 of whom are British/NI): To date, the names of 3 British casualties lost on Irish registered vessels have been listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorated as war dead: They are: Neil Hendry and James Howat lost on the ‘St Fintan’ 22 March 1941, John O’Sullivan, lost on the ‘City of Limerick’ 15 July 1940: Robert Sumler aged 16 from Fleetwood is the youngest seafarer to be lost through belligerent action while serving on an Irish registered vessel during WW2. The Registration of Deaths of Seamen Lost on Irish Vessels during the Emergency 1939-1946: The failure of the Irish Government to register the deaths of seafarers who were lost through belligerent action while serving on Irish registered vessels during the emergency years (1939-1946), prompted a research project from August 1986, to resolve outstanding legal issues: The McCarthy Precedent: Argentinean born, Patricio McCarthy aged 40 years, was the cook aboard the Irish Registered Steam Trawler Leukos which was attacked by U38 and sunk off Tory Island, County Donegal, on the 9th of March 1940: (See also: Irish Trawler Blasted out of the Water: Sunday World 11 January 1987). His death was first registered in February 1987 pursuant to Section 254 Part 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Subsequently this registration of death was declared ultra vires by the Registrar without explanation. Following more research Patrick McCarthy's death was eventually re-registered pursuant to Section 4 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1972, and is the legal precedent for the registration of the deaths of all other seamen lost on Irish vessels during the Emergency [1939-46], however a registration of death pursuant to this section is subject to the following conditions: 1. The vessel must have been sunk outside of Irish Territorial waters [limit was 3 miles 1939-46]; In each case the next of kin of the deceased must make a statement or affidavit confirming the facts of the case: (NOTE: It was agreed that the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) would submit affidavits under oath to satisfy Section 1 and 2 of the conditions for all the Irish registered vessels lost through belligerent action during WW2). Families/Next of Kin would have to submit evidence of kinship to the deceased seafarer in order to register his death): Postscript: In February 1998, the confirmation by a diver that the wreck of the SS Ardmore lost in November 1940, off the Great Saltee Islands, County Wexford, was discovered to be just INSIDE 3 miles, created a legal issue. That is to say, a death of a crewmember from the SS Ardmore registered pursuant to Section 4 of the 1972 Act could not satisfy section 1 of the conditions for registration i.e. The vessel must have been sunk outside of Irish Territorial waters [limit was 3 miles 1939-46]; As the wreck of the Ardmore was now discovered to be inside, what was in 1940, the 3 mile territorial limit, consequently such registrations were ultra vires the section. (16 February 1998: Evening Echo Cork: Mystery Ship Found of the Coast): To correct that lacuna in the law, and following our submission, Minister for Justice, Mr John O Donoghue T.D., directed that an inquest be held in the Wexford District Court pursuant to Section 23 of the Coroners Act. See also (Dail Debates 13th October 1999). On Friday the 19th of November 1999 the jury subsequently returned a verdict consistent with ones evidence presented to the court; “that the SS Ardmore and her crew were lost on the morning of the 12th of November 1940 as a consequence of an explosion [mine] while they were on board”, thereby enabling the registration of the deaths of the SS Ardmore crew (ONLY), pursuant to a Coroners Inquest: SS Ardmore Crew-The History: The deaths of all other seafarers lost on Irish vessels during the emergency do satisfy part 1 of the conditions set out in section 4 of the 1972 act, as it is presumed their loss occurred outside Irish territorial waters during 1939-1946: Some years ago one gave a copy of a Dissertation to the Irish Military Archives located in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin, which might assist relatives: Peter Mulvany BCL, HDip Arts Admin http://www.irishseamensrelativesassociation.com Mercantile Marine Service (Valour) Medal 1939-46: In February 2015, the sale of a Mercantile Marine Service (Valour) Medal (1939-46) issued to a family member of the SS Ardmore crew in 1998 was published. Following complaints the sale was rescinded, and with the excellent cooperation of Whytes Auctioneers in Dublin, the medal was returned to the owner, who was totally unaware of the sale. However, it has come to our attention that Irish Mercantile Marine Service (Valour) Medals (1939-46) posthumously awarded since 1998, may have been offered for sale elsewhere in Ireland and the UK. In consequence, the appropriate Irish authorities have been notified of concerns, and it is likely that in future, families may not be able to obtain a duplicate if they lose or sell their medals. In this regard, the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) cannot intervene on behalf of families in such cases. Follow the advice, KEEP YOUR MEDALS and your HERITAGE within the family. Please Note: The Merchant Navy exhibit in the National Museum, Collins Barracks, Dublin, which included two Mercantile Marine Service (Valour) medals (1939-46), along with a model of the SS Ardmore, has been removed and returned to contributors: Irish Merchant NavyMemorial - Alrewas - UK: Sponsored (2001) by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association(1939-46), the Irish Merchant NavyMemorial Plaque and Plinth uniquely embossed with the Irish flag commemorating those crews lost on neutral Irish registered vessels during world war two (including an oak tree) is now on view in the Merchant Navy Convoy Section of the National Memorial Arboretum currently managed by the Royal British Legion, and located in Alrewas, Staffordshire, England. The Irish memorial is also listed on the website of the British Merchant Navy Association. On the 22 June 2017, following completion of loan in Germany, the Bremen-Farge Memorial Plaque which commemorates 5 Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who lost their lives in the Bremen-Farge Work Concentration Camp during world war two, and originally fixed to the front of the plinth, was donated to the Mayo Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance, Lannagh Road, Castlebar, County Mayo (Google Map Location), for permanent display. This memorial plaque was unveiled on Saturday 26 August 2017 at 14.30hrs by a relative of the O’Hara family in honour of their Father, Grandfather, Radio Officer Gerald O'Hara. (Article: Gerald O'Hara (1893-1944) An Irish Seaman of the British Merchant Navy): The Irish Merchant NavyMemorial Plaque/Plinth, along with the Bremen-Farge Memorial Plaque: is listed by the National Memorial Arboretum UK, listed in the UK War Memorials Register/Imperial War Museum, London at Neutral Irish Registered Vessels Memorial, and recorded inthe British Commonwealth and International War Graves in Ireland, Published 2007 by the Irish Government Stationery Office, Dublin: The Merchant Navy Association UK, have included the Bremen-Farge Memorial Plaque now located in the Mayo Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance, Castlebar, County Mayo, on their website record of Merchant Navy Memorials Worldwide. (Additional Publications: Merchant Navy Association UK, Newsletter, 11 August 2017: Unveiling Ceremony Mayo Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance; Western People Newspaper, Monday 04 September 2017: 'Ballina's Gerald O'Hara is Remembered': Merchant Navy Association UK, Newsletter, 12 September 2017: Unveiling Ceremony Mayo Peace Park, Garden of Remembrance): (Note: The Irish experience of Bremen-Farge during world war two is also included within a photographic exhibition currently on display in the UBoat Bunker Valentin. In April 1943 construction of the largest Kreigsmarine project, theUBoat Bunker Valentin was begun located on the River Weser. In less than two years a bunkered shipyard would arise to build submarines of the latest type. The completion of the first submarine was scheduled for March 1945, and from the autumn of 1945 every other day, a boat was to be launched and put into service. Built to withstand aerial bombing with up to seven metre thick ceilings and walls, what now remains of the Bunker is a unique and unmistakable relic of Nazi armaments for naval warfare, a lasting place of memory and a visible reminder of crimes of the Nazi regime): April 2002: Issue 10: Dublin Bus Magazine: Seamen Recognised at Last: Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story, a book by Michèle Callan, Pub 2017, Collins Press, was launched by Commodore Hugh Tully FOCNS (Rtd 2017), (Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service), on Thursday 23 March 2017, in Balcarrick Golf Club, Corballis, Donabate, County Dublin. Among those present in support of this book launch were members of the Irish Naval Association: The following comments/observations for the information of all concerned: INTRODUCTION: The description by author Michèle Callan that Harry Callan is the Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin embellishes the narrative from the outset. To be precise, Callan was a survivor, but he was no Hero. The real 'Hero' of the Bunker Valentin was Mayo Born Radio Officer Gerald O'Hara. (See Article: Gerald O'Hara (1893-1944) An Irish Seaman of the British Merchant Navy and the Mayo Peace Pk Memorial) who led the Irish Born British Merchant Seamen in their refusal to work free for Nazi Germany, and who, like many other prisoners, lost his life in Bremen during WW2. However, despite advising Harry Callan (Deceased 24 September 2019) that there was another narrative supported by the documentation in our archive, Mr Callan decided to proceed and publish his memoir. So be it. Consequently, as translated contemporary German documentation in our archive corroborates another account, thereby revealing the TRUTH behind some of the erroneous comments recorded by Callan and Knox in their books, then arguably, “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story , by Michèle Callan published March 2017, and author David Blake Knox's two books Suddenly While Abroad , published December 2012, and Hitler's Irish Slaves released June 2017, have together, distorted the historical narrative in perpetuity. The experiences of Irish Born British Merchant Seamen interned in Nazi Germany from 1939 to 1945 deserves a more considered analysis from Irish writers in their response to what is a complex historical issue, rather than the ham-fisted intervention of authors David Blake Knox and Michèle Callan, who by replacing facts with a prejudicial narrative, have rejected the fundamental principle of diligent historic enquiry when dealing with Irish involvement in world war two. Derek Scally’s article Holocaust deniers targeting German concentration camp memorials, Irish Times February 05th February 2020, in which the Directors of Germany’s concentration camp memorials warn of the rise in visitors questioning the historical legitimacy of Holocaust remembrance and praising Nazi policies, should be a warning to any Irish writer/historian et who engages with the history surrounding Nazi Germany. Those who would seek to replace facts with prejudicial narratives, will be actively contributing to the unacceptable growth of hate speech and Holocaust denial that has established and normalised itself in several countries; see also Letter, Irish Independent 25 April 2018, Extremism must be tackled. In this regard, RESEARCHERS, and in particular IRISH CONNECTIONS, would be well advised to exercise due diligence when enquiring into the history surrounding Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who were held as Prisoners/Internees in Bremen-Farge, Marlag und Milag Nord Stalag XB/Sandbostel during world war two. FOR THE SAKE OF THE HISTORY: CHECK FACTS HISTORIANS/WRITERS BEFORE PUBLISHING: See also Sunday Times 27 January 2013: GERMANY: The German version of Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin. Die Geschichte von Harry Callan. Edition Falkenberg: Rotenburg/Wümme 2018 by Michèle Callan, is now on sale within Germany, and a copy already presented to Jacobs University (Dr. Arvid Kappas, Dean of Jacobs University) located in Bremen. Please Note: German documentation in our archive supports another narrative and shows that author Michele Callan, writing on behalf of Harry Callan, has replaced facts with a prejudicial narrative in her book Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story. In this regard, German connections would be well advised to exercise due diligence when enquiring into the history surrounding Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who were held as Prisoners/Internees in Bremen-Farge, Marlag und Milag Nord Stalag XB/Sandbostel during world war two. Our evidence indicates Harry Callan manipulated his own history as a Prisoner of the Kreigsmarine during WW2, thus dishonouring his deceased shipmates and their families: “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story , Michèle Callan published March 2017, and author David Blake Knox's two books Suddenly While Abroad , published December 2012, and Hitler's Irish Slaves released June 2017, were featured in the Irish/British media along with the release of archive material from the PRO Kew, and together have prompted more spurious allegations that Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen held as Prisoners in Germany during world war two were abandoned by the Irish Government. Indeed William Warnock and Con Cremin, Ireland’s representatives in Berlin were accused unfairly of doing nothing to assist Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen held in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager from 1943-1945. German Documents in our archive show, that by the end of August 1944, Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin had successfully acquired the cooperation of the Nazis to extract the Irishmen from Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager: see letter dated 30th August 1944: Con Cremin to the Irishmen in Farge bei Bremen. However the German authority required proof that each of the Seamen to be issued an Irish Passport, qualified for Irish Citizenship before being released from Bremen-Farge Camp. Following extensive background checks on each of the Seamen to ascertain their Irish Nationality via the German Minister in Dublin Dr Eduard Hempel, in cooperation with Assistant Secretary of the Department of External Affairs Frederick Boland, by October/November 1944 all except 3 of the Irish Born British Merchant Seamen had been confirmed as having Irish Nationality. Following rechecks within Ireland, on the 22nd January 1945, the final batch of 3 Passports were issued by the Irish Legation in Berlin for Henry Callan, Edward Condon and William Knox. Prisoners declaring they were British, albeit born on the island of Ireland, was of concern to the German authority. As Harry Callan declared he was of Northern Ireland Nationality/British in early 1943 and refused to sign for an Irish Passport as he deemed himself to be British, until invited to do so again in 1944, and interestingly now signed for an Irish Passport, perhaps he and those Irish Born British Merchant Seamen/Prisoners, who declared themselves to be of British/Northern Ireland/English Nationality, should take responsibility for the delay in obtaining an Irish Passport, which would have led them to being released at the very latest by the end of 1943 from the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager. Unfortunately, the efforts of Chargé d'affaires William Warnock to gain the release of all surviving Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen held in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager had been frustrated due to these varying claims of Nationality by Harry Callan and others. Conceivably, there are some Irishmen who would have been alive had Mr Harry Callan and some of his shipmates cooperated with the Irish Legation in 1943? Ironically, by January 1945 following the efforts of Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin, Mr Callan and all qualified Irish Born British Merchant Navy Survivors held in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager were awarded an Irish Passport. However, by January 1945, it was too late for some of the Irishmen. Perhaps Mr Callan and others, who since 1945 have directed their approbrium and apportioned blame towards the Irish Legation in Berlin for their continual incarceration in the Arbeitslager Bremen-Farge, should in fact be grateful for the efforts of the Irish Diplomatic Corps, who despite all the difficulties for Neutral Ireland during World War Two, made representations and intervened on behalf of Northern Ireland Born British Merchant Navy Seaman Mr Callan and his Shipmates in the Bremen-Farge Work Concentration Camp, which arguably hastened their return to the SAFETY of their former Camp, Marlag und Milag Nord Westertimke, in April 1945: (Film extract showing the Liberation of Marlag und Milag Nord 28 April 1945 - Imperial War Museum): (Google Map location Prison Camps Germany where Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen were held 1941-1945): Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin in Dublin many years after the war and accused Cremin of doing nothing for the Merchant Seamen held in Bremen-Farge, but Cremin never answered Callan's charge. Mr Callan has also asserted he was never photographed in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager, and never signed for an Irish Passport. It is therefore inexplicable that Mr Callan now records in his book that he did sign for an Irish Passport in 1943. Yet the German record for the 5 July 1943 shows 5 men refused to complete the Irish Passport Application form sent by Chargé d'affaires William Warnock, and Prisoner Nr 90882 Harold Callan is recorded in German Archives as one of the 5 Irishmen who refused: Which raises concerns as to the reliability of Mr Callan's memory. Thankfully German records in our archive have helped work through the obvious inconsistencies in accounts given by Irish born British Merchant Navy Seamen held as Internees in the Following the removal of 32 Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen from their new Camp Marlag und Milag Nord Westertimke in January 1943, and their subsequent refusal to workfrei on German Ships they were relocated to the Work Concentration Camp at Bremen-Farge. Interestingly the Irishmen protested they were British Merchant Navy Seamen, albeit Irish Born who were Prisoners of War and demanded to be returned to their previous Internment Camp Marlag und Milag Nord located in Westertimke. On the 31st March 1943 Gestapo-Bremen sent a list of these Prisoners to Berlin stating they had Irish Nationals held in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager and requested instructions. The Irish Legation was subsequently advised and despite the difficulties surrounding claims of British Nationality by some of the Irishmen, chargé d'affaires Con Cremin had eventually confirmed the Nationality of each applicant by the 31st of October 1944. By the 06th March 1945, Con Cremin had relocated the Irish Legation from Berlin to Bregenz and continued to lobby the German Foreign office until March 1945, attempting to help the Irishmen. However, there is still a narrative that suggests William Warnock during his posting to the Irish Legation in Berlin, did not do anything to help Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen who were Prisoners in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager during world war two. So in Rebuttal, the following for consideration: Extracts from German Documents (Translated into English) show: Irish Berlin: Aug 1941-Nov/Dec 1943: had lobbied the German Foreign office re Irish Born British Merchant Seamen from 1941 to 1943: 08th August 1941: German Foreign Office to the High Command of the War Navy: re a list of Prisoners which included 22 Irishmen are not the subject of Internment and they are asked to release them to their home country after completion of identification as to nationality : 27th October 1941: the Supreme Commander of the German Armed Forces communicated instructions to the Foreign Office that for the moment the presence of Irish Nationals in Marlag und Milag Nord Sandbostel was not to be revealed to the Irish Legation in Berlin due to military reasons : 13th November 1941: The Supreme Commander Army re Prisoners of War: Concerning Irish Citizens in the Marlag und Milag Nord: Is against publication of particulars at present of Irish Nationals Civil Interned in Marlag und Milag Nord: no doubts exist on the part of the OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht): 13th December 1941: Command of the Army- Prisoners of War: To the Foreign Office, Berlin. Subject: Irish Nationals in Marinelager and Milag Nord: In the Annex a list of Irish Civilians with the additional staff requested by the Irish Embassy will be sent. The Chief of the Command of the Army : 22nd January 1942: Foreign Office to the Irish Embassy; is honoured to send you a list of seafarers of Irish Nationality to Marlag und Milag Nord referring to the interview held on 23 June 1941 between a representative of the consul general (William Warnock Irish Legation Berlin) and Mr Consul General Lautz : 27th January 1943: Irishmen selected by the Gestapo and removed from the Merchant Seamens Internment Camp/Marlag und Milag Nord in Westertimke and following their refusal to work for the Nazis were moved to the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager (Workcamp): Irishmen relocated to the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager: 12th February 1943: supplemented the previous Irish embassy list with additional information on this list. At the same time, passport forms were submitted for the attention of some of these seafarers (Held in Reich Main Security Office SS, Foreign Workers Section Berlin: Re Holding for safe custody against 32 Irish Nationals due to their refusal to work. Currently in the Work Education Camp Farge: Bremen Gestapo sends a list of Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen to the Reichsführer-SS requesting instructions on what to do with the Irishmen : Irish chargé d'affaires William Warnock writes to the German Foreign Office: “The Irish Legation has the honor of referring to the verbal note of 12th February 1943 and the letter of confirmation of the 19th February 1943 concerning Irish nationals in Marlag und Milag Nord, and to inform the Office that, The following data should be required., Name, Profession, Date of Birth, Domicile, Height, Colour of Eyes, Colour of Hair, Face, Special Peculiarities, Signature of the person concerned. The Irish Legation would be very grateful to the Foreign Office, if it wished to encourage the individual seafarers to submit the aforementioned personalities, so that they could soon be issued passports. Berlin, April 7th, 1943. To the Foreign Office, Berlin W 8 : (Note: From the 6th February 1943, Marlag und Milag Nord was the address used by the Germans for contact regarding Irish Born British Merchant Seamen re-located to Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager): advised the German Foreign Office, Reichsführer-SS and Chief of the German Police, and Supreme Command of the Army, that when invited to complete the Irish Legation Questionnaire for an Irish Passport; • Nr 90882 Harold Callan and Nr 747 George W Knott refused declaring they were of Northern Ireland Nationality (British); • Nr 88940 William Knox, Nr 89232 Thomas King, Nr 526 Patrick Reilly, Nr 627 Bernard Goulding and Nr 528 Michael Lawrie asserted they had lost Irish Nationality and were of British Nationality but completed the forms; • Nr 877 Patrick J. O’Brien, Nr 90863 Daniel Ryan and Nr 89146 James Furlong refused to fill out the Irish Embassy Questionnaire for an Irish Passport stating they were Englishmen and of British Nationality; • Nr 94146 Thomas Byrce and Nr 527 Patrick Kavanagh were in Hospital; • Nr 529 Patrick Breen died in Rotenburg Reserve Hospital 13th May 1943 : The completed passport forms signed by Irish Born British Merchant Seamen (except for those who had refused) submitted by the Oberkommando of the Kreigsmarine, sent to the Irish Embassy (Berlin) on 16th July 1943. nationality of the seafarers (in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager) has not yet been clarified, and therefore difficulties on the part of the neutral states in which they could be put could be expected. As Discussed: The British of the group are to be brought back to Milag. Irish remain as per the regulation. Return to Ireland on completion and return of Passport Pictures : To W... Oberkommando of the Kreigsmarine: “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story , Mr Callan crewmember SS Afric Star records the death of Frank Evans in the hold of the German Prison Ship Portland while on their way to Bordeaux in March 1941: Interestingly Mr Callan previously asserted that it was a submachine gun which was fired into the hold full of Prisoners from outside by a German guard during the Mutiny on board MS Portland. When one met Mr Callan first in 2001, and on several other occasions, Peter Mulvany put the question to Mr Callan, what had he seen of the Mutiny in the hold of the German Prison Ship MS Portland ? Mr Callan advised then, that he was not in the same hold where the shots were fired, and did not know what had happened as the lights were put out. However, Mr Callan now offers evidence to the contrary. Perhaps the Portland Mutiny report which was provided to Harry Callan free gratis may have prompted a change in his version of events. Mr Callan asserts he was beside Frank Evans when he was shot and would have been an important witness to events. However, Mr Callan was never called to give evidence at the preliminary investigation held by the Germans when the MS Portland subsequently docked in Bordeaux March 1941, and significantly Mr Callan was never called to give evidence to the Hamburg trial in 1941 of those involved in the mutiny on board Portland. An extensive recheck of ones archive which includes all the relevant German documentation/Trial Transcripts, etc, confirms, Mr Callan is not listed as a witness to the death of Frank Evans during the Portland Mutiny, which is inexplicable. Either way, there is a credible doubt as to where Mr Callan was located in the hold of the German Prison Ship Portland when the shooting took place, and Mr Callan's assertion that he was sitting beside Frank Evans, or on another occasion his assertion that he was standing beside Frank Evans when Mr Evans was shot, can no longer be taken as fact unless corroborated by other evidence: “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story , Mr Callan asserts: Eventually 32 days after our arrival in Bordeaux we were rounded up and marched to a nearby station : In contrast, Hubert Hall 3rd Radio Officer of the Afric Star and a Shipmate of Mr Callan, asserts in his interview published by the Imperial War Museum 20 April 1990, that it was 14 days after their arrival in Bordeaux when they were moved to the station: Audio Recording 3rd Radio Officer Hubert Hall SS Afric Star. William Murray Ex Radio Officer SS Tribesman (Sunk 1 December 1940) and a Prisoner in St Medard en Jalles, records on page 149 of his autobiography, Atlantic Rendezvous, published in 1975: So this is to be our final day in St Medard en Jalles. On April 3rd (1941) we would be on our way to Germany : (St Medard en Jalles/Bordeaux/Front Stalag 221 was a holding camp for captured merchant seamen awaiting relocation to Prison camps in Germany). Murray records at the bottom of Page 149: I looked back at our deserted compound and the lifeless and empty huts. Not a soul was there-not even Pluto . According to William Murray, Front Stalag 221 was emptied of Prisoners on the 3rd of April 1941. On the 15th March 1941 the German ship Portland with Harry Callan ex SS Afric Star and other captured crewmembers from various British vessels arrived in Bordeaux. According to Mr Callan Eventually 32 days after our arrival in Bordeaux we were rounded up and marched to a nearby station : Mr Callan could not have been in St Medard en Jalles/Front Stalag 221 for 32 Days as the camp had already been emptied on the 3rd April 1941, which is 19 days after the Portland had arrived in Bordeaux with Mr Callan and other Prisoners on board: “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story , Callan asserts: There were no carriages on the train, just boxcars . I had seen these at home, they were used to transport livestock to market. Now we were told to get into the boxcars; they shoved about 50 of us into each one : Mr Callan has stated on previousoccasions that he had been transported in cattle wagons. However British evidence suggests captured merchant seamen from the SS Afric Star, who were Mr Callan's shipmates, were transported from Bordeaux, in third class rail carriages with seats. Hubert Hall 3rd Radio Officer SS Afric Star and a Shipmate of Mr Callan, asserted in his interview published by the Imperial War Museum 20 April 1990: We were in this camp in St Medard for 14 Days, and then we were entrained for Germany, we weren't in Cattle Trucks, we were in actual coaches with wooden seats : Audio Recording 3rd Radio Officer Hubert Hall SS Afric Star: Bruce Frederick Bint a British cadet who had served with the Merchant Navy aboard MV Dunster Grange and SS Duquesa, 1939-1940, was a Prisoner in Sandbostel/Stalag XB and interned in the Merchant Seamens Internment Camp/Milag Nord, located in Westertimke, Germany, from early 1941 with Harry Callan. Bruce Frederick Bint, Cadet SS Duquesa, advised in his interview published by the Imperial War Museum 30 July 1993, that he had passed through France (From Bordeaux to Germany), In a properly compartmented train , 14 of us in an ordinary compartment , reasonably comfortable : Callan has previously asserted, publicly and privately, that in 1941 he saw a female prisoner in Milag Nord Merchant Seamens Internment Camp, Westertimke, who was the mother of a British National living in Argentina. In 2010, Peter Mulvany communicated this information to her daughter currently living in Argentina as evidence that Mr Callan had seen her mother walking outside the perimeter wire of Milag Nord Merchant Seamen's Camp. Mr Callan said he along with other prisoners talked with the mother of this lady before her transportation from Milag to Liebenau internment camp in southern Germany. That information appeared later in the daughter's book published in Argentina about her families experience during world war two. A recheck of extant evidence in 2011 established that Mr Callan could not have been in Milag Nord, Merchant Seamens Camp, Westertimke at the same time as this lady, and that Mr Callan was mistaken in his recollection. In fact Mr Callan was still a prisoner in Marlag und Milag Nord Camp located in Sandbostel as this female prisoner was being relocated to Liebenau Internment Camp within weeks of her arrival to Sandbostel: “Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story Pub 2017, Collins Press, asserts the photograph shown on Page 87 of her book is Harry Callan's camp entry card, which was completed in Stalag XB, Sandbostel for the red cross in 1941 : That is UNTRUE: Notably this reception card shown by Michelle Callan in her book, is in English and not in German? Michelle Callan, the author, is manifestly wrong in her assertion: The edited photograph published by Michèle Callan in her book, shows part of documentation a researcher in London had obtained in 2005 from the Public Record Office Kew, on behalf of Peter Mulvany, to support an application for Harry Callan's Service Medals: The Prisoner Reception Camp Servicing Card for Prisoner Number 90882 Harry Callan, miss-captioned by author Michèle Callan, was a card to be filled out by returning Prisoners of War post Liberation, and was required to be handed in by the POW when they arrived at the reception servicing camp in the UK, on their return from Germany in May 1945, and be debriefed by MI9: A copy of this photograph obtained from the PRO Kew, was also gifted by Peter Mulvany to German sources for their archives. In her book Michèle Callan credits Dr Marcus Meyer, Denkort Bunker Valentin, as a source for this photograph: As the image in Michèle Callan's Book has been re-edited/cropped, attached the actual photograph of Harry Callan's Prisoner Reception Camp Servicing Card (May 1945/BT373/3696) with the appropriate credit to the National Archives noted: “The Photographs used in Billy’s (William English AB Afric Star) and my passport forms were those taken in Stalag XB . That is UNTRUE: Record Card: William (Billy) English: Attached video extract shows the German Record Card for Harry Callan’s Shipmate, Able Seaman William (Billy) English SS Afric Star on entry to Stalag XB circa March/April 1941: THERE IS NO PHOTOGRAPH SHOWN IN THE GERMAN RECORD CARD FOR WILLIAM (BILLY) ENGLISH: Photographs were taken in 1944 by the Gestapo in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager for inclusion in the Irish Passport Application signed by Harry Callan on the 07th April 1944, and that is the photograph included in Harry Callan’s Passport Application: (Interestingly Mr Callan seems to have forgotten to mention in his book that when invited to apply for an Irish Passport in early 1943, he had refused to sign a questionnaire for an Irish Passport sent by Irish Chargé d'affaires William Warnock in Berlin, stating he was of Northern Ireland Nationality (British): Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story, Harry Callan asserts: Quote: “just before 4.45 a.m., on a snowy, freezing day in December 1943” Unquote, and further on Mr Callan records: Quote: “Shortly afterwards Christy, Gerald and Thomas were summoned to the Kommandants office where they were introduced to CON CREMIN Irish chargé d'affaires in Berlin” Unquote: That is UNTRUE: In December 2005, Doctor Katharina Hoffmann, a German History professor from the University of Oldenburg came to Dublin to interview Mr Callan. A recheck of the video recording (Extract video, Interview Harry Callan Dublin-16 December 2005), shows Mr Callan asserting that Quote “We were hoping that someone would come along from our own Governments and get us out of there” (Farge Camp), “Sorry to say no one gave a sugar” (No one cared) “The British Government did not want to know, and the Irish Government did not want to know” Unquote. At no stage during a two hour recorded interview (December 2005) did 82 Year old Mr Callan mention his alleged knowledge of Irish Government representative Con Cremin ever visiting the Irishmen in Bremen-Farge camp. Now in his book Mr Callan asserts that Con Cremin was in the Bremen-Farge Camp in December 1943, a remarkable turnaround in Mr Callan’s recollection of events. To restate: The only meeting between Con Cremin and Irish Born British Merchant Seamen took place in Bremen-Farge Camp on the 18th of August 1944, and the only other visit to Bremen-Farge Camp was by a Delegate acting on behalf of the Protecting Powers, which took place on the 09th of December 1944: It beggars belief that up to 2012, both privately and publicly Harry Callan maintained the Irish Government did not care about the Merchant Seamen in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager and that he had never seen Con Cremin or heard that Con Cremin had been in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager during WW2. Persistent allegations from within Ireland that the Irish Government did nothing to help obtain the release of Irish Nationals from Bremen-Farge, despite the existence of contemporary German documentary evidence that clearly shows Irish Chargé d'affaires William Warnock 1941/November 1943, and Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin November 1943/1945 had intervened on behalf of the Irish Government to obtain the release of Irish Born British Merchant Seamen, demonstrates an abject failure by Michelle Callan and David Blake Knox to observe the fundamental principle of diligent historic enquiry when dealing with the efforts of the Irish Legation in Berlin to assist Irish Nationals during world war two: Indeed Harry Callan seems to be rewriting his own history? NOTE: Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin was never in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager in November or December 1943. From October 1942 the Irish legation in Berlin was restricted to a radius of 50 Kilometres where they worked. Journeys outside 50 Kilometres required special permission from the German authorities to enable Irish diplomats to travel to or within Bremen, a prohibited area. Con Cremin was given permission to travel to Bremen-Farge from the 05th July 1944. Translated extracts from German Documentation below for clarification: Note: 05th July 1944: Two Photographs for Harry Callan sent to the German Foreign office for inclusion by the Irish Legation Berlin, in his Irish Passport application previously signed by Harry Callan on the 07th April 1944 in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp: Note: 05th July 1944: Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin sought and was given permission to visit Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager to establish the varying claims of nationality (Irish or British) by Irish Born British Merchant Seamen held in the camp: 05th July 1944: Ministry of the Interior to The Foreign Office: Attn By Mr. Votr.Leg.Rat Dr. Sethe in Berlin: Memo: Federal Foreign Office Liebenau, In Liebenau Post, Tettnang, Krs. Friedrichshafen: Subject: The Irish sailors lodged at Camp Farge. On the letter of 25.5.1944. Enclosed with the request (Questionnaire application for Irish Passports sent by Cremin Irish Legation Berlin and the request for photographs for passports) by Irish authorities for the Irish seafarers accommodated in the Camp Farge. For Murphy, Kavanagh, Roseman and Callan there are 2 photos each. Goulding and Patrick O'Brien, have refused to complete the form. Because of the questions discussed by the Irish Embassy in the letter of April 19, 1944, reference is made to the recent telephone conversation between Mr. Votr, Leg. Councillor Dr. Sethe and the undersigned. The State Police Board (Head: Reg.Rat Dr. Dörnte)(Bremen State Police) is informed that the Irish agent (Con Cremin Irish Legation Berlin) can be admitted to the Farge camp. For the rest, I agree with the Irish legation. Inquiries to the State Police Office Bremen directly Applies. When discussing fundamental issues, However, the road through the Foreign Office and the local service To be kept under control: Kröning : (R.1b.) Gf.St.St: Berlin: Received: Federal Foreign Office 11.8.44: On his visit yesterday, the Irish company (Con Cremin Irish Legation) also came to the question of the interned seafarers, allegedly a part of Irish nationality. He said that the Legal Department of the Foreign Office had suggested that he should go to Bremen for the clarification of the nationalities, a proposal which he was very pleased with, and had sought clarification of the long-running Matter, which is of particular value to the government. If it were to be shown that some of the seafarers were members of the Free State of Ireland, please consider whether it was not possible to include them in later German-English exchanges, but without reciprocity, since they were not interned IN QUESTION. I told him that this was a technical question, the examination of which could be reserved until the issue of nationality had been clarified. Herewith: Dg. Pole. Department of Law: To the gefl. Knowledge with the request sent, Pol. 1. further on the course of the matter. To submit a copy for the Control Centre Ireland is requested. Gez. Weber : Note: 18th August 1944: Irish Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin visits Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager: 18th August 1944: Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin Irish Legation Berlin, accompanied by SS Sturmbannführer and Regierungsrat der Bremen Polizei Dr. Erwin Dörnte travel to Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager, to meet the Irish Born Merchant Navy Prisoners, to establish who was entitled to claim for an Irish Passport. NOTE: Previous claims in early 1943 of British Nationality by some of the Irish Prisoners prompted Cremin to seek permission from the German Foreign Office to visit Bremen-Farge Camp and speak to the group. Con Cremin's letter of the 30 August 1944 to the Irish Prisoners confirms Note: 31st October 1944: Callan, Condon and Knox accepted as Irish Nationals: 31st October 1944: Irish embassy-Gestüt Staffelde, Osthavelland: to the Federal Foreign Office Berlin: The Irish Embassy, with reference to the third paragraph of its note of 21 August, has the honour of informing the Foreign Office, which, according to a telegram from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, have revealed investigations in Ireland, Hereinafter referred to as: Callan, Henry, born Londonderry on 19/11/1925: Condon, Edward, born Passage West Co. Cork on 4/10/1911: Knox, William, born Dunlaoghaire, Dublin, on 5/10/1883: are Irish nationals. They are therefore given Irish passports and their return to their home country is also accepted by the legation. In view of this fact, the Embassy asks the Foreign Office to extend the privileged measures for the return to Ireland of the Irish seafarers also to the three above mentioned. The embassy thanks the Federal Foreign Office in advance for its efforts. Graduated, Oct. 31, 1944 To the Foreign Office, Berlin. Received by the Foreign Office on the 08th November 1944 : Mr Callan asserts: Many Years after the War, I found out that Con Cremin had pursued our repatriation for two years and had come close to it on two occasions, but he never got us out (Deirdre Donnelly of BBC Radio Foyle found out in her research for her documentary, Journey Through Time) : Mr Callan Quotes an excerpt from a memo that was filed in Berlin in March 1943 from Gestapo-Bremen dated 31st March 1943: During a trip to Germany in April 2005, German contacts were requested to do a complete search of German archive material to identify any reference to Irish Seamen in German Foreign Office Archives. On the 23rd December 2005, a batch of several hundred German Documents was posted to Dublin by Dr Katharina Hoffman of the History Department, University of Oldenburg. Following a quick review Con Cremin's letter was located along with other interesting background. BBC Radio Foyle Journalist Deirdre Donnelly was sent a copy of our German Archive to support her documentary, with the proviso that the Documentation not be copied and our copy of the War Crimes Trials and other Books loaned be returned in due course. Interestingly this journalist opined that if other Prisoners of War in the UK had sight of the contents of these German Documents they might conclude the 32 Irishmen located in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager during world war two had been compliant with Nazi Germany, albeit the Irishmen had refused to work on German Merchant Ships. Although doubts as to the reliability of Mr Callan's version of events had arisen during the project, it was determined not to write anything and let the issue fade away without further comment. Unfortunately, Mr Callan decided to go ahead and publish his narrative despite being advised of concerns. Consequently, in the interests of the history a rebuttal is deemed to be necessary. Mr Callan was advised on many occasions that were involved in trying to get the Irishmen released from Bremen-Farge Camp, however Mr Callan ignored advice and continually blamed the Irish Legation, William Warnock and Con Cremin, for inaction re the Irishmen's internment in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager. Interesting that Mr Callan now asserts that indeed Con Cremin had pursued our repatriation - but he never got us out . According to German Records dated 5th July 1943, Nr 90882 Harold Callan declared he was of Northern Ireland Nationality (British), and refused to complete his application form for an Irish Passport. As Harry Callan does not mention in his Book, his refusal in early 1943, to sign for an Irish Passport, perhaps Mr Callan, and those Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who declared themselves to be of British/Northern Ireland/English/Nationality should take responsibility for the delay in obtaining an Irish Passport, which would have led them to being released at the very latest by the end of 1943 from the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager? Note: The BBC Radio Foyle programme entitled A Journey to Remember , and not as Mr Callan asserts in his book Journey through time Stating: this is the untold story of 32 Irish born seamen who were removed from their internee camp and placed in a Gestapo slave labour camp for over two years. This is their story in their own words , was broadcast on BBC Radio Foyle on Sunday 12th November 2006. Interestingly, as of today, Sunday 01st March 2020, A Journey to Remember , a radio programme by Deirdre Donnelly, is not listed on BBC Northern Ireland's, WW2 People's War Archive of World War Two Memories, published on the website of BBC Radio Foyle Derry/Londonderry: Harry Callan's critical reference re the efforts of Chargé d'affaires Con Cremin but he never got us out also requires comment: See Note 1, Note 2, Note 3: 08th March 1945: Remarks: Liebenau Dienststelle to Federal Foreign Office Berlin: On the occasion of a visit to Bregenz on 6 March, Mr Legation Council Kundt met the Irish Ambassador, Cremin. Mr Cremin once again asked the question of the departure of the 21 Irish seamen and asked again, if at all possible, that these seafarers would join the Gothenburg exchange. As far as I know, the question has already been discussed in the preliminary negotiations in Berlin, but apparently failed on the question of space. But we were not informed about the outcome of these negotiations by Berlin. As further efforts might be made to make another vessel available, one could point out to Berlin the inclusion of the 21 sailors in Bremen: Liebenau, 7 March 1945 : the UBoot Shelter Valentin at Farge and the surrounding Bremen area was Bombed by the RAF. On the 30th March 1945 the American Air Force bombed Bremen. By April 1945, having been forced by the Bomb damage to return to Bremen, the surviving Irish Prisoners from the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager had relocated themselves back to their former Internment camp Marlag und Milag Nord in Westertimke. Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager was evacuated during April 1945: Marlag und Milag Nord was Liberated by the Guards Armoured Division on the 28th April 1945, although the Camp had been taken over by the British on the night of the 27th April 1945. Repatriation to the UK of British and Allied Prisoners from Marlag und Milag Nord began in May 1945: (Video: Liberation of Marlag und Milag Nord 28th April 1945): On the 17th May 1945: a former Irish Born British Merchant Seamen/Prisoner who had been in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager, February 1943 to April 1945, William English from Arklow, ex SS Afric Star, on his return to Ireland in 1945, is quoted in the Irish Times “after twenty-six months they were put on a train for Flensburg, but were forced back because allied planes had destroyed a bridge on the route, and a repatriation ship, which they had expected to meet in a Swedish Port, sailed without them . They were then sent to the camp at Marlag Milag Nord, which was captured in April by a Guards armoured regiment . Perhaps Con Cremin's request if at all possible, these seafarers would join the Gothenburg exchange during his meeting 06 March 1945 in Bregenz had been acted upon by the Germans ? Harry Callan wearing Farge Camp Doctor Heidbreder's Shirts in 1944 and wearing the watch he bartered for in Milag und Marlag in 1941 : To Clarify: Allegations of a starvation diet from February 1943 while being held as Prisoners in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager and subjected to slave labour on the Bunker Valentin, and showing a fit looking Mr Callan in 1944, raises questions. It has been alleged that Mr Callan and the Irish survivors from the Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp arrived back at the main gates of Marlag und Milag Nord Merchant Seamen's Internment Camp, Westertimke on the 6 April 1945 in a malnourished and emaciated condition. A photograph extracted from a British Military film taken on the 28 April 1945 following the official liberation on the 27th April 1945 of Milag Nord, which was 22 days after the Irishmen arrived back from Bremen, shows two of the surviving Irishmen, Robert Roseman and John Connor. Captured in March 1941, Roseman and Connor were also held in the same Sandbostel Camp as Mr Callan, then Milag Nord Internment Camp, and for 2 years and three months held as prisoners until 6 April 1945 along with Mr Callan and the other Irish Born British Merchant Seamen in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp. This photo extract clearly shows Mr Roseman and Mr Connor in a remarkable healthy condition some 22 days after being released from a Gestapo slave labour camp having spent 2 years 3 months as prisoners. The spontaneous weight recovery of Mr Roseman and Mr Connor following the alleged near starvation diet of Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp is inexplicable. In contrast a photograph taken on the 16 April 1945 following the Liberation of British Armed Forces Personnel from a Prisoner of War Camp in Fallingbostel, Germany, shows several malnourished emaciated British POWs. Mr Callan has previously asserted we were forced to work 12 hours per day. We were given a bowl of soup per day + 3 slices of black bread . Interestingly, an examination of a film showing the Liberation of Marlag und Milag Nord 28 April 1945 (Imperial War Museum), also shows a fit looking Mr Roseman and Mr Connor, (Robert Roseman is on the left wearing his hat, and John Connor is on the right), and would suggest that Irish Born British Merchant Seamen were better fed over a period of time while they were prisoners in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp, compared to other British Prisoners held in Prisoner of War camps, who had access to Red Cross parcels. Interestingly on arrival from Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp at the main gate of Milag Nord Internment Camp April 1945, British Merchant Seamen who were Prisoners in Milag Nord accused the returning Irishmen of working as free workers for the Nazi's. Perhaps the sight of a healthy looking Mr Roseman and Mr Connor “Herr Doktor came to operate on him” (Knox), a reference to the surgical procedure performed by Camp Doctor Heidbreder on William Hutchison Knox, one of the Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who was very ill. To clarify: William Knott submitted in a sworn affidavit that Doctor Heidbreder had performed the operation on William Hutchison Knox in Bremen-Farge. In January 2013, when made aware of the content of Knott's sworn affidavit, Mr Callan asserted that Knott's sworn affidavit was a load of 'Crap'/'Untrue': see Harry Callan on evidence of George W Knott. Interestingly, despite accusing Knott of lying in his sworn affidavit, Mr Callan now records in his book that Doctor Heidbreder had performed the operation on William Hutchison Knox. Mr Callan has also stated on many occasions that it was he who contacted Dr Heidbreder in his home by telephone from the administration Barrack in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp, and following instructions over the telephone from the Doctor carried out a surgical procedure on William Hutchison Knox in the camp hospital. In contrast Dr Heidbreder in his sworn evidence adduced under oath to the Bremen-Farge War Crimes Court post war, and corroborated by another witness, stated that he had performed the surgical procedure on Knox. Interestingly, Mr Callan's alleged role in a second surgical procedure on William Hutchison Knox is not referred to or recorded by George William Knott or by Doctor Heidbreder in their sworn evidence to the Bremen-Farge War Crimes Trial 1947/48, which begs the question, wherein lies the truth? Mr Callan's access to a telephone in a Gestapo run Slave Labour Camp during world war two is a remarkable consideration, when compared to the treatment meted out to other slave labourers by the Gestapo in Bremen-Farge. Conflicting accounts surrounding events during world war two raise questions as to the reliability of witness recollections and cognisant that accuracy of memory can be distorted and dimmed through the passage of time, any assertions emanating from former prisoners, no matter how cogent, should be viewed with caution, until corroborated from other sources. Callan asserts: JOHN HIPTON a British Merchant Seamen and Prisoner of war in Milag had seen us go and return. Years after the war he was interviewed and asked about the treatment meted out to the Irish and British by the Nazis. I do think the Irish were given worse treatment by the Nazis than the British were . To clarify: Firstly the name is JOHN HIPKIN not HIPTON, and John was challenged in November 2005 over his remarks: To recall. On January 12th 2002 an article entitled Payouts Hope For Ex-Seamen was published in the Newcastle Journal which credited Mr John Hipkin, that: His evidence over how captured seamen were mistreated has led to a campaign to extend the deadline on a compensation fund set up by the German government . This was misleading and untrue. Although the article goes on to elaborate on our involvement, it misleadingly gave the impression that John Hipkin was somehow responsible for compensation that might have been procured at the time for former Irish Born British Merchant Navy Seamen held captive by the Germans in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager, a project which we completed by 2004 and recorded in the Sunday Times 4 April 2004. Mr Hipkin made contact in May 2001 as a result of our article in the UK edition of the Irish Post. John did give helpful information regarding the fact that he had seen Irish born British Merchant Navy Seamen held as prisoners IN the Merchant Navy Internment Camp known as Marlag und Milag Nord in Germany during world war two. When requested to provide further information to corroborate as to where and when he had seen the Irishmen, John Hipkin said he believed that it was in April 1945 at the front gate. Prior to the November 2005 London Cenotaph Parade, in the company of Mr Harry Callan and Isaac Christy Ryan, when the issue of the Irishmen in Milag was raised with John Hipkin he was reminded that in April 1945 hundreds of Prisoners were making their way west towards advancing British forces with many ending up at the front gate of Marlag und Milag Nord Westertimke seeking refuge from the battles raging in the area. When challenged, John admitted he was unsure of the date and agreed that he was also unsure if he had seen the Irishmen at the gate of Milag Nord on their return from Bremen in April 1945, as there was so many prisoners inside and outside the Camp at the time. The House of Commons Debates for the 22 February 1945 reports that 2000 released British Prisoners of War had made their way to Marlag und Milag Nord near (Hamburg). By April 1945, the whole area surrounding Marlag und Milag Nord and the village of Westertimke was in a state of confusion due to the ongoing conflict, with hundreds of Prisoners both inside and outside the Camp. However, John recalled seeing Irishmen in Milag Nord in 1942, which is likely. Mr Callan asserts: In 2001, Anne's Niece June heard an interview on RTE Radio with Peter Mulvany, Chairperson of the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association . He wanted to contact survivors . That is UNTRUE: To clarify: One does not recall any RTE radio interview. However newspapers did publish the appeal. Ann Callan's letter dated 27th July 2001 confirms she had taken the contact details from a newspaper, and not from an RTE Radio interview as asserted by Mr Callan in his book: In December 2005 Mr Callan was interviewed in Dublin by Doctor Katharina Hoffmann, a German History professor from the University of Oldenburg. An extract from that interview records Mr Callan stating I suppose it’s just as well my niece did see that ad (Advertisement) in the paper . Perhaps Mr Callan has forgotten what he asserted on the record in 2005: So, for the record see Extract Video Interview Harry Callan 16 December 2005: From the outset, Harry Callan's information was very fragmented and unreliable. Issues of concern arose re inconsistencies in his recollection of past events. Consequently, more reliance was put on newspaper articles in the Irish Times and Irish Independent which reported in May 1945, on the returning Farge Irishmen to Ireland, along with the book MILAG: Captives of the Kreigsmarine; Merchant Navy Prisoners of War, authored by Gabe Thomas, President of the MILAG POW Association, Published 1995, as the most helpful guides. However, a private researcher had to be consulted in the PRO Kew in London, and have him trawl through all the relevant documentation and purchase the relevant files on our behalf. He reported back on the 13 February 2005 with the documentation, and advised of more issues arising from the Bremen Farge War Trials Transcripts: Mr Callan asserts: In March 2004, Peter told me that the International Organization for Migration had awarded me E7700 (Euro) as compensation for my years as a slave labourer in Germany : That is UNTRUE: did not know about any award being granted to Mr Callan, until his wife Anne phoned to advise that Mr Callan had received a letter from the IOM indicating his application which one had prepared in August 2001 was successful, and indicated the amount of compensation at E7700: Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story, Re the German Compensation Fund: Harry Callan records: he never gave permission for information to be published in the Sunday Times 4 April 2004 and asserts: Peter and I never discussed the Article : That is Untrue: Harry Callan was informed by telephone on Saturday afternoon 03 April 2004 that an Article was planned by the Sunday Times and advised the publicity was important to support the case of another Irish claimant for compensation, which had the potential to locate more Irish survivors. Apparently the Sunday Times being advised not to publish names had procured other details from London and proceeded regardless. Despite Mr Callan's protestations the publicity was very helpful in progressing our project...and as a reminder..our project had also achieved a benefit for Mr Callan: Significantly, in his book written by Michèle Callan, Harry Callan describes himself as a British Merchant Navy Prisoner of War while he was located in the Arbeitslager Bremen-Farge. For the record: This is not what Mr Callan claimed when he made his application for Compensation in 2001. On the 24 August 2001 Harry Callan in his witnessed statement of claim for compensation to the German Force Labour Compensation Programme, Question 31: Were You (or the deceased) a Prisoner of War at any time from 1939-45: Mr Callan answered NO. At the time of application, Mr Callan fully understood that ex Prisoners of War were specifically excluded from any claim for compensation that was prepared by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46), and if Mr Callan had described himself as an ex Prisoner of War in his application his claim would have been immediately rejected by the Swiss administrators of the German fund. To restate: Prisoners of War were not eligible to claim compensation under the German Foundation Law. In light of Mr Callan's change in his description to British Merchant Navy Prisoner of War while located in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager, perhaps Mr Callan should have returned his award? Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story, Callan asserts: He (Peter) found Ginger O’Dwyer in Great Britain but he was not well enough to attend . (The Commemoration in Milag April 2005 in Germany). That is UNTRUE: was not aware that Michael O’Dwyer was still alive until June 2006, which is well past the date of the Milag 60 Commemoration held in April 2005. To remind Mr Callan: One had been advised in 2006 that another survivor Isaac Christy Ryan had been in contact with Michael O'Dwyer for years usually at Christmas Time. On the 13th June 2006, I immediately sought Michael's contact details from the Ryan Family. On the 15th June, I received Michael O'Dwyer's contact details in London and contacted Michael O'Dwyer directly. On the 16th September 2006, a trip was organised to London accompanied by Mr Callan to meet and interview Michael O’Dwyer as he had been a witness in the Bremen-Farge War Crimes Trial Hamburg in 1947/48. During the interview in London with Michael O'Dwyer, I was informed that the BBC Journalist who accompanied our group to Germany in April 2005 had been in contact with Michael by letter on the 16th February 2006 seeking an interview. It was and still is concerning, to discover that the Ryan family and the BBC Journalist had kept their knowledge of the existence of Michael O'Dwyer's contact with Christy Ryan to themselves, despite the fact they already knew of the existence of a German Compensation fund, and that one was actively seeking Irish survivors. Ironically, while the existence of Michael was kept private, on behalf of Isaac Christopher Ryan the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) had already submitted an appeal for compensation to the German Fund on Monday 7th June 2004 which was eventually successful. If we had known earlier in 2004 or at least in 2005 a submission for compensation to which Michael would have been entitled to, as a bona fide claimant, could have been submitted to the German Fund Administrators for adjudication. A complaint was directed to the BBC and the Ryan family for not advising of Michael's whereabouts in time so that we could help him with drafting a claim, or at least make the attempt. By September 2006 it was too late as the fund had closed. Regrettably Michael O'Dwyer RIP passed away on 20 December 2012 in London: Mr Callan refers to the sixtieth Anniversary of the Liberation of Marlag und Milag Nord Commemoration ceremony which was held on the 28th April 2005 at the location of the former Merchant Seamens Internment Camp in Westertimke. The Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) contributed to Milag 60 fund organised by the MILAG PoW Association in the UK for the erection of a Memorial Plaque in the location of the former Camp. Another commemoration was organised on the 30th April 2005 in Rheinberg War Cemetery located at Am Englischen Friedhof, Rheinbergerstrasse 47475, Kamp Lintfort, Germany: Mr Callan asserts: But he (Peter) spoke to me about returning to Germany, in particular to Farge and Bunker Valentin. I am not going back there, Peter, no way . To clarify: From 2001 until the return trip in 2005. Mr Callan never indicated that he had been back to Farge during 1948, 1949 and May 1968. Some years post 2005, Mr Callan briefly mentioned he had been back on one occasion to Farge, but got off the subject. It is now a surprise to read that Mr Callan had in fact been a regular visitor to Bremen and had visited Farge on several previous occasions post war. Towards the end of 2004 in discussion with a TG4 Producer a suggestion was made to organise a trip to Germany to Commemorate the Anniversary of the Liberation and visit various locations including Bremen-Farge. We understood that Mr Callan, Christy Ryan, and the O'Hara family, had never been back to Farge, Westertimke, Sandbostel or visited Rheinberg War Cemetery, where four of the Irishmen are buried. Indeed one organised a Piper from the Irish Guards Regimental Pipes and Drums and had him travel at our expense to Germany to Pipe a lament for the fallen. If it had been known prior to April 2005 that Mr Callan had been back to Farge years ago, and on several occasions, no trip would have been organised by the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) back to Germany for Mr Callan. Instead, we would have travelled to Germany on our own to meet with others from the UK in Westertimke, returned to Dublin immediately via Hamburg, and undergone an urgent surgical procedure for Oesophageal Cancer, which one had requested to be rescheduled to honour a commitment made to Mr Callan and the others. The Irish trip to Germany was based on the understanding it was a first for all the Irish participants. Unfortunately one now knows this was not the case with Mr Callan. In hindsight Mr Callan's protestations in 2005 that he was not going back there, Peter, No Way , and to discover now from this book published in 2017, that in fact Mr Callan had on several previous occasions been back to Farge, raises questions: Mr Callan asserts: Peter had arranged a meeting with some local people in a private room in the hotel : Mr Callan is mistaken: Peter Mulvany had no part in arranging any meeting with local German Representatives recorded by Bremen TV/Radio. That arrangement was left entirely to the German Association in Farge: Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story: Re: Princess Anne's Not Forgotten Association Tea Party in Buckingham Palace July 2007: Mr Callan asserts: Peter too had received an invitation so we travelled together and met up with other veterans from the British Merchant Navy .That is UNTRUE: Peter Mulvany never received an official invitation to attend a function in Buckingham Palace, and he did not travel to Buckingham Palace to attend any tea party. Indeed Peter Mulvany has never been in Buckingham Palace: Mr Callan asserts: It was in March 2010, after an official trip Peter made to Argentina, that he told me he had met Frances Evans, the daughter of Frank and Joan Evans from the Afric Star : That is UNTRUE: One never at any time told Mr Callan that I had met Frances Evans. Tim Lough President of the Royal British Legion in Buenos Aires advised by email that he had spoken to Frances to tell her that Mr Callan was a former crewmember of the Afric Star when she was sunk in January 1941: Mr Callan asserts: “I told peter to cancel the arrangements he had made for the next day. I was going to visit Katie”: That is Untrue: Mr Callan never told Peter Mulvany to cancel any arrangements for the next day: reporting on a commemoration one had organised with a Piper in attendance at the location of the Massgrave in Farge had been published on Wednesday 27th April 2011, in the local German Newspaper: Osterholzer Anzeiger, which had been seen by a member of Katie Sause Kuhnert's family. On Thursday 28th April 2011, in the Paulsen Hotel, Zeven, during an evening dinner, a phone call on behalf of Katie Sause Kuhnert, an old friend of Harry Callan from his time in Bremen-Farge Camp was received in our Hotel to advise that Katie was very ill. Peter Mulvany spoke with Katie's son in law Stephan Hyndes and agreed that in light of the urgency, a decision to cancel the trip planned for Hamburg was taken and supported by Mr Callan. On Friday 29th April 2011 we travelled by car to meet Katie in her home in Bremen. Stephan the son in law and an excellent English speaker had communicated the directions over the phone: That weekend Peter Mulvany received a phone call in our Hotel in Farge from Stephan Hyndes, who was very concerned that his family would be upset at the presence of Katie and Harry Callan meeting together in the Baracke 27, Bremen-Farge. I was advised by Stephan of the history and the concerns of the family. Stephan highlighted the sensitivities again and again. One then realised that the friendship between Harry Callan and Katie Sause Kunhert during the war was viewed by many in Bremen-Farge with suspicion prompting a concern that there were other private details which Peter Mulvany was unaware of. In June 2011, Stephan telephoned and advised that Katie had died and asked me to inform Harry Callan. One also emailed his daughter in law Michelle Callan author Attended Katie's Funeral in Bremen: Following a phone call from Mr Callan requesting Peter Mulvany to bring him back to Bremen for the funeral of his friend Katie Sause Kuhnert. I suggested that perhaps his daughter in law Michelle Callan, author of Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story might bring him back for the funeral. “Mr Callan, retorted, Michelle won’t leave her dogs”. One agreed, and on the 9th of June 201I, brought Mr Callan to Bremen via Hamburg for the funeral of his old German lady friend Katie Sause Kuhnert, whom he had met in Bremen-Farge during the second world war. On Friday 10th June 2011, while observing Mr Callan’s demeanour at Katie's funeral, one thought of Harry Callan’s wife Ann who over the years had supported her husband and reared his family while he was at sea. It was Ann Callan who knocked at Peter Mulvany's door in July 2001 seeking assistance for her husband, and now seeing Mr Callan’s visible outpouring of grief in Bremen for deceased Katie Sause Kuhnert, one was minded to spare a thought in memory ofHarry Callan’s deceased wife Ann who supported her husband with such admirable determination and for many years: From 2001 to 2012, and on many occasions, one had taken Harry Callan to France, Germany, the UK, and Argentina to attend various events/commemorations. Which included the following: Sunday 13th November 2005, the Royal British Legion kindly invited the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) to be a participant in their annual Service of Remembrance held in London. Our small Irish contingent from the Republic of Ireland paraded for the very first time and included ex Internees Harry Callan and Christy Ryan. See Video/Stills Cenotaph Parade. Prior to Cenotaph parade, Mr Ken Otter, Vice President of the Fighting 'G' Association, made a special presentation of a framed photograph of HMS Gloucester and also presented a copy of his book The Untold Story to Harry Callan, in memory of his brother Matthew Edgar Callan lost on HMS Gloucester 22nd May 1941: On Wednesday 26th May 2006, at 13.00hrs local time, 11.00hrs GMT, in the location of the wreck of HMS Gloucester, at approximately 12 nautical miles south east of Kapsali Bay off the Island of Kythera in Greece, the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) placed a Poppy Wreath in remembrance of the brother of Harry Callan and in memory of all lost on HMS Gloucester in 1941. Gratitude is extended to the Captain of the Greek passenger vessel MYRTIDIOTISSA (MYR) for his kind assistance in this endeavour. Indeed when advised the Greek Captain kindly manoeuvred his vessel to the exact location of the wreck of HMS Gloucester in the channel between Antikythera and Kythera to enable a short commemoration to take place. Note: (Kapsali Bay is where some of the surviving crewmembers from the sunken HMS Gloucester were taken by their Greek rescuers), Further information about Greece see Jen Reviews: On the 05th October 2007: The Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) sponsored a memorial plaque with a tree in the Royal Navy Wood of the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire, dedicated to the memory of Able Seaman Matthew Edgar Callan lost on HMS Gloucester on the 22nd May 1941 (Brother of Harry Callan): NOTE: Since 2001, despite raising concerns on numerous occasions, Mr Callan's family never got involved to bring him back to Germany. One also suspected, from 2011, that the reason behind Harry Callan's agreement to take part in annual trips back to Bremen, was the hope that he could finally locate his friend Katie Sause from Bremen-Farge, rather than honouring his own deceased shipmates. Significantly, Callan's narrative surrounding his time as an Internee/Prisoner in Germany during WW2 was also at odds with the German documents in our archive, and as the last survivor alive may have mistakenly believed that he could publish a memoir without fear of contradiction? Consequently, on Saturday 19 January 2013, it was time for Peter Mulvany move on: “It is hard not to reach the conclusion that the (Irish) government was indifferent or negligent in its concern for the Irish citizens held in the slave labour camp. They were, after all, non-combatants from a neutral country, and it was not uncommon for merchant seamen to be repatriated. Our government seems to have been overly concerned that representations might annoy the Nazi regime” Unquote: David Blake Knox is incorrect to suggest the Irish government was indifferent or negligent in its concern for the Irish citizens in the slave labour camp in Bremen-Farge. The claim of his own relative William Knox of British Nationality along with Harry Callan who claimed to be of Northern Ireland Nationality (British) in 1943 was clearly an issue for the German Foreign Office and for the Irish Legation operating on behalf of a Neutral Irish State. Persistent allegations from within Ireland that the Irish Government did nothing to help obtain the release of Irish Nationals from the November 1943/1945, had intervened on behalf of the Irish Government to defend Irish citizens imprisoned in Nazi Germany during WW2, demonstrates an abject failure by David Blake Knox and other Irish sources to observe the fundamental principle of diligent historic enquiry when dealing with Irish involvement in world war two: In his article David Blake Knox also refers to claims of compensation for British Victims of Nazi Persecution. To qualify a claimant had to be a person of British Nationality in their application for compensation. On the 30th March 1966 a County Dublin based relative of author David Blake Knox submitted his application for compensation to the British Government asserting he was the next of kin of William H Knox deceased. The claimant's application was rejected on the grounds, that as an uncle of William H Knox he was not eligible to register a claim. Wexford born James Furlong mentioned in Knox's article claimed British Nationality from birth in his application. In early 1943 James Furlong refused to sign for an Irish Passport when invited to complete the Irish Legation Questionnaire while he was in the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager. Furlong stated he was an Englishman of British Nationality which created concerns for the Irish Legation in Berlin and the German Foreign Office. Interestingly, in 1944, James Furlong when invited for the second time signed an application for an Irish Passport. The authors relative William H Knox asserted while in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager that he had lost Irish Nationality and was of British Nationality, but completed the forms for an Irish Passport: Following background checks William H Knox was eventually awarded an Irish Passport by January 1945: (William Knox - Deceased - 02nd March 1945): Claims of British Nationality by some Irish Born British Merchant Seamen in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager were of concern to the German Foreign office and to the Irish Legation in Berlin, which effectively halted their release/repatriation back to Ireland in 1943, until background checks established their Nationality, either Irish or British. British Nationals were to be returned to their former Internment Camp, Marlag und Milag Nord, Irish Nationals were to be repatriated back to Ireland. The delay caused by varying claims of British Nationality by Harry Callan and others, who refused to sign for an Irish Passport in early 1943, and others including William H Knox, a relative of author David Blake Knox, who declared they had lost Irish Nationality and had British Nationality, arguably cost the lives of some Merchant Seamen, who had already claimed Irish Nationality and signed for their Irish Passports in 1943, and who had been ready to be repatriated back to Ireland. It is therefore an irony, that Harry Callan having refused to sign for an Irish Passport in early 1943 claiming he was of Northern Ireland Nationality/British, should a year later, on the 07th April 1944, now claim to be an Irish National and sign for an Irish Passport in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp: Irish born British Merchant Seamen: The two main qualifications for entitlement to compensation from the German Fund were, status and location e.g: 1. The applicant was not a Prisoner of War; and 2. The Applicant had been located in an Arbeitserziehunglager (Work Education Camp) during world war two. The Irishmen qualified for compensation because they had been interned in Marlag und Milag Nord, a merchant seamen's Internment Camp, and relocated to an Arbeitserziehungslager. Whether the Irishmen were involved in slave labour or not in Bremen-Farge is immaterial to the application process. Their status as internees and relocation to Bremen-Farge Work Education Camp were the salient points. Irish born British merchant seamen captured during world war two while serving on British or Allied Merchant Ships along with many other Seamen, were interned in Marlag und Milag Nord, a designated merchant seamen's Internment Camp in Germany, and were not Prisoners of War per se. To re-iterate, and for the record; The Irishmen were never Prisoners of War, and if they had been designated Prisoners of War, the Irish claim for compensation, prepared by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46), would have been rejected from the outset by the Swiss administrators of the German fund. Consequently, the granting of compensation to surviving Irish born British merchant seamen ex Prisoners/Internees, is an acknowledgement under German and Swiss law that 1. The Irishmen were NOT Prisoners of War, and 2. Confirmation the Irishmen had been located in an Arbeitserziehungslager/Work Education Camp during world war two. Pursuant to criteria set out by the German fund administrators, if a claimant qualifies for compensation, there is also a presumption that said claimant was forced to do slave labour. However, Irish Born British merchant seamen relocated to the Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager were treated a lot better by the Gestapo in comparison to other Prisoners, a fact which raises further questions as to the cogency of accounts given by ex Irish Prisoners/Internees post war, and arguably rebuts the presumption of slave labour in the Irishmen's case. In 2001, a claim for compensation argued on the basis that the Irishmen were NOT Prisoners of War was submitted to the Swiss Administrators of the German Compensation Fund by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) on behalf of one Irish born British merchant seaman. By March 2004 this application was successful and is a legal precedent. Another Irishman subsequently came forward and indicated that his claim prepared by his family had been refused and sought our assistance. Following a re-examination of his claim form, it was observed the claimant had erroneously described himself as a Prisoner of War, and as Prisoners of War were specifically excluded from compensation, the Swiss Administrators correctly deemed his application to have failed on those grounds. However, the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46), resubmitted an appeal in support of his claim to the Swiss Administrators, arguing that Irish born British merchant seamen located in the Arbeitsertziehungslager Bremen-Farge who had been been interned in Milag Nord, Merchant Seamen's Internment Camp, Westertimke, were NOT Prisoners of War, and on that basis the Irish claimant satisfied the criteria. On Tuesday 14 November 2006, the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) was advised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), German Forced Labour Compensation Programme, Genève, Switzerland, that our appeal was successful and the Irish claimant received his compensation. The German Compensation Programme for Nazi Victims was closed 31 December 2006: The Purpose of the Bremen-Farge WW2 Project initiated in 2001 was to support veterans and attempt to work through the complexities surrounding the experiences of Irish Born British and Allied Merchant Navy Seamen held as Internees who refused to work-frei for Nazi Germany, but who during their captivity varied their status from being British Merchant Navy Prisoners of War, on some occasions, to claims of being Irish Nationals, and then when it suited, back to being British Merchant Navy Prisoners of War. In January 2013, in support of Mr Callan, as he had alleged he had been deceived by Irish author David Blake Knox for his publication Suddenly While Abroad, and to give Mr Callan an opportunity to voice his concerns, we published recordings of his complaints, (See: Video extract below: Harry Callan Re author David Blake Knox). Although there are serious concerns expressed on this webpage about the content of Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin-The Harry Callan Story by author Michelle Callan, the publication here of Harry Callan's criticism of author David Blake Knox recorded in January 2013, is justified: January 2013: Video Recording of Statements by Harry Callan re Book by David Blake Knox Statement by Harry Callan on the Conduct of Dr Heidbreder - Camp Doctor Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager Statement by Harry Callan on evidence of George W Knott - Witness Bremen-Farge War Crimes Trial 12 years of contact with Harry Callan one became aware of other issues/contradictions going on in the background, which also raised the same concerns as reflected by (JAG) Judge Advocate General Guy Sixsmith in his concluding observation regarding the cogency of Irish witness evidence submitted under oath to the British Military War Crimes Court convened on the 4 April 1948 in the Hamburg Curio-Haus. copies of the trial transcript including other documentation from our research, Irish survivors and others were FOREWARNED that evidence submitted under oath by Irish Born British Merchant Seamen to the Bremen-Farge War Crimes Trial was determined to be inconsistent by the British military court. In this regard commentators and writers of record should take note: On the 4 April 1948 (JAG) Judge Advocate General Guy Sixsmith in his observation regarding the cogency of Irish witness evidence stated inter-alia: that several of the accused (Bremen-Farge Camp Guards) who were acquitted had at least one friend amongst the Irishmen the key to whatever pattern there is behind the convictions and acquittals is the personal likes of the Irishmen They (The Irishmen) were manifestly wrong in their delusion that he was ever camp commandant I was prepared for a large number of (Bremen-Farge Camp Guards) acquittals It seemed to me almost impossible to prove guilt satisfactorily in respect of many incidents owning to the time element . JAG's conclusion that he came away from the trial (Bremen-Farge) profoundly disturbed at the outcome (Guilty verdicts), raises a reasonable doubt as to the reliability of Irish witness evidence proffered against the defendants on trial, and also suggests that post war statements promulgated by Irish Born British Merchant Seamen ex Prisoners/Internees, should be viewed with caution. Significantly, in sworn affidavits submitted to the Military Court, German defendants gave evidence; Irishmen claimed they Were Prisoners of War , • The Irishmen were not forced to work, but some of them worked voluntarily • They (the Irishmen) lived in a separate hut , • They (the Irishmen) were not kept there as work shirkers, as far as I know they were not put to work , • Complained they were not Irishmen but partially Englishmen , • They (the Irishmen) were British Prisoners of War , • 30 British seamen (the Irishmen) could be described as pleasant people , • During my time the 30 Britons (the Irishmen) were not forced to work , • They (the Irishmen) could look for work on their own , • They (the Irishmen) were not forced to work and could move freely where they wanted to , • In comparison with other nations the Britons (the Irishmen) were very well treated in the camp , • There can be no question of physical punishment i.e. beating for the Britons (the Irishmen) in this camp , • They (the Irishmen) were on the best of terms with the guards , • I do not know what happened to the Englishmen and Irishmen later on, because, they were taken to an Internment Camp in April 1945”, • “That the British Sailors had privileges and that I helped them in every respect”, • “That the Irish were in the Camp on special orders of the RHSA, (Reichsicherheitshauptamt/Reich Main Security Office)”, • That the British and/or Irish subjects enjoy some sort of preferential treatment here : (Extract Report 09th December 1944: Visit to Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager by a Delegate acting on behalf of the Protecting Powers): ADDITIONAL NOTES: HEROES RETURN - IRISH JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE - APRIL 2005 We have been informed by German connections of an interview with Michèle Callan that was published in Germany on the 25 April 2018. During this interview Michèle Callan author of Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story was asked: Has your father-in-law (Harry Callan) been in Germany since then? after the liberation, he (Harry Callan) was invited by the Royal British Legion to participate in the Return of the Heroes program. Former prisoners of war were able to use this program to return to the place of their captivity, at the annual commemoration ceremonies . For the sake of clarity: The funding support for the April 2005 remembrance trip to Germany was sought by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) from the Heroes Return lottery funding programme based in the UK. We prepared each application, which was routed directly to the New Opportunities Fund of the National Lottery located then in Birmingham. We also sought funding from various other sources in Ireland for that trip in 2005, including making a large contribution from ourselves. We also organised all the flights, transport, hotels, etc. The Royal British Legion were NOT involved in organising our trip to Germany in 2005, and were NOT involved in funding that 2005 trip, although the RBL in Ireland were very supportive when approached to expedite the funding from the Lottery in the UK, which we eventually obtained on behalf of Harry Callan and other Veterans. The 2005 commemoration in Germany held to unveil the commemorative plaque in the location of the Merchant Seamen's Internment Camp/Marlag und Milag Nord located in Westertimke, was organised by the MILAG PoW Association in the UK, and it was the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) who issued the invitation to Mr Callan to return to Germany. Interestingly Michelle Callan was not involved in the organisation or funding of the 2005 trip. Indeed Michelle Callan did not involve herself until 2013. Which begs the question as to why the Callan family in particular Michelle Callan never took on the responsibility of looking after Harry Callan and accompany him back to Germany. Apparently Michelle Callan's book published in 2017 is being viewed by other relatives as an accurate account of the history of the experience of Irish Born British Merchant Navy Internees during WW2. Nonetheless, Contemporary German documentation in our archive supports the contention, that Harry Callan's book Forgotten Hero of Bunker Valentin - The Harry Callan Story written by Michelle Callan, has in fact corrupted the history of the Irish experience in Germany 1939-1945: Irish Veterans: In 2005, Heroes Return funded by the New Opportunities Fund, was one of the organisations which distributed National Lottery money to good causes. Heroes Return was delivered in partnership between, Awards For All, Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations, Ministry of Defence, New Opportunities Fund and the Royal British Legion. In the case of the trip back to Germany for former Irish Born British Merchant Navy Prisoners, unlike British Veterans Associations ie Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) is not a Veterans organisation hence we had to organise the funding, and logistics of our trip back to Germany from the start to its conclusion ourselves. following is an extract of the Heroes Return-Irish Journey of Remembrance in which Mr Callan was invited by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) to be a participant. of Remembrance - April 2005: From 27th April to the 30th April 2005, a Heroes Return-Irish Journey of Remembrance was organised by the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) to enable former Irish born seafarers who had been captured while serving on British merchant vessels and held prisoner by the Gestapo during the second world war, to return to Germany in remembrance of shipmates who lost their lives in the concentration camp at Sandbostel, the Merchant Navy Internment Camp/Marlag Und Milag Nord in Westertimke, the Nazi forced labour camp Arbeitsertziehungslager Bremen-Farge located in Farge outside Bremen, and to attend a service of remembrance at the graveside of lost Irish Shipmates in Rheinberg War Cemetery near the city of Moers. Our trip was funded by the Heroes Return Section of the British National Lottery and the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46). Contributions were also obtained from Dublin Bus [Bus Atha Cliath] and Ireland's largest trade union SIPTU. The following is a brief record of our journey. Wednesday 27th April to Thursday 28th April 2005: On Wednesday 27th April 2005, We travelled from Dublin via Hamburg staying in the Ringhotel Paulsen located in the village of Zeven. Present at a small function that evening were survivors and relatives from Ireland, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and representatives of the local German community. Commemorative medals proposed by the National Ex Prisoners of War Association and funded by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association 1939-46) were presented to our Irish survivors as a souvenir and reminder of their Irish Journey of Remembrance. On Thursday morning 28th April 2005 we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Milag Nord by the Guards Armoured Division, at the site of the former camp in the German village of Westertimke. A Memorial Plaque was unveiled in honour of those who were held captive and to the memory of those who died during their imprisonment. Arbeitsertziehungslager Bremen - Farge Thursday 28th April to Friday 29th April 2005: On Thursday 28th April 2005 at 8 p.m. at a meeting organised by the Germans in the Ringhotel Fährhaus Farge, Harry Callan was interviewed extensively by the German Organisation responsible for protecting the site of the forced labour camp at Farge as a memorial place. On Friday 29th April 2005 at 9.30 a.m. poppy wreaths from the Merchant Navy Association-Wirral Branch, the Irish Seamen’s Relatives Association (1939-46) which included one wreath with the Irish tricolour, five poppy crosses and a single poppy, were placed at the slave labourers memorial adjacent to the former U-Boat Shelter codenamed Valentin, dedicated to the memory of our Five Irish Shipmates and Alexander Van Gurp RIP Netherlands Slave Labour Association. Prayers and the exhortation for the fallen were said in English and Irish Bearla agus Gaeilge. At 10.00 a.m. in Baracke 27 a meeting was held with German officials which included the Commander, Training Area Schwanewede, German Army, a daughter of a German slave labourer and some more guests. A presentation of a Brian Boru Harp and a bound copy of the transcripts of the War Crimes Trial held after the War to investigate the killing and ill treatment of Irish and allied nationals in Bremen-Farge, was made to our German friends who graciously reciprocated with a gift of photographs and documents. At 10.30 a.m. our ex Merchant Navy Internees then proceeded to the memorial beside the Main Gate at the site of their former camp at Bremen-Farge to remember lost Irish Shipmates. At 11.00 a.m. a Wooden Cross made by Paul Finn from Dublin Bus, Clontarf Garage, Dublin, was placed in remembrance to Patrick Breen from Wexford at the site of the former massgrave. Prayers were said in English and Irish Bearla agus Gaeilge. April 2005: On Saturday morning 30th April 2005 ably supported by our Piper from the Irish Guards, we concluded our Irish Journey of Remembrance in Rheinberg War Cemetery at the graveside of lost Irish Shipmates. The Venerable Arch Deacon of Dublin David Pierpoint and chaplain to An Garda Siochana had prepared and written up an ecumenical service for our use; our interpretation of a drumhead service. In total, there were nine altogether from Dublin, Waterford and County Down in our group. Piper/Irish Guards began with Oft in the Stilly Night setting the scene for our remembrance service and concluded with Flowers of the Forest. Prayers and the exhortation for the fallen were said in English and Irish Bearla agus Gaeilge. The Red Ensign was presented to a relative. Piper/Irish Guards contribution enabled our Irish Journey of Remembrance to be completed with great dignity, honour and have final closure. His piping, behaviour and courtesy was of the highest standard.....a credit to the Irish Guards. Following contact outlining concerns to RTE Radio One, regarding the reference to Harry Callan on their website that One day, he became aware that a German academic was seeking testimony from survivors of Prisoner-Of-War slavery under the NAZI regime during the Second World War. There was an offer of some compensation; Harry felt that he qualified and made contact with the German authorities , the programme makers corrected the record and that correction is much appreciated. However, their updated quote re Harry Callan that One day, he became aware that Germany was offering compensation to survivors of Prisoner-Of-War slavery during the Second World War. Harry felt that he qualified and applied embellishes the record. Callan never felt he qualified and always doubted as to whether the application would be successful and he said so at the time of signing his application. Prisoners of War were specifically excluded from applying to the German Fund for compensation and as Harry Callan was never a Prisoner of War at any time during his captivity he would never have qualified for compensation as a Prisoner of War slave. To be precise, interned Irish born personnel moved from an internment camp to an Arbeitserziehungslager/Work Education Camp changed their legal status from internee to slave labourer and it was this change (The Location) which presented an opportunity to have the application procedure tested, thereby creating a precedent for other potential Irish claimants. In this regard the search for a survivor was critical to progressing any claim as deceased personnel were excluded, hence a public appeal through the newspapers in Ireland and the UK. While this Radio Programme is a contribution to the knowledge base within Ireland surrounding the experience of Irish Born British Merchant Seamen held as internees during world war two in Germany. However, the continual exclusion of the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) by Harry Callan and others from the narrative of the Bremen-Farge project, a project that we initiated from June 2001, is an unacceptable gratuitous insult to our support base: Harry Callan or his family did not do the research, fund the project, prepare a briefing note, or argue for any compensation from the German Government. That was undertaken in its entirety by the Irish Seamen's Relatives Association (1939-46) with support from organisations and individuals worldwide. Following publication of a letter in the newspapers in July 2001 seeking survivors, Ann Callan RIP brought her husband Harry Callan in her car to my home on Sunday evening 22 July 2001, and it was Ann who delivered the letter. Mrs Callan later returned knocked at my door and I went with her and spoke with Harry Callan who was sitting in the passenger side of her car. I advised Harry Callan that I would interview him in his home on Monday morning 23 July 2001, my day off work, to complete the application process for compensation. The purpose of the letter in the newspapers was to invite survivors to come forward so that a legal analysis could be tested which eventually proved successful in Harry Callan's case. At the same time the closing date for applications was August 2001, and time was of the essence. With the assistance of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, the German Government and the Swiss administrators of the fund were persuaded to extend the closing date for applications, from the 31 August 2001 until the 31 December 2001, to permit more time to locate other Irish survivors. A later appeal on behalf of another internee, Isaac Ryan, was also successful. Mr Callan's deceased wife, Ann Callan RIP, is deserving of much credit, as it was she who supported her husband Harry Callan for many years post world war two, and but for her dogged determination, the Bremen-Farge Project may not have concluded successfully. It is therefore regrettable that Ann Callan RIP seems to have been written out of the record. Hopefully this mention of her crucial input will correct that omission. Monday 13 April 2020: We have been advised that RTE has retweeted a link to a Podcast regarding a programme entitled Clouds in Harry’s Coffee with former Derry/Londonderry Born British Merchant Seaman Harry Callan and broadcasted by RTE Radio One on the 13 September 2014: The programme maker advises “During World War II, 32 Irishmen spent 5 years in captivity at the Farge Concentration camp became known as Hitler’s Irish slaves . We joined the last survivor, Harry Callan”, now deceased. In this regard, RESEARCHERS, and in particular IRISH CONNECTIONS, would be well advised to exercise due diligence when enquiring into the history surrounding Irish Born British Merchant Seamen who were held as Prisoners/Internees in Bremen-Farge, Marlag und Milag Nord and Stalag XB/Sandbostel during world war two. In the interests of the history, and as the researcher on this issue since June 2001, it is important to restate that there is another narrative published on our website: IRISH HISTORIANS/WRITERS CHECK YOUR FACTS BEFORE PUBLISHING: Peter Mulvany BCL, HDip Arts Admin. http://www.irishseamensrelativesassociation.com Fascinating Wexford History Volume 2, A book by Des Kiely Pub 2020, Parsifal Press Newry: In his book, Fascinating Wexford History Volume 2, author Des Kiely, refers to Suddenly While Abroad by David Blake Knox pub 2013 as a source. In our opinion based on the German documents in our archive, the two books by David Blake Knox and another published by author Michelle Callan have effectively muddied the history of the Irish experience in Germany during WW2. In the chapter entitled Nazi Concentration Camp's Slave Labourers from Wexford the author records at Page 76: “From there they were first transported to Drancy internment camp in Paris and later to Milag Nord POW Camp, about 19 Miles north-east of Bremen”: That is UNTRUE: Comment: Irish born captured British merchant seamen who were landed at Brest, were routed via rail through France directly to various Prisoner of War camps in Germany. In the case of Patrick Breen mentioned by the author: He was landed at Brest as a Prisoner (Circa 22 March 1941) and arrived on the 22 April 1941 to Stalag X1-B Fallingbostel and then to Stalag X1-D in Fallingbostel. He was then moved to Stalag XII-D Trier/Petrisberg (Trèves). On the 27 June 1941 Patrick was moved via Oflag VII-D in Tittmoning to Stalag XII-A in Limburg an der Lahn, then moved to Milag Nord located in Stalag XB, Sandbostel. In late 1942 Patrick Breen, along with other prisoners, was moved to the newly erected Marlag und Milag Nord Merchant Seamens Camp, Westertimke: On the 27 January 1943 Patrick Breen was moved to the Arbeitslager Bremen-Farge. On the 13 May 1943, Patrick Breen died in Rotenburg Reserve Hospital. Patrick Breen was stated in German records to be of English Nationality: At Page 76 the author records: “Some were pressured by the Gestapo to collaborate with the Nazi Regime by joining German forces or to return to Ireland and spy for them”: That is Untrue: Comment: Throughout their captivity in Sandbostel/Stalag XB and in Milag Nord, Westertimke, Irish born British merchant seamen were never asked to collaborate. Although there were rumours of efforts by the Germans to set up a British frei corps and all the prisoners were warned by the camp confidence men to resist. To be precise, on the 27 January the 32 Irishmen were taken out of Milag Nord Westertimke and brought to Bremen. They were then brought to Hamburg and it was while in Bremen and Hamburg that the efforts were made by the Germans to get the Irish to workfrei (sign up to become voluntary workers) on German ships, which they refused to do. See Video Rebuttal: Statement by Harry Callan Irish ex Prisoner Voices his Concerns Re author David Blake Knox Suddenly While Abroad: At Page 77 the author records: The prisoners heads were shaved, they were deloused and all personal possessions confiscated: Notably, according to a recorded statement (January 2013) by former Prisoner Harry Callan now deceased that scenario is UNTRUE: See Video/Audio Rebuttal: Statement by Harry Callan re Evidence of Isaac Christopher Ryan-Witness Bremen-Farge War Crimes Trial: At Page 78 the author records: Re Patrick deceased 13 May 1943: “It is not known what happened to his body but in all probability he was buried in one of the mass graves close to the camp”: To clarify: See article by Peter Mulvany published in the Merchant Navy Association Circular 06th October 2019 re the Grave location of Patrick Breen: At Page 79 the author records: “A letter addressed to the Swiss consul pleading for help was signed by the remaining Irish inmates, was secretly taken out of the camp by a Swiss national who was being released. The letter made its way to Cremin in Berlin, and he soon arrived in the camp escorted by SS officers to meet the men”: Comment: The author needs to view our website to understand the timeline and issues involved. The Irish legation was bombed in November 1944 and all the documents were destroyed re the Irishmen in Farge. In November 1944 Con Cremin took over from William Warnock who stayed on at the relocated legation to assist. Up to November 1944 William Warnock had been making efforts to have the Irishmen in Farge Camp released. However the various claims of British Nationality by some of the Irish Prisoners had frustrated Warnock’s efforts preventing progress with the applications for Irish Passports. Several Irishmen had refused to sign the application for an Irish passport in 1943 claiming they were British, but did so later in 1944. When Con Cremin took over the legation at the end of November 1944, he had to redo all the paperwork and sought permission from the German authorities to visit Farge Camp, to establish as to whom was British or Irish and entitled to an Irish Passport. The Germans agreed to permit Cremin to visit Farge Camp in August 1944 to clarify who was who. Unfortunately it was already too late for some Irishmen who had died. At Page 79 the author records: “Late in 1944, the Irishmen were put on a train to the port of Flensburg on the Danish border. The plan was they were to be taken to Ireland on board a Swedish Merchant Vessel”: To clarify: The authors timing is incorrect. This move to repatriate the Irishmen took place in March 1945 and not the end of 1944. In March 1945, Con Cremin from his new base in South Germany requested the German authorities in Bremen to make efforts to have the Irishmen repatriated via the Gothenburg exchange through Flensburg: At Page 79 the author records: “The men were returned to Farge and not to Milag, despite protests from Cremin”: Note: On the contrary, Con Cremin felt it would be safer for the men to stay in Farge Camp for the time being: See letter dated 30th August 1944: Con Cremin to the Irishmen in Farge bei Bremen. Comment: There were persistent legal issues re the nationality claims of the Irishmen in Farge Arbeitslager throughout their captivity, some of the various claims to British Nationality created problems for the Germans and the Irish legation in Berlin. From a German view, and irrespective as to whether the Irishmen were in the British Navy, returning the Irishmen to Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager retained their neutral status. By relocating to the Merchant Seamen’s Camp at Milag Nord Westertimke the Irishmen knew they would recover their former Prisoner of War Status. In April 1945, the Irishmen took the decision themselves to return to their former camp Milag Nord, thereby recovering their status as Merchant Navy Internees and the protection of the International Red Cross. At Page 80 the author records: “The Irish inmates had been moved back to Milag Nord POW camp, where the other prisoners were shocked at their condition”: Comment: Allegations of a starvation diet from February 1943 while being held as Prisoners in Bremen-Farge Arbeitslager and subjected to slave labour on the Bunker Valentin, and showing a photo of a fit looking Mr Callan in 1944, raises questions. It has been alleged that Mr Callan and the Irish survivors from the Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp arrived back at the main gates of Marlag und Milag Nord Merchant Seamen's Internment Camp, Westertimke on the 6 April 1945 in a malnourished and emaciated condition. A photograph extracted from a British Military film taken on the 28 April 1945 following the official liberation on the 27th April 1945 of Milag Nord, which was 22 days after the Irishmen arrived back from Bremen, shows two of the surviving Irishmen, Robert Roseman and John Connor. Captured in March 1941, Roseman and Connor were also held in the same Sandbostel Camp as Mr Callan, then Milag Nord Internment Camp, and for 2 years and three months held as prisoners until 6 April 1945 along with Mr Callan and the other Irish Born British Merchant Seamen in Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp. This photo extract clearly shows Mr Roseman and Mr Connor in a remarkable healthy condition some 22 days after being released from a Gestapo slave labour camp having spent 2 years 3 months as prisoners. The spontaneous weight recovery of Mr Roseman and Mr Connor following the alleged near starvation diet of Bremen-Farge Slave Labour Camp is inexplicable. Apart from concerns re the chapter on Bremen-Farge, this book is informative and a good read: In 1945 MI9 was instructed to seek out individuals for awards/honours following liberation. British military intelligence post war had forewarned that any report they compiled from information derived from prisoners of war which cannot be verified should not be accepted as fact unless definitively stated to be confirmed by information from other sources. In this regard the article BLOOD, TEARS, SWEAT AND TALL TALES by British Historian Guy Walthers, Published 20 January 2013, Sunday Times (Irish Edition), is relevant. Highlighting the growing distortion of war memoirs, Walthers found that many escapers memoirs (British Prisoners of War)' seriously conflicted with the accounts they gave to the authorities during and immediately after the war and goes on to state Often such exaggeration is a product of an unreliable memory , and interestingly comments For the unscrupulous such tales can now be told without much fear of contradiction . Perhaps Harry Callan mistakenly believed that as the last survivor alive he could publish a memoir without fear of contradiction? Fortunately German documentation in our archive contradicts sections of Callan's memoir written by Michèle Callan. Cognisant that accuracy of memory can be distorted and dimmed through the passage of time, world war two stories emanating from former Prisoners/Internees should be viewed with caution, until corroborated from other sources. (Peter Mulvany is an Law Graduate and Post Graduate of University College Dublin; is an Arts Administrator by profession, a former local government official and retired as a Dublin Bus driver in March 2010).

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