First -- Evening report of the units, 31 August 1943, 99th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 2015 hours: "During Canal operation, 5 armed bandits were captured. They were shot to death. Additional suspects were arrested."
Next -- Evening report of the units 3 September 1943, 98th Mountain Infantry Regiment: "Near Akmotopos, apparently there as observers, two armed civilians were shot to death by the 4th Battery. Two rifles and several rounds of ammunition were captured."
Page 81 of the English, 107 of the German, the report of the 1st Mountain Division dated 31 August 1943 to the German General Staff with the Italian 11th Army, same text to 22nd Mountain Army Corps:
"No band activity. During Canal operation 5 armed bandits shot to death. An additional 7 suspects arrested. Near Koronopulon (5 kilometers northwest of it) 17 prisoners including 5 carrying guns." Signed: "1st Mountain Division," the "Ic" or Intelligence Officer.
Finally, the report of the 1st Mountain Division dated 4 September 1943 to the 22nd Mountain Army Corps, same text, which was sent to German General Staff with the Italian 11th Army: "11 bandits shot to death."
THE PRESIDENT: We will take our morning recess at this time.
DR. SAUTER, for the defendant Lanz. While submitting the last document, document 970, Exhibit 450, the prosecution has noted that some units had gone to the 22nd Mountain Corps which was then under the command of General Lanz. I would like to add the following statement to this. This is an error of the prosecution, for a half an hour ago, the prosecution read a daily order of the 9 September. It is to be found on Page 82 of the German edition of this document book. I do not know at the moment which page of the English, but a report of the 9th of September, 1943, and the prosecutor himself read and I quote here literally:
"General Lanz, Commander of the 22nd Mountain Corps, took over the command of the first Mountain Division and the 4th Jaegerdivision".
Therefore, this determines the fact that at that period of time to which the document 970, Exhibit 450 refers, General Lanz was not yet commander of the 22nd Mountain Corps. He only took over the command of this corps on the 9th of September. I wanted to correct that matter.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Your Honor, I should like to call the Tribunal's attention, and also Dr. Sauter's attention to Page 9 of the English document book at page 6 of the German document book. That is a service record of General Hubert Lanz, and we want to note that on the 25th of August, 1943, the service record indicates that General Lanz became Commander General of the 22nd Mountain Corps.
DR. SAUTER: Mr. President, what the prosecution has just claimed, is correct. General Lanz received an appointment on the 25th of August, 1943. At that time he worked at a Division Theater of war, but he did not take over the 22nd Mountain Corps until the 9th of September. That is shown from the document which was read by the prosecution itself, and that date can only be decisive on which General Lanz actually took over the command of the troops, and that was doubtless on the 9th of September.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: The Tribunal will give consideration to the various documents to which counsel for the prosecution and the defense have called to our attention, and also their comments.
It is a question of fact which will receive consideration by the Tribunal.
DR. SAUTER: Thank you, your Honor.
BY MR. FENSTERMACHER:
We turn now to Page 83 of the English document, 109 of the German document, NOKW 1104, which is Prosecution's Exhibit No. 451. This is a series of orders from the 1st Mountain Division to various of its subordinate units, as well as reports from the subordinate units of the 1st Mountain Division, and the 1st Mountain Division itself, to the 22nd Mountain Corps.
The first is an order of the 1st Mountain Division dated 13 September 1943, and I believe there will be no issue of fact that at that time the defendant Lanz commanded the 22nd Mountain Corps, and that the 1st Mountain Division was subordinate to that corps:
"Special Instructions for the Ic area No. 6. Civil Administration. With the disarming of the Italian Army the government in the Epirus is transferred to the German occupation troops."
Your Honors, we will be hearing a good deal about the Epirus section of Greece, and your Honors will find in the informational pamphlet which the prosecution prepared and submitted to the Tribunal, a map of Greece and the Southeastern area, and the Epirus section is the western section of Greece below the Albanian border.
"The Greek civil administration is subordinated to them.
Organization of the Internal Administration:
The administrative area Epirus coincides more or less with the area of the Division. The total number of inhabitants is about 400,000 (census of 1940). Since then a migration of about 15% from Greek cities. At the head is the General Governor in Jannina. The establishing of liaison by Ic of the Division. 4 Prefectures are subordinated to the General Governor:
a) Prefecture Jannina, total number of inhabitants 180,000, of these 2,000 are Jews. Collaboration with Ic Division. 2 Sub-Prefectures are subordinated to the Prefecture:
aa) Konitsa, Sub-Prefect Costandos.
Establishing of liaison by Staff Lederer.
bb) Pogonion, Sub-Prefect Onufriu.
cc) The town Jannina, 23,000 inhabitants, the mayor (Dimarchos) Wlachlidis Dimitrius.
Collaboration with garrison headquarters Jannina.
To aa) and bb): All Mayors are subordinated to the Sub-Prefects.
b) Prefecture Arta, which is another area in Epirus, Jannina being the capital. Prefecture Avta, total number of inhabitants 70,000, of these 12,000 in Arta, Prefect Matios, establishing of liaison by the 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment.
c) Prefecture Prevesa: total number of inhabitants 80,000, of these 11,000 in the town Prevesa, Prefect Papadaki, establishing of liaison by 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment.
d) Prefecture Thesprothis: total number of inhabitants 70,000, of these 18,000 Mohammedan, in Paramythia 3,000. Headquarters of the Prefecture is Paramythia, Prefect Krudulis (is considered unreliable and is soon to be replaced). Establishing of liaison by 99th Mountain Jaeger Regiment".
Your Honors will note here that two references are made to subordinate units of the 1st Mountain Division, the 98th Mountain Regiment, and the 99th Mountain Jaeger Regiment, reference to which we have had occasion to refer to earlier in this document book:
"The General Governor, the Prefects and Sub-Prefects will be appointed by the Government. In case unreliability is determined, immediate protective custody, with a report to the Ic of the Division for the appointment of a successor. The Mayors are appointed by the Prefects for an indefinite period. In case of unreliability to be relieved by Regimental troops, etc. in agreement with the Prefectures. The Prefectures and Sub-Prefectures will receive the necessary instructions from the General Governor."
Now I direct your Honors attention particularly to this next paragraph, paragraph 10 of this order of the 1st Mountain Division and the date of the order is the 13 September 1943, at which time the de fendant Lanz is commander of the 22nd Mountain Corps to which this particular division is subordinate:
"10) In order to oppose energetically the continued raids on convoys and members of the Wehrmacht, it is ordered, that from 20 Sept 43 onward, for every German soldier wounded or killed by insurgents or civilians, 10 Greeks from all classes of the population to be shot to death. This order must be carried out consistently in order to achieve a deterrent effect."
The order is signed by the First General Staff Officer. I ask Your Honors to please keep in mind the date of this order, 13 September 1943, because we shall have occasion in the last document in this document book to refer to a later order about a month later, in the middle of October, 1943, in which this division raises the reprisal quota from the 10-to-1 ratio outlined here, to a ratio of 50-to-1.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Turning next to Page 16 of the English, Page 112 of the German, the Evening Report of the unit, 15 September 1943. The section of the report dealing with the activities of the 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment, which was, of course, subordinate to the 1st Mountain Division. "At 0930 hours attack with trench mortar fire on stronghold near observation point 446. During mopping up operation against Neochoraki no enemy encountered, the village also free of civilians, was completely destroyed." Next, the Evening Report of the Unit for the 16th of September 1943, again the 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment. "2nd Battalion 0630 hours mopping up operation against Kompoti carried out. The village itself is free of enemy and civilians. It was destroyed and burned down. The area of the valley leading towards the east was put under artillery fire. As a result an ammunition dump blew up." It is on the bottom of Page 86 of the English, Page 113 of the German. "The area of the valley leading towards the east was put under artillery fire. As a result an ammunition dump blew up. 10 bandits were shot to death. 1 destroyed Italian machine gun was captured." Turning to Page 88 of the English, page 114 of the German, the report of the 1st Mountain Division, dated 17 September 1943, to Corps Headquarters of the 22nd Mountain Corps:
"Enemy surprise attack on our own truck convoy 17 kilometers south of Joannina. It was the first time a raid was made on this stretch since arrival of the Division. Otherwise, no bandit activity worth mentioning. Supplementary Report to the 16 Sept: North of Konica a telephone unit was fired upon by a band with 2 machine guns and several rifles. 2 Russian volunteer auxiliaries were wounded. As reprisal measure 1 village north of Konica was burned down. Ammunition exploded in the houses.
Mopping up operation in the area of the attack 17 kilometers south of Joannina without contact with the enemy. The surrounding villages were speedily evacuated by the population, and were burned down. Own losses during the raid:
1 officer and 4 men killed in combat, 1 man missing, 9 men wounded (2 of these remained with the unit), 2 trucks severely damaged."
I think we may skip the next report and turn to page 90 of the English and page 116 of the German -- another report of the 1st Mountain Division to the 22nd Mountain Corps, the Evening Report, and the textual matter of this is primarily more or less the same as it was in the report which I have just finished reading. I should like to read the last paragraph of the report on Page 91 of the English, Page 117 of the German.
"On 17 Sept between 0630 and 0700 hours a supply column was fired on near Theriakision (17 kilometers south of Jannina) by a band of unknown strength. Own losses 5 dead, among these 1 officer, 7 wounded, presumably 4 missing. 2 trucks seriously damaged. In the face of our counter measures the band retreated in an easterly direction, all villages cast of the place of the attack, in a radius of 4 kilometers, were burned down. At various places ammunition exploded. The entire population had fled."
The next three reports tie in one with another. First, is the Evening Report of the unit for the 18th of September 1943, the 99th Mountain Jaeger Regiment, which, of course, is subordinate to the 1st Mountain Division. "In Sulopulon 3 civilians were arrested and turned over to the Field Police. They had Italian uniforms in their possession." Then, turning to the bottom of Page 92 of the English, Page 118 of the German, the report of the 54th Field Gendarmerie Unit, to the 1st Mountain Division Ia, or intelligence officer, dated Local Headquarters, 19 September 1943, one day after the Evening Report which I have just read. "The Greeks Spostulus Babadozolus from Reiko, Laplos Gamazas from Reiko, Spiridon Ganatos from Gallochori were shot to death at about 2030 hours on the 18th of September 1943." Next, on Page 93 of English, Page 118 of the German, a report from Group Remold, dated Group Battle Headquarters, 19 September 1943.
"Subject: Interrogation of the persons arrested by German Security Sentries on 18 June of whom 8 men and 1 woman were shot to death on 19 September 1943." The report is sent from Group Remold to the 1st Mountain Division.
"On Saturday the 18 Sept 43, 60 Greeks (18 men and 42 women) were arrested by our Security Sentries. They came from the villages Vlacheri, Pende Eklisies, Plaketi and Petrovica. They were on their way via the bandit village Seljani in order as they stated to reach Paramythia by the shortest way to visit the market there. These people were picked up by German soldiers on the road Seljani - Paramythia. Another group came from the bandit village of Elatarja and Aj Kiriaki. When these peasants were stopped by our own and the Albanese Security Sentries, about 10 of these people tried to flee; in order to stop or delay those fleeing the Albanese shot at them. At the same moment bandits who had been hiding west of Eleftherochori opened fire on our guards. As a result of the interrogations it was determined, that several of the arrested took care of the supply of the bandits, back and for along the line Plaketi - Rachestiva -monastery Panajias Paramythia. The supplies were deposited in the monastery Panajia and were taken over there by the bandits. At times up to 300 bandits were supposed to have sojourned in the monastery Panajias. Of these prisoners 8 men and 1 woman were shot. The rest of the prisoners, 35 women and 10 men are employed for road building."
I call You Honor's attention to the preceding sentence and the words, "As a result of the interrogations it has determined." On the bottom of the document the receipt stamp of the 1st Mountain Division shows that this report was received by them on the 21st of September 1943. Turning next to page 95 of the English, page 120 of the German is a report from the 1st Mountain Division to the 22nd Mountain Corps, dated the 23rd of September 1943. "During a mopping-up operation on 22nd September east of Kompoti (southeast of Arta) 8 civilians were surprised whilst they were making entrenchments and were shot to death."
And turning next to page 96 of the English, page 121 of the German, is a report from the 2nd Security Company, dated 24 September 1943 about armed reconnaissance against the place Bratovice on 23rd of September 1943.
I. Situation By means of interrogations of civilians it became known that in Bratovice, a mountain village situated about 12 kilometers south of Bilishte, an ammunition dump of the bandits was said to be located.
This ammunition was said to have been left behind by the withdrawing Italian troops and brought to Bratovice via Hocishte by the bandits. No details were known about the strength of the bandits in the area of Bratovice.
II. Decision Based on this situation, I decided to carry out an armed reconnaisance against Bratovice.
III. Carrying out On 23 September 43 I loaded 4 NCO's and 80 men onto 2 trucks and drove with them along the road Bilishte - Bozhigrad as far as a point 6 kilometers south of Bilishte.
I fixed the departure from Bilishte at 0200 hours in the night, because I wanted to reach Bratovice whilst it was still dawn. As I had intended, I succeeded in this fashion in surprising the enemy. The first armed bandits appeared only when my advance unit had reached the end of the village lying opposite to the side of attack. In a short skirmish they were taken care of. During the searching of the houses which I immediately ordered, single civilians armed and also unarmed, tried again and again, to flee under the protection of ledges and garden walls. This, however, was prevented since I had assigned 2 groups west and east of the village as a security measure. In 5 houses, rifles, ammunition and smaller objects of equipment of Italian origin were found. These houses were burn down. At first I could not find the ammunition dump.
By means of energetic interrogations of civilians my attention was drawn to the school house in which there was a comparatively well equipped medical collecting station, consisting of 10 complete field beds and a medicine cabinet. The cellar was locked from the outside. In order to camouflage the entrance to the cellar the bandits kept a horse before it. When the cellar was entered, several shots were suddenly fired from the inside. In spite of repeated challenges the bandits did not leave the cellar not even when we shot at them with rifles; I also had hand grenades thrown in. In order to avoid losses, I ordered the whole school house to be set on fire, where upon I heard several pistol shots and the detonation of a hand grenade. When the fire had taken hold of the cellar also the detonations continued for more than an hour.
Here must have been, in addition to rifle ammunition and hand grenades, explosives or trench mortar ammunition, to, as a side wall of the cellar was completely torn out. In one house a German rifle explosive grenade was also found. The mopping up of the village had already taken up so much time that I had to assume that the bandits would assemble and cut off our retreat. Therefore I chose a different way from the road approach.
And the report is signed by Hiller. And I believe there is omitted from the German reference that Hiller is a lieutenant and an officer in charge of a company. Turning next to page 99 of the English page 124 of the German, is Document No. NOKW-865, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 451.
JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: Is that not 452?
MR. FENSTERMACHER: I beg your pardon, Your Honor; it is 452. This is an order from the 22nd Mountain Corps to its subordinate unit, the 1st Mountain Division. It is dated 24 September 1943. "To the Division Commander, The Corps informs." Of course, the Corps Commander, at that time, was the Defendant Lanz. "By order of higher authority, no prisoners are to be taken during operation 'Verrat' (treason)," signed 1st Mountain Division.
And the teletype to the Mountain Jaeger Regiment 99, a subordinate unit of the 1st Mountain Division, and then an informational copy to the Divisional Commander, Igumenica. "For operation 'Verrat' there will be brought up to Igumenica on 24.9 evening: 1 Company 2nd Regiment Brandenburg (South Tyrolians)." If your Honor, please, the 2nd Brandenburg Regiment is a German unit, but for this operation the 1st Company, 2nd Regiment Brandenburg (South Tyrolians) were "in Italian uniform and with Italian arms."
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Next, the order of the 1st Mountain Division, dated 18 September 1943, "Use care while telephoning; the enemy is listening," which appears at the top of the divisional order which again concerns this particular operation, given the code name "Verrat." It the pursuance of treason, the like of which history has never seen, which the Italian government has committed against Germany, the Italian Commander of Corfu decided to stop the occupation of the its land Corfu by German troops by force of arms. Since 13.9, German planes flying over the island, and on 15.9 that Combat Group Dodel, which had put to sea for the occupation of the island, had been fired upon.
Thereby the garrison of the Island of Corfu, which consists mainly of the 18th Italian Infantry Regiment, has joined hands with cowardly treason, and even beyond that, has gone over to the side of our enemy in open combat. Details of the garrison - see sketch. (Changes in the garrison are possible and probable). And the order is signed von Stettner, who at that time was the Commanding General in the 1st Mountain Division. Turning next to Page 102 of the English, Page 126 of the German, is Document No. NOKW-867, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No.453. These are orders from the 1st Mountain Division to subordinate units, and from the 22nd Mountain Corps to the 1st Mountain Division, which relate to reprisal measures for the death of a regimental commander, subordinate to the 1st Mountain Division. The first is dated, 1st Mountain Division, Division Headquarters, 27 September 1943.
Division Order for Mopping up of Coastal Sector to Saranda - Delvinon.
(Operation "Spaghetti)
Enemy:
In the coastal sector from Donispol to Saranda and near Delvinon, weaker Albanian bands, partly communists party nationalists. The southern most band center is Konispot. In the area of Delvinon, about 4,000 armed Italians were negotiating concerning the surrender of their arms to the bands on 20.9. In the area of Saranda about 2,000 Italians are said to have surrendered their arms to the bands. It may be assumed that the majority of the Italians has gone aboard meanwhile in Saranda and has been taken either to Corfu or southern Italy.
And then the units to be committed for this operation are listed. We turn to Page 103 of the English, Page 127 of the German, to Paragraph 6 of the division's order, which refers to Method of Warfare: The enlistment of the nationalist bands for cooperation with the Germans requires the extensive employment of Albanian middlemen and the preservation of Albanian possessions from destruction and pillaging.
Armed people bearing a hostile attitude are to be shot on the spot. Villages from which firing takes place or where armed enemies are found, are to be burned down. The male population of these villages is to be arrested. In the remaining villages, hostages are to be arrested (mayor, Teacher). They are responsible with their lives for the peacefulness of the local population. And the order is signed Stettner; he was the Commanding General of the 1st Mountain Division. Next, on Page 104 of the English, Page 127 of the German, is a Corps Order of the Day, issued by General Lanz, who was Commanding General of the 22nd Mountain Corps. The order is dated 1st of October 1943. I want to express my sincere a and deep condolences to my old First Mountain Division for the gr***, loss experienced tonight when the Commander of the 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Salminger, was killed by bandits.
I expect that the First Mountain Division will avenge this nefarious bandit murder of one of our best leaders by a ruthless reprisal action within a circumference of 20 km. of the place where the murder occurred. The order is signed, "The Commanding General, Lanz." If Your Honors will bear in mind the date of this order, the 1st of October 1943, we shall have occasion, later on, in this document book, to introduce evidence relating to the reprisal actions which were, in fact, taken to avenge the murder of the regiment commander. Turning next to Page 106 in the English, Page 129 of the German, is Document No. NOKW-909, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 454. These are a series of reports from subordinate units of the 1st Mountain Division, and also reports of the 22nd Moun tain Corps.
I think we need not read the first few of these reports, but turn to Page 109 of the English and Page 131 of the German. And on that page is found a report from the 1st Mountain Division, dated Divisional Headquarters, 29th September 1943, to the Corps Headquarters, 22nd Mountain Corps, Daily Report of 29th September:
2) Enemy:
Group Haken:
Bands destroyed the telephone poles Arta - Philippas and Mendid in night of 28 and 29 Sept. During counter measures which were carried out immediately the 2nd Company of the 54 A.A. arrested 30 male civilians who were found in the area without identification papers and were hiding in the cellars--of Neovori and Kompoti. All these civilians were shot to death. The report is signed "For Division Headquarters, For the 1st General Staff Officer." The next page, Page 110 of the English, Page 132 of the German, Evening Report of the unit, 29th September 1943:
98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment
b) On the Line Afrtae - Menidi 16 ples were cut down with hatchets 3 kilometers south of Arta. Some of the wires were carried off. An immediate search by the 2nd Company of the 54th A.A. south of Arta brought the arrest, as already reported, of 15 male civilians without identification papers in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. The civilians were arrested in the abandoned villages of Neovori and Kompoti as well as in Brushwood of the vicinity and were turned over to the Local Administrative Headquarters. All Civilians were shot to death.
At 1230 hours a light motor boat entered the port.
Armament: Two 8.8 guns.
(page 12 of original And the report of the 3rd Battalion of the 99th Regiment:
In Paranythia 50 Greeks were shot to death as reprisal measure for the raid on 20 Sept on a reconnaissance troop west of reference point 124. 149 Italian prisoners set out toward Bisdumi.
Next, on page 111 of the English, Page 132 of the German, Noon Report of the unit of the 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment. "As reprisal for the sabotage of the telephone line, 17 civilians were already shot to death." Next, the report on the same incident from the 1st Mountain Division to Corps Headquarters for the 30th of September 1943, under 98th Mountain Haeger Regiment, "As reprisal measure for sabotage of the telephone line 17 civilians were shot to death at dawn." Next, on Page 112 of the English, Page 133 of the German, a report of the 1st Mountain Division to General Lanz, who is Commander of the 22 Mountain Corps, dated the 2nd of October 1943. And I believe in the German Document Book the reference to the two groups listed are reversed. In the English Document Book: Group Haken: The attack of Group Haken was not successful against the enemy who was being reinforced. Of 10 pollboxes which were discovered, 3 were destroyed during had to hand combat. About 40 Bandits were killed. Losses: 1 killed in combat, 16 wounded.
Group Eisl: Has mopped up the area of Akmototpos. Peta is free of the enemy. During the mopping up operation in the area east of Arta the village, of Psychorrachi (7 kilometers southeast of Arta) was burned down and 5 civilians shot to death as reprisal measure.
Next, on Page 113 of the English, Page 134 of the German, Evening Report of the 98 Mountain Jaeger Regiment. "RECENTLY an exceptionally strong recruiting for bandits could be observed among the civilian population. During the mopping up operation in the area east of Arta the village Peychorrachi (7 kilometers southeast of Arta) was burned." Next, the report from the 1st Mountain Division to 22nd Mountain Corps Headquarters, dated 3 October 1943.
Captain Spindler together with couriers on motor bikes and single soldiers succeeded, in spite of rather strong enemy in the flanks, in breaking through to the height west of the defile near the Shepez ruins and through the defile to Tepelene, Tepelene was occupied and villages east of the road were burned down. The enemy continues to occupy with strong forces the height west of the Shepez Ruins.
And then going to that portion of the report dealing with activities of the Group Dodel, in the middle of Page 114 of the English, Page 135 of the German, "Fuehrer decree No. 1 was carried out on 16 officers." Next, Page 115 of the English, Page 135 of the German, is another report of the 1st Mountain Division to 22nd Division Headquarters again dated 3 October 1943:
At about 0900 hours a surprise attack by bandits on as escort motor bike acting as protection for the Commanding General on trip to Prewesa 13 kilometer south of Jannina and which and stopped. 1 NCO of the Field Gendarmeries / Corps Staff was found dead, undressed and robbed near the spot where the raid was committed. 4 Hostages were immediately shot as reprisal. Further reprisal measures are being carried out by the 79th Field Replacement Battalion. East of Jeannina lake, in the Struni-Lingiades pack animals of the bandits are at work Immediate counter measures are being carried out by parts of the 79 Field Replacement Battalion. Village being burned down.
And the Division's report to the Corps is signed "For the Division Headquarters, For the 1st General Staff Officer." Next, Page 116 of the English, Page 136 of the German, Evening Report of the unit: "von Hirechfeld: Pass north of Kuc taken. The 1st Battalion of the 99th Regiment withdraws to Kuc along the line 1443,1027,694. Booty taken in combat: Own lesses: 2 wounded. No. report as yet from 41st Engineer Detachment. Plans for tomorrow: Push towards the north." And the report of the 54th Jaeger Battalion: "The shooting of 16 Italian officers was carried out." And then, if Your Honors please, is a reference which we have already seen on Page 114 of the English, Page 135 of the German, under the activities of the Group Dodel. Continuing on Page 116 of the English, Page 136 of the German: "Supplementary Report to the Evening Report of the unit: 3 October 1943, 79th Field Replacement Battalion. The 79th Field Replacement Battalion reports the termination be the operation against Lingiades and Strumi. Lingiades and the heights 1015 and 1277 were taken against weak enem resistance. %0 civilians, some of whom had been hiding in houses, were shot to death.
The village was burned down."
Turn next to page 117 of the English, 137 of the German, another report from the 1st Mountain Division to General Lanz, XXII Mountain Corps Headquarters:
3 kilometers north of Theriakision attack by bands on convoy of General Lanz. 1 Field Gerdarne dead and robbed, counter measures in progress up to now 4 civilians shot to death.
In the morning heavy supply traffic between Struni (2 kilometers northeast of Jeannina) and Lingjades. As counter measure villages burned down. Final report not yet available.
Finally on page 118 of the English, 137, a report from General Lanz himself, the Commanding General of XXII Mountain Corps, dated Local Headquarters, 3 Oct. 1943.
Again beginning with the records of General Lanz, Commanding General of the XXII Mountain Corps to the subordinate units, the order dated 3 October, 1943:
On account of the repeated cable sabotage in the area of Arta:
30 distinguished citizens (Greeks) from Arta, 10 distinguished citizens (Greeks) from Filipias, are to be arrested and kept as hostages.
The population is to be notified that for every further cable sabotage 10 of these 40 hostages will be shot to death.
The arrest, guarding and shooting to death will be directed by the Commander of the Reconnaissance Detachment, 54, Major Seidl. The order to shoot to death will be given by the Headquarters of the Division.
The order is signed, in type script, "Lanz."
Your Honors will note the distribution list of the order: "Commander of the Reconnaissance Detachment 54, 98th Mountain Jaeger Regiment," and Division Ic, or Intelligence Officer.
Page 119 of the English and 138 of the German, is another report of the 1st Mountain Division, dated 4 October 1943:
"South Albania: In the Afternoon the group Spindler inspite of strong enemy resistance, broke through the defile near the Shepez ruins and broke through the Tepelene in spite of flanking fire. The villages east of the road were burned down. The enemy continues to hold with strong forces the heights west of the Shepez ruins. In Tepelene 40 bandits were shot to death.
..................
The mopping up operation Struni-Lingiades on the northeast bank of the Jannina lake terminated. Lingiades burned down. The heights 1015 and 1277 taken against weak enemy resistance. 50 persons suspected of being bandits shot to death. Ammunition stock of bands blown up. 20 pack donkeys captured."
Page 120 of the English, 138 of the German, another report of the 1st Mountain Division to the XXII Mountain Corps, dated 4 October 1943:
"By our own mopping up operation east of the road Jannina -Filippias the entire area up to the Arachtes valley cleaned of bandits. Those bandits who could not be brought to battle, retreated into the Arachtes valley. By the destruction of nearly all the villages, they were deprived of their livelihood in the area road Jeannina-Filippias-Arachtes vaLley. In spite of this through mopping up, one must reckon with further acts of sabotage and raids, since, according to creditable statements of civilians and captured bandits, the majority of the band groups existing in this area, is distributed along the Arachtes valley and east of it.
............
3)..........
1st Battalion of the 99th Mountain Jaeger Regiment mopped up Kue in the course of the afternoon. Reconnaissance to Kalarati. Large amount of booty the entire group von Hirschfeld (is still being sorted out, supplementary report will follow).Own losses:
2 dead, 12 wounded."
I think we may skip over the next report, an ordinary operation of a tactical nature.
Turning to page 132 of the English, 139 of the German, for the report of the 1st Mountain Division to the XXII Corps, dated 4 October, 1943:
Mopping up operation Eisl continue beyond Akmotopos. Villages destroyed as reprisal measure. All civilians shot to death.
.......
g) Along the supply road Jannina- Arta the male population of the neighboring villages employed. In case of further attacks or acts of sabotage the hostages will be shot."
At the bottom of the page 122 of the English, 140 of the German, an additional report from the 1st Mountain Division to General Lanz's XXII Mountain Corps Headquarters dated 4 October under paragraph 2 of the report, the section dealing with the activities of the combat group Dodel, "Group Eisl destroyed Akmotopos (9 kilometers northeast of Filippias) completely as reprisal measure.
All civilians were shot to death.
3) .........Owing to strong bandit activity on the supply road Arta, strengthened defenses on the road Joannina, Tani Awgo, were installed by the Administrative Headquarters Joannina, Tani Awgo, were installed by the Administrative Headquarters Joannina.
Furthermore the male civilian population of the surrounding villages was employed as protection for the supply road. In case of raids and -or acts of sabotage a corresponding number of hostages from the population will be called to account from time to time."