A memorable event demonstrated the quality of leadership at Barth. Col. Henry Spicer (357 FG) was placed in solitary confinement for "inciting American prisoners to resistance and undermining the discipline of the German Wehrmacht.". Major John Fisher drafted a letter to the Protecting Powers stating the circumstances leading to Spicer's arrest and Lt. Mozart Kaufman recorded Spicer's remarks to his men.
Major Fischer's report:
"During the week of October 20th-28th (1944), German personnel, while conducting a search of a barracks in Col. Spicer's compound, mutilated …drawings placed on the walls by prisoners, by drawing moustaches and obscene private parts on (them). In addition, they ground soap and …German cheese in the food grinders… Col. Spicer incurred the displeasure of the Commandant by protesting this treatment… (and again) over the disappearance of an iron bar from the compound. On the night of (Oct.30), a compound roll call was conducted at 0300 hours after retiring of the (prisoners) for the night. Col.Spicer was ordered to turn out his personnel, fully dressed, for this very unusual roll call…feeling that it was inflicted as a mass disciplinary punishment, or as German baiting of prisoners, insisted that the roll call be conducted with (them in their beds). After a short interval the roll call was discontinued. The following day, Oct.31, the compound Lagar officer… again brought up the question of the missing iron bar… and informed Col. Spicer that unless the bar was immediately returned, the complete coal allowance of the compound would be immediately shut off. Due to the extreme cold weather prevailing…Col. Spicer assembled the (prisoners) following roll call and told them of the latest German order."
Col. Spicer's remarks:
"Lads, as you can see, this isn't going to be a fireside chat. Someone has taken the steel bar off the south latrine door. The German's want this bar back. They have tried to find it and I've tried to find it. We've had no success. The Germans have threatened to cut off our coal rations, if this bar isn't found by twelve-noon. I don't know if this is a threat or not, but we must return this bar… There will be no disciplinary action taken against anyone.
Yesterday, an officer (Major Bronson) was put in the cooler for two weeks. He (failed) to obey the order of a German officer (and failed) to salute an officer of lower rank. The articles of the Geneva convention say to salute all German officers… My order to you is salute all German officers of equal or higher rank.
I have noticed that many of you men are becoming too buddy buddy with the Germans; remember that we are still at war with (them). They are still our enemies and are doing everything they can to win this war. Don't let him fool you around this camp because he's a dirty lying sneak and can't be trusted.
As an example of the type of enemy you have to deal with, the British were forced to retreat in the Arnheim area. They had to leave wounded in the hospital. The Germans took the hospital and machine-gunned all those British in their beds. In Holland, behind the German lines, a woman with a baby in her arms, was walking along the road evacuating the battle zone. Some British prisoners were passing her. She gave the V for Victory sign. A German soldier saw her and without hesitation, swung his gun around and shot her on the spot. They are a bunch of murderous, no good liars. And if we have to stay here for ten years, to see all the Germans killed, then it will be worth it… that's all men; and remember what I have told you."
Rather than leave the compound, The German Major and his non-coms had stayed to hear the Colonel's remarks. One hour later, Col. Spicer was taken before the Commandant and placed in solitary confinement. He remained there, under penalty of death, until April 30, 1945.