TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO. NOKW-647 CONT'D. EXCERPTS I a (page of original) No. 140 SECRET T e l e t y p e From:
Commander Greece, Ic, dated 13.7.1944 To: 1.) Military Commander Southeast, Ic, B e l g r a d e
2.) High Command Army Group E Ic., Saloniki (for information)
Ic Morning Report dated 14.7.1944 Administrative subarea HWs 538 reports:
3 communists shot in reprisal for band attack (see A.M. 26.6.44) in Theses on 3.7.44.
. . . . . . . . .
Sgd. Commander Greece Ic B.B.No. 18 206/44 secret.
Lieutenant Colonel.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO. NOKW-647 CONT'D. EXCERPTS (page 19 of original) No. 123 Distribution:
Corps Headquarters LXVIII Infantry Corps for information Commander of the Ordnungs Police " " On the Premises:
Qu SECRET Commander Greece Ia 5.7.44 1.) Military Commander Southeast Ia Belgrade
2.) High Command Army Group E Saloniki for information Daily report 6.7.44 . . . . . . . .
b) 1.) During a search operation in the city quarter of Guwa (Athens) by troops of the Evzon Regiment No. 1, the following material was captured: 2 machine pistols, 7 rifles, 10 pistols, 6 hand grenades, 137 detonators, 1700 rounds of ammunition, 23 flare shells. 2 communists were shot to death. No losses of our own.
2.) 3.7. Attack of strong band (about 400 men) on base 'Volunteer Detachment Euboea I' in Steni, 22.5. northeast of Chalkis repelled. Enemy losses: 1 dead. Losses of our own: 4 dead, 13 wounded.
. . . . . . . . . .
Commander Greece Ia No. 12609/44 secret Certified a true copy:
(signature illegible)
1st Lieutenant signed Kleinert Lieutenant Colonel If your Honors will turn now to page 76, please, we have a teletype from Military Commander Greece IC.
, dated 14.6.1944.
To: 1.) Military Commander Southeast Ic, B E L G R A D E
2.) High Command Army Group E, Ic, Saloniki (for information) Ic Evening Report dated 14.6.1944 Administrative subarea HQs Athens publishes shooting to death of 20 communists as reprisal measure for the attack on 3 German soldiers and for sabotage of the Wehrmacht telephone lines.
As far as it is possible to evaluate the effect of the invasion on the political situation the assumption if waiting soberly before passing judgment prevails that our own counteraction will have the greater effect. If retreat and a withdrawal of troops from the southeast area is considered it is feared that communists terror activities will increase. Minister President Rhallis, in connection with the current propaganda operation, issued a declaration published in the press which clearly emphasizes a turning away from Bolshevism and from the communist plague. The population receives the leaflets - the distribution of which is under way - with recognizable satisfaction.
Military Commander Greece Captain Ic Br.B. No. 17 570/44 secret On page 77, Your Honors, the distribution Corps Headquarters LXVIII Infantry Corps for information Commander of the Ordnungs Police for information (2. On the Premises:
Qu Ia/KTB Ia/Draft SECRET Military Commander Greece Ia
1.) Military Commander Southeast Ia
2.) High Command Army Group E Saloniki (for information) 13.6.44 Daily report 14.
6.44 ....................
b) 1.)..............
2.) 11.6. A tractor with trailer was stolen from the Wehrmacht estate Kopais near Keramidi, 8 east Lewadia. 2 German gendarmes wounded. Reprisal measures consisted of shooting to death of 25 inhabitants of Keramidi, besides the burning down of 4 houses. Safeguarding of bandit property.
Under the 10th June, we find the entry.
600 bandits attack bases 'volunteer Battalion 1' in Melecki and Nookastron, 15 east Verria. The attack was repelled after a combat of 10 hours duration. Both villages partially set afire by shooting Enemy losses: 14 dead, Losses of our own: 7 dead.
Military Commander Greece Ia No. 12314/44 secret.
(initials illegible)
1st Lieutenant If your Honor will turn to page 78 we find From Military Commander Greece, Ic., dated 12.
6.1944," another teletype To: 1.) Military Commander Southeast, Ic, B E L G R A D E
2.) High Command Army Group E, Ic, Saloniki (for information) (illegible init.)
The Intelligence Officer reported on evening of 12.6.44.
Administrative Subarea HQs Chalkis reports:
11.6.44 Band attack on tractor on the Road Thebes - Lewadia (6 east Lewadia). 2 Field gendarmes wounded, 1 kidnapped. During countermeasures 25 people suspected of belonging to bands were shot to death.
Military Commander Greece Major Ic Br.B. No. 17.
508/44 secret On page 79, Your Honors, the distribution shows that it went for information to Corps Headquarters LXVIII Infantry Corps Felmy for information Commander of the Ordnung Police for information On the Premises:
Secret Military Commander Greece Ia
1.) Military Commander Southeast Ia Belgrade 3.4.44
2.) High Command Army Group E Saloniki, for information Daily report 4.6.44.
a)............
b) 1.) Search operation Piraeus concluded 2 communists shot to death. 81 were arrested, among them 63 functionaries. No looses of our own (see daily report dated 3.6.b) 3.) ).
......
4.) 30.5. Sizeable band group takes base 'Volunteer Battalion Macedonia III' in Karizias, 9 northwest of Edessa. Garrison disarmed. The bandits captured 100 rifles without a fight. After stubborn resistance, bands occupied the base of Vrita, 10 west Edessa. 2/3 of the village burned down. Village was retaken by troops of combat group Eberlein (Wehrmacht). Volunteers battalions Macedonia I-III dissolved because of unreliability. Weapons are taken over by the commander of the Ordnungs Police, North. It is intended to reconstruct the battalion at a later date.
Military Commander Greece Ia No. 12170/44 secret.
(initial illegible)
Major On page 80, Your Honor, on page 79 German defense counsel's book, we have a teletype from Military Commander Greece, Defendant Speidel, dated 14.
5.1944.
To: 1.) Military Commander Southeast, Ic, Belgrade
2.) High Command Army Group E., Ic, Saloniki (for information) Ic Evening Report dated 14.5.1944 Administrative subarea HQs Korinth reports:
13.5.44. Band attack on Masaras (7 northwest Sparta). 4 houses burned down.
13.5.44 10 Communists hanged in Patras as reprisal for attack (see A.M. 11.5.44).
Administration subarea HQs Larissa reports:
25 Greeks hanged at the scene of the incident in reprisal for the attack on the railroad near Doxara (see A.M. dated 4.5.44).
Military Commander Greece Ic B.B. No. 16 942/44 secret.
If your Honors will turn now to page 81, please, we have another teletype from, Military Commander, Greece, Ic, dated 5.4.1944 To: 1.) Military Commander Southeast, Ic, Belgrade
2.) High Command Army Group E. Ic, Saloniki (for information) Ic Evening report dated 5.5.44 Administrative subarea Athens reports:
A communist road chick--post raided by SD in Athens on 2.5.44. 11 communists shot to death.
Military Commander Greece Ic Br. No. 16 722.
44 secret On page 82, Your Honors, the Military Commander Greece reports under the 3rd May 1944, to Military Commander Southeast, Ic, Belgrade High Command Army Group E., Ic, Saloniki (for information) The Field Commander publishes the shooting to death of 50 communists (attack, see A.M. 14.
4.44), and the hanging of 10 communists (attack on railroad train, see A.M. 25.4.44).
High SS and Police Fuehrer in Greece publishes the shooting of 30 communists in reprisal for the murder of 4 Evzones and of 2 legionaires on the period from 24th to 28th 4.44.
Military Commander Greece Major On page 83, your Honors:
"Distribution: Corps Headquarters 68th Infantry Corps (for information) Commander of the Ordnungs Police, Military Commander Greece 1a:1) Military Commander Southeast Ia, Belgrade, 2) High Command Army Group E Saloniki (for information), 3) Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 395 Saloniki (for information).
"Daily report dated 1st May 1944: Volunteer Detachment Euboca I, 30 April, Operation Buergerwehr with Troops of the North Caucasian Infantry Battalion in the area off Masilikon 7 km Southeast Chalkis. 30 bandit houses burned down. 16 people, suspected of being bandits, arrested.
"Military Commander Greece 1a No. 11703/44 secret (initial illegible) M Major."
If your Honors will turn to page 84 now, please, we have a teletype from the Military Commander Greece 1c, dated 1 May 1944 to: "1) Military Commander Southeast 1c Belgrade, 2) High Command Army Group E 1c Saloniki (for information).
"1c Evening Report dated 1 May 1944. Commander of the Ordnungs Police Athens reports: 60 Communists shot to death as further reprisal measure for attack on Police Official (Polizeioffizier) on 30 April (see morning dated 26.4.44). Military Commander Greece 1c 1y. 418/44 secret. Major."
Page 85 of our document book -- it is page 83 of the Defense counsel's -- is a teletype from the Military Commander Greece I to the Military Commander Southeast 1c Belgrade and High Command Army Group E 1c Saloniki (for information).
"1c Morning Report dated 30 April 1944.
"2) 29 April 44. The city quarter of Hymettos burst into flames during a raid on a communist ammunition dump in Athens.
Explosions caused one to assume (the presence of)" -- that is, a translator's note -- considerable amounts of ammunition. 3 communist shot to death, 1 member of the Secret Field Police shot in the stomach.
"3) Administrative subarea HQs Korinth reports: 25.4.44 Band members kidnapped 7 families of members of the Free Corps from the villages near Pylos (35 southwest Messini). Food and cattle was stolen.
"4) 200 Greeks will be shot to death as a reprisal measure for the killing of General Krech and his escort detachment (see 1c A.M. dated 28.4.44, paragraph 1) on the 1 May 44. Furthermore 100 communists have been shot by Greek volunteer units.
"Military Commander Greece 1c Br. B. No. 16 391/44 secret."
The next page, your Honors, is page 86:
"Distribution: Corps Headquarters 68th Infantry Corps (for information).
Commander of the Ordnungs Police.
"On the Premises: Qu, 1a/K.T.B. (War Diary), 1a/Draft. 2 April 1944, to: 1) Military Commander Southeast 1a Belgrade, 2) High Command Army Group E Saloniki (for information), 3) Administrative area Headquarters 395 Saloniki (for information)."
An entry under the 28th of April:
"Further 60 Communists shot as a reprisal measure for the attack on the truck convoy of the Commander of the Ordnungs Police on 25th of April (see evening report 1c dated 26 April). Military Commander Greece 1a, Br. B. No. 11669/44 secret."
And then it says in the lefthand corner: "Do not pass on. Major."
On page 87, your Honors, we find the distribution:
"Corps Headquarters 68th Infantry Corps (for information)" -and then the "Commander of the Ordnungs Police. On the Premises: QU 1a/KTB (War Diary) 1a/Draft. Secret. Military Commander Greece 1a. 16.7.44; 1) Military Commander Southeast 1a Belgrade, 2) High Command Army Group E Saloniki, Daily report 17.7.44:
2) 11 July, 90 suspects arrested by Motorized Gendarmerie Platoon 35 in Topsitea, 6 West southwest Larissa and given over to the SD.
"Military Commander Greece 1a No. 12768/44 secret. Signed Kleinert, Lieutenant Colonel."
This, your Honors, concludes Document 647 which was offered as prosecution exhibit 439.
If your Honors turn now to page 88, please -- defense counsel will find this on page 86 -- we submit NOKW-668as prosecution exhibit 440. This is again a number of reports from the Military Commander Southeast Felber whose Chief of Staff was the defendant Geitner, at that time to Army Group F, which was commanded at that time by the defendant Weichs.
"(By messenger) Secret War Diary 15 May 1944. For information: OKW/General Quartermaster (Administrative Branch) OKW/West, 2nd Panzer Army" -- the 2nd Panzer Army at that time was commanded by the defendant Rendulic -- the "German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, German Plenipotentiary General in Albania, Fliegerfuehrer Croatia, Zagreb, 5th SS Mr. Army Corps (only Serbia).
"Daily Report of 15 May 44: Remaining Serbia. Continuing local Communistic and DM bandit activity and combat between both groups. At Kremna (West of Uzice) DM Cetniks who fought against the Communists a short time before, prohibit the carrying off of wood obviously in order to win back with the population the prestige, lost by collaboration with the occupying power."
"Military Commander of Greece" which is defendant Speidel: "34 communist reprisal prisoners hanged in Peloponnesus. Military Commander Southeast 1a No. 3048/44 secret. Signed von Geitner"; and then "Certified: First Lieutenant."
On the next page, your Honor, the same distribution and "for information" and to Army Group F which was headed at that time by the defendant von Weichs, under the 16th of April 44, War Diary, Daily Report, German General Plenipotentiary in Albania: 300 Jews arrested in Pristina by the SS Division 'Skanderberg'. Military Commander Southeast 1a No. 3078/44 Secret. Signed von Geitner. 1st Lieutenant Certified (Illegible signature)" Then Rubber stamp and pencilled notes.
"To: Army Group F (by messenger). Secret. 19 May 44. For the information of: "-- the same information as in the daily report of 19 May 1944.
"Daily Report of 19 May '44. Serbia. Increasing preparation for negotiations by the previously reserved Cetnik Units, under Red pressure and on account of lack of munition.
"The German General Plenipotentiary in Albania" -
DR. FRITSCH (Counsel for defendant Rendulic): I apologize for the interruption but my client, defendant Rendulic, doesn't feel very well and would like to go out for ten minutes. We, therefore, would like a recess to be taken now for ten minutes.
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: Will you state again just why you need a recess now?
DR. FRITSCH: The defendant Rendulic doesn't feel very well.
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: Very well. We will recess for 15 minutes.
(A recess was taken)
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, we stopped prior to the recess on page 90, page 87 of the German defense counsels' books, and we concern ourselves with NOKW 668, which became Prosecution's Exhibit 440.
The last entry on this document was, "German General plenipotentiary in Albania."
"29 Albanian deserters and 20 hostages arrested in operation of the Albanian Gendarmes in the area NW of Prizren".
Signed, Military Commander Southeast Ia, No 1 3152/44 secret, signed von Geitner".
This, your Honors, concludes the particular document.
MR. RAPP: If your Honors turn now to page 91, please, you find document No. NOKW-611; that is page 88 in German Defense counsel's book. And then if you will turn to page 102, please -- German Defense Counsel's book page 100, we have Document No. NOKW-1731. Your Honors, these two particular documents we are not offering into evidence at this time, but with Your Honors' permission we would like to have them marked for identification only, and suggest that NOKW-611 be marked 440-a and NOKW1731, which is on page 102 be marked 440-b. No. 440-a-1, the second document. The first one to be marked 440-a and the second document 440-a-1. This, your Honors, concludes document book No. 18.
MR. DENNEY: May it please your Honors, at this time we would like to ask the Court to request the Marshal to produce the witness Felber, and Mr. Rapp will examine Felber. And, with your Honors' permission, he will examine him in the German language.
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: The Marshal will bring in the witness Felber.
(THE MARSHAL ESCORTS THE WITLESS TO THE STAND.)
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: The witness will be sworn. Raise your right hand please, and repeat after me: "I solemnly swear that the testimony I will give in the case on trial will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." You may be seated. You may proceed, Mr. Rapp.
MR. RAPP: Witness, please talk slowly and distinctly into the microphone. If you talk too fast a light will appear in front of you. You must then stop and repeat your sentence slowly. Please state your full name.
A. My name is Hans Gustav Felber.
Q. When were you born?
A. On the 8th of July 1889.
Q. Where were you born?
A. In Wiesbaden.
Q. Are you married?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you have children?
A. No.
Q. Were you ever a member of the NSDAP or any of its affiliated organizations?
A. No.
Q. What is your profession?
A. I am a professional soldier and officer.
Q. Since when?
A. Since 1907.
Q. Were you on active duty the whole time?
A. Yes.
Q. Please state quite briefly your military career, with dates and promotions, from first of September 1939, that is to say, the outbreak of the Second World War.
A. On the first of September 1939 I was Brigadier General and Chief of the General Staff of Army Group 3 in Dresden, Germany. In the Police campaigns I was employed as Chief of the General Staff of the 8th German Army. After the conquest of Warsaw, on the first of October 1939, I was promoted Major General. On the 15th of October 1939, the 8th Army was dissolved. I myself became Chief of the General Staff of the newly organized 2nd German Army in the West. In February, 1940, I became Chief of the General Staff of the Army Group C ("C" for Caesar) in Frankfurt on Main. After the end of the campaign in the West, on the first of August 1940 -- I was appointed General of the Infantry.
JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: Judge Burke is having difficulty in getting the transmission of the Interpreter. Can we get a check on that of some sort?
(THE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WAS CHECKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES.)
Q Witness, will you kindly continue with your career.
A On 20 October 40, I became Commanding General of the XIII Army Corps in the West. In the Spring 1941, I was transferred to the East with the staff of my corps where on the 22nd of June we took part in the attack on Russia. At the beginning of January 1942 I was transferred to the Fuehrer Reserve. On the first of April 1942 I took over a high command in France and remained there until the invasion of Southern France in November 1942. On the 29th of August I took over the newly created office of Military Command Southeast in Belgrade and I remained there in that capacity until the 29 of September 1944 on which date I took over the newly founded Army Group Serbia which I led until its dissolution on the 26th of October 1944. Then I was transferred to the West. At first I took over a combat group in the battle of the Ardennes and then on the 20th of February 1945 I was appointed to lead the 7th German Army which I led until the 26th of March. Then I was transferred to the OKH Officers Reserve (Fuehrerreserve). On the 12 of May I surrendered to the American Army in the Prison Camp Eger in Czechoslovakia.
Q Witness, did you take part in the first World War?
A I took part in the whole of the first world way from the beginning to the end, in the ranks and the last year in the General Staff.
Q What German awards or medals did you receive during world wars I and II?
A In the first world war I received the Iron Cross, second and first class; the Hessian Medal for Bravery; and the Brunswick Medal for Bravery. In the second World War I received the clasp to the Iron Cross I and II class and the Knight's Cross.
Q In what internment camps have you been since you were taken prisoner?
A First of all in Eger, then in Pilsin, then in Freysing, in Wiesbaden, in Toucainville near Cherbourg, in Paris, in Neustadt near Marburg, in Hersfeld, in Zufeuhausen near Stuttgart, in Dachau, in Allendorf near Marburg and now in Neustadt near Marburg.
Q Are you a prisoner of the United States?
A Yes.
Q Now long in the Nurnberg Jail?
A I am here since the 3rd of May.
Q Approximately how much was that altogether?
A The first two times each for six weeks; now I have been here for eight days.
Q Approximately how many times were you interrogated in Nurnberg by members of the Prosecution?
AApproximately ten times.
Q In the prison of Nurnberg were you treated exactly in the same way as the other inmates?
A Until now, yes; since three days I have been guarded with special severity.
Q Have any promises been made to you by the Prosecution?
A No.
Q In connection with the interrogation were you subjected to any physical or mental pressure from the part of the prosecution?
A Besides of the last three days, no.
Q In the last three days have you seen members of the prosecution?
A No.
Q When did you see members of the prosecution for the last time?
A I believe that must have been on the 15th of June; no, that is a mistake; it must have been in the first week of June.
Q From when to when exactly were you Military Commander Southeast and at the same time Military Commander Serbia?
A I was that from the 29 of August 1943 until the 29 of September 1944.
Q Which headquarters or person gave you the assignment?
A I got this assignment from the Army Personnel Office.
Q Before you took over your position as Military Commander Southeast and at the same time Military Commander Serbia, did you receive any instructions with regard to your position?
A Yes, I had to report to the Fuehrer's Headquarters, that was on the 20th of August 1943; there I was received by the General Quarter Master General Wagner, by the then Field Marshal Keitel, and subsequently by General Jodl.
Q Whom were you directly subordinated in your capacity as Military Commander Southeast and simultaneously Military Commander Serbia?
A I was officially subordinated to the High Command of the Army and the Quartermaster General who at the same time looked after things in the OKW.
Q Who were the people with whom you had to deal in the OKW and in the OKH respectively?
A I can only remember the then Lieutenant Colonel Gartmeyer who especially had to do with affairs regarding the Balkans.
Q And of which department was Gartmeyer?
A He was attached to the Quartermaster General, the number of his department I don't know.
Q In the OKH or OKW?
A That is the same department, the same officers worked there, under the designations of these departments, that is, OKW and (OKH).
Court No. V, Case No. VII.
Q. Witness, what were your tasks as Military Commander Southeast?
A. When I took over my position I received so-called directives for the activities of Military Commander Southeast. When I was introduced to my job I was, however, told by General Wagner right away that these directives had not been worked out definitely. I received the order already on the 5th of September, that is after a fortnight, to submit new proposals for such directives to the quartermaster general.
Q. Did you have orders as Military Commander of Serbia?
A. No, this directive concerned the Military Commander of Serbia. This is not clear from these directives whether I should have to carry out these orders as Military Commander of Serbia and Military Commander Southeast. But in practice the union of these two offices in one persons worked itself out and as such it was tacitly acknowledged.
Q. During your time as Military Commander Southeast simultaneously Military Commander Serbia, who was the highest responsible personality in the Southeastern Theatre as far as Military Tactical and security matters were concerned?
DR. LATERNSER: I object. Your Honor, I believe the question which had been put in the form is not admissible. The witness cannot tell here who had the highest responsibility in this matter. The Court can decide that.
THE PRESIDENT: Objection overruled.
A. The highest responsible personality was Field Marshall Freiherr von Weichs, Supreme Commander Southeast, in my opinion.
Q. Did you know the Field Marshall von Weichs personally?
A. Yes, I knew him for a number of years, as a subordinate as commanding general of the Nurnberg Corps previous to the beginning of the war subordinate to the Army Corps 3 in Dresden, whose Chief I was.
I knew the Field Marshall von Weichs in the Polish Campaign. I experienced from there the new organization of the 2nd Army, whose Commanding Chief I was. I became his Chief of Staff. Then in the East in the Russian Campaign, I was subordinate to him as Commander in Chief of the 2nd Army.
Q. Thank you, Witness. We will return to this later on. Can you recognize the defendant, former Field Marshall von Weichs, can you recognize him in this courtroom?
A. Yes.
Q. Where is he now?
A. He is just opposite from me under the window, counting from the left, he is seventh from the left, starting from Speidel.
Q. That is former Field Marshall von Weichs?
A. Yes, that is the fifth from the left.
Q. Who was the Chief of Staff to the Commander and Chief Southeast at that time, when you became Military Commander and Chief Southeast?
A. That would be General Foertsch.
Q. Did you know the Chief of Staff personally?
A. I only got to know him in Belgrade.
Q. Do you recognize the former Chief of Staff, the present defendant Foertsch, here in the courtroom?
A. Yes, he is the third from the left.
Q. Who was your Chief of Staff then, Witness?
A. That was the Col. Ritter von Geitner, who was later promoted to General.
Q. Do you recognize him here in the Court?
A. He is sitting between Foertsch and Field Marshall von Weichs.
Q. Who was, during your term of office as Military Commander Southeast, the Commander in Chief of the 2nd Panzer Army.
A. General Rendulic when the office was taken over.
Q. Did you know General Rendulic personally?
A. Yes, in the East as Commander of a Division he was subordinate to me for a short time, and then I saw him again in Serbia?
Q. Is he here present in the Court?
A. Yes, the sixth from the left.
Q. What were your personal connections with the defendant von Weichs, as far as you haven't told us that before?
A. My personal relationship with Field Marshall von Weichs was mostly of an admiring nature. In the long years of the war I saw him, especially as an upright, a clever and judicious superior, and he was an exemplary man. He was, in contrast to many others, in my view in no way devoted to the interests of the Nazi Party, and on the other hand his strong leanings toward the church prevented him from doing that, even under the eyes of the Party he did not hesitate to show himself as a true leader; In my superior Field Marshall von Weichs I want to say I had kind of a fatherly friend to whom I had access at any time, and I could tell him all my worries and my thoughts quite frankly and openly, and I often made use of that.
Q. Who was your predecessor in your capacity as Military Commander Southeast?
A. I did not have a predecessor and under this designation there was none. This staff had only been founded when I appeared.
Q. Was this position created especially for you?
A. Yes.