John Franklin Hardesty Affidavit - July 1, 1929

Transcript

July 1st, 1929. To Whom It May Concern: This is to certify that I was Senior American Officer in the prison camp for American Officers at Villingen, Germany from April 22nd, 1918 to August 3rd, 1918. That, according to a Diary kept by me, on July 6th, 1918 an officer of the United States Navy, Lieutenant Izac (Isaacs) was brought to the camp during the night, and put in solitary confinement. As Senior American Officer I ask the Commanding Officer that we be allowed to see him and take him food. The request to see him was denied on the ground that he was being kept in solitary confinement as punishment for an attempt to escape. On July 20th Lieutenant Isaacs was let out of the guard house and I recall very well his sorry plight. He was scarcely able to walk because of pain in his feet and his body, limbs and head showed numerous contusions, healed lacerations and abrasions. Lieutenant Isaacs told us at that time that the reason we were not allowed to see him was because he was so badly beaten up the officers in charge did not dare let him be seen and from his condition when we did see him we believed this true. From the time Lieutenant Isaacs was released from the guard house he had constant trouble with his feet and legs and his general condition was very poor, being scarcely able to walk a block without marked exhaustion.