100 Days of Heroes: Treachery in the trenches as surrendering enemy shoot Tasmanian William Pfau

THE shocking death of young Tasmanian soldier William John Pfau was revealed to readers of The Weekly Courier on October 31, 1918.

Private William John Pfau is remembered at tree 77 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue.

THE shocking death of young Tasmanian soldier William Pfau was revealed to readers of The Weekly Courier on October 31, 1918.

Born at Strahan in 1897, William had enlisted with the 12th Battalion in October 1916 and had been in Europe since early 1917.

On August 31, 1918, he was shot at close range by a German soldier pretending to surrender. A description of the events by the Reverend T.J. O’Donnell was reported by the Launceston-based newspaper.

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“The boy himself was of German extraction, like many thousands from Australia and more particularly America who are here fighting the monster of German militarism from which their fathers fled to new and free lands,” Father O’Donnell had written in a letter.

“Young Pfau was a brave lad and an excellent soldier. He went out towards a trench in which there were about 40 Germans.

“They put up their hands and made signs that they wished to surrender. Private Pfau returned and reported the matter and said he would go and bring in the prisoners.

“He again called to them and again the hands were raised so Pfau walked towards the trench. As he came near, one of the Germans fired point blank at him with a revolver, killing him instantly.”

In retribution, Pfau’s comrades immediately attacked the Germans with machineguns and bayonets, leaving only three of the 40 alive.

“Thus was the treacherous deed that took the life of a brave young Tasmanian soldier avenged,” Father O’Donnell wrote.

“Young Pfau certainly showed great courage and had he lived he would have received a decoration. He was a member of the famous old 12th Battalion and he was laid to rest in the field of glory near the spot where he so gallantly fell.”

The son of John and Christiana Pfau, his family was living at Sheffield at the time of his enlistment, when he was working as a farmer.

Private William John Pfau is remembered at tree 77 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on the honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall.

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William Pfau’s plaque on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue.