SKL WAR DIARY, 9 DECEMBER 1942
The Naval commander, West France, reports that during the course of the day explosives with magnets to stick on, mapping material dealing with the mouth of the Gironde, aerial photographs of the port installations at Bordeaux, camouflage material and food and water for several days were found. Attempts to salvage the canoe were unsuccessful. The Naval commander, West France, has ordered that both soldiers be shot immediately for attempted sabotage, if their interrogation which has been begun, confirms what has so far been discovered; their execution has, however, been postponed in order to obtain more information.
According to a Wehrmacht report, both soldiers have meanwhile been shot. The measure would be in accordance with the Fuehrer's special order, but is nevertheless something new in international law, since the soldiers were in uniform.
Navy war diary entry on the capture and execution of two uniformed Allied soldiers found with sabotage equipment, in accordance with Hitler's commando order
Date: 09 December 1942
Literal Title: Translation
Defendant: Karl Doenitz
Total Pages: 1
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: D-658
Citations: IMT (page 9564), IMT (page 9612)
HLSL Item No.: 452917
Notes:The entry notes that the execution of uniformed soldiers is "something new in international law." Hitler's order on the execution of commandos was issued on 18 October 1942.