That is for the period 17 August 1942 and your Honors will recall that on the 1st of January, 1943, the title of the Commander-in-Chief Southeast Area was changed from Wehrmacht, Commander Southeast, which translated means Armed Forces Commander Southeast, to Oberbefehlshaber Southeast, which means Commander-in-Chief Southeast, so that while on the 17th of August, 1942, the extracts were from the War Diary of the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast, I believe it is not true that on the 19th of September, 1943, which is the excerpt to which we are now directing our attention, the excerpts are from the War Diary of the Commanderin-Chief Southeast.
I wonder if my explanation satisfies Dr. Laternser?
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, at the moment I can't say anything about this. I think this is the task of the prosecutor to prove what period they are speaking about.
THE PRESIDENT: The Exhibit will be received as shown and given such consideration as the Exhibit discloses itself, and being already in evidence we will take it for such probative value as the Tribunal deems it merits.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Turning then to page 31 of the English, page 27 of the German, file notes and telephone conversation for the 19th of September, 1943. 0940 hours, the Ia, which is the Operations Officer, informs the Chief of Staff, which at this time was the defendant Foertsch: "During the night the order came from OKW through Commander in Chief, Southeast...." and your Honors will note there the reference to Commander in Chief Southeast.
"During the night the order came from OKW through Commander in Chief, Southeast...." which on the 19th of September, 1943, was the defendant Weichs"...to report the names of the Italian officers shot up to now, only blank reports have gone in; only the Commander of Saloniki-Aegea reported that some Italian officers wore shot. Otherwise, only shootings of Italian officers in Cephalonia came in question.
"Lieutenant General Winter..." who at that time was Chief of Staff to Army Group E under General Loehr"... I have here the detailed remarks concerning the 'famous' top secret."
And the entry in the War Diary for 1000 hours, still the 19th of September, 1943, "Telephone conversation of Brigadier General Winter with Major General Foertsch..." If your Honors please, that relates to a conversation between Brigadier General Winter, Chief of Staff of Army Group E with Major General Foertsch, the defendant Foertsch, who at that time was Chief of Staff of Army Group F. "......concerning possible enemy plans. Attack on the East or West considerations, evaluation of the enemy is now being worked out and will be presented to the Commander in Chief, Southeast."
Finally the entry in the War Diary of the Commander in Chief Southeast for the 5th of October, 1943, 0815 hours, "Brigadier General Winter gives report concerning the situation on Cos..." Your Honors will recall that is a Greek Island. "600 English taken prisoners, among them a Lieutenant Colonel, 2500 Italians captured. Commandant shot. 40 guns booty. 11 planes shot down, 11 taken as booty, further 1 private yacht. Our own losses; 15 dead and 70 wounded."
Turning now to page 33 in the English, page 32 in the German, Document NOKW-960 which becomes Prosecution Exhibit 448.
THE RESIDENT: Did you give an Exhibit number to this one you have already referred to?
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Yes, that has already been given an Exhibit number 220, your Honor, in document book 9.
THE PRESIDENT: All right.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: The next document is now NOKW-960 which becomes Prosecution Exhibit No. 448. We shall be concerned from this point on largely with the activities of the XXII Mountain Corps under the command of the defendant Lanz, and the activities of the subordinate units of that corps, for the most part the activities of the 1st Mountain Division and the 104th Jaeger Division.
This document is a series of reports from the 1st Mountain Division to Higher Headquarters of the XXII Mountain Corps, commanded by the defendant Lanz during this period. The first report from the 1st Mountain Division to Corps Headquarters, XXII Mountain Corps, Ic, or intelligence officer, and it is dated Division Command Post, 9 October, 1943.
"The division transmits in the enclosure the lists of the Italian officers shot in Sarande.
"At the same time a rucksack will be handed over containing the effects of these officers. For the officers named in numbers 3, 4, 10, 18, 32, 33, 35, 36, 33, 40 and 47, no effects were included."
The report is signed for the Division Headquarters for the First General Staff Officer.
Enclosed also a part of the document is a report from Combat Unit von Hirschfeld to its Higher Headquaters, the 1st Mountain Division.
Your Honors will note on the right hand portion of the document the receipt stamp of the 1st Mountain Division dated the 7th of October, 1943. This particular report from the combat Unit is dated the 6th of October, 1943, and it subject is the Effects of the Shot Italian Officers. The report is sent to the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Mountain Division.
"Herewith, the combat units transmit the effects of the battalion officers shot as traitors on 3.4. and 5 October 1943 in Saranda."
It is signed Detachment Commander Gelony.
Then on page 34 of the English, page 33 of the German, is another report of this same conbat unit von Hirschfeld to the 1st Mountain Division. The 1st Mountain Division is in turn to subordinate to the XXII Mountain Corps. The report of the combat unit is dated 3 October, 1943.
"List by name of the Italian officers shot by the execution detachment of the 1st Company, 54th Mountain Jaeger Battalion on 3 October 1943 in Saranda."
Then the document has a chart of various sections of the tables broken down into "Current number, Rank, Name, Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Assignement, and former Residence."
They have listed the name of the first and last of the Italian officers in the table and I should like to pass up to your Honors the actual exhibit so that you might see the intervening names as they appear in the actual document, the name of the Italian officers who were shot by this particular combat unit.
Continuing with the exhibit on page 34 of the English and page 33 of the German is another report of the combat unit von Hirschfeld to the 1st Mountain Division dated 4 October 1943 and again is another list of the names of the Italian officers shot by the execution detachment of the 1st Company, 54th Mountain Jaeger Battalion on the 4th of October, 1943, in Saranda. Again the table follows with the rank Names, Place of Birth and Date of Birth, Assignment, Former Residence, and those Italian officers who were shot.
We have listed the name of the first officer and the the name of the last officer.
Continuing on page 35 of the English and page 34 of the German we find a third series of reports of von Hirschfeld to the 1st Mountain Division, this one dated the 5th of October; 1943, again containing a list of Italian officers shot by a particular execution detachment of the 1st Company; 54th Mountain Jaeger Division.
We have listed the names of the first officer and the last or 49th, officer shot by this combat unit.
Continuing on page 33 of the English and page 34 of the German is the report which the first Mountain division then sent to is Higher Headquaters, the XXII Mountain Corps, with respect to the execution of Italian officers. This particular report from the Division was dated 5 October 1943 and your Honors will recall that this Division was subordinate to the XXII Mountain Corps, commanded by the defendant Lanz.
Under the section of the report dealing with the activities of the Spindler Battalion, "The Fuehrer Order No. 1 was carried out on 58 officers."
The report is signed for the Division Headquaters for the 1st General Staff Officer.
Continuing on page 37 of the English, page 35 of the German, Document NOKW-755, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 449, this is a series of reports from the Commander in Chief Southeast to Higher Headquaters in Berlin, and also a series of reports from Army Group E to the Commander in Chief Southeast. The reports cover a period of time from May 1943 until December 1943. The report for the first portion of the document cover the period from May until August 1943, when General Loehr was Commander in Chief Southeast. Your Honors will recall that the defendant was then Chief of Staff to General Loehr.
The second portion of the reports cover the period from August 1943 until December 1943 and are from Army Group E which during that period was commanded by General Loehr to the Commander in Chief Southeast, which during that period was the defendant Weichs and of course his Chief of Staff, the defendant Foertsch.
We take up first those reports from General Loehr as Commander in Chief Southeast to OKW Headquaters in Berlin for the period from May until August when the reorganization of the Southeast Command occurred.
Page 37 of the English, 35 of the German, daily report of Command der in Chief Southeast to OKW Operational Staff of 2 May 1943, under the section of the report dealing with Greece: "Italian operation in Volos - Lamia - Pharsala area had little enemy contact.
"Rather large amount of weapons, ammunition, explosives and equipment captured. 13 villages destroyed."
And then the report, as are all others, in this series, is signed by the Commander in Chief Southeast, who at that time was simultaneously Commander of Army Group E.
Next the daily report of the Commander in Chief Southeast for the 5th of May, 1943, again we are concerned with the section of the report dealing with Greece:
"Operation Olymp area from 16th of April to the 4th of May had following results: 117 enemy killed, 885 arrested, transferred for labor assignment.
"10,500 head of cattle captured, 18 bandit camps, 200 field positions, 55 food depots, 16 villages destroyed.
"During Italian operation North-Eastwards of Lamia 16 bandits were shot. Evacuated villages were destroyed."
Next on page 38 of the English, 36 of the German, daily report for the 16th of May, 1943. Your Honors will note the various divisions of the report. We direct your attention to that section of the report dealing with events in Serbia. Your Honors will recall that at this time the defendant Geitner was Chief of Staff to the Commander in Serbia who at this time during the period from May until August 1943, was General Bader. The defendant Geitner was General Bader's Chief of Staff.
"Serbia: Several appearances of bands in whole area. Attacks on camps and telephone lines, 156 shot as reprisal."
Next the daily report of the Commander in Chief Southeast for the 27th of May, 1943. I direct your Honor's attention to that section of the report dealing with the activities of the 373rd Division and its reference to:
"Strong Communist forces (over l000men) from area West of Travnik on way to the South, supposedly aiming towards Herzegovina. Fighter detachment which was committed made 35 prisoners, additional reconnaissance patrol has been dispatched."
Then the section of the report dealing with events in Serbia:
"125 Communists were shot as reprisal for railroad attacks and sabotage acts in Pozarevac."
Next the report for the 3rd of June, 1943, under the portion of the report dealing with Greece, "Band, alledgedly 150 men strong with 3 English officers from Italian territory in Nestoria area. Vijose - bridge West of Konitsa (45 km North of Joannina blasted. Supplementary report about railraod attack of Nezeros: 92 Italians and 60 Greek prisoners dead, large number of wounded and missing. 100 Communists from concentration camp shot as reprisal in Larissa."
Then I direct your Honor's attention to this reference:
"Band in Greek uniform has been reported in Soupre area (40 km Northeast of Lamia.)
I think we may turn now to the report on page 40 of the English page 41 of the German dated the 12th of June, 1943, particularly to that section of the report dealing with events in Serbia:
"North of Zajecar band attacks on cattle transports, cattle stolen. 10 reprisal executions.
"According to confidential agent's report, DM bands West of Casak, 400 men strong, North West of Raska, 600 men strong."
Next is the report of Commander in Chief Southeast of 14 June 1943:
"During Communists attack on German horse transport near Klenak station.
(north of Savac) 12 Germans were killed, 3 wounded, 2 missing, 40 horses, 4 Communists found dead, clad in part in German uniform.
"In Kraljevo - Cacak and Bajina Basta area a total of 21 band accomplices were arrested. In Vrnjci area in shooting between confidential agents and bandit group one confidential agent was killed. For various attacks in district a total of 100 reprisal prisoners have been shot."
Next the report dated 17 June 1943 under Serbia:
"Twenty DM band accomplices were shot in Uzice."
Continuing with the report of the 18th of June 1943:
"Serbia: 350 Communists and 50 Chetniks have been shot as reprisal measures for attacks and sabotage acts which have been committed recently."
Next on page 42 of the English, page 40 of the German:
"As reprisal for the murder of the mayor of Kucevo 20 Chetniks and 10 Communists were shot.
"Near Guca and Uzice German police and Serbian volunteer corps captured 10 Chetniks (among them one leader); 2 were shot, archives and weapons were captured."
Next, on page 43 of the English, page 45 of the German, Daily Report for the 26th of June 1943:
"Serbia: 30 Communist prisoners shot for railroad sabotage acts committed recently."
Continuing with the report for the 27th of June 1943, the portion dealing with Serbia:
"DM mobilizing in Topola area. Near Arandjolovac one DM leader caught, one Chetnik shot. In Krusevac and Belgrade area 150 band suspects arrested."
Then a portion of the report dealing with events in Montenegro Albania:
"As reprisal measures for shot Italian officer a total of 150 Communist prisoners were shot."
Your Honors will note the ratio there, 150 to 1.
DR. LATERNSER: I object to the last comment of the prosecutor. Apart from the fact that it was not admissible, it is also false. The original German text runs as follows:
"As reprisal for shot Italian officers 150 Communists shot."
Since one cannot see how many Italian officers were shot by the bands, one also cannot draw a conclusion with regard to the ratio which the prosecutor has maintained. I would ask that this be stricken from the record.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal suggests that the original document be sent to the translators for their interpretation.
INTERPRETER: The translation of the original German is as follows: "As reprisal for shot Italian officers."
JUDGE BURKE: Did the interpreter say officer or officers?
INTERPRETER: Officers.
THE PRESIDENT: You may proceed. This is an example of voluntary statements which are not born out by the records.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Sorry, Your Honor, I will withdraw my remark.
On page 44 of the English, page 47 of the German, Daily Report of the Commander in Chief Southeast to OKW/Wehrmacht Operational Staff, 28 June 1943, the section of the report dealing with Greece:
"28.6. a.m.: One enemy submarine 50 north of Scarpanto. According to Italian report enemy submarine sighted near Corfu, probably supplying bands. Much dropping of war material and parachuting of enemy agents, among the latter an American first lieutenant in western Greece."
And the Daily Report of the Commander in Chief Southeast of 29 June 1943:
"Greece: Southwest of Ptolemais sabotage of telephone lines, inhabitants assigned as guards. For attack on German non-commissioned officer near Naussa 25 Greek Communist suspects have been shot.
"Serbia: Little local band activities.
"For recent sabotage acts and attacks 350 DM and Communist suspects have been shot in Krusevac area; in other localities 255 reprisal prisoners were shot."
Next the Daily Report of 2 July 1943:
"Greece: West of Paleo - Pharsalos a German plane which had to make a forced landing was attacked, radio operator murdered. Locality destroyed by Stuka.
"The destruction of surrounding villages in connection with reprisal executions has been ordered and is being carried out. So far four villages have been burned down. As reprisal measures for railroad blast near Litochoron and attack on German non-commissioned officer (Daily Report 29.6) 50 Communists shot.
"Albania - Montenegro: Strong band forces (1000 ?) in Koritsa area receive reinforcements from northwest."
Next on page 46 of the English, page 50 of the German:
"Daily Report of Commander in Chief Southeast, 4.7.43:
"Greece: Mopping-up operation southeast of Servia continued by combat group Salminger. Further localities burned down; 87 suspects shot in flight."
Next the Daily Report of the 5th of July 1943:
"Allied preparations for attack:
"Active shipping through Suez Canal. Heavy east convoy plotted for the first time between Straits of Sicily and Alexandria confirms the assumption that sea traffic from western to eastern Mediterranean took place continuously. Plotted transport, freight, and tanker tonnage east of Mediterranean amounts to 1.5 million BRT. Main concentration point freight and tanker area Alexandria, transport area Port Said. Transport debarkation area: ports Port Said - Bengasi incl. sufficient for almost one landing division (308 landing boats, newly reconnoitred through aerial photography, in added transport area, not included in calculation.) Tripolis ports, Bizerte incl. for four English landing divisions (no small vessels). No precise information on transport landing area on Levant coast and Cypress.
"Band, situation in Greece: With small forces on Peloponnes strong concentration on Central Greece. Planned cooperation during the operations of Allies can be counted on with certainty. According to London radio reports, subordination of all bands of Greece under Allied high command in the Middle East is ordered.
"Greece: During night of 4/5 July systematic sabotage operation on Crete with concentration point on Iraklion area, probably carried out under English command. At airfield Kastelli three incendiary charges were released in aircraft blast bays, one Klemm A/c 35 was destroyed, one Flak soldier killed. Further charges were removed in time. In gasoline depot near Iraklion one gasoline blast bay with 10 cbm gasoline was destroyed. Further destructions were prevented by alert troops. In Malaxa (southeast of Chania) cable sabotage on important communication lines. Searching operation so far without result. Increased security measures ordered since 3.7. prevented greater damages.
"Reprisal measures: 50 Greeks shot. Further shootings threatened unless perpetrator has been discovered with the assistance of the population within seven days. Curfew for population on entire island has been fixed from 2100 hours to 0430 hours. The closing of theaters for the population and taverns as of 2000 hours. Furlough veto for Greek Wehrmacht laborers."
Page 48 of the English, 53 of the German, Daily Report Southeast of 13 of July 1943:
"Greece: To Daily Report of 12.7.: 13 people suspected of sabotageing railroad shot. During mopping-up operations on through fare southeast of Servia remaining houses were burned down; suspects shot. During mopping-up operations eastwards of Leskovik five more enemy dead."
Next, Daily Report for the 15th of July 1943:
"Greece: On Crete in locality near Retymnon male population has been pressed into forced labor as measure against Communist propaganda activity.
"Croatia: Area north of Save: North of Banova Jaruga large Communist band (700) has been reported.
Reprisal operation against locality northeast of Mitrovica (see yesterday's Daily Report) has been successfully carried out. Forty bandits were shot, 82 band suspects arrested."
Next Daily Report of the 14th of July 1943:
"Greece: Sudden revival of band activities on Crete. The support of bands by Allied submarine landings has been proved through discovery of American equipment and through English men killed during combat at the southern coast. (Daily Report 12.7.)
"Area southeast of Iraklion, German company commander was shot at four times in his quarters. Two Greeks were killed while fleeing. In same area arms and explosives were found, three suspects were arrested. In the eastern part of Crete two Greeks who had blasting material in their possession were shot by Italian patrol east of Sfakia was fired on during the night of 12/13.7. Action undertaken immediately remained without result. In locality southwest of Chania weapons were found, one Greek was killed while fleeing. Bands in area southeast and southwest of Retymnon suspected surprise action. According to report of confidential agent, strong band (2000) from Ano Wianos (40 southeast of Iraklion) changed over into Italian territory. One thousand rifles and other weapons allegedly have been landed by submarines."
I think we need not read the rest of the report since it is primarily information on operation of tactical situations.
Beginning next on page 50 of the English, page 54 of the German:
"As reprisal for attack on rural guard patrol northeast of Petrograd 25 Communists were shot."
Next, Daily Report of 18 July 1943, the section of the report dealing with Serbia:
"Local band activity. In southwestern Serbia increased tension between Serbs and Moslems.
"Near Lebane two Communist attacks on Serbia State Guard. Fifty Communists shot as reprisal for attacks on Bulgarian railroad security.
South of Krusevac battle is taking place between Serbian Volunteer Corps and Communists; so far ten enemy dead. Southwest Pozega Communist band has been arrested by Serbian Volunteer Corps 7 Communists dead, band leader hanged in public.
Next the report dealing with Italian occupied territory:
During operation in Diokovo mountains 463 band suspects were arrested and brought to a concentration Camp.
Next the report of 20 July, 1943:
Greece:
According to an Italian report a band of the Zervas amounting to 2500 men is allegedly located West of the Joannina - Arta road. Number is exaggerated.
Serbia:
As reprisal for railroad sabotage and murders in Arandjelovac area (Daily Report of 7.7.) 30 Communists and 10 DM - reprisal prisoners have been shot. As reprisal for band activity in Banat (Daily report 16.7.) 10 more Communists were shot.
Then the report of the 21 July 1943, 52 of the English, 61 of the German:
Preparation for attack by the Allies.
North East of Solium convoy with 25 units among them presumably 7 freighters 7 - 10 000 BRT, 9 freighters 5 - 6 000 BRT, Course West. Concentration of Commando and Sabotage troops committed on Cyprus on North Western coast demands special attention in connection with frequent counter-intelligence reports on imminent operation against Dodecanese and Crete.
On 21.7. no own aerial - reconnaissance of Cyprus. British forces in Southern Syria presumably reinforced by 8th Indian Infantry Division (until now Irak).
Greece: According to. Italian report band of 2500 men in Agrinion area, 1000 men in Arta area -, 2000 men in area 40 Vest of Joannina.
Numbers seem exaggerated.
Turning next to the report of the 25 of July 1943 which is at bottom of page 53 of the English, pages 63 and 64 of the German:
Greece:
1st Mountain Division: Mopping-up operation according to plan at Joannina - Arta with local enemy resistance. Band dispersed from height position, 20 enemy dead, 1 ammunition dump destroyed, 1 English parachute bomb discovered. Hostages were arrested in all localities. Non-inhabitants of locality are treated as bandits.
Next is report of the 26 - 17 of July, page 54 of the English, page 65 of the German:
"Effects of the situation in Italy:
"So far no effect of the change of government on the behavior of the population.
"Italian proclamation has been announced to Assault-division by governor Rhodes with special mention, that the war continues, that Italy will keep its promise and that adequate instructions have been made to Italian commanders of island including the Legions."
Your Honors will recall that at this time Mussolini was replaced as head of the Italian Government by General Badoglio.
By order of the higher military command Italian Command Post Triest has alerted the German and Italian headquarters to maintain public order. Italian 2nd Army has not as yet received any instructions from Rome. Service continues normally.
According to reliable sources DM has instructed his subordinated leaders in Bosnia and Dalmatia on 26.7. to carry out the following operations immediately in case expected insurrection in Italian Army takes place: The disarming of all Italian units, distribution of Italian weapons to DM units. Recruiting of Yugoslavian Luftwaffe personnel. Later destruction of all traffic roads, occupation of towns and mopping-up operations in coastal areas. Internment of captured Italians and treatment according to international martial law.
Greece:
Your Honors will note that this was two orders supposedly issued by DM units, of captured Italian soldiers.
2nd Regiment Brandenburg:
1 band locality destroyed, male population arrested, women and children evacuated. As reprisal for surprise fire attack on German truck in Rodiani (12 south of Kozeni) 2 bandits were hanged in public.
Next Dally Report for the 28 July 1943:
Effects of Italian situation:
Italian Officers Corps at Rhodes hopes, that under new government party-political influences will be eliminated in military decisions. The militia is suspicious towards new leadership, Militia-Consuls are ready to continue the fight on the German side in case of separate efforts for peace.
In Athens EAM propaganda among Italian soldiers for separate peace.
Your Honors will recall that later documents will show that the EAM is one of the 2 important Greek organizations:
Next the Daily Report of Commander-in-Chief Southeast to OKW/WFST of 31.7.43.
Greece:
Italian troops on Peloponnesus placed under command of LXVIII Corps Headquarters for special assignment as of 31.7., Your Honors will recall that at this time the defendant Felmy was Commander of the LXVIII Army Corps.
East of Amalias Group IV/Fortress Infantry Battalion 999 fired on by band. As reprisal 2 hostages were shot, 1 locality was burnt down.
Serbia:
Southeast of Kursumlija allegedly 250 Chotniks in English uniform.
I call Your Honors' attention to the date of this report, when it is reported that the Chetniks were in English uniform, 31 July 1943.
Next the Daily Report of the Commander-in-Chief Southeast for the 1st August 1943;
Effects of Italian situation:
According to report from German liaison officer with Italian VIII Infantry Corps unrest among Italian Officers Corps, a larger part of which urges towards Italy. According to statements of civilian Italians in Naupion area try to obtain civilian garments from Greeks. In area of Tirana a new independent Albanian government is said to have been formed. Among the members also English officers. In Debar area an open revolt in favor of a new government is expected. An indication thereof is the large scale desertion amongst the Albanian troops.
Next a report of the 3rd of August 1943:
Effect of Italian situation:
Strong propaganda activity of the EAM to entice Italian soldiers in Athens to desert and surrender their arms.
Page 47 of the English, 71 of the German, Daily Report for the 5th of August, 1943, under Serbia:
Continual local attacks and collisions between insurgents and Serbian police, 10 Communist reprisal prisoners were shot. West of Krusevac DM-Commander shot.
Continuing with the report of the 6th of August, 1943:
Greece:
3 band localities destroyed. 3 dumps with weapons, ammunition, clothing and supplies were captured.
Serbia:
Reinforced. DM-movement under English command in area Southwest of Lebane.
Southwest of Cacak 4-500 peasants have been mobilized by DM.
Continuing now with the report for the 15 of August 1943, at the "bottom of page 58 of the English, page 73 of the German:
Greece:
2 Localities occupied by bands were bombed by Luftwaffe. Attack by small hand on electricity plant Karditsa, enemy repulsed by GermanItalian combat group. During operation of 1st Mountain Division in coastal area of Amuzia (yesterday's daily report), 1 English confidential agent, 70 band suspects arrested, 2 localities destroyed.
As reprisal for attack on German gun reported yesterday 3 localities have been burnt down North West of Leskovic.
Serbia:
During operation Arilje further 10 enemy dead, 84 band accomplices arrested, 1 band locality destroyed.
Near Beljevac and Usice harvest sabotage and surprise attacks on communities, 20 members of Serbian State Guard deported or rather deserted. As reprisal 15 Communist prisoners shot.
Next the report for the 17 of August 1943:
Serbia:
10 Communist reprisal prisoners shot for the murder of the Volksdeutsche mayor.
Continuing the report for the 18 of August 1943:
Serbia:
As reprisal for surprise attack on coal-mine near Aleksinac and for the murder of 2 mayors, 30 Communists and 20 Chetniks were shot.
Next the report for the 19 of August 1943:
Greece:
On Crete in village Southwest of Rethymnon, 1 German non-commissioned officer was killed by unknown perpetrator. As reprisal 10 Greeks were shot, male inhabitants of village were taken to labor camps. Attack on Italian garrison of Almiros (25 Southwest of Volos), reported yesterday, was carried out by large (1,000?) well-armed band.
Next the report of the 21 of August 1943 Commander-in-Chief Southeast, this time General Loehr, whose Chief of Staff was General Foertsch. This report concerns Serbia, where the defendant von Geitner was Chief of Staff to General Bader.
Serbia:
East of Zagubica 2 compressors, 1 steam-roller and other machines heavily damaged through sabotage, 33 Communist reprisal prisoners shot.
Croatia:
Increased aggravation of the situation. Communists and Chetniks clearly recognize the symtoms of disintregation in the Croatian Army. Increase of enemy propaganda, increase of well-prepared attacks by superior forces on Croatian strongholds, whose troops for the most part do not offer resistance. Many desertions of Moslems because of forced induction into the SS. In Legion Division also increased desertion. Allegedly because of rumors concerning entrance of Turkey into the war.
Continuing now at bottom of page 61 of the English, page 78 of the German, Daily Report of the 23rd of August 1943:
Greece:
On Peloponnesus in area 35 Northwest of Tripolis surprise attacks by small bands on German soldiers, 1 missing, 2 suspect localities burnt down.
Explosives and ammunition were captured in villages, villages were destroyed. Near Amphilokia a monastery suspected of Belonging to bands was bombed by plane. 2nd Regiment Brandenburg clashed with small band Southwest of Neapolis, 1 band locality was burnt down.