m
REPORT OF BRITISH WAR CRIMES SECTION OF ALLIED FORCE HEADQUARTERS ON GERMAN REPRISALS FOR PARTISAN ACTIVITIES IN ITALY "
The British War Crimes Section of the Allied Force Headquarters has investigated fully a number of cases of German reprisals for partisan activity in Italy, committed between April and November, 1944. In addition it has been established that information received from many sources on a further large number of atrocities committed between March 1944 and April 1945, is substantially correct.
A study of all these cases reveals that there is a striking similarity in the facts. The incident invariably opens the killing or wounding of a German soldier or soldiers by partisans; reprisal activity is then initiated either by the troops immediately on the spot or in more serious cases, by the arrival of definite units and formations specially detailed for the purpose. There is no taking of hostages in the normal sense of the word, but a number of people are selected haphazardly from the' local popula-
572
UK-66
tion and are killed by shooting or hanging, whilst whole villages or certain farms or houses are destroyed by fire. In a number of cases an announcement is then made to the population that the action taken was a reprisal for the death of a German soldier and will be repeated should further attacks on Germans take place.
A typical example is the Civitella atrocity, one of those cases which has been completely investigated. Partisan Bands had been operating in the area, attacking lone German lorries and motor cycles. On June 18th, 1944, two German soldiers were killed and a third wounded in a fight with Partisans in the village of Civitella. Fearing reprisals, the inhabitants evacuated the village but when the Germans discovered this, punitive action was postponed. On June 29th, 1944, when the local inhabitants were returning and were feeling secure once more, the Germans carried out a well organized reprisal, combing the neighbourhood. Innocent inhabitants were often shot on sight. During that day 212 men, women and children in the immediate district were killed. Some of the dead women were found completely naked. In the course of investigation, a nominal roll of the dead has been compiled, and is complete with the exception of a few names where bodies could not be identified. Ages of the dead ranged from 1 year to 84 years. Approximately 100 houses were destroyed by fire; some of the victims were burned alive in their homes.
On December 16th, 1942, Keitel issued an order relating to the combatting of Partisans. This order was captured in Crete. (A copy, with English translation, is annexed hereto and marked 'A').
On June 17th and July 1st, 1944, Kesselring issued orders on this subject. (Copies, with English translations, are annexed hereto and marked 'B' and 'C'). Document 'B' was found at Kesselring's H.Q., after the surrender of the German Forces, whilst Document 'C' was found amongst the records of the Orts-kommandatur, Castiglione dei Popli, Nr. Bologna. Other evidence of the issue of this second order to German formations has been found. .
A comparison of Documents 'A', 'B', and 'C' makes it clear that Kesselring's orders were in accordance with a policy laid down by the Supreme Command. Documents are held proving that this general policy was dictated to lower commands in the German Army in Italy.
Evidence has been found to show that a large number of the atrocities in Italy was committed by the Hermann Goering Para-
5ST261—47—37
673
UK-66.
chute Pa'hzer Division. Notable offenders also were 1 Parachute Division, 16 SS Panzer Grenadier Division and 114 Light Division.
The orders of the German Command were made known to the local population in a series of notices which were exhibited in towns and villages throughout German-occupied Italy and were published in newspapers. (A specimen copy of a typical Notice to the inhabitants of Covolo is annexed hereto and marked 'D'.)
In the cases on which reliable information is held, it is considered that a conservative estimate of the number of persons who met their deaths at the hands of the German soldiery, is more than 7,500 men, women and children ranging in years from infancy to extreme old age. In the Ardeatine Caves case in Rome, alone, 335 men were shot. Many other reports have not yet been substantiated, but it is certain that the total of innocent Italian civilians who were killed in such reprisals is very much greater than the number given above.
APPENDIX ) . :
Sources of information on which this report is based
1. 127 German official documents collected by A.F.H.Q. .
2. Official A.F.H.Q. reports resulting from the investigation of
the following atrocity cases: .
Place
Ardeatine Caves, Rome
Guardistallo
Fucecchio Marshes
Rifreda Castello
Commune of Cavriglia
Bucine
Civitella
Badicroce
Palazzo Del Pero
San Pola
Castiglion Fibocchi S. Giustino Valdarno Quota
Partina Moscaio Montemignäio Stia-Vallucciole Valley Sarsina
Verruchio .
Villa Del Albero, Ravenna
Date
24th March, 1944.
29th June, 1944.
6th July to 23rd August, 1944. 5th August, 1944.
4th, 8th and 11th July, 1944. 7th, 8th and 9th July, 1944. 29th June, 1944.
30th June to 17th July, 1944. 24th June, 1944.
14th July, 1944.
11th July, 1944.
6th July, 1944.
9th to 11th July, 1944.
13th April, 1944.
20th to 29th June, 1944.
13th to 18th April, 1944.
28th September, 1944. '
21st September, 1944.
27th November, 1944.
574
Padulivo
Gobbio
UK-66
10th and 11th July, 1944. 20th to 23rd June, 1944.
'A'
COPY
TRANSLATION
' Enclosure to 3rd Copy.
Br. B. Nr. 71/42 g. Kdos. (Top Secret) v. (of) 1. 1. 1943.
Chief Judge & Legal Adviser of
High Command SOUTH (b. O.B.S.)
H. Q. 16. 12. 1942.
Copy of Copy.
The Chief
of the High Command of the Armed Forces Nr. 004870/42 Top Secret, Armed Forces Operations Staff/Chief Operation Office (g. Kdos. WFSt./Op (N))
Subject: Combattings of Partisans.
, Top Secret
Reports have been submitted to the Fuehrer, that individual members of the armed forces participating in the fighting against partisans, have subsequently had to account for their actions in combat.
The Fuehrer has therefore ordered:
1. The enemy employs in partisan warfare communist-trained fanatics who do not hesitate to commit any atrocity. It is more than ever a question of life and death. This fight has nothing to do with soldierly gallantry or principles of the.Geneva Convention.
If the fight against the partisans in the East as well as in the Balkans, is not waged with the most brutal means, we will shortly reach the point when the available forces are insufficient to control this area.
It is therefore not only justified, but is the duty of the troops to use all means without restriction—even against women and children—as long as it ensures success.
Any consideration for partisans is a crime against the German people and the soldier at the front who will have to bear the consequences of partisan plots, and who can see no reason whatever for showing the partisans and their followers any leniency.
The principles must also govern the application of the "Directives for combatting partisans in the East"
2. No German employed against partisans will be held ac-
575
UK-66
countable for his actions in the fighting against them or their followers, either by disciplinary action or by Court Martial.
All Commanders of troops employed in fighting partisans are responsible that:
The contents of this order are strongly impressed on all officers of subordinate units.
Their legal advisers are informed of this order immediately. No judgments are confirmed, which oppose this order.
Signed: KEITEL.
For the correctness of the copy of a copy
Certified Copy Signed
Oberkriegsgerichtsrat d. Lw.
Captain.
"B"
17th June 19M.
COPY.
MOST SECRET.
8 Originals. 8 th Original.
1. GHQ Staff, 10th Army,
2. GHQ Staff, 14th Army,
3. Army Group, V ZANGEN,
4. General Plenipotentiary German Armed Forces in ITALY.
5. HQ LUFTFLOTTE 2.,
6. German Naval High Command, ITALY
7. Supreme Head of SS and Police, ITALY
8. General i/cTPT ITALY,
9. Plenipotentiary of the Greater German Reich with the Italian Government, Ambassador RAHN.
10. Staff R. u. K.
Carbon Copies to:
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST/Chief Q Branch
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST/H.Q. Staff.
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST/H.Q. Ill
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST Chief Liaison Off (O.T. (2 copies)).
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST OC Tech Tps.
GOC in C SOUTH-WEST Gen i/c Maint of Rlys in ITALY.
Ref: TPM GOC in C SOUTH-WEST la No4968/U MOST SECRET dated 10th May 19kb.
Concerning: New Measures in connection with operations against Partisans.
1. The partisan situation in the Italian theatre, particularly in
576
UK-66
Central Italy, has recently deteriorated to such an extent, that it constitutes a serious danger to the fighting troops and their supply lines as well as to the war industry and economic potential.
The fight against the partisans must, be carried on with all means at our disposal and with the utmost severity. I will protect any commander who exceeds our usual restraint in the choice of severity of the methods he adopts against partisans. In this connection the old principle holds good, that a mistake in the choice of methods in executing one's orders, is better than failure or neglect to act. Only the most prompt and severe handling is good enough as punitive and deterrent measures to nip in the bud other outrages on a greater scale. All civilians implicated in anti-partisan operations who are apprehended in the course of reprisals, are to be brought up to the Assembly Camps which are being erected for this purpose by the Quartermaster General C in C South-West for ultimate despatch to the Reich as workers.
2. The combat against Partisans consists of passive and active operations with centre of gravity on the latter. The passive combat consists of protection of important buildings of historic or artistic value, railways, and roads, as well as essential installations such as power stations, factories, etc.
Even these passive operations must be conducted within the local boundaries for example, Recce Troops will constantly guard the foreground of an installation to be protected.
Active operations will be conducted especially in Partisan overrun districts where it is vital to maintain the life-line of the Armed Forces. These Partisans will have to be attacked and wiped out. Propaganda amongst Partisans (as well as use of agents) is of utmost importance.
3. The responsibility for the entire operations against Partisans in the Italian theatre and the fundamental instructions for same continue to be valid with the following amendments :
GHQ 10 and 14 Armies are responsible for all operations against Partisans within their Army Sectors and Army Group V Zangen within the coastal belt to a depth of 30 kms. The tasks entrusted to the GOC in C Operational Zone Adriatic Coast in connection with coastal defense (in accordance with Fuehrer Instruction No. 40) are not affected by this ruling. In the remainder of the Italian Theatre the Supreme Head of the SS and Police conducts the operations against Partisans on his responsibility, in accordance with my instructions. Details in connection with delineation of the 30 km wide strip along the coastal zones are to be settled direct between the Supreme Head of the SS and
UK-66
Police and Army Group V Zangen. The boundary between 14th Army, 10th Army and Army Group V Zangen Quercianella (North of Rosignano)—Certaldo-Figline-Sansepolora from there along road 73 to Fano (Road incl. to 10th Army)
4. Armed Forces for Operations against Partisans:
Here one has to differentiate between:
(a) Military units (Police forces, Govt. Troops Bohemia and Moravia etc.) who are exclusively employed for active and passive operations against Partisans. These are subordinated to the Supreme Head of the SS and Police Italy.
(b) Task Forces and guard detachments: For this purpose Task forces are to be formed, armed and trained by withdrawn formations, staffs and units and these should be placed upon demand without any reservations, at the disposal of the local staff HQ, local Headquarters, combat commander, SS unit. Outside the Army sectors and the 30 km. wide coastal strip upon the request of the Supreme Head of the SS and Police, they are to be utilized to the fullest extent for operations against Partisans in so far as the position and their other tasks permit.
The local command of operations, within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Head of the SS and Police, where units of the Wehr' macht are utilized as well, depends upon the proportionate strength of the Wehrmacht and Police forces employed. The responsibility for the general conduct itself rests with the Supreme Head of the SS and Police Italy.
(c) Each local Commandant is responsible for the safeguarding of his locality and immediate surroundings and this applies as well to operations against Partisans. The military local HQ areas are to be subdivided into security sectors, to be placed under the order of the leader of the Armed Forces, SS or Police, whichever is the most suitable for the task. He is fully responsible for the security within his sector. All shock troops, task forces etc. are at his disposal upon request from the local Heads. Rapid action guarantees surprise and success. Such security Commandants are especially to be appointed along the main reinforcement routes within the Army Sectors and the 30 km. wide coastal strip by the Armies or Army Group V Zangen with definite tasks allotted to them. Within the rest of the area, the security commanders are to be allocated by the Supreme Head of the SS and Police in collaboration with Army Group V Zangen and the Plenipotentiary General. They will take their orders in this district from the Supreme Head of the SS and Police, notwithstanding their belonging to part of the Armed Forces.
578
UK-66
(d) Operations against Paratroopers will be undertaken in addition to operations against Partisans. , -
5. The protection of the following lines of communication is of primary importance:
(a) Railway Sections (South of the PO)
(1) Alessandria-Genoa-La Spezia-Leghorn-Cecina
(2) Cremona-Fornova-Borga Val Di Taro-La Spezia
(3) Casalmaggiore-Parma-Fornoya
(4) Ostiglia-Bologna-Pistoia .
(5) Ferrara-Bologna-Prato-Florence
(6) Florence-Empoli-Siena-Chiusi
(7) Florence-Arezzo-Terontola-Chiusi
(8) Torontola-Perugia-Foligno
(9) Fano-Fermignano-Fabriano
(10) Ancona-Fabriano-Foligno
(11) Aquata Scrivia-Tortona-Piacenza-Parma-Modena-Bologna-Rimini-Ancona-Civitanova
(12) Viareggio-Lucca-Pistoia-Prato-Florence
(13) Pisa-Empoli-Florence
(b) Roads
(1) Tortona-Genoa (35)
(2) Piacenza-Genoa (45)
(3) Parma-Sarzana (62)
; (4) Reggio-Sarzana (63)
(5) Fivizzano-Castelnuovo-Bagni Di Lucca
(6) Modena-Lucca (12)
(7) Bologna-Pistoia-Florence (64, 66).
(8) Bologna-Florence (65)
(9) Forli-Florence (67)
(10) Forli-Meldola-Bagno-Sanseroloro-Umbertide-Perugia
(11) Cesena-Bibbiena-Arezzo (71)
(12) Fano-Urbino-Arezzo (73)
(13) Fano-Foligno (3) .
(14) Ancona-Fabriano-Fossato (76)
(15) Ancona-Loreto-Macerato-Foligno (16, 77)
(16) Ponnedera-Volterra-Saline-Massa-Maritimia-Follonica
(17) Empoli-Poggibonsi-Siena-Padicofani (2)
(18) Florence-Poggibonsi-Cecina (2, 68).
(19) Florence-Impruneta-Radda-Castelnuovo-Sinalunga
(20) Florence-Arezzo-Perugia (69, 75)
(21) Arezzo-Siena-Mohte Piscaldi (73)
(22) Florence-Bibiena (70)
579
UK-66
(23) Forli-Meldola-Bagno-Sansepoloro-Umbertide-Perugia
(24) Rimini-Pesaro-Ancona-Ci vitanova.
Roads of No. 2 Priority Importance.
(1) Castelnuovo-Pievo Polago
(2) Poretta-Sambuca-Pistoia
(3) Sassabol-Castiglione-Prato
(4) Imola-Firenzuola-S. Piero.
(5) Faenza-Borgo S. Lorenzo-Florence.
(6) Santarcangello-Sansepoloro.
(7) Persaro-Urbino.
The relative needs of the various installations and buildings of artistic and cultural value to be guarded along the railway lines is to be agreed upon on the one hand by the Armies, Army Group V Zangen, the Supreme Head of the SS and Police and on the other hand by the General i/c Transportation, in direct consultations. The safeguarding of the buildings of artistic and cultural value along the roads within the Army Sectors and the coastal strip are the responsibility of the Armies or Army Group V Zangen, outside these limits the Supreme Head of the SS and Police Italy assumes responsibility. In this connection he is to be in close contact with the G.O.C. in C. South West/General i/c Pioneers. '
6. So far as security of essential installations is concerned (Power Stations, Pumping Stations, Industrial undertakings etc.)
G.O.C. Tech. Troops and the Staffs R.u.K. is to have liaison directly with the Supreme Head of the SS and Police Italy or the Armies or Army Group V Zangen.
7. To further security of the Appenines the Armies are to post, commencing forthwith, reinforced units, Field units, road blocks, etc. in accordance with operational instructions "Alarich". These are to be located along the main passes and principal lines of reinforcement.
8. The Supreme Head of the SS and Police Italy is requested to submit by 25th June to G.O.C. in C South-West, a map (scale 1:500,000) with markings showing location of his security sectors, security troops, local security sectors, Local Commandants (Operations against Partisans) etc.
Signed: Kesselring G.O.C. in C. SOUTH-WEST la T. No. 0402/44 MOST SECRET
(Signed) [?]
Ôberstleutnant.
580
UK-66
'C".
COPY
TOP SECRET.
KR WAAJ/C 00104/06 1/7 1210
To: Leitkommandantur, Bologna.
SUBJECT: Combatting of Partisans.
SOURCE: Telepring la Nr. 12099/44 SECRET (After receipt to be treated as Top Secret) from 20. 6. 44.
In my appeal to the Italians I announced that severe measures are to be taken against the Partisans. This announcement must not represent an empty threat. It is the duty of all troops and police in my command to adopt the severest measures. Every act of violence committed by partisans must be punished immediately. Reports submitted must also give details of counter measures taken. Wherever there is evidence of considerable numbers of partisans groups, a proportion of the male population of the area will be arrested and in the event of an act of violence being committed, these men will be shot. The population must be informed of this. Should troops etc. be fired at from any village, the village will be burnt down. Perpetrators or the ring leaders will be hanged in public. Nearby villages to be held responsible for any sabotage to cables and damage inflicted to tyres. The most effective counter measure is to recruit local patrols. Members of the Fascist party will not be included in any of the reprisals. Suspects will be handed over to the prefects and a report sent to me. Every soldier will protect himself outside villages by carrying a fire-arm. District Commanders will decide in which towns it will also be necessary to carry fire arms. Every type of plunder is forbidden and will be punished severely. All counter measures must be hard but just. The dignity of the German soldier demands it.
—KESSELRING—
Bologna, 14. 7. 44.
Platzkommandantur 11/1012 Abt. Ia Prov. 8S/UU g. Kdos. to all Ortskommandanturen.
Above mentioned copy is sent for acknowledgement. Platzkommandant,
Tschurtschenthaler.
581
UK-66
UK-66
"D"
TRANSLATION.
AREA HEADQUARTERS COVOLO.
The Commander of the district of Covolo announces the following:
For every member of the German Armed Forces, whether military or civilian, who is wounded, Fifty men, taken from the place where the deed was committed, will be shot.
For every soldier or civilian killed, One Hundred men also taken from the locality of the crime, will be shot.
In the event of more than one soldier or civilian being killed or wounded, All the Men of the District Will Be Shot, the Houses Set On Fire, the Women Interned and the Cattle Confiscated, Immediately.
THE COMMANDER Cap DENDA.
Covolo.
11. Jul. 44.
British war crimes report on German reprisal actions in Italy in 1944, with German orders for anti-partisan actions, including hostage-taking, executions, destruction of villages, and 100-to-1 reprisal killings
Authors
Wilhelm Keitel (Field Marshal, Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces)
Wilhelm Keitel
German field marshal
- Born: 1882-09-22 (Helmscherode) (country: German Empire; located in the administrative territorial entity: Duchy of Brunswick)
- Died: 1946-10-16 (Nuremberg) (country: Allied-occupied Germany)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: military officer; military personnel; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Military rank: general field marshal
- Military branch: artillery
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/74027425
Albert Kesselring (general field marshal)
Albert Kesselring
German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II
- Born: 1885-11-30 (Marktsteft) (country: German Empire; located in the administrative territorial entity: Kingdom of Bavaria)
- Died: 1960-07-16 (Bad Nauheim) (country: West Germany)
- Country of citizenship: German Empire; Nazi Germany; Weimar Republic; West Germany
- Occupation: aircraft pilot; autobiographer; military personnel
- Military rank: general field marshal
- Military branch: Imperial German Army; Luftwaffe; Reichswehr
- Place of detention: Nuremberg Court Prison (date: 1946-06-06)
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/4393
Denda (captain, commander at Covolo (1944))
Denda
- Additional details not yet available.
United Kingdom: British War Crimes Section of the Allied Force Headquarters
Date: 16 December 1942
Defendants: Hermann Wilhelm Goering, Wilhelm Keitel
Total Pages: 16
Language of Text: Multilanguage
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: UK-66
Citation: IMT (page 6252)
HLSL Item No.: 452374
Notes:The British report is not dated. This document was entered as UK exhibit 274. The orders by German commanders are in both English and German, and one order is in English and Italian. For photostats of the original, see document 452933.