The Serbian District Administrative are to be given a hearing.
"4.) Troops and Police have to comply with requests to carry out reprisal measures. Generally losses suffered by the troops will be revenged by them. The Police will provide an execution detachment to avenge its own losses and, in addition, all attacks on protected nonmilitary persons and objects.
"5.) The execution of reprisal measures is to be reported in the Daily Reports. Copy of the public notice, to signed "The Commander of the Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters" is to be forwarded subsequently.
"6.) The arrest of hostages to prevent expected outrages or attacks will be ordered by the Commander of the Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters with approval of the Military Commander Southeast.
"For further procedure paragraph 2 applies.
"7.) Participation by the Serbian Government and administration in the execution of reprisal measures and the employment of armed Serbian formations may take place upon their request.
"8.) The orders, Commanding General and Commander in Serbia Ia No. 652/43 secret, items 1, 2 and 3, dated 28 February 1943, 29 May and 31 July 1943 are rescinded.
"Current reprisal procedures not corresponding to this order are to be discontinued."
signed "Felber" Your Honors turn to page 3, Defense Counsel's Book page 3, NOKW 698, being offered as Prosecution Exhibit 425.
There are some pencil notes on a conference with Gruppenfuehrer Meyszner on 7 January 1944 at 1800 hours. It was entered in the War Diary and it was a conference between Meyszner and Felber.
"1. Reporting back from leave.
"2. Discussion of the saluting question among Wehrmacht and police in regard to Serbian Units.
Meyszner considers it appropriate not to order the duty of saluting yet, but merely to instruct subordinates, to reply correctly to the courtesies shown them on the part of the Serbian Units. There is to be no order at first!
"3. Reprisal measure for police captain Hofmann who was shot: Meyszner suggests shooting 25 DM and 25 Communists. Furthermore he will send an SD detachment to Cumitz, in order to determine the connections between perpetrators and inhabitants of the village. Conference 01.
"4. The complaint brought forth by Nedic that he did not receive any decision from Meyszner concerning the organization of the Serbian state guard, is irrevalent. Meyszner made the demand that the total strength of the Serbian state guard is not to exceed 15,000. Nedic, however, wishes to allocate 2,000 Serbian state guards for Belgrade in addition.
"5. Belgrade Camp: The concentration camp on the Messe terrain, which has room for 20,000 inmates, must be retained. Furthermore, there are only about 500 Serbs among the 3500 arrestees. These, too, must go into a Serbian camp later.
"The Messe terrain camp can be exploited at any time for refugees and prisoners of war."
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, the Prosecutor, when introducing this document, he said that this conference with Gruppenfuehrer Meyszner took place with General Felber. This is not shown by this document. The statement of the Prosecutor is a mere assertion.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors this particular document was once again found as part of the official German Army files of that particular series dealing with the matters pertaining to the Southeast area under that particular date. Since it is an entry into a war diary, not each page of this entry is being signed. At a later time, your Honors, we submit that we will show proof that this particular document refers to the conversation between Meyszner and Felber.
THE PRESIDENT: Upon the statement of counsel that it will be connected up, it will be received. However, if not so connected the court will only give it such consideration as it feels it merits.
MR. RAPP: Very well, your Honor. The next document, your Honor, NOKW 164 will be found on page 4 of your document book pages 4 and 5 of the German Document Book. These are excerpts from the war diary of the Military Commander Southeast, Chief of Staff Ia. They are being submitted your Honors as Exhibit 426 and dated for the period from 1-31 March 1944:
"Lt. General Foertsch (Chief of Staff of Army Group F) has stated that he is disappearing from the Southeast area and that his successor will be Brigadier General Winter for newly Chief of Staff of Army Group E."
Then below:
"As revenge for the murder of two mayors on the 8th and /or 9th of Feb 44, the 610th Administrative sub area Headquarters, Cacak, is to receive the Order to shoot 10 DM followers altogether."
THE PRESIDENT: May I interrupt. We will take our recess at this time, but before we do take a recess I wish to make this statement. It has been called to my attention that possibly, in commenting concerning the witness on whom I ruled earlier and just after we reconvened this afternoon, I may have incorrectly made reference to his name. For the purpose of the record I wish to state that I referred to Hans Gustav Felber, F-e-l-b-e-r-, and if, through inadvertence I mispronounced his name, it will be corrected by this statement.
(A recess was taken.)
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
MR. RAPP: If your Honors turn now to page 5 of your document book, please, page 6 of the German document book, we come to NOKW-207 which is being offered as prosecution Exhibit 427. This document is dated 24 March 1944 to the 610th Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters, subject: Reprisal measure for surprise attack on Krusevac Airdrome:
"I am in agreement with the shooting of 10 Communist reprisal prisoners at the Krusevac Airdrome." Signed: "Felber, Military Commander Southeast, Ia, No. 192/44, Signed Felber."
If your Honors turn now to page 6, please, NOKW-662, is being offered as prosecution exhibit 428. Defense counsel will find this on page 7. This is another order of the military commander southeast to the "Senior SS and Police Leader for Information: Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 809, Combat Commander 'Eisernes Tor' (Iron Gate):
"In reprisal for the German Soldiers kidnapped and later murdered by the DM-Cetniks on 10.31-44 near Petrovo Selo 50 convicted DM people from the SD Hostage Camp, Belgrade are to be shot to death, but not in Belgrade."
And there is an asterisk and it says underneath: "But if possible on the spot."
Signed: "Felber".
The next document, Your Honor, on page 7 -- defense counsel will find this, I believe, on page 8, 9 and 10 in their German document book -- is NOKW-665, being submitted as prosecution exhibit 429. These are various extracts from the War Diary of the Military Commander Southeast Chief/Ia and it pertains to execution of retaliation measures by subordinate military area so-called "Feldkommandantur. This particular period covers the period from 1 to 30 April 1944. The first entry:
"7.4.1944 The reprisal measures applied for by F.K. 816 (Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters) are approved. The execution will take place only after the Serbian Easter. The Serbian Frontier Guard is not to be employed in the execution."
On page 4 of the original:
"The hanging of the convicted bandit Jaksic in Losnica, applied for by the Feldkdtur.816 (Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters) is approved. The population is to be informed in a proper manner of the reasons for the execution.
The Feldkdtur.610 (Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters) is authorized to burn down the houses of the DM people who participated in the attack, if the time limit for producing M. Engineers elapses without results."
The next document, your Honors, you will find on page 8, on page 11 of the German document book, NOKW-667, to be submitted as prosecution exhibit 430. This again are orders of the 5th, 22nd and 30 of May, 1944 and they are orders by the Military Commander Southeast to subordinate units concerning retaliation executions. This one, handwritten War Diary Enclosure 14, Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 809, subject: "Reprisal measures for the Russian Engineer Meschikow:"
"The shooting to death of DM bandits is to be carried out -- "3 DM bandits is to be carried out.
"Military Commander Southeast, Ia/No. 320.44 Secret (signed) Felber."
And another one: "Handwritten War Diary, Handwritten Enclosure 87:
"District Headquarters Grade Betschkerek. Reference: 1) Ic Az. 8 Diary No. 11053-44 of 7 May 44" and another reference of "16 May 44."
"Subject: Reprisal measures.
"Application for reprisal to 2) is approved with limitation that 5 convicted Communist bandits are to be shot to death for the wounding of Oberwachtmeister Polzer."
Signed: "Military Commander Southeast, Ia, 22 May 1944."
We submit, your Honors, that these documents bear the initial "G" the initial of the defendant Geitner.
On the next page:
"In reprisal for the murder of the BSW Corporals Gano and Retzler on 25 May 1944, 50 convicted Communists are to be shot to death in pursuance of your proposal dated 26.
5.44 - Section Ic Az 8 Diary No. 11216/44. The reason is to be made public. The execution is to be reported."
In this case: initial "b", "Military Commander Southeast, Ia No. 364/44 of 30 May 44 secret" and then an illegible initial.
The next document, your Honors, NOKW-734, you will find on page 10. German defense counsel will find this on page 13 and 14. This document becomes prosecution Exhibit 431. Again, excerpts from the Diary Military Commander Southeast re: execution of hostages, subordination of military Greece to Military Commander Southeast and so forth.
"9 January 1944. Chief of Staff:
At 0800 attack by the 2nd Red Division which had penetrated into Southwestern Serbia, on Ivanjica and Lissa. The Commander-in-Chief proposed to send two Bulgarian Battalions with tanks from Pozega via Arilje to Ivanjica for relief. The request has been approved.
"10 January 1944. Chief of Staff:
"In retaliation for the murder of Police Captain Hoffman on 13 December 1943 near Cumic, the Higher SS and Police Leader is authorized to shoot 50 reprisal prisoners, if possible those whom the Security Service (SD) ascertained to be band supporters in the area of Cumic."
The next page, your Honors, there are further entries in the same War Diary this one under the 5th of January, 1944.
"The German Liaison Staff with the 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupation Corps receives the order as soon as possible as to what security measures have been taken at the railway station Granada and what the effective strenght and armament of the guard employed consisted of at the time of the attack on the railway station.
On the 8 January 1944 Chief of Staff:
Colonel Gartmayr, GSC, (OKH, Quartermaster General) informs that is spite of the objection by Group F the Military Commander Greece continue to be subordinated to the Military Commander Southeast.
The Battle Commander Iron Gate is informed that if the kidnapping of two Anti-Aircraft soldiers was not a case of desertion, the arrest of 20 hostages from the Topolmica area together with setting a time for the return of the kidnapped has been approved."
If your Honors will turn now to page 12, please, we offer NOKW 161, to be submitted as Prosecution's Exhibit 342. This document is a daily report of the Military Commander Southeast dated the 10 January, 1944, pertaining to the execution by the military commander Greece of 50 Communists in retaliation for the murder of two German policemen. And it says:
"Daily report of 10 January 1944 Serbia:
Special purpose unit of the railway security staff was employed with the Serbian state guard against communist bandits 3-400 men strong Southeast of Ralja.
Military Commander in Greece: 50 Communists shot as reprisal measure for murdering 2 German police."
Signed: "Military Commander Southeast, Ia, No. 163/44 secret" Signed "von Geitner".
The next document, your Honors, NOKW 708, you will find on page 14, defense counsel on page 17, this will be offered as Prosecution's Exhibit 433. This is a sweier of daily reports covering the period between the 9th and 24th of January, 1944, pertaining to the retaliation and executions in Greece and Serbia:
"Military Commander Greece: English propaganda material captured." Then below, "War Diary, Army Group F, on the 21st of June, 1944:
"For information: OKH, OKW, 2nd Panzer Army, German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia.
Serbia: In the area south of Knajazevac communist bands terrenizing the civilian population. Allegedly from Bulgaria and partly in Bulgarian uniform, they were captured by the Draja Micajlevic Cetniks".
On page 15, at the top, we find:
"Near Levadis 4 communists shot and 5 prisoners brought in by the SS Mountain Jaeger Police 18".
Below: "10 communist hostages shot to death in reprisal for the murder of Greek executives."
Signed: "Military Commander Southeast, Ia, No.353/44 secret, signed "von Geitner".
Certified a true copy: (signature illegible) 1st Lieut." Below that: to:
Army Group F, (by courier) For information OKH, General Qu. (Section Administration) OKW, 2nd Panzer Army German General- Plenipotentiary in Croatia.
Daily Report of 22/1/44, Serbia 50 communist hostages shot to death for the murder of a German Police captain in Kragujevac".Signed:
" Military Commander Southeast, Ia No.370/44 secret, signed v. Geitner" On the next page, your Honor, to Army Group F (by courier:
"24.1.1944 For information:
OKH/
OKW 2nd Panzer Army German General - Plenipotentiary in Croatia.
Daily Report of 24.1.1944 Serbia.
11 communists arrested near Pozarevac. 10 communists shot to death in reprisal for the murder of the mayor.
Military Commander Greece:
Since 1.11.43 wages have risen 88%. living expenses 650%.
Military Commander Southeast Ia No. 406/44 secret signed v. Geitner" If your Honors will now please turn to page 17, you will find NOKW 661 being submitted as Prosecution's Exhibit 434, there again we have the daily reports of the Military Commander Southeast.
In this case the Military Commander Southeast is reporting the activities to the Army Group F, at that time commanded by the defendant, Weichs. It is addressed:
"To:
Army group F for the information of:
OKH OKW 2nd Panzer Army German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia German General Plenipotentiary on Albania Dated 11 Feb.
44 Military Commander Greece.
By order of the Combat Commandant of Peleponnesus. 3 neighboring localities burned down and 149 inhabitants shot as reprisal measure for the surprise attack on navy truck near Kalamata on the 8th of February, Inhabitants supported the bandits.
(signed) Military Commander Southeast Ia NO.
802/44 Secret sgd.
von Geitner."
At that time the defendant, Speidel, was still the military commander in Greece.
Below we have another report, this time dated the 12th of February, 1944, again addressed to Army Group F, the defendant Weichs, with information copies to the OKH, OKW, 2nd Panzer Army, German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, and German General Plenipotentiary in Albania.
On the top of page 18, pages 21-22 of defense counsels' books we find the contents of this report. It says:
"Serbia 16 Communists shot and 30 suspects arrested (by German and Serbia State Guard in cleaning up operation against Communist village South of Nis).As revenge for the surprise attack on the German customs border guard in the Banat reported on 9 February 44, 15 Communist reprisal prisoners shot.
Military Commander Greece.
As revenge for murder of Greek executives, 25 communist reprisal prisoners shot in Athens.
Military Commander Southeast Ia No.843/44 Secret sgd.
von Geitner" The same is repeated at the bottom of the page, your Honor, same address, same distribution.
The substance of the contents is on page No. 19, on the top. It states under:
"Serbia: entry of 23 Feb. 1944 5 communists shot, 33 suspects arrested, 11 farms of bandit helpers burned down in raid operation of German police and Serbian State Guard east of Prekuplje".
Signed:
Military Commander Southeast, Ia No. 1068/44 Secret signed von Geitner".The same again below, under the date of the 26th of February, 1944, -- for defense counsels information I am citing from pages 22, 23 and 24 of their document book.
We have:
"Serbia: 34 communists were arrested in the area of Cr. Kikinds in the Banat by the banat State Guard and SD: the communist leader of the North Banat was shot."
On the top of the following page (20): the defendant perdell reports to Mil. Com. South East.
"Military Commander Greece: 50 hostages shot for the murder of an interpreter in Tripelis".
Then at the bottom of this page, your Honors:
"Daily report of 28 February, '44 Serbia:
150 arrests in a search operation in the area of Sabac. 50 turned over in the SD."
Signed: "Military Commander Southeast, Ia, No.1193/44 Secret, sgd, von Geitner".
This and the previous entry were both signed by the Military Commander Southeast, and actually signed be the defendant, von Geitner.
This concludes, your Honor, NOKW 661.
If your Honors will turn now to page 23, please, you will find document 717, this document is submitted as Prosecution's Exhibit 435. It is defense counsels' pages 27, 28 and 29. This again is an excerpt, this time a courier letter to Army Group F:
"Daily report of 19 March 1944.
During mopping up operations by Police Volunteer Regiment 1 against band villages 17 Southeast Leskovac, 15 bandits shot to death, 16 people helping hands arrested, 40 houses burned down, cattle and corn taken as booty."
It is certified a true copy, signature illegible by a 1st Lieutenant.
Signed:
"Military Commander Southeast 1a No. 166/44 secret.
signed von Geitner".
On the top of the next page again, your Honors, or again for information to Army Group F, the usual distrubution, OKH, OKW, 2nd Panzer Army.
etcetera. Daily report of the 21st of March, 1944.
"Serbia: South of Tekiha, 50 hostages arrested. In banat, 30 communists shot as reprisal measure."
Certified true copy, (signature illegible) 1st. Lieutenant. It is signed: "Military Commander Southeast, Ia No. 1722/44 secret, signed von Geitner."
I believe this to be in defense counsels' book, pages 34 and 35, also 32 and 33. There is some misup in the German pagination, I believe, but they should be all in there.
Then at the bottom of your document book, your, Honors, pages 24, we have another letter to Army Group F, by courier, the usual distrubution and then on page 32 of defense counsels' books. It says:
Daily Report of 22.3.1944 Serbia:
Belgrade political circles are talking about a compromise solution allegedly found in London according to which Tito and DM would be personally represented in a newly formed emigrant government in Cairo.
German General in Albania:
Confidential agents again report parachute jump of 5 Russians and 15 Englishman, South of Korea.
Military Commander Greece:
On the Poloponnesus, 5 Greek hanged in reprisal for attack on railroad.
Certified true copy Military Commander Southeast (signature illegible) /44 secret 1st Lt. signed von Geitner It is signed:
"Military Commander Southeast, Ia, secret, signed von Geitner" The same is repeated again at this time, OKH, OKW, 2nd Panzer Army, still the same document, and they are under the entry of the 23rd of March.
We find:
"Serbia: By command of Combat Commandant Peloppenneuse, 45 hostages shot to death in Kerinth, 52 in Tripoli and 44 in Sparta,"
MR. RAPP: There is a possibility that this particular reference, as just read into the record, may be missing in the German Document Book. If so I suggest we have translated by the Court Interpreter. Is it missing Dr. Laternser?
DR. LATERNSER: No, it is not.
MR. RAPP: Very well; thank you. Then, we have again the courier message to the Army Group F. The distribution os as usual; it is dates the 27th of March 1944: "Serbia: By Command of Combat Commandant - Iron Gate 17 hostages arrested Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 1040 Montenegro: The efforts of the Montenegrin government commission toward a closer affiliation of the Sanzak area are coming up against strong rejection of the Moslems there. Intention: The Sandzak will be made subordinate directly to Military Commander Southeast, Ia, secret." And this time it is signed by Felber. At the bottom of this page, Your Honors, the entry of the 30th of March 1944. We are now on Page 27, the entry for Serbia: "During operations against Communists in Pozarevac, up to now 73 arrests, of which 14 person were to shot to death, and 17 released." And the Military Commander in Greece has reported: "Total result of concluded operations on Euboea: Band Losses: 77 dead, 42 prisoners, 81 wounded, 211 people suspected of belonging to bands arrested, of which 5 were shot to death." That concludes Document No. NOKW 717. If Your Honors turn now to Page 29 you will find NOKW-208, which is being submitted as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 436. This, Your Honors, is a report, or a series of reports, of the Military Commander Southeast, about the execution of Communists and hostages in Greece. It is dated the 10th of March 1944; It's going to Army Group F by messenger, and it's for the information of OKH, OKH, 2nd Panzer Army, who was the Defendant Rendulic, the German Plenipotentiary General in Croatia, and the German General in Albania. First it States about Serbia:
"Situation unchanged Attempt against cabinet chief of the Prime Minister not yet cleared up.
Impressive burial with participation of a greater part of the Belgrade and delegation of the Mil. Com. Southeast.
In the region Kragujevac, orders concerning procurement and distribution operations were given by DM to the Community Administrations. Lists of the age groups 1894 to 1925 were demanded from the community elders.
Mil. Com. Greece reports:
100 active communists shot as reprisal measure for attack on Serbian volunteer train in the Tempi-Valley North Northeast Larissa.
50 communist hostages shot in Athens as reprisal for the strike agitation pursued by the communists and the partial strikes caused by then.
Mil. Com. Southeast (sgd) v. Geitner secret" If Your Honors turn now to Page 30 please; I believe it's Pages 41 and 42 of the German Document Book, we have the same report from the Military Commander Southeast, signed by von Geitner, with the usual distribution, this time under the 13th of March 1944.
Under Serbia it says:
"Continuing terror and murders by both insurgent groups. In a peasant settlement, east of Zvornil, DM bandit leader explained that by order of London and Moscow, a treaty between Cetniks and Communists was drawn up."
MR. RAPP: And then the Military Commander of Greece reports:
"On the highway Sparta-Tripolis, truck convoy attacked. 18 Wehrmacht members dead, 25 heavily wounded, 19 slight wounded and 6 Greeks wounded. As reprisal, state of emergency for South Pelopennesus. Shooting of 200 communist hostages."
The next page Your Honors, Page 31, there is a similar report under the 17th of March, with the usual distribution, signed by the Military Commander Southeast, and signed for him by Geitner, Certified by a first lieutenant. The Military Commander Greece reports: "Bandit attack on coal mine North of Athens repulsed. In police raid in Athens reported yesterday, 17 arrested Communists shot." This concludes Document No. NOKW-208, Prosecution's Exhibit No. 436. If Your Honors turn now to Page 32 please, Prosecution is offering Document No. NOKW 670, to be marked as Prosecution's Exhibit No.437. This is a series of reports of the Military Commander Greece, to the Military Commander Southeast. The same subject-- Communist executions, reprisal measures, etc.
This one is dated the 25th of April 1944, to Military Commander Southeast, Ic, Belgrade, High Command Army Group E, Ic, and Evening Report of 26.4.1944:
"District Headquarters, Thebes Reports:
25.4.44 15.00 Hours. Officers of the Commander of the Ordnungs Police attacked by about 70 bandits while on duty trip on the road ArachowaAmfissa (15 west Lewadia). Major Schulz and Major Krueger dead, Captain Unger and 4 men are missing. Two passenger automobiles and two motorcycles were burned out. There men found their way to Lewadia. 50 Communists from Lewadia were shot as reprisal measures. Additional reprisal measures are intended.
(signed Military Commander Greece Ic Reg.
No.16330/44 secret" The next page shows the distribution, and it has Corps Headquarters LXVIII68 Infantry Corps, Commander of the Ordnungs Polizei.
And "On the premises"; and then "Military Commander Southeast Ia, Belgrade, High Command Army Group E, Saloniki, Military Commander Greece, and Administrative Area Headquarters." Then a Daily Report of the 26th of April 1944. Paragraph 4:
"SS- Police Mountain Artillery Battalion
4) 24.4. 8 Bandits arrested, among them three Kommissars with a 5 ton truck while on supply ride. They were turned over to the Secret Field Police in Lamia.
5) Concluding report on large scale raid in parts of the city of Athens: Durguti, Kawssariani, and Qyron. 126 final arrests. 15 Communist were shot for resistance. Captured material: three machine pistols, all rifles and 9 pistols Military Commander Greece Ia Regt:
No. 11613/44 secret (initial Illeg.)
It bears the initial of a Mayor, "M." If Your Honors turn to Page 44 of the German Document Book, there is teletype, handwritten 25th of April 1944:
"T e l e t y p e From Military Commander Greece Ic, of 25.
4.1944 To 1.) Military Commander Southeast Ic, Belgrade
2.) High Command Army Group E, Ic, Saloniki (for information)
Ic Evening Report of 25.4.1944 During mopping up operations in parts of the city of Athens:
Durgutt, Kaessariani and Wyron up to now 180 arrests among them some leadings Communists. 5 Communists shot to death for possession or arms.
In Tripoli 13 known Communists shot in reprisal for a murdered Gendarmerie Officer. (see morning report Ic, dated 23.4.44) Military Commander Greece" The next page, Your Honors, is Page 35, there is a distrubuuion list, and then below there is a report of the 9th of April 1944:
"b) Area, of the Commander of the Ordnungs Police Northern Greece.
Greek Volunteer Battalion 1 6.4.44 in Verria Fire attack by bandits during roll call of the Battalion.
Losses of our own. 4 dead, 11 wounded of which 8 were heavily wounded 150 people suspected of belonging to bands shot in Verria as reprisal measures. Operation of the 111 Police Volunteer Battalion against fleeing bandits up to now unsuccessful.
Area of the Commander of Ordnungs Police Southeastern Greece. SS Police Fountain Jaeger Regiment 18 1.0 Minor enemy contact during reconnaissance operation on 6.4.44 in the area of Desfina.
(12 South Southeast of Delphi) 4 bandits shot to death.
2.) 4.4.44 2 North of Itea. the car of the representative of the International Red Cross for the Swedish Red Cross was attacked. Professor Gistadel was lightly wounded; the driver heavily wounded."
On the top of the next page, Your Honors Page 36, "1.4.44 in Wrachati 2 Nationalists shot by bandits, 1 heavily wounded, 28 arrested for hostages." And then it has initials of a Colonel of the General Staff Corps, then Military Commander Greece, and illegible initials.
On Page 37, Your Honors, which is Pages 45 and 46 and 47 of the German Document Book, we have again a distribution of this reports, and then another entry under the 8th of April 1944: "50 Communists shot to death for attack on German soldiers (3 dead) North Athens. (See Ic Morning Report 7.4.44). (signed) Military Commander Greece." The next page has an Evening Report of April 4, 1944: "Administrative Sub-area Headquarters La Rissa report, 2.4.44 65 Communists in reprisal for railroad sabotage 10 South La Rissa shot to death at the scene of the incident. (signed) Military Commander Greece/Ic, Colonel G.S.C." It is signed Colonel G.S.C., it illegible and signed Military Commander Greece, Ic. The next entry is stamp "SECRET""URGENT":
" Military Commander Greece, Ic 3.4. 1.) Military Commander Southeast/Ic, Belgrade
2.) High Command Army Group E, Ic, Salonike (for information) Ic Daily Report 3.4.1944.
Administrative Sub Area Headquarters Korinth Reports:
1.4.44. 12 Greek trucks near Arachowa (Road Trioiki-Sparta attacked and partially looted.
1.4. in Vrachati (12 Weat Korinth) 2 Nationalist shot to death by bandits, 1 heavily wounded.
Administrative Sub Area Headquarters La Rissa Reports:"
Reprisal measure for attack in Trikkala (see evening report 24.3.44) 4 Communists shot to death ---(signed) Military Commander Greece /Ic URGENT Military Commander Greece, Ic
1.) Military Commander Southeast Felber 1.4 2.) High Command Army Group E.Then under 1 April 1944 the last entry says:
"Up to now: Wehrmacht 1 dead, 14 wounded. Tracks blocked only for a short while. The execution of 70 Greeks at the locality of the incident has been ordered.
(signed) Military Commander Greece Colonel G.S.C.The next page is again the distribution.
We are now on page 40, and then under entry of 30 March we find:
"Final Report operation "Habicht", (Hawk) Eubbae, from 1.-25.3.44 (from 20.-35.3 concurrent with operation "Wildente" (Wild Duck). Losses of the bands: 77 dead, 42 prisoners, 81 wounded, 211 people suspected of belonging to bands arrested of which 5 were shot to death ...................
Own losses: 1 Captain 2 Evzones dead, 2 German sub-leaders, 1 Captain, and 12 men (Greek volunteers) wounded.
(signed) Military Commander Greece The illegible signature Colonel G.S.C.The next page, your Honor, page 41, pages 48 and 49 of the German Document book, We find again the distribution of this report I have just read into the record.
For information it went to the IXVIII Infantry Corps and Commander of the Ordnungs Police.
Then we have a report entered under the 22nd of March 1944 sent again by the Military Commander in Greece:
"Reprisal measures (see Daily Report 12.3.44 changed: Korinth -- 45 hostages, Tripoli 52, Sparta 44 shot, 59 men were reprieved.
"Signed Military Commander Greece, illegible signature."
Below, the distribution and then Ic, Evening Report, 22.3.1944:
"Administrative Sub Area Headquarters Korinth Report:
"52 Hostages in Tripoli and 44 hostages in Sparta were shot as reprisal measures on 21.3.
"Signed Military Commander Greece.
DR. WEISGERBER: (Attorney for defendant General Speidel) Your Honor, if I understand the transmission into the German correctly, the daily report of the 22nd of March 1944 as it reads on page 48 of the record, that is page 41 of the English Document Book was read:
"Korinth 45 hostages shot, and, Tripoli 52 will be shot."
In the original document the words "shot to death" under "Korinth 45 hostages and under "Tripoli 52 hostages" are crossed out. I request that this fact will also be contained in the record.
MR. RAPP: If your Honors permit, I cannot recall having read the various statements into the record which defense counsel submits I did. I believe I have merely read "45 hostages; Tripoli 52, Sparta 44, 59 men were reprieved." If your Honors please maybe we could have the record either read back at this time or I will read again for record purposes that what I have said already before.
THE PRESIDENT: Perhaps it will save time if you will read for record purposes what you claim for this particular document and page from which you are reading.
MR. RAPP: Very well, your Honor. This is the daily report of the 22nd of March 1944, paragraph 2: