This is Exhibit 492. The document is NOKW 933. This report reads as follows, -- that is to day Exhibit 460 on page 15 of the English: "During 'Bule' in the area of Avion (30 North Athens) 17 bandits shot to death, 3 machine guns and other weapons captured." Do you recall that incident?
A In the summer months, particularly in June and July there were operations against the bands not only in the Peleponnes, but also in Boetotia and on Euhoea. These are purely combat reports, but the details I really do not recall. They certainly are not reprisal measures.
Q In the same document, page 15 of the English and page 12 of the German text, we have the 1c Evening report of the High Command Army Group E of 26 June 1944. It says there: "During search of Parnass Mountains 17 bandits shot to death." Do you wish to make any comments about that?
A I said just now that even in Boeotia such operations against the bands were carried out as they were in the Peleponnes. The area of the Parnass mountains was one of the places of refuge for the bands. It is again a mere combat report, and not a report of reprisal measures. May I point out where the Parnass mountains are on the map? They are North of the Gulf of Corinthe, and to the west of the road and railway Thebes-Lamia.
Q The next document is NOKW 340, which is Exhibit 462 on Page 21 of the English and Page 16 of the German text. It contains a report in the same wording as the Daily report of the Commander in Chief Southeast in Exhibit 467. It is NOKW 092 on page 57 of the English and page 43 of the German text. It is a teletype report by Army Group E addressed to the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, and this is what it says: "Combat Group Veigelt had an engagement with strong groups of insurgents near Kalaskopi, 10 kil. West Northwest of Gravia, 30 enemy dead counted, numerous wounded.
Kalaskopi and Inochorion destroyed. Combat group Froesch in the area north and south of Amphissa contacted retreating bands. Segditsa destroyed." Would you give us your comments about that?
A The names of the officers mentioned show me that here we are concerned with the 11th Luftwaffe Field Division. Again we are concerned with a pure combat report from the last days of August. The destruction of the villages were not carried out by way of reprisal. That occurred during combat. It wouldn't have been the first time that the bands got a firm hold on these villages in the mountains, and that during combat the villages were destroyed by artillery fire, or at least suffered from it. And again I cannot give you any further details.
Q Now, I would like to draw your attention to the 1-C evening report of Army Group E, 29 August 1944, which is contained on page 30 of the English and page 22 of the German, and for the area of the 68th Army Group this is reported: "During local mopping up west of Korinth 15 enemy dead. During raid in Athens-Kallithea 20 communists shot."
A This report is a typical combat report as far as the area west of Korinth is concerned. As for Athens, the 68th Army Corps participated only in exceptional cases in such things, certainly not in this case.
Q The next document is NOKW 935, Exhibit 364, on Page 35 of the English, and page 25 of the German. On that Page we find a daily report by Army Group E addressed to the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, and dated 8 July 1944: "The area of 68th Army Corps. Unsuccessful attacks on own strong points, Southeast Kalamata and East of Korinth. With Jagdkommando thrust east of Kato Achaia some enemy losses. In Athens several Communists shot to death during raids." Please give us comments about that report?
A The first part of the report is again a typical combat report. Raids in Athens were always carried out by the Evzones or gendarmes. As I said the troop units were called into these cases only exceptionally, and not in this case anyway.
Q The next 1c Evening Report on page 36 of the English and page 26 of the German, contains a typical combat report, and also a report on a raid in Athens, and against does not concern the 68th Army Corps, and finally an attack with high explosives on a Greek construction train west of Lamia is mentioned, where despite material damage and numerous losses of life no counter-measures were taken. The same document contains on page 43 of the English and page 31 of the German book a Daily Report by the High Command of Army Group L of 18 August 1944, It says there under "Area 68th Army Corps." - "During continuation of operation on the Southeastern tip of the Peloponnesus more bandit sailing boats captured and destroyed. Unsuccessful bandit attacks on bridge guard Northwest of Amalias. Operation "Kranich" concluded without remarkable results. During raids in city quarters of Piraeus bandit resistance was broken by parts of the 11th Luftwaffe Field Division and Evzones, 104 enemy dead, more than 5,000 arrested." The same report is contained in the 1c evening report of the same day, and may be found on the next page of the document. General, will you please give us your comments about this incident?
A. The first part of the report is once again a typical combat report concerning one of the many operations directed against the bands. Here we find mentioned for the first time that during a raid in Athens elements of the 11th Luftwaffe Field Division were used. The Evzenes could not cope with the mopping up of the harbor town by themselves, and at the insistance of the military commander I helped out. If I remember rightly we gave them a Battalion and mainly blocked of the reads and thoroughfares. That so many bandits should have been killed according to the report proved how severe the resistance was, and how tense the atmosphere was at that time in and around Athens in the second half of August 1944. The arrest of 5,000 persons was carried out by the Police or Evzones, and the troops had no part in this. It was a typical police measure.
Q. The next document which has been used to incriminate you in this volume, is Exhibit 465, NOKW 1097, on page 43 of the English and page 34 of the German. It contains extracts from activity reports of the Second Brandenburg Regiment for the period of time 18 August 1943 to 4 September 1943. Can you tell us more about this report briefly?
A. At that time the Corps never received the reports or the War Diary of the Division. The Division rent War Diaries and Activity Reports to a certain army archive, directly. The Second Brandenburg Regiment, which we find mentioned here, was never subordinated to me, and from the report it becomes clear that it served in the area of Fiorina, and not in the area of the 68th Corps because on the 10 of September or 9 of September it was only that I took over the Army Corps of Southern Greece, Before then I had been down in the Poloponnes. We were not concerned with Florina The next incriminating document is NOKW 1012, Exhibit 466, on page 53 of the English and page 38 of the German. This document represents extracts from the 1c Activity Report, about the War Diary of the 1st Panzer Division from 16 June 1943 to 16 October 1943; what do you have to say about this document?
A. The same applies which I mentioned just now. Activity reports and War Diaries did not go through General Headquarters.
Q. I should like to read briefly from this document something which is not contained in the document book, but is only contained in the photostat copy: "In Sparta a Greek officer has been shot to death in the street during surprise attack 9 kilometers west of Aigien; 85 mules were lost. From among 52 Italians 51 deserted." Why only 51? -- The report does not show. I would like to remain with this document for a bit, General. Under paragraph 2 of the Noon Report of 23 August 1943, which is contained on page 53 of the English and page 39 of the German text it says: "In Arges change in attitude of population since the Divisional Staff has been transferred," Do you remember that fact?
A. Yes, there were difficulties encountered in Arges, I well remember. The explanation was that by the end of August there was at isolated places a certain amount of passive resistance to be found on the part of the Italians, which was simply part of the general trend of things, and I know that the Division had its difficulties there.
Q. Exhibit 472, which is Document NOKW 1246 on page 87 of the English and page 62 of the German, contains statements about differences between the town commander of Arges and the Commander of the Italian Sector Argolido. Does this fact connect with the report we have just discussed.
A. Yes, that is what I wanted to express. These differences could only be eliminated by having the sector transfer to the Germans, and the Italians were deprived of it. Applications to this effect were made to the Italian Army in Athens, who approved it, and that is a reason why I recall this. General Gyldenfeldt called me up about this, whereas at other points we were in perfectly smooth relations with the Italians. Only in Arges, as I said before, a certain amount of resistance was encountered, but this was before the Italians were disarmed. By the end of August the alliance still existed.
Q. In the Noon Report of 23 August 1943 it says under paragraph 2 in the second paragraph 10, hostages were arrested.
This had been done because a corporal had been disarmed and mistreated. That becomes clear from the second paragraph. This report is supplemented by a document in Document Book 24, the number of which is NOKW 1761, which is Exhibit 544 on page 206 and 207 of the English, and page 158 of the German. It says there in the War Diary of the First Panzer Division, in the entry of 24 August 1947, 1800 hours, 3 of the arrested hostages you have partially confessed will be shot to death. The others will be released. Do you recall this, General?
A. As the War Diary of the Panzer Division was not submitted to me the incident never came to my knowledge, nor can I recall it in any other connection. I haven't heard it through any other channel, I don't think.
Q Let me go back to page 53 of the English and page 39 of the German text, Document book 20, mention is made of the fact that on 25 September a sudden action was carried out in Patras, leading to the arrest of 26 prominent Communists by the secret field police and field gendarmerie in Patras. To repeat, mention is made in this report that on 25 September 1943 in Patras and sudden action was carried out, which led to the arrest of 26 Communists and a transmitting set was secured.
In document NOKW-1363, which is exhibit 471 on pages 75 and 76 of the English and 54 of the German there is a 1c report of 26 September and the 26 Communists Mentioned in the previous document are mentioned by name. Why were these 26 Communists mentioned by name; what do you think General?
A. Well what the Buergermeister of Patros told us was very unequivocal. This is why I assume he supplied us with the names. Without the assistance of leading Greek circles no such apprehension would be feasible, but there again it becomes clear what connections existed between certain elements of the population with either the British or the Bands, because a transmitting set was found and they were not used for private enjoyment but their purpose was to report items about troop movements and measures which we took either to the British or the bands. Once again this proves how intimate these connections were between the bands with certain elements among the civilian population.
Q In exhibit 466 on page 54 of the English and page 40 of the German text, there is an entry under 2 October where the threat is expressed that 12 arrested hostages may be hanged. That report, or shall we say this entry, is supplemented by a document contained in volume 24, It is NOKW 1761, Exhibit 544 on page 208 of the English and 159 of the German text.
It is the war diary by the 1st Panzer Division for the period of time between 1 June and 16 October 1943, it says there: -- in the entry of 15 October, as I said before, it is the war diary of the 1st Panzer Division for the period of time between 1 June and 16 October 1943, it says there in the entry of 15 October:
"As the weapons of the German soldiers who were attacked near Dimena were not delivered according to the imposed conditions 4 hostages will be hanged at 1300 hours in Chilimedon."
Incidentally it is the entry of 5 October and not 15 October. General, can you tell us anything about this?
A The war diaries of subordinate divisions were not submitted to the Corps and therefore no information about this incident reached me. Around this period of time I was in Athens and I was supervising the departure of the Italians, which was in full swing and under the pressure of business, we did not receive this report any other way.
Q On the activity report of the 1st Panzer Division, it finally says under 3 October:
"Well organized partisans, led by officers and wearing uniforms, they designated themselves as members of the Elas."
Will you give us briefly your comments about that?
A The activity reports also of the divisions did not reach the Corps. This particular report concerning partisans being particularly stressed, one can only conclude that here we are concerned with an exception because normally one does not report enemy armies or enemy soldiers as being in uniform, as that in taken for granted, but as it is stressed here it simply proves that otherwise they did not wear uniforms.
Q Document NOKW 1245, which will be the next document to be discussed, is exhibit 468 on page 60 of the English and 44 of the German text, We find an order signed by you from the LXVIII Army Corps concerning the transfer of the 1st Panzer division. It is on page 44 of the German, according to the order the 117th Light Infantry Division will assume on 6 October 1943 the command of all forces serving in the Peloponnes. Will you please give us your comments on that order?
A The 1st Panzer Division having been withdrawn a military leader had to be appointed for the Peloponnes and in this case it was the commanding officer of the 117th Division. I regard this as a perfectly natural tactical measure which you have to report in cases like this, as you have to have one responsible leader in the area.
Q. Further down it says under Roman numeral 1, "Political situation, 3000 persons...." This is on page 61 in the English book: "3,000 persons will be sent to the Reich for forced labor in order to pacify the country." The same fact is reported in the 1c daily report of the Corps of 25 October, 1943, contained in document NOKW 1363, which is exhibit 471 on page 79 of the English and page 56 of the German. There we are concerned with a situation report by the 117th Division, addressed to the headquarters of the LXVIII Army Corps under the date of 30 October 1943. Will you please give us your comments about that, General?
A I am bound to assume that the deportation for forced labor into the Reich was ordered from higher up, by the O.K.W., but without any further information I cannot state whether they were actually deported. That you cleanse occupied territory of suspected persons, that you arrest them, seems to me a necessary measure if you want the country quiet.
Any occupation power would do the same if confronted with problems of that sort.
Q In the photostatic copy it says also:
"The political basis in order to establish a Greek volunteer unit exists because the anti-Communist part of the population has become convinced after the Allied declaration that Greece and the Balkans will be a Soviet Russian sphere of interest, that Britain has dropped the Greek nation and handed it over to the Bolsheviks."
JUDGE BURKE: At this point, we will take our noon recess (The Tribunal recessed until 1330 hours.)
(Following Recess.)
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
JUDGE BURKE: You may proceed.
BY DR. MUELLER-TORGOW:
Q. If it please the Tribunal, before the recess we had stopped when we discussed document NOKW 1245 contained in document book 20, which was exhibit 468 of the Prosecution.
I would now like to turn to page 61 of the English text, which is page 45 of the German text under paragraph 11, Enemy Situation, it says:
"Except for the coastal area occupied by German Forces, the Northwestern Pelopennes is entirely dominated by Communist bands. The Supreme Command of the Insurgents in thia area, consisting of one Greek General, several Greek Staff Officers, 5 British Officers and 21 Communist Italian Officers, according to reliable report by a confidential agent is currently located at Demasticha (19 Kms. Southeast of Patras."
General, will you please give us your opinion of this report?
A. This report contains the confirmation for the fact that Allied officers worked with the bands, furthermore it confirms that a number of Italian officers had deserted to the bands. It is significant that the headquarters locality is mentioned, which is southeast of Patras in an area in the vicinity of Kalavritha, which has been mentioned repeatedly as being a band center. This is further confirmation net only for the suspicion that this was the case, but for the actual facts. The facts were that Kalavritha was a band center. Taking into consideration the manifold constellation of members of nations, Greeks, British and Italians one can hardly talk about a unified leadership of the bands.
Somehow and sometime the varied interests in the area had to clash. There were examples to prove this fact.
I remember that one day we received on a torn off piece of a map from an intermediary, which said "Help wanted for Major so and so," who was a British officer, This proves that he did not feel very much at home with the bands because otherwise he would not have asked for help. The 117th Division, as a consequence, conducted a number of reconnaissance patrols, but they did not manage to get in contact with the Major and assist him as he had asked. That there was no unified leadership has been clearly proven by the course which events took later.
Q. I would now like to present a defense document, which is contained in Felmy document book 5, this is document No. 93 on page 14. It will be offered as exhibit No. 48. This is a Situation Report from the Military Commander Greece, dated 15 February 1944 and covering the period from 16 January until 15 February, 1944. In paragraph 1, "Political Situation," it says on the first page of this document in the third sentence:
"Feared advance of Communism stiffens the defense spirit of the possessing classes, therefore increased tendency towards the formation of self-protection organizations Endeavours of England and of the Greek government in exile to constitute a united anti-German front frustrated up to now on account of the opposition among the different political organizations and guerilla groups. The most important movement, the EAM, being in opposition to England, shows an ever increasing Communistic attitude. Formation of Communist cells in various parts of Greece. The government apparently makes sincere efforts to assist the occupation power in its struggle against Communism and economic ruin, however its authority and sphere of influence are too limited.
The unfavorable aspect of the over--all situation for Germany has unfavorable effect on the attitude of the government and of the population. Communist movement split up into Stalinites, Trotzkytes and Anarchists. EDES (national) divided into 3 groups. The Greek church bides the issue."
On page 14 a under 11, "Enemey Situation," it says in the second sentence:
"Considerable harassing of guerilla organizations by operations of our own, especially in the frontier district of northern Greece and in the southern Peloponnesus. Tactics of the guerilla-bands: Delaying action, falling back before German attacks and re--infiltration into moppedup areas."
I am now reading from the top of page 15:
"Contradictory reports on Zervas' attitude (nationalist, position West of Pindus). Considerable support by England in January 40,000 Gold Pounds. Efforts made to units Zervas bands with ELAS bands (Communists). A commission consisting of 4 English officers and 1 Russian Colonel allegedly on the way to Zervas."
The last sentence in paragraph 2 a reads:
"In the case of landings augmented activity by guerillabands is to be feared."
It continues under b:
"Air situation.
Increased enemy air activity during day and night. The population considers this to be demonstrations of power on the part of the Allies. During air attacks on Piraeus on 11, 13, and 22 January 1944 insignificant losses of our own, more than 600 Greeks killed, 1000 wounded. Considerable damage to buildings. Popular feeling at the beginning hostile to Englishmen, later on, in consequence of a whispering campaign, against the German occupation."
"Evzones (Greek Guards) have successfully continued their fight against Communism. Evzones Regiment 1 with 3 Battalions is stationed at Athens, Evzones Regiment 2 with 2 Battalions at Patras, from Patras a further battalion is being formed at Agrinion.
"Greek Constabulary has successfully acted at Athens during raids against Communists, 1065 constables were armed quite recently. Formation of Volunteer Battalions from native forces is planned.
"EDES - Euboea Company. Contributed to success of operations against guerilla-bands on Euboea by their constables familiar with language and roads, attached to Infantry Battalion 11 (L). Organized several townmilitias on Euboea against guerilla-bands."
Finally, I want to read from page 18, the third paragraph:
"Works of art and historical buildings put under the protection of the Wehrmacht. Museum buildings and monasteries exempted from occupation by troops."
The last paragraph under "VIII. Economic Situation. Commitment of Labor," on the bottom of the page:
"Of approximately 50,000 workers in the Piraeus the majority have fled after terror attack."
Now I want to return back to Document Book XX of the Prosecution.
Q General, the next document with which you are charged in this document book is Exhibit 469. NOKW-1122 on page 63 of the English text and page 46 of the German text. This contains a translation of two German leaflets which were dissinimated allegedly by German occupation troops. What are your comments on this?
AAccording to this, it has only been established that the leaflets were dissenimated in the Levadia area and that is where Police Regiment 18 was stationed. I could not find any other indications which would allow me to make a statement here. I merely assert that these leaflets did not originate in the 68th Corps. We did not compose such clumsy leaflets. If we worked with leaflets at all, and on frequent occasions we had to do that, then we were a little more subtle and adapted those leaflets to the mentality of the Greeks and the actual situation better than these leaflets here show.
Q You can't imagine either whose initials could be on there?
A No, there are abbreviations here. The abbreviations are not known to me, S.E.K.O.H.V.
Q This brings me to the next document in this document book, that Exhibit 470 on page 69 of the English text and 49 of the German text, NOKW-1355. This document contains daily reports by the Commander in Chief Southeast amongst other reports referring to Communist activity in Athens also to the mopping up of Volos and reprisal measures in the area of Katherini. What can you tell us about these things?
A There is really nothing I can tell you other than that here again you have the proof for the fact that the 68th Corps was not involved in these activities. Here again the events in Southern Greece have been reported under the label of the 68th Corps. Volos and Katherini were located outside of the corps area which I can show on the map here. North of the island Euboea is the Gulf of Volos. On its Northern coast is the small town of Volos and Katherini -- that is further north yet.
Q That brings me to the next document, NOKW-1363, Exhibit 471, on page 73 in the English document book and page 52 in the German document book. In this document is as I-c report of the 68th Corps dated 20 September 1943, a combat report of the Panzer Grenadier Regiment 113 which concerning an action took place in the area of Arachova. What can you tell us about this?
AAround that time the 68th Corps was subordinate to General Krueger because during that time I was in charge of the Army Group Southern Greece. I don't believe that I ever learned of this daily report those days. Actually, it contains a combat report, nothing else.
Q That brings me to the I-c daily report dated the 22nd of September 1943 on page 73 of the English text and page 53 of the German text. This I-c daily report of the 68th-Corps reads as follows:
"In Kalamata 10 Communists shot."
Further the report contains the note says: "Not to be transmitted." What does that remark mean, General?
A It probably means the communication lines were distrupted at some point. I was stationed in Athens at that time and it appears that it was not possible to transmit the report. At least, I don't remember receiving that particular report.
Q The next entry in this document is the I-c report dated 11 October 1943. This contains an enumeration of the enemy losses from the 4th until the 10th of October 1943. Under the 47 prisoners there are 4 American flyers mentioned. General, can you give us any details about this incident?
A Yes, I can make one fundamental remark which is that all captured prisoners, according to an OKW order, had to be sent to our air force offices for interrogation. That was actually a matter of course because the air force was naturally interested in the characteristics of the enemy air force so that the interrogation was reserved for air force agencies. Otherwise, this report deals with losses during combat actions. It is a compilation of losses suffered during combat actions.
Q In the report for the 14th of October it says on page 78 of the English and 56 of the German text the prefect of Kalamata was murdered in the train at Asplokoma, 3 kilometers west northwest of Kalamata. A state of emergency was proclaimed at Kalamata and 50 hostages arrested."
Will you please give us your comments on that, General?
A I remember that particular incident because it was directed against a high administrative official, the prefect or the head of government, as we would call it, of the province of Kalamata. He was murdered. This is an indication that the bands did not direct their activities against the Germans alone but against also the Greeks and, thus, against high administrative officials.
Q This brings me again to a defense document contained in Felmy Document Book V. It is Document No. III on page 90, Felmy Document Book V. This will become Exhibit No. 49.
It is an excerpt from a document submitted by the prosecution, NOKW-1245, which is contained in Document Book XX. It is a report of the 117th Light Infantry Division addressed to the 68th Corps and dated 30 October 1943.
I am, first of all, reading from paragraph I. Political situation.
From the transfer of the 1st Armored Division, the troop movements of the 117th Light Infantry Division and the fact that the Italian booty has been shipped away, the populace of the Peloponnesus has concluded that these were preparations for an evacuation by the German army.
The effect of these circumstances, which became increasingly serious, was that the anti-Communistic part of the populace has become completely intimidated and often, especially in the socalled intellectual circles, shows a tendency to come to terms with the EAM or to gain its favor. So far as the Communist elements of the population are concerned, they are characterized by an increasingly bold manner which was climaxed by a formal ultimatum from the ELAS to the prefect of Messenien which demanded, among other things, the surrender of the government administration, the release of all national Greek officers, and ended up with the statement that: "The High Command of the ELAS and EAM movement is in Cairo".
Hand in hand with this constantly increasing supremacy of the Communists went a series of political murders and the pursuit of the small number of anti-Communist bands fighting in the mountains northwest of Tripolis and in Taygetos, as well as various mine attacks against railways and roads, attacks against German trucks, against a surveying unit and, lastly, against a company of the 749th Light Infantry Regiment which had penetrated into the area around Kalawrita on a reconnaissance mission.
On page 81 on the top of the page, the document goes on to say:
The prerequisites for the creation of such a Greek volunteer's corps are realized in the fact that the declaration of the Allies that the Balkans were within the sphere of Soviet interest has convinced the anti-Communist part of the population that England has already forsaken the Greek people and delivered them up to Bolshevism.