Delhi. April 4.—An official of the United States diplomatic post in Dacca saved three British subjects from a West Pakistan Army firing squad last Monday, a British businessman who was formerly living in the city said today.

He said that the American arrived only moments before the Pakistanis were to have executed the Britons for taking photographs of a bombed church.

One of the Britons was identified as Mr. Charles Howie, said to be On official employed by the British Council in Dacca. The other two were said to be members of the Volunteer Service Overseas.

The businessman said that when the American official intervened the three Britons "were up against the wall, ready to be shot".

After considerable argument. the Army agreed to release two of the prisoners but insisted they would have to shoot the third-- I don't know which one he was but I think it could have been Howie. He had the camera.

"More argument ensued. The Army officer in charge finally relented and agreed not to execute any of the three, but the third man was, we understand, expelled from Pakistan the same day" — U.P.I.