Georg Gärtner
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Georg Gärtner (born 1921) was a World War II German soldier from Schweidnitz, Lower Silesia.
While serving with the Afrika Korps, Gärtner was captured by Allied troops in Tunis in 1943 and was brought to America as a prisoner of war. He escaped from his prison camp in Deming, New Mexico at the war's end because he was afraid of being turned over to the Soviets. He created a new identity as Dennis Whiles, marrying and leading a quiet life.
Gärtner was never caught by the authorities, but came forward 40 years later in 1985, surrendering to Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show. He effectively became the last World War II German prisoner of war in America.[1]
Gärtner was not an illegal immigrant, since he had been brought to the United States against his will. He had escaped from prison because it was his duty as a soldier to do so. Thus he was not charged with any offences. He became a U. S. citizen in 1989 and paid a visit to Germany, where he received his back pay for his time as a prisoner of war.
Gärtner now lives in Boulder, Colorado.
He published a book about his experiences called Hitler's Last Soldier in America, available in both German and English. For 40 years Gärtner was listed one of FBI most wanted persons.[2]
[edit] references
- ^ EX-P.O.W. ENDS 40 YEARS OF HIDING. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
- ^ TVSchoenfilm: Georg Gärtner – Hitler’s Last Soldier
