Photos
Quotes
-
[Mohn is trying to ingratiate himself with the prisoners, in the hope of more lenient treatment if he is captured by the Allies; having been relieved of all his duties by the Kommandant, he is getting increasingly desperate and summons Preston, the Senior British Officer]
Major Horst Mohn : Colonel, I wonder if, for once, we may speak to each other frankly, as man to man.
Lt. Col. John Preston : By all means.
Major Horst Mohn : Thank you, Colonel. There are certain universal truths know to us both. By an accident of history we have found ourselves on opposing sides, but we have much in common. We have both seen a great deal of action. We have both been decorated for bravery. We are not only not only patriots, we are members of the same class, the same elite. The men at the top who will rule this godforsaken world, whatever happens. There is an unnatural law that separates the mob from the rulers. And as crew members of that elite, we have a duty to each other to pool our resources. I see by your expression that you understand what I am saying. What do you say, my friend?
Lt. Col. John Preston : Well, I would say, Major, that I very much doubt if there is one man in this castle, either captor or captive, who would lift one little finger to help you save your skin. You've asked me to be frank. Allow me to say that I, as one member of your international fascist elite, would give three resounding cheers to see you roast in hell. Goodnight, Major Mohn.
-
[Mohn earlier asked Carter to persuade the British prisoners to sign a statement testifying that Mohn treated them as well as can be expected. He has just put his revolver and his stash of money in his bag, in preparation for fleeing, when Carter returns and reads from the document that he is holding]
Flt. Lt. Simon Carter : Sorry to have been so long with this, but it took a lot of time to get everyone's signatures. We got 'em all, even Colonel Preston. It looks nice and official. "We the undersigned wish to confirm that, in his capacity of second-in-command of Oflag IV-C Colditz, Major Horst Mohn was personally for the following: the illegal confiscation and interference with prisoners' mail; the use of radio equipment for the illegal purpose of eavesdropping on prisoners' private conversations..."
Major Horst Mohn : You will regret this, I assure you.
Flt. Lt. Simon Carter : "... the unjustified destruction of prisoners' Red Cross parcels; the execution of three British commandos..."
Major Horst Mohn : I was not responsible for their deaths.
Flt. Lt. Simon Carter : In that nice blue suit, you look almost human. You thinking of leaving us?
Major Horst Mohn : I said I was not responsible for their deaths.
Flt. Lt. Simon Carter : Yeah, I heard you. You can read the rest of this in your own sweet time. Just remember, Major, when this war's over and you're living off your Swiss francs in St Moritz or Istanbul or wherever, remember once in a while to just look over your shoulder.
[Carter salutes to Mohn]
