HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2020
The following is taken from a report by J Madigan to Lt Conel B Metcalfe-Smith Commandant Knockaloe dated 27 March 1918 titled "Alleged intention to cause mutiny among prisoners of war in Isle of Man" found in one of the IoM Goverment reports, KN 4793, now in the Manx Museum. The background being some sightings of probably German submarines near the coast off Peel and reports of an overheard conversation in Liverpool re possible links between German submarines and Irish nationalists with possible release and arming of internees held on the Isle of Man.
The reports received from my confidential agents in Camp disclose the fact that there is considerable unrest in the Camp, mainly confined, however, to Camp 3. I cannot say that this unrest is in any way connected with the alleged plot, for the agents assert that it is due to a multitude of causes - the long period of internment, more severe food conditions, despair after a period of great hope in the matter of general repatriation or transfer for internment in Holland, and renewed agitation on the part of the more lawless, who have at intervals throughout sought to cause trouble to the authorities. It is an unquestionable fact that a large section of the interned men, particularly the sailor element, are ripe for desperate acts, if adequate lead be given them.
I submit the names and reg. nos. of men who have influence among their follows, and have at times made inflamatory speeches, particularly with regard to prisoners working in any shape or form for the British Government. These men were, in October, 1916, the able and energetic lieutenants of the three men De Casserta, Korn and Doerr-Blane, summarily transferred at the time stated to Douglas Camp for attempting to incite to mutiny:-
Wilhelm Knorz, No. 2913. Peter Dietrichs, No. 5008.
Johann Amt, No. 1267. Georg Bukner, No. 1739.
Charles Harras, No. 1671. Albert Schmahl, No. 1762.
Louis Silvers, No. 1207.In addition, there is one William Frederick Halsey, No. 27232, who is recorded as having been born in Dublin, and alleged to have undergone twelve months imprisonment for spying
The folder also contains copies of his agents report, given below, presumeably Madigan had requested his agents to comment on existing security measures, possibly to brief against the Sub-Commandants with whom he appeared to be on bad terms - however it throws a little light on the growing sense of frustation in the camp at this time as the repatriations and transfers to Holland that had been finally agreed and started in late 1917 ground to a halt after a German submarine sank the Dutch ship used in the conveyance of internees from Boston to Rotterdam.
Agent 1
Have carefully noted during the past week the military guarding the the compounds in Camp 1 and find that none of the men guarding the compound gates carry arms. Those carrying arms are confined entirely to the outskirts of Camp 1. I submit plan in explanation of this, circles and stars thereon being employed to indicate the whole of the sentries, the circles representing unarmed and the stars armed sentries. Have carefully but discreetly observed demeanour and movements of occupants of the several compounds of Camp 1, but have hitherto failed to notice any indication of any contemplated general disorder. In Compound 6, however, some agitation is rife, but its purport I have not able to yet gather. One of the leaders of the movement is P/W John Pietroff, No 30902, an occupant of hut 2a, a man who I believe has a record against him in this respect in a working camp in England, to which he was sent some some months ago from Camp 3 Knockaloe. Unquestionably, considerably greater unrest exists among the wilder spirits in Camp 1 than at any former time, owing mainly to the long period of internment, the more severe conditions as regards food, etc., and the despair after a period of great hope in the matter of general repatriation or transfer for internment in Holland. Further, the rumours as to the very pronounced success of the recent German offensive, has inflamed the very wild spirits.
Agents 2 & 3
Have carefully noted during the past week the military guarding the compounds of Camp 3 and find that none of the men guarding the compound gates carry arms until 11 p.m. The armed guards are confined entirely to a portion of the outskirts of the Camp. In addition, at 11 p.m. each day, the sentry on the gate on the gate of Compound 2 is withdrawn entirely from that position and takes up duty on the further side of a gate connecting Compounds 1 & 2 but dividing these compounds from Compound 3 and Knockaloe Moar farm. In addition furthermore, once egress has been obtained from Compounds 3,4 or 5, there is, to all intents and purposes , a clear way to liberty between the two huts forming on one hand the Asst-Commandant's offices and on the other hand the workshops, to the wire adjoining tennis courts, which can be easily negotiated, as it is a single wire, and then one is outside the camp. The power station can be similarly easily approached and entered, more especially as no military guard is placed over it. The plan submitted indicates by small circles and stars the several sentries, the former unarmed until 11 p.m. and the latter armed. Very great unrest has been manifested lately in the camp, owing to a multitude of causes, the principal of which is regarded as the petty annoyance of frequent change in regulations in camp 3. One day an order is given and on the following day rescinded, and different interpretations are placed upon orders by different officials. As an instance of the spirit prevailing, we may mention that some few nights ago, certain members of the provost staff entered a compound some considerable time after "tattoo" with a view to detecting men who were in the habit of moving about for an hour or two after "Lights Out". They were, not withstanding the fact that they were disguised in dungeree suits, themselves detected, and had to beat a very hasty retreat in order to avoid violence, and one day last week, after morning parade, the Asst. Commandant of Camp 3 was himself booed and hissed out of the Compound. More istances could be quoted, but these are illustrative of the spirit prevailing. There is no indication, as far as can be ascertained, of concerted movement against the authorities, but unquestionably the men are in ripe condition foir desparate acts.
Agents 4 & 5
Have carefully noted during the past week the military guarding the compounds of Camp 4 and find that none of the compound gate sentries carry arms. Cannot speak positively as to what happens from 11 p.m., but believe that the same condition of affairs prevails. The armed guards are, with one exception being a sentry posted on the main sleeper track of Camp 4 in the immediate vicinity of Compounds 5 & 6. The plan submitted indicates the position of the guards, the dots representing unarmed sentries and the stars armed sentries. We have not noticed anything tending to the belief that any disorder in the immediate future is contemplated but one man in Compound 4, hut 6a, who has a name sounding like Helassey, is regarded for some reason by many many others in the camp as a great busybody and one who is likely to take part in any disorder. This person, although a German, is stated to have been born in Ireland and is alleged to have undergone twelve months imprisonment for alledged spying on the coast, believed east coast.
Agents 6,7 & 8
Have carefully noted during the past week the military guarding the compounds of Camp 2 and find that none of the sentries on the compound gates carry arms, unless this is done after 11 p.m.. The armed guards are confined entirely to the outskirts of the camp and one between each of the compounds on the main sleeper track. Plan submitted indicating the position of the the several guards, crosses indicating armed and dots unarmed sentries. Considerable unrest has manifested itself amongst certain sections of the interned men for a considerable period, and at times meetings have been held, but it has not been possible to ascertain the cause of the one or the object of the other, owing to the fact that in Camp 2, the members of the staff have not the entree to any compound other than their own and of necessity, the occupants of a compound know full well who the confidential agents are, and in consequence are guarded in their conversation when an agent is present. The unexpected transfer of Ps/W Kalchaschmidt, No 9407, and Nettel, No 9121, occasioned at the onset considerable excitement, and it was freely stated, pror to the transfer, when it was known that this step was in contemplation, that all pass holders (head captain, hut captains, men engaged in official duties, etc.) would throw in their passes and not only refuse to work in future for the authorities, but causes as much confusion and disorder as possible, The excitement has, hower, been largely suppressed owing to the general belief that these men will shortly be brought back to this camp. Unquestionably the more disorderly elements are ready to cause trouble, and unfortuneately, many of the more sober-minded and respectable interned men are losing heart, owing to the long period of their internment, and its more difficult conditions, and thus have less restraining influence over the others. Furthermore, the petty persecutions to which many of the better class of men are subjected by the provost corporal are having a very bad influence in the camp, and tending to undermine the authority of the responsible officials.
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