The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-07

The view was taken that the
portrayal would revive bad
feeling between Britons and
Germans.
DR.. Benn was medical officer at
the German headquarters in Brus-
sells during the war. He attended,
in an official capacity, both the
trial and execution of the British
nurse. After she had fallen be-
fore the bullets of the firing squad.
it was his duty to examine her
body and certify her death.
Movements Kept Secret
This is his story:
II received orders to go by mos
tor car to an unknown destination
known only to the chauffeur. At
dawn we arrived at the shooting
range at Brussels, where COM
pany of infantry lined a path lead
ing to the wall where two platoonS
of twelve men each-the firing par
ties--were waiting.
I'VE waited for some time and
then another car arrived in which
was Belgian engineer named
Broque, who had been sentenced to
die for completely in the Cavell
case.
"Broque nonchalantly went to a
place indicated to him, and, stand
ing between two white poles, doffedn
his cap to the firing squad DRAWN
up before him. He babe them
good morning and then said:
Fears Belgian's Speech
"'In the face of death we are
comrades
"The officer in charge Of the fir
ing party, fearing that the man was
going to make a provocative speech,
interrupted. Broque then stood sic
lent and erect.
Another car arrived in which
were Nurse Cavell and a priest. She
was dressed in a blue tailor-made
costume with a small hat. Her face
was like a mask. Her gait was
staggering, owing to muscular i'm
pediment. but she nevertheless
walked without hesitation toward
the place between the two poles
where the Belgian stood.
"She stopped for a moment to tell
the priest.
Glad to Die for England
at am glad to be dying for Eng.
land. Other women are sacrificing
more-husbands, brothers, sons. I
have only my own life to give
"She asked the priest to send q
last message from her to her
and to her brothers who
were serving with the British army
in France.
1.-THE final scenes were over
quickly. The firing squad presented
arms and the military Judge read
the verdict of the court which had
found the accused guilty. Both the
and the Belgian
were blindfolded and each was tied
to a pole.
"At single word of command.
both platoons fired from a distance
of a couple of yards. Broque's
body sagged. but for a few moments
the Englishwoman remained up-
right Like the Belgian. however.
she had been killed inStantaneously,
receiving twelve bullets which had
pierced her heart and lungs.
1T is untrue that she received
the Coup De Grace 60 finishing
shot from an officers pistol fired
when there is doubt regarding
DEATH.
Burial Spot Unknown
Il Immediately went to the pole
to which her body was tied and felt
for her pulse. When ] found thr'
she was dead I closed her ev
Il assisted in placing + n a
small yellow coffin. She vas inn
inferred at d place which
had been kept secret
Il am not attempting to correct
the legend which has grown up
around Nurse Cavell. want only
to tell what 1 remember; and I re-
member her as an active woman,
who paid for her patriotic deeds
with her life.
AT Miss Cavells trial, DR.. Been
said that ne heard Miss Cavell adj
NIT that the organization she had
formed to help "the enemy"-the
Allies-had struggled 300 soldiers
and Belgian civilians across the