 Fred Knauf, an early passport image  China Marines | Fred Knauf was one of ETC Werner's prime suspects for the murder of his daughter. In 1937 Knauf was a United States Marine Corps reservist, having retired from the regulars in 1931. Born in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Knauf joined the USMC in 1915 and soon found himself posted to China, where the United States maintained a military presence largely in order to safeguard American citizens post the Boxer rebellion. Men serving there called themselves "China Marines". China was a plum posting; a marines's pay went a long way: servants, cheap food & entertainment, bars, local women. Knauf was a natural sportsman, excelling at ice hockey, basketball, baseball, athletics. He played in all the China Marine teams. It made him popular with his superiors and a valued member of the Peking company - so much so that he achieved the rare honour of posting after posting to China, and always in Peking. The unmarried Knauf stayed on in China after leaving the regulars. Peking had become his home. (Images largely from ChinaMarine.org) |
 Life for Marine in Peking was good Post retirement Knauf's choice of employment in Peking became opaque. As a reservist his occupation would need approval by the USMC. Knauf was decidedly coy on the subject. The likelihood is that he was involved in running a bar for the benefit of his former colleagues. Bars: alcohol, drugs, prostitutes, brawls, arrests. |  USMC Peking Ice Hockey team  Image ChinaMarine.org |
 Rickshaws were a cheap form of transport |  Life in Peking |
 Colonel Marston | Colonel John Marston was the China Marine commanding officer in 1937. Reports reveal how he held a very dim view of Knauf and wanted him removed from China. He did not get his way. Knauf remained and that January played hockey for a civilian team at the same rink where Pamela was last seen alive. ETC Werner believed Fred Knauf was involved in the murder. A Death in Peking reveals the how and why. |
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