Although thousands of Allied airmen suffered at their hands, the Germans who ran Stalag Luft 4 have remained largely anonymous. Rumors have persisted for decades about their real identities and their fates at war's end. Only the most determined effort has revealed who they were and what were their deeds. Records held at the National Archives and the U.N. Archives had to be combined with personal narratives from people directly involved in the legal process.
Capt. Pickhardt was the captain of the guards, although they were not part of the Abwehr. On the run up the road, it was he who kept exhorting the German guards to use their bayonets; along the roadside, machine guns were set up in the woods and German soldiers were observed in the trees with cameras. Pickhardt kept yelling at the prisoners to escape, presumably to enhance a mass break, and subsequently give them a reason to kill us all. According to the testimony given to me by friendly German guards, Pickhardt had chosen men to supervise the run, whose homes had been bombed by the Allies. Many times, as prisoners were being counted by the guards inside the camp, he would strut up and down the ranks screaming: " Schweinhund " and 'Luftgangsters".
It was reported by friendly German personal that during his many speeches to guards, he stated it would be better of the POW's were all shot, then they would not have to feed them; that POW's were swine and not to be treated as men. He was always extremely abusive verbally. Pickhardt was one of the most fanatical Nazis I ever encountered in Germany. He had the complete confidence of the camp Commander, and the regime of terror seemed to be part of a plan carefully mapped out by both Bombach and Pickhardt."
"Lt. Col. Bombach was about 38 year old, 5 ft. 6 inches tall. He had very thin features with black hair combed straight back... somewhat of a dandy, nervous fidgety type, and a Nazi Party man. I believe he was an espionage agent in France, speaks good English (but not openly) and understands English very well. He was in Command of Luft 4 and had been deputy Commandant of Luft 6 under Col Von Hoermann. Bombach was in charge of the camp and sanctioned and supported the violations of the Geneva Convention. The run we made was protested to him, but he stated that he knew nothing about it. At least three large groups, including ourselves, had to make this run.
The Abwehr officer was Capt. Lindemann, who was very weak and passive; not a forceful officer. Under him was Sgt. Fahrnard. Fahrnard ran the Abwehr activities in the camp, although Capt. Lindemannn was apparently in charge. Fahnard was the power behind the throne, and he was present on the run up the road. The Germans who beat the men, were under his orders at all times. It was reported to me that Fahnard had struck men on numerous occasions, and had kicked me.
Fahnard was in charge of the German Security system with Luft IV and considering his rank, was on extremely intimate terms with both Captain Walter Pickhardt and Lt. Colonel Otto Bombach. His authority in the camp was a great deal more than his rank would have called for. Within the camp, he had a record of persecution, and violence and personally led all searches of the camp area. It was always believed by me that these three men, Bombach, Pickhardt and Fahrnard were ardent Nazis. I was so informed on may occasions by friendly German personal. The last thing I recall about Sgt. Fahnard was being threatened by him with shooting, for interfering with the distribution of Red Cross Parcels (on the occasion of leaving Stalag Luft IV, to begin the march back to the western front).
The rumor among the German personal, was that Lt. Col. Bombach was an espionage agent in France in 1940; and that in some fashion, Sgt. Fahnard was also connected with him at that time. Fahnard always impressed me to either be a high member of the Nazi party or an undercover Gestapo agent (or holding some other high office or position). Since he had a great deal more authority than is generally given to Sargeants or other Non-Coms. It seemed almost as though Sgt. Farhnard, in matters of camp security, exerted a great deal of pressure on the camp commandant.