George Edward Smith Jr
MilitarySmith murdered British Diplomat Sir Eric Teichmann on 3 December 1944 on his land at Honingham Hall in Norfolk.
Smith and Private Wijpacha stole a pair of M-1 Carbines from the base armoury to go hunting near Honingham. When Teichmann heard gunshots on his land, he went out to investigate. Upon challenging Smith for poaching, Smith shot Teichmann in the head and fled back to base.
Smith confessed his crime on his arrest shortly after, but then retracted his claim, arguing it had been made under confession. Both Smith and Wijpacha were court-martialed at Attlebridge, where Smith received the death penalty. Around this time Smith received a psychiatric examination from Major Thomas March of the US Hospital at Wymondham College.
After his sentence Smith was imprisoned at Shepton Mallet Prison. His appeals were denied and he was hanged there on 8 May 1945.
Smith was given temporary burial at Brookwood American cemetery, before his remains were moved to Plot E of Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, known as a 'house of shame'
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 231st Station Hospital
- Service Numbers: O-474601
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Chief of Neuropsychiatric Section
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120
- Site type: Cemetery
- Site type: Military site
- Known as: Shepton Mallet Prison
- Site type: Military site
- Known as: 77th/231st Station Hospital, Wymondham College Hospital
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Court Martialled |
Attlebridge, Norfolk | 8 January 1945 - 13 January 1945 | |
Died |
Shepton Mallet Prison | 8 May 1945 | Hanged for Murder |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |||
Enlisted |
|||
Buried |
Brookwood American Cemetery and Memorial | Temporary Burial | |
Buried |
Plot E Oise-Aisne American Cemetery | Row 3, Grave 52 |
Revisions
1945 annual report for Wymondham College Hospital Wymondham College History