T H E C O V E N A N T E R
districts of enemy occupied countries, Lieutenant) Malcolm McNeil of 6th
volunteers already serving in U.K., either as Battalion. Apart from his duties as a ski
members of H.M. Forces or the Free Forces instructor, he seemed to have no clearly
of their native countries. These included defined position, yet he had acquired the
several Norwegians who had managed to knack of the experienced old campaigner
leave before the German invasion of their of always appearing to be fully occupied.
country, or who had made daring escapes Nevertheless, he became a popular
by sailing to the United Kingdom in member of the Mess and something of a
small fishing boats. Some of their number ‘character’ to boot. Soon he was renamed
remained to fight with the units they ‘MacSchnabel’, the most Cameronian of
had trained. There was no better source the Cameronians. He had an urbane and
of recruitment than 77 Company that stylish presence about him that attracted
contained Austrian nationals, many the female sex. Whenever the Battalion was
of whom were likely to command the within striking distance of a local hostelry,
requisite mountaineering experience. It MacSchnabel could be found propping
was thus that 6th Battalion, stationed near up the bar, either holding forth to all and
Braemar at the time, suddenly found in its sundry or exercising his easy charm upon
midst a Pioneer Corps Officer, seconded a select group of the local females, plus
as chief ski-instructor - Lieutenant Peter the ability to appear comfortable in any
Schnabel. He was accompanied by several company, never seemingly socially ill at
Sergeants from that Corps, all of them of ease whatever the circumstances.
Austrian origin. MacSchnabel remained with the 6th
What followed also is shrouded in until the completion of its Mountain
mystery. He arrived sporting an ancient Role in early 1944. As surprising as was
electric fire as part of his surprisingly bulky his arrival, his disappearance from the
baggage, equally surprised and not a little Cameronian scene was equally sudden
put out to find out that the Battalion was and mysterious. Despite his transfer to the
under canvas. This caused considerable Regiment, no doubt his age (then over
mirth, as the accommodation consisted forty), lack of infantry training and the risk
of ‘double tents’ - one bell tent erected of the consequences of capture precluded
over another, with the gap between them his retention in a fighting role. All trace of
stuffed with straw for insulation. He his subsequent activities seemed to have
wasted no time in settling into his strange been lost, until the writer (who never had
surroundings, seeming to relish the fact the privilege of meeting him, but had
that he had become a co-opted Jock. While heard from colleagues of this ebullient
never anxious to talk about his former almost legendary character) stumbled upon
life, he never attempted to conceal his reference to him in a book written by one
past, although some of it seemed to have of MacSchnabel’s countrymen and a former
been a little far-fetched. At least one of his member of 77 Company The Pioneer Corps
colleagues recalls Schnabel claiming to have - George Clare. (Berlin Days 1946-1947 -
been a Cadet in the Austrian/ Hungarian MacMillan London 1989).
Navy! Never a boring conversationalist, George Clare had been transferred to the
he soon became a popular member of the Royal Artillery as an interpreter, attached
Officers’ Mess. to Military Intelligence. Soon after V-
A miraculous transformation soon E Day he was stationed in Berlin. His
occurred. Legend has it that Peter Schnabel speciality was denazification, particularly
stayed at the Army and Navy Club whilst relating to well-known artists, musicians
on leave in London. It appears that and members of the theatrical world. He
there he met General Riddell-Webster ‘engineered’ an emotional return mission
(then Adjutant General of H.M. Forces, to his native country to investigate the
a Cameronian and later Colonel of the position about these groups in Austria. At
Regiment). being not one whit abashed by the end of Clare’s briefing before setting
such exalted company, and by the exercise out from Berlin, he was ordered to report
of his considerable personal charm, he to the British Theatre and Music Officer
introduced himself to the General and for Vienna, an officer whom Clare was
prevailed upon him to use his influence to informed, already was known to him as
secure a transfer from the Pioneer Corps to having served in 77 Company - none other
the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Suffice that one Major Schnabel. Clare refers to
to say that when Schnabel returned to him as ‘MacShnabel’!
Scotland, he sported all the trappings of Clare made contact, and requested
an officer of the Regiment! That certainly permission to meet him at the Major’s
is the recollection of Colonel (then office. The suggestion was received with
Captain) Charles Michie and Major (then horror by Schnabel as an affront to good
41
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