Tapping Hitler's Generals

Set amongst cow pastures, plough-land and ancient woods, Trent Park was a magnificent estate located in the low hills around Enfield, in the north of London. ‘Great lawns with marble statues, glorious woodland with cedars and great oaks. A golf course, large swimming pool, a fine pond with wild duck’, was how detainee Generalleutnant Erwin Menny described the centre in his diaries.[45] The history of Trent Park can be traced back to the reign of Henry IV. In 1399 the king converted a huge park-like area of Enfield into a game reserve. In 1777 Sir Richard Jebb took over a part of it and built on the property a small country house, which was greatly enlarged in 1893. In 1908 Sir Edward Sassoon, a descendant of wealthy Baghdad Jews, bought the estate. After his death in 1912 it passed to his son Sir Philipp Sassoon (1888–1939).[46] A doyen of London society, there was nobody of rank or influence in Great Britain who had not been invited to one or other of his country houses. Members of the royal family and Winston Churchill numbered amongst the pre-war guests at Trent Park. When Philipp Sassoon died unexpectedly in 1939, Trent Park could be used by the government.[47]

^{Above are a selection of sketches of Trent Park produced by the prisoner Lieutenant Klaus Hubbuch in autumn 1943}

The German prisoners were lodged in the second floor of the mansion. Generals occupied two rooms, a Generalleutnant would have his own suite, ranks below this shared two to a room. Sources indicate that the prisoners were ‘very satisfied’ with the accommodation.

Besides a bed, cupboard, commode, table and chair, each room has a comfortable sofa. This sofa and the hot running water are things which make captivity considerably more pleasant. Bassenge, a do-it-yourself enthusiast, was kind enough to make me a reading lamp which he hung over my bed. All rooms are decorated with pages from a German art calendar stapled to the walls,[48]

Erwin Menny noted in his diary. There was a common area equipped with radio, reading room, a study for painting and music and a dining room. On the first floor was a hall in which table-tennis and billiards were possible. ‘Unfortunately there is no tennis court’ General Cramer wrote in a report to relatives of prisoners at Trent Park on 8 June 1944. All the windows were barred but the prisoners had freedom to be in the open in the courtyard on the south side and on a 120 x 70-metre lawn on the west and north side of the mansion. These areas were surrounded by barbed wire fencing. The generals noted with pleasure that the British guards patrolling between the two barbed wire fences saluted them smartly. Oberst Lex noted in his diary: ‘These guards were always very well disciplined and would greet you, e.g. at Christmas and New Year with “Merry Christmas, Sir, a Happy New Year, Sir.” We really enjoyed the guard change at 0900 each morning which was carried out in the presence of an officer with typical British stiffness and pedantry. It was militarism in purity’ (Franz Lex, diary, p. 19). Four days per week the prisoners were accompanied by a British officer on a ramble through woods and fields on the estate, which they quickly christened ‘Little Hyde Park’. Oberst Hans Reimann ran a small shop selling smoker’s requirements, beer, writing utensils, soap and other minor necessities. The prisoners received their monthly pay in pounds sterling equivalent and used it to buy personal items in modest quantities. Laundry and matters pertaining to dress were attended to by a London tailor who visited the camp fortnightly. Small everyday items not sold by the shop such as mirrors, cigar snippers, pipes and books would be obtained on request by Lord Aberfeldy on his weekly trip to London. This service increased the prisoners’ trust in him.[49]

The catering at Trent Park was simple but ample, although of poorer quality than in the transit centres behind the front and at Latimer House, where the fare was highly praised but ‘to our German way of thinking too abundant’ as Erwin Menny observed.[50] A precise daily routine was followed. Reveille was at 0800[51] and the day ended 12 hours later with evening rounds. For entertainment and education, cards and board games were supplied and the very good library of the former German Embassy in London placed at their disposal.[52] Two British officers and prisoners Konteradmiral Meixner and Hennecke gave language tuition. Films were screened from time to time.[53]