Experiencing a bad landing resulting in an injured ankle, he alerted farm workers to his presence who in turn called the Home Guard and local Police. Eventually he was taken to London for further interrogation and internment. The subsequent publicity of his capture dismissed any chance of him being used as a double agent. However his value was not deemed redundant, as he was to play a tragic role in the propaganda war. Regardless of how impotent his threat to the British war effort actually was, his deafdly fate was sealed. After the fall of France Britain desperately needed a moral boost and the public's fear of infiltration by enemy agents and paratroopers became almost a paranoia. Combined with Churchill's ironfist stance the opportunity to make a bold statement to both the enemy and general public at home was not one to be wasted. The place of execution was also no doubt political, carefully chosen for its historical significance and appeal to public sentiment. |