Choloy, France

1965 – Civilian - Assorted Sources

Extract from Air Division Historical Reports:

ANNEX A TO APPENDIX C
HISTORICAL RECORD
1 AIR DIVISION HQ
For the period 1 Jan 65 to 31 Dec 65

Yes I was in Metz at that time. I had just arrived about one month earlier and didn't know the family. As far as I can recall, the family was murdered by the husband/father, a Cpl. I believe he received a life sentence. As a matter of fact, I was on the plane when they returned him to Canada. I had to fly back as my Father had suffered a heart attack.

As for the incident in question, it happened just after (about a week) I arrived in Metz, and I certainly heard about it as I was employed in the MIR. Unfortunately I can't help you with any specifics as it was a very hush-hush happening, nothing was divulged to anyone on base as far as I know, perhaps the MPs would be your only source.

I have consulted my wife who was a French National from Metz at the time and she assures me that there was never, repeat NEVER, any publicity about it in the French papers as well. So it looks to me as if it must have been something that was totally covered up by the militaty, at least as far as I and anyone I know was concerned. Very intriguing.

Concerning the incident that you referred to, I contacted a lady friend of mine who is a native of Metz and who was a telephone operator at Air Div. HQ, at that time. She told me that our Airforce firemen were the first to arrive at a house on fire that occured between the Chateau de Mercy and nearby Ars-Lacquenexy. The RCAF firemen were prevented from the scene until the local french firemen arrived. A number of people perished in that fire. Later it was declared that the fire had been set, and was reported as an "incendie criminel", what we call arson.

Yes I was stationed at 1 Air Division HQ in Metz in 1965. The question you are asking is rather difficult with the information provided and the period of time sine the incident. Vaguely, I remember that an LAC or Cpl had done such an act and had been Court-Martialled and sent to the Edmonton Alberta Military Detention Centre, however, I thought that this did happened at one of the Wings and maybe 3 Wing. Regret that this is all I remember and I am not sure of the name Ziesman, however, it seems to ring a bell.

I spent last nite (New Years) with an old AF buddy who was an AFP in 4 Wing at the time of the incident. He says rumours were that it was a case of the guy catching his wife "in fragrant delecto" (having an affair with an American serviceman), confronting her and being told that "their" children weren't his so, after killing her, he reportedly smothered the two children. My friend did not know where the serviceman was stationed but thought the American served at the Colin Caserne in Metz.

The incident occured in the fall of 1965 at 3 Wing. I was on course in Canada at the time with a couple of guys who were from 3 Wing and they did not seem surprised at the news. The JAG branch was involved but I can't recall the outcome at the moment.