Murder: Const. Gold – Nongqai Vol 17 No 5

1944: THE BRUTAL MURDER OF NO 12794 (F) CONST LR GOLD OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE (UDF NO 196019) IN A POW CAMP AT LAUCHHAMER BY A GERMAN OFFICER

HB Heymans

We ascertained that his full names were Lester Ralph Gold originally. He was in the Foot Police at Dundee in Natal.

Later Const Gold was later transferred to a German POW camp.

Nongqai has ascertained that a small percentage of members of the Police Brigade have been shot by Germans during the war – we know at least of three other cases.

Here is a short eyewitness account by of the murder of Const Gold by Private Cyril “Chippy” Brener (Chipow) a former inmate of Lauchhammer POW camp:

Critical Summary of the Testimony

The testimony describes the brutal conditions endured by Allied prisoners of war at the Lauchhammer forced‑labour detachment of Stalag IV‑B during the final phase of World War II. Prisoners — British, South African, Russian, French, and Dutch civilians — were compelled to work twelve‑hour shifts in the Mitteldeutsche Stahlwerke steel mill under inhumane conditions, chronic hunger, and constant psychological pressure.

1. Systematic Abuse and Forced Labour

• Prisoners were subjected to exhausting 12‑hour shifts, sometimes followed by additional forced labour unloading coal trucks.

• Daily rations were grossly inadequate: 125g of bread and watery soup, with rare scraps of horsemeat.

• Survival depended heavily on Red Cross parcels, which were irregular and later curtailed.

• The German authorities enforced discipline through intimidation, violence, and threats.

2. Catastrophic Treatment of Russian POWs

• Russian prisoners, denied Geneva Convention protection, suffered the worst fate.

• They died in large numbers from starvation, disease, and despair.

• Their bodies were thrown into a lime pit rather than buried.

• Many Russians hid corpses temporarily to obtain extra rations — a sign of extreme deprivation.

3. Tyranny of Oberfeldwebel Koenow

• The camp was ruled by Oberfeldwebel Koenow, described as a violent despot.

• He ordered beatings, including the near‑fatal pistol‑whipping of a British prisoner accused of “propaganda.”

• He flooded the camp with antisemitic propaganda, heightening fear among the four Jewish POWs.

• His authority was absolute and unchecked.

4. Psychological Collapse of Const. L.R. Gold

• Const L.R. Gold, a South African Policeman, suffered a mental breakdown (“wire happy”).

• He claimed God had told him not to work for the Germans.

• His refusal to stand for roll‑call or work placed him in immediate danger.

• Fellow prisoners tried desperately to protect him by forcing him to comply, but he collapsed again at the factory.

5. The Extrajudicial Killing of Const. Gold

This is the central atrocity of the testimony.

• Gold was seized by factory police and taken back to the camp.

• In the stube used as the camp office, Koenow interrogated him briefly.

• When Gold repeated his refusal to work, Koenow calmly unbuttoned his holster, drew his pistol, and shot Gold three times in the chest at point‑blank range.

• Gold died instantly.

• His body was placed in a simple coffin and buried in an unknown grave without military honours.

• Requests for a proper funeral were denied.

6. Aftermath and Post‑War Silence

• The murder was reported to British and South African authorities after the war.

• One witness was called years later to restate the facts.

• No further action was ever taken; the case disappeared into silence.

• Koenow himself likely perished during the Russian advance into eastern Germany.

• The factory owner may have appeared at Nuremberg for using slave labour, but the outcome is unknown.

7. Broader Context of War Crimes

The testimony situates Gold’s murder within:

• widespread German atrocities against POWs,

• violations of the Geneva Convention,

• and notorious massacres such as Malmedy.

Photo album

httpsalchetron.comStalag-IV-B#google_vignette

All three photos of Stalag IV-B were taken by Lutz Bruno. Shown above is the entrance to the POW camp.

https://debbeesbuzz.com/a-salute-to-a-wwii-pow-veteran/

Street photo of the POW camp by Lutz Bruno.

https://debbeesbuzz.com/a-salute-to-a-wwii-pow-veteran/

POW camp guard tower photo taken by Lutz Bruno. 

https://debbeesbuzz.com/a-salute-to-a-wwii-pow-veteran/

Robert Otterson wartime memorabilia – Stalag map: https://otterson.org/home/the-people/robert-otterson-1911-1949/9-the-move-to-germany-stalag-ivb/

Scenes At Stalag VII

Scenes At Stalag VII

Scenes At Stalag VII

Scenes At Stalag VII

Scenes At Stalag VII

The grave of Const LG Gold

Over the years various people have assisted me – they have been acknowledged in the various Police Gazette’s predecessor of the current Nongqai. Also by sending me a photo of Const Gold’s grave.

References

• Stalag map: https://otterson.org/home/the-people/robert-otterson-1911-1949/9-the-move-to-germany-stalag-ivb/
• https://debbeesbuzz.com/a-salute-to-a-wwii-pow-veteran/
• Eyewitness account by of the murder of Const Gold by Private Cyril “Chippy” Brener (Chipow) a former inmate of Lauchhammer POW camp
• Various Nongqai magazines

LEST WE FORGET