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."
May I direct your Honors' attention to the phrase "a corresponding number of hostages from the population will be called to account from time to time."
Next the report from Administrative Headquarters Joannina, dated 4 October 1943, reference: operation Serwiana-Aetorrachi, the report sent to the 1st Mountain Division, the Ia, or Operations Officer.
"The operation was carried out today as ordered. Motor transport to Serwiana without special occurrences. At 0530 hours near Pt. Ilias, three and half kilometers southeast of Serwiana, Company Progl was shot at by 2 light machine guns and about 10 riflemen. The bands defended themselves from summit to summit in a delaying way, so that the Company reached Aetorrachi only at 1000 hours. The enemy resistance was especially strong on the height 1058, 1 kilometer west of Aetorrachi there were also entrenchments. The enemy resistance was broken by the use of an Infantry gun and trench mortar. Aetorrachi was largely evacuated by the population, whose retreat towards the east into the Arachthes valley could be observed, not however combatted as the distance was too large. Along the line of the height 1058 to 851 the bandits used 6 light, 1 heavy machine gun and an 8 centimeter trench mortar.
The villages Aetorrachi, Rawnes, Skala, Keyfowen were destroyed and burned down. Of about 30 persons some were killed in combat, some were shot to death. The same number was captured and delivered to the prisoner collection point."
Turning next to page 128 of the English, 143 of the German, I believe the intervening reports are similar to those which we have already read into the record. They contain a good deal of operational and tactical matters, which are of no particular importance in view of the other documents which have already been introduced.
This is on page 138 of the English and 143 of the German, as a report to the Corps Headquarters, XXII Mountain Corps, for the 5th of October, 1943.
"South Albania:............
The area east of the road Jannina - Filippias up to Archtes valley in principle cleaned of bandits. All villages burned down in order to deprive, the bandits of a means of livelihood" Next the report of the 1st Mountain Division to General Lanz:
at XXII Mountain Corps Headquarters, dated 6 October 1943:
"In the area southeast of Arta the 2nd Company of the 54 Artillery Battalion burned down 2 villages as reprisal for the activities of bands during the last few days".
Next is the report of the 1st Mountain Division. I beg your pardon, special instructions of the 1st Mountain Division, dated the 5th of October, 143, section of the order dealing with hostages:
"In so far as hostages are taken from the prisoner collection camp for truck trips, they are to be returned to the prisoner collection camp immediately the trip is terminated. The unit which collects them is responsible for their being guarded."
The order is signed for the Divisional Battalion Headquarters the 1st General Staff Officer. The distribution list of the order is indicated as having been in draft.
Next on page 129 of the English, 145 of the German, is a report from Secret Field Police Group 621:
"Command at the 1st Mountain Division," This report is dated 5 October 1943, and relates to the operation in connection with the murder of Lt. Colonel Salminger, the Regimental Commander subordinate to the 1st Mountain Division.
Your Honors will recall that on page 104 of the English, and page 127 of the German, in a corps order of the day, dated 1 October, 1943, GeneraL Lanz said that he expected that the 1st Mountain Division would avenge the nefarious bandit murder of the regimental commander Salminger. This is a report now dated 5 October 1943, four days after General Lanz's order with reference to the same affair.
"Subject: Surprise attack by bandits on Lieutenant Colonel Salminger and the ensuing operation with Captain Eisl into the eastern territory of bands around Klisura."
In the night of 30 Sept/ 1 Oct. the bandits had committed acts of sabotage on the telephone lines. For a distance of about 6 kilometers they had cut off, hacked off or blown to pieces the telephone poles. The bridge security across the Lures stream had been kept under fire by the bandits. About 4 kilometers away from this bridge security the bandits had fastened 4 telephone wires across the road and furthermore had used a telephone pole to block the road. The car of Lieutenant Colonel S. ran into this blockade at full speed and as a result of the rebound, skidded into the Luros stream. He was found in the water about 50 meters below the wire blockade since at this spot the stream was dammed up artificially by shrubbery and stones, the dam was cleared away and the water let out. The car had received a shot in the hood and on the right side of the windshield. The driver of Lieutenant Colonel S was found dead under the car, he had a shot in the abdomen and his left half of his face was smashed in by the accident. Both persons were recovered and brought to Pravesa by the unit."
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal will be recessed at this time.
(A recess was taken until 1330 hours.)
Court No. V, Case No. VII.
AFTERNOON SESSION The hearing reconvened at 1330 hours.
THE MARSHALL: The persons in the Courtroom will be seated.
The Tribunal is again in session
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Fenstermacher, before you commence your presentation of further documents, the Tribunal has certain rulings to announce.
The first ruling is in connection with the application by defense counsel for approval of a trip to the document center, War Department, Washington, D.C., and the main portion of the ruling is as follows:
"The Tribunal has under consideration the application of the defendants for permission to send two commissioners to Washington, D.C., for the purpose of examining original documents stored there from which excerpts and parts of documents have been offered in evidence in support of the allegations of the indictment by the prosecution.
"We find that the statement of the defense is true to the effect that certain excerpts and parts of documents taken from the captured War Diaries of the German Army have been tendered and received in evidence by the prosecution. We find also that the War Diaries, or so much thereof as was captured by the American Army, have been transported to Washington, D.C., or its environs. We find also, as alleged by the prosecution, that a large number of documents in excess of those received in evidence, have been made available to the defense.
"It is the considered opinion of this Tribunal, however, that a right exists on the part of the defense to examine any or all of the portions of the War Diaries and documents from which excerpts and portions of documents bearing upon the "same subject matter have been taken, more particularly described as the War Diaries of the 12th Army and the Army Southeast, Army Group F, Army Group E, 2nd Panzer Army, and corps and divisions subordinate thereto; and that such right of examination is not adequately protected by the assertion of the prosecution that "it has been constantly emphasized to members of the prosecution's research staff in Washington that photostatic copies of all documents having a substantial bearing on the case, whether helpful or harmful to the defense, must be sent to Nurnberg.
The statement constitutes an insufficient answer to the application for two reasons: (a) the defense is not obliged to rely upon the judgment of the prosecution and its research staff as to whether any document or portion thereof has any substantial bearing on the case, and (b), that it would be impossible for the prosecution and its research staff to properly appraise the credibility and relevancy of such material without knowledge of the precise defense to be made to the charges of the indictment.
"It is the order of the Tribunal, therefore, that the War Diaries, documents and instruments from which documentary evidence has been taken and offered in evidence by the prosecution be made available to the defendants (a) by permitting an examination of such documents by designated representatives of the defendants in Washington, D.C., or (b) by transporting such documents to Nurnberg for examination by the Defense, or (c) for failure of the United States to so do, it will be presumed that the evidence withheld which could have been produced or made available to the defendants, would be unfavorable to the prosecution."
The following ruling is also presented for the Tribunal in connection with an application for the production of War Diary of the LXIX Reserve Army Corps from August 1943 to March 1944.
"Upon consideration of the above referred to application the tribunal finds as follows:
"That Article IV, subsection F, of ordinance 7 of the military government of Germany, relative to the organization and powers of certain military tribunals, is as follows:
"A defendant may apply in writing to the Tribunal for the production of witnesses or of documents. The application shall state where the witness or document is thought to be located and shall also state the facts to be proved by the witness or the document and the relevancy of such facts to the defense. If the tribunal grants the application, the defendant shall be given such aid in obtaining production of evidence as the tribunal may order."
"The tribunal further finds that in the application as presented there is no statement set forth as to what state of facts are sought to be proved by the document sought and as to their relevancy as bearing upon the defense of the defendant, Ernest Dehner.
"The tribunal therefore finds that the application of the defendant, Ernest Dehner as made by his counsel, Hans Marx, under date of June 24, 1947 should be denied."
Dated this 14th day of August, 1947, and signed by the members of the Tribunal.
I am handing the original of these two rulings to the Deputy Secretary General.
You may proceed, Mr. Fenstermacher, with presentation of further documentary evidence.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: If it please the Tribunal, prior to luncheon recess, we were working at a report of the Secret Field Policy Group 621 which referred to the attack made by bandits on Lt. Colonel Salminger, the Regimental Commander subordinate to the 1st Mountain Division, which was in turn subordinate to the XXII Mountain Corps under the command of the defendant Lanz.
I think we were on page 131 of the English and page 145 of the German. Continuing on the bottom of page 131 of the English, page 146 of the German, with the report:
"The place from which the bandits had fired on the car, could also be determined. Several empty cartridges were found there, they ware of Italian origin.
"On 1 Oct 43 the headquarters of the secret Field Police was notified by the Ic of the 1st Mountain Division that on the state road Jannina - Arta, Lieutenant Colonel Salminger had been attacked by Bandits and had been kidnapped. The attack was carried out on 1 Oct between 0200 and 0300 hours about 3 Kilometers north of the Village Klisura. At a conference with the Ic the latter ordered that confidential agents be sent into the bandit territory of Klisura to determine the whereabouts of the kidnapped Lieutenant Colonel S. The same day a spy was sent into that area. Up until today no trace of this person has been found and it must be assumed that he was captured by the bandits. Furthermore the Ic ordered, that a member of the Secret Field Police, able to speak the Greek language, was to be assigned to the battle H.Q.s of Captain Eisl in Klisura, in order to interrogate on the spot prisoners captured during the coming searching operation, and possibly to send out spies (A-Persons).
"On 1 Oct 43 the undersigned was assigned to the cattle H.Q.s of Captain Eisl and arrived at 1330 hours at Klisura, Captain Eisl to whom I reported, notified me, that Lieutenant Colonel S. was not kidnapped, but had been found dead during the morning. The immediate examination of the place of the accident gave the following results:
Court No. V, Case No. VII.
"As Captain Eisl had to undertake a further operation into the eastern part of the bandit territory of Klisura and as my orders ordered me to interrogate the captured prisoners on the spot and to sent off spies, I participated in the operation. Already in the evening of the 1 Oct 43 we could determine from the battle H.Q.s Klisura, that in the mountains in the east there was a lively patrol action on the part of the bandits. Captain Eisl could not give an order to fire because the distance was too great.
"On 2 Oct 43, 0500 hours, the march into the eastern mountains commenced. The villages N Kura, Gorgomyles, Markates and Muliana which had already been burned down during a former operation has been abandoned by the population. In the mountain range situated east of these villages however, human beings in flight could be seen. However we could not determine whether they were bandits of civilians. Captain Eisl however ordered the mountain riflemen to shoot on the persons in flight: hits were observed. As a result of the combing out of the villages mentioned, Athanasies Stasis a Greek was captured and interrogated. He refused to make any statement; but drew attention to the fact that further east a great many bandits were grouped. In agreement with Captain Eisl, he was used as a guide. In the village of Akmotopos he tried to escape, and was therefore shot to death. When the Germans approached the village of Akmotopos, they received fire from both sides, when the fire was returned, the bandits fled. A heavy maching gun and a light machine gun entrenchment were discovered. From this village too, all inhabitants have gone into the mountains. The houses are being burned down, the "cattle which cannot be used by the troops, is being killed, in order to prevent the bandits from seizing it later on.
From this village a patrol unit was sent in a southerly direction. This unit encountered 15 civilians who did not stop when challenged and therefore were shot to death. When searched neither arms nor papers were found. On its way back, this patrol unit arrested the Greek woman Maria Sofu, she refused to make any statement and did not even give her native village. She was also shot to death.
"On 3 Oct 43 the operation was continued in a northerly direction. The high plan of N Kura was crossed. Shortly before Anogion newly constructed bandit positions were sighted, which however were not occupied. During the continued course of the operation the villages Agios Georgios and Rapsai, which had also been abandoned by the population, were burned down. In the last named village a prisoner, who had hid himself in a cellar of his house was captured, since he refused to make any statements, he was shot to death. This Greek was the miner, Stefan Vrissos.
"4 Oct 43: The operation was terminated on 3 Oct 43. At the oral report at the 98th Regiment Captain Eisl asked for the cooperation of the undersigned. On the same day I returned to Headquarters since my task was completed.
(Signature)
Olbricht" Next is the report from the Secret Field Police Group 621, Local Headquarters, 6 October 1943, to the Ic of the 1st Mountain Division, which in turn sends a report on to the XXII Mountain Corps.