Burglars left me more scared than Nazis, says war hero, 96

A SECOND World War veteran viciously attacked by burglars says the experience has left him more afraid than when he was a prisoner of the Nazis and feared he was going to be executed.

The 96-year-old was pinned to the floor, had a blanket held over his mouth and had his emergency pendant alarm taken away while the two intruders cut his phone lines and ransacked his home.

The callous pair then fled with jewellery, watches and cash after the incident in the Yardley area of Birmingham in the early hours of last Saturday.

Speaking through police, the war hero yesterday said he had been left feeling more scared than during his whole time fighting Hitler’s forces. He said: “I was a prisoner of war in 1943 and believed I was going to be shot, but I was not as afraid then as I now feel in my own home.”

The two burglars were caught on CCTV as they made their way through the pensioner’s garden before forcing their way into his property through a window.

West Midlands Police have now released the footage and are appealing for people to come forward with any information that may help to capture the two offenders.

Detective Constable Laura Halpin said: “This would be an absolutely terrifying ordeal for anyone to endure, let alone a defenceless 96-year-old man inside his own home.

“I have no doubt the local community will be shocked.

“But please be assured that we are determined to catch those responsible.

“I would ask people who may know who is responsible to think about how frightening this would have been for this man, and to do the right thing. “Please get in touch with us. “Any information you have, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could be vital to our investigation.”