Karl Lenz's hands
Photograph courtesy of Time magazine
Karl Lenz waiting to give evidence during the trial at Bordeaux of the 21 members of the Der Führer Regiment, of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, that were available to the French authorities during January - February 1953. The tension and emotion that Lenz was experiencing are clearly visible in this picture, as also can be seen in the view of his face. Remember that he had been in captivity since some time in 1944, so he had been awaiting trial for nearly 9 years. Lenz was the highest ranking German to stand trial in 1953 and on 10th June 1944 at Oradour-sur-Glane he had been an SS-Oberscharführer (Company Sergeant Major, see SS-Rank table).
© Michael Williams ... May 2009