Andreas Hagl
On July 28, 1944, Knight’s Cross winner in the Fallschirmjäger Andreas Hagl’s chain of command submitted an efficiency report on him. This report was completed entirely by his regimental commander Colonel Ludwig Heilmann, who had known Hagl for almost four years.
“Short Evaluation (Personal values, National Socialist attitude, accomplishments before the enemy, service accomplishments, mental and physical attributes and suitability, infantry experience, when and how obtained) “Captain Hagl is a sincere, honest officer with an exemplary National Socialist attitude. He has proven himself in action against the enemy in an excellent way. His service capabilities are somewhat limited due to having been wounded. In spite of that, he still accomplishes more than many a healthy officer. He is no longer able to withstand the hardships of war.”
Ironically, Italian partisans captured and killed Andreas Hagl, 1st Parachute Division [1. Fallschirmjäger-Division] on the same day near San Vito di Leguzzano, Italy. Hagl had been born in Farchant, Upper Bavaria on April 21, 1911. (Luftwaffe Efficiency and Promotion Reports for the Knight’s Cross Winners)
**********
American Hangman
On July 28, 1950, the death of John C. Woods was reported in the Stars & Stripes, European Edition on page three:
Nurnberg Hangman Killed in Accident
BOISE, Ida,, July 27 (AP) – Hazel Woods, wife of the Army sergeant who hanged the Nazi war criminals after the Nurnberg trials, said yesterday her husband had been accidentally electrocuted.
Mrs. Woods said the Army had informed her that her husband, M/Sgt John C. Woods, was killed last week on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. No details were given.
Mrs. Woods came here, where three of her brothers reside, in March. She said her husband’s home was Wichita, Kan., but they had planned to make their home here when he was discharged.
(American Hangman: MSgt. John C. Woods: The United States Army’s Notorious Executioner in World War II and Nürnberg)