German spies shot in Belgium.

German spies shot in Belgium. The body of Sergeant Manfred Pernass, 23, is cut from the stake after he was certified as dead following his execution as a spy by an American firing squad. Two other German spies were executed at the same time. The three Germans were court-martialed by American authorities in Belgium during the Ardennes offensive launched by the enemy December 16, 1944. They were captured wearing American uniforms, armed with American weapons, driving an American jeep in convoy. When stopped, they failed to give the password and admitted that their mission was to locate and sabotage communications and reconnoitre bridges and roads over the Meuse. Especially trained for the job, all three had familiarized themselves with American habits and accent by mingling with American prisoners-of-war in Germany.