the clasps for the Iron Cross, 1st and 2nd Class, and the War Merit Cross 2nd Class.
"In October 1933 I was transferred from the Stahlhelm as an honorary Fuehrer of an SA Standarte composed of members of the Stahlhelm. But after three and one-half months I was relieved because of political unreliability and no longer used as a Fuehrer. I became a Party member in the spring 1938.
"28 September 1909 I married Hedwig nee Kollmar. I have four sons, three of whom are living.
"I have read the statement above consisting of three pages in the German language and I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief it is the entire truth. I have had the opportunity to make changes and corrections in the above statement. I have made this statement voluntarily without any promise of reward and I was neither threatened nor compelled to do so.
"Nuernberg, Germany, 12 March 1947.
(signed) C.R. von Geitner" In Your Honors' copy the certification of Mr. Kreilesheim is missing.
However, it is on the German original.
JUDGE BURKE: It is on our copy.
MR. DENNEY: Thank you, your Honor, it isn't on ours.
Certainly there were several stencils made in the process of running this document. The one I had does not contain the certification. It is on the German, as I stated, and I should like -- perhaps Your Honors would care to look at the original to see the photostatic copy of the defendant Geitner's signature. Your Honors have seen one on an order. It is the first signature appearing below that of Mr. Kreilisheim.
The next exhibit appears at page 4 of the English and page 4 of the German copies. It is NOKW 704 and is listed in the index as the service record of General Kurt von Geitner. It actually is the last three pages in the English copy. The first seven pages are excerpts from service records of other officers who served in the Southeast, and contain comments by some of the defendants here involved, which we submit are relevant.
We offer this as Prosecution Exhibit 217, in evidence.
Turning first, if your Honors will, to page 9 of the English, page 12 of the German copy. This is the American equivalent of a 201 file, which is the record which is kept -- Your Honors have seen others -with reference to the earlier named defendants, List, Weichs and Kuntze. And the only entry, I think we need concern ourselves with on the first page, which is page 9 of the English and page 12 of the German, and the one of 5 July 1942, Chief of General Staff of Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, and following that entry of 26 August 1943, the same position, which is Chief of General Staff with Military Commander Southeast, and then at the top appears the names, Geitner, Curt, Ritter von; and turning over to page 13 of the German and page 10 of the English, we see General Bader rating Geitner for his performance up to the period 1 March 1943. Bader, Your Honors will recall, was the Commanding General, Commander in Serbia, the one whom Geitner was serving as Chief of Staff during the period for which this command was made.
"Especial valuable individual, straightforward, open, energetic. Intelligent and comprehensive knowledge. National Socialist and General Staff officer of the old school, familiar with the present principles through private study and practice.
Great conscientious working force, with practical sense. Physically tough, possesses endurance. Adapted for commander. Especially impressive soldierly bearing. Above average. Adapted also for Chief of Staff of a regular corps."
And the defendant Foertsch had occasion to rate him at the same time:
"Foertsch, Chief of Staff, Army Group "E": Completely in agreement. Excellent Chief of Staff. Indispensable at the present time for Serbia."
And on the 31 August 1943 Felber, then the Military Commander Southeast rated him as follows:
"Has earned special merit for a year and a half as Chief of the General Staff of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, which has already led to repeated suggestions for preferential promotion. Now after the onslaight of work up till now and the size of the responsibility through the reorganization of the staff and the expansion of the authorities to the entire Southeast have been increased, a preferential promotion of the especially prudent and hard-working chief of the General Staff of the Military Commander, Southeast, appears justified. Deserves exceptional treatment as a person of above average formate and as an officer especially proven in two world wars. Adapted as commander."
And then Foertsch again, as Chief of Staff, and the Commander in Chief, Southeast:
"Suggestion is urgently endorsed. An excellent Chief of General Staff. Deserves priority promotion before the numerous other military and civilian offices."
And then on 1 March 1944, Felber, as Military Commander Southeast rated him again:
"Self-confident, clear personality. Succeeds, recognizes no difficulties. Excellent General Staff officer and Chief of the General Staff, who understands how to solve his often difficult missions with calm and a zest for work. Adapted for commander. Also adapted for Chief of Staff of a regular corps, but best utilized as before, most possibly under preferential promotion to Brigadier General."
And herewith follows the list of his promotions, which the Court already has before it.
Now, turning to some of the earlier pages, the personnel record of Major General Ringel, who was a general officer in the Gebirgstruppe or Mountain Troops. On 2 October 1944 the defendant Rendulic had occasion to rate him, page 5 of the English and page 6 of the German. At that time Rendulic was commander and Chief of the 20th Mountain Army:
"Energetic, personality. Outstanding leadership qualities. Enthusiastic National Socialist. No opportunity verification as Commanding General before the enemy."
On 7 August 1944, Field Marshal Frhr. v. Weichs, as Commander in Chief Southeast, had occasion to rate him, and he notes as the entry under Frhr. v. Weichs:
"Agreed: Ringel has gained an especially respected position by his capable handling of the Croatian offices in Zagreb. He stood the test also in operation in Hungary in a similar sense."
Then we come to Helge Aleb, who was a Lt. General of the Infantry-and this apparently seems to have been inserted only because the pages three and four come between pages two and five.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any other reason for its appearance in the document?
MR. DENNEY: Well, he was acting commander general of the 69th special purpose corps in June 1944. It will come up about him later. There are no comments about him to be offered now. And General GlaiseHorstenau, who was plenipotentiary commanding general in Croatia, this was in 1943 and 1944.
Felber, on 8 March 1944, as Military Commander Southeast, rated him:
"Extraordinarily educated and intellectual personality. Proven National Socialist. Despite his age, vigorous and full of fire. Excellently proven in his difficult position. Political talent. Expert on the Southeast. Above average."
And then on 1 March 1944, the defendant Field Marshal Frhr. von Weichs, at that time, Commander in Chief Southeast, rated him:
"Educated in many fields, proven National Socialist. Proved himself fully as Plenipotentiary General, thanks to his good gift of observation, his political experience, and talents, as well as through his good talent for negotiation. Intellectually highly endowed. Physically sound. His strength lies more in political than in military fields due to his earlier political activity. Recognized historian and writer. Good expert on the Balkan area. On the negative side. Long abstinence from troop service. Above average in a special field."
And that, if your Honors please, concludes exhibit 217.
We now turn to page 15 of the German and page 12 of the English document, NOKW 1335. Perhaps your Honors have not yet seen one of those 201 files, the one which has just been offered, the photostatic copies of which are there.
I might point out at this time that we are now moving up to the third period, which will cover from August 1942 to 1943, and the defendant Foertsch, as Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces Commander Southeast, and Geitner as First Chief of Staff for the Commanding General and Plenipotentiary in Serbia, and later as Chief of Staff to the Armed Forces Commander Southeast. I am sorry -- later as Chief of Staff to Military Commander Southeast.
DR. LATERNSER (Counsel for the defendant List): Your Honors, looking at the photostat copy of Document 704, I see that that part which was read has not been included in the exhibit. This concerns the opinion Field Marshal Weichs passed on certain military leaders in the Balkans. In other words, that which the prosecutor has read is not proved by the document because here the corresponding pages are missing.
MR. DENNEY: I am sorry, Your Honor, they seem to have been omitted. We will supply them. We have them. We can perhaps get them up this afternoon. It is just an oversight in the grouping together of the exhibits.
JUDGE BURKE: Will the suggestion of the prosecution satisfy the objection that you have made, Doctor?
DR. LATERNSER: Yes, if it is brought up, otherwise, I would ask that it be omitted from the records.
MR. DENNEY: Sorry, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Denney, shouldn't the file go with that?
MR. DENNEY: I thought I'd keep it here, then we'd only have to worry about getting four pages back, if we get it; and this has been marked already with the exhibit number. If that is all right with Your Honor?
THE PRESIDENT: All right, on the other hand that might be one way of getting it there and getting it back.
MR. DENNEY: He does work for us. I am sure he will come back. We are now -
THE PRESIDENT: Pardon me, I didn't mean to infer that he wouldn't bring them back.
MR DENNEY: No, no, Your Honor, I quite understand. This is a very big place.
THE PRESIDENT: He might be lost.
MR. DENNEY: Yes sir.
Now, Exhibit 218, which is Document No. NOKW-1335. This is extracts from the War Diary of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia for August 1942. None of the portions which we offer bear any signature. They are just extracts from the Diary. The first entry -
Could Major Hatfield have it for a moment, Dr. Laternser, to put the exhibit number on it, please?
Major Hatfield, I believe that is Exhibit Number 218.
The first entry of 12 August 1942, "In answer to a query by 1st Battalion/741st Regiment concerning retaliation measures in return for a racial German who had been murdered, Ia Section refers to order, to contact the Police President in Ruma. The insurgent village of Progor is to be bombed. Croatian Liaison Officer gives his consent.
"General Glaise-Horstenau saw the Chief (of staff): General Glaise announces the consent of the Croatian Government to evacuate Concentration Camp Semlin. Asks for increased deportation of Serbs to Germany as workers are urgently needed there. 25 August, Chief confers with adjutant IV b Section, Stabsarzt Winkler, about sanitary conditions in the Semlin Concentration Camp, where a daily death rate up to 100 prevails. The Croatian Government, in spite of promising to evacuate and feed the inmates, has not done anything yet. . .
"26 August 1942 - Dr. Puntigam, from the Office of the Plenipotentiary for Labor Employment at Zagreb, saw the Chief concerning recruitment of laborers for employment in the Reich . . .
"30 August 1942 - Order to Combat Group Borowski that, of those arrested, primarily strangers to the locality are to be regarded as suspects and are to be eliminated. . .
"31 August 1942 - SS Gruppenfuehrer Phelps reports to the Chief concerning intended employment of the SS Division."
Then at page 14 of the English and 18 of the German, Document NOKW-1127, is offered as prosecution's Exhibit 219 in evidence. This is an order of the Commanding General in Serbia with reference to the formation of Combat Group Borowski and the treatment of strangers and prisoners, which is mentioned in the Diary entry of the 30th of August 1942, in the previous exhibit.
It is dated 21 August 1942, Commanding General and Commander in Serbia:
"The center of unrest in Syrmia is the Fruska Gora. According to estimates the enemy is supposed to have more than about 2000 armed at his disposal, chiefly in the Eastern half. The regrouping of the divisions will be exploited to make a thrust against the enemy in the Fruska Gora. For this a Group Borowski will be formed.
"Units: Commander: Brigadier General Borowski with portions of the 704th Division and the assigned platoon of the 521st Signal Regiment."
And then on page 2 of the original, dropping down to paragraph 7, still on English page 14;
"The following guiding principles are given for the treatment of the population: In this area there are very many racial Germans as well as Serbs, besides a few Slovacs.
"According to available authoritative information the villages are often terrorized only by a few brutal partisans while the majority of the population continues its quiet work.
"Who is found bearing arms or giving aid is to be shot.
"In the mountain villages the male insurgent Serbian population between 17 and 50 years of age is to be arrested and to be brought to the Semlin reception camp, in as far as it is not needed to bring in the harvest." And it is typed, the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Deputy. And there is a signature of a Major General, and the distribution list.
Page 19 of the German and page 16 of the English -- no, excuse me. There is -- this is, the last page of this order continues on page 16 of the English and page 19 of the German. There it is receipted for, and there is a teletype below it again to the Combat Group Borowski from the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, dated 30 August 1942.
"The Commander-in-Chief has directed that primarily those people amongst the arrested who do not belong to the locality are to be regarded as suspected partisans and are to be done away with. These people are to be regarded as alien-to-the-locality who have lately migrated there from another area without a plausible reason." The Commanding General and Commander in Serbia
JUDGE CARTER: Mr. Denny, am I correct in assuming that General Bader is in Serbia and General Loehr in the Southeast?
MR. DENNEY: Yes, sir, Bader is still in Belgrade. And General Loehr is now the Armed Forces Commander Southeast.
JUDGE CARTER: Might I inquire against what defendant this is offered?
MR. DENNEY: This is offered as against the defendant Geitner as chief of staff to Bader, who sent the communication, Your Honor.
If Your Honors, please, I now have the complete copy of prosecution's Exhibit 217 in evidence, which I hand to the assistant to the Secretary General to give to Dr. Laternser for his examination.
Then turning to page 17 of the English, 20 in the German, prosecution's Exhibit 220, Document No. NOKW-811. These are extracts of notes on conferences of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Commander Southeast. The first note, file note for 17 August '42, refers to a: "Speech of Lieutenant Colonel, Staff Corps, Pfafferoot, concerning the political situation: In India, great rush of the people to the Indian Communist Party, which in the National Congress forms only a small part of the Indian people. 380 million souls live in India, of which 280 million are Indians, the rest Mohammedans, 221 languages! The situation and circumstances in India are obscure. In America, celebration of the anniversary of the meeting of Roosevelt and Churchill for the new proclamations of the basis of the war aims. France: For 150,000 Frenchmen, who will work in Germany a similar number of Prisoners of war were released. Changing of Turkish am bassadors in Berlin, Turkey has emphasized her neutrality again.
Churchill has arrived in Russia.
"Speech of the Chief of Staff concerning the situation in our own territory:
"Croatia: The enemy has suffered considerable losses again in the last three weeks: 2,868 dead, 182 wounded, 4,200 arrested, 677 shot as reprisal measures. Germans: 24 dead, 32 wounded, 5 missing. Croats: 80 dead, 137 wounded, 13 missing."
Then on page 23 of the German -- I believe in the German text the entire document is given whereas we only have excerpts here -- page 18 of the English is 23 of the German and it is the paragraph which bears the number "4" to the left and it is under, "Chief of Staff Conference on 7 December 42.
"Major Hammer (Ic/Intelligence Officer) weekly Political report:
"Speech of Churchill concerning the American campaign, increased propaganda campaign against the Italians in order to separate the people and state from one another there. According to English information 1,500,000 houses damaged by our Luftwaffe in England up to now and 550,000 houses were destroyed. All French colonial possessions are now all on the side of the Allies. The Duce made public the Italian war losses up to now with great openness, and exercised Italy's willingness to confirm the battle to final victory. Hungarian Prime Minister Kalay emphasized in speech before parliament the willingness of Hungary to hold out until the final victory likewise. In Sofia, a German Bulgarian economic treaty was settled. Increased pressure of the Allied on Turkey. A Turkish voice of the press says: As long as the European Mediterranean coast is not in the hands of the Allies, they will not rule the Mediterranean. Egypt: The Egyptian government has placed the Egyptian Army at the disposal of the Allies. The efforts at world domination of the United States of America show themselves further: American troop transports to Iran, erection of U.S. consul in Morocco, dominations of South America, etc. The Chief of Staff agreed with this. It is no question at all, that socialist thoughts in this war are at stake which have received a big push by the Allied powers throughout this war, of which one has still really no idea today."
And then under the next paragraph which I believe continues on page 26 of the German under the heading "Croatia" -- it is in the paragraph numbered "5" and it toward the end and is before the paragraph which starts, "Greece" -- it should be at the bottom of page 26 in the German.
Do you have it, Dr. Laternser? It commences with the word "After discussing these principal events."
Do you have it?
I am sorry to take this time, your Honors, but the complete document is in the German text.
"After discussing these principal events of the new conduct of the war, the Chief of Serbia turned to the following: The combating of the Mihailovic movement has had now successes. The disarmament of the Chetnik units is continuing. About 10,000 Chetniks fought on our side, of which half have gone into the woods. A quarter, around 4,000 men, were disarmed. The rest, about 4,000 men still holds with us. The whole action of disobedience called forth by Mihailovic amounted to nothing. The threat of retaliation measures alone had a frightening effect. Shootings even of those suspected of sabotage show that our methods are right."
"Greece:" -- and then this is on page 27 of the German copy, Dr. Laternser, 27 of the German under "Greece." It begins on 26 -- I am sorry -- I have it marked here as 27. Excuse me.
Under "Greece": A reconnaissance service with the greatest mobility must be used on the railway line (Draisinen). Lightening patrols on the railway lines. Also, hostages must be brought in from the localities in the proximity of the railway line."
And then turning to page 29 in the German, still on page 19 of the English, I note that this is all in the late period in 1943 after the period with which we are concerned so we will omit it at this time and perhaps will have occasion to refer back to it later.
Then turning to page 21 of the English and -- the next document is NOKW-1148--I have marked here "page 33 of the German." Is that right, Dr. Laternser? Page 33 of the German. Which is offered as Exhibit 221.
These are situation reports on the Armed Forces Commander Southeast to OKH and OKW for various dates in 1942, the first one for 25 August 1942; German losses: 2 dead, 1 wounded, none missing: Croatians: 77 dead, and it should be 108 wounded -- I believe that figure appears improperly in the German -- and 362 missing; insurgents losses: 1,031 dead, 273 wounded, 2, 169 captured and arrested, 212 shot to death in reprisal.
"The total number of insurgents shot to death in combat and as reprisal measures up to 24 August 1942, 49,724"; and here again appears the: "Signed in Draft Lohr," "Colonel General" typed underneath, and then "Certified true copy" by "Lieutenant Rossler." His signature is signed as "1st Lieutenant" and your Honors are familiar with his certifications of prior documents in a similar manner.
Then on page 22 in the English and in the German, NOKW-1254, which is prosecution's Exhibit 222 in evidence. This is a directive of the Commanding General in Serbia to some of his troop units, specifically three divisions, all Infantry, 714th, 717th and 718th Infantry Division, 9 September" with a stamp and was sent on 4 September; subject: "Security of Croatia":
"The divisions are to consider as their most important task the security of the railroad line Belgrade - Zagreb - Reich Border and Belgrade - Vinkovci Osijek. The Croatian Government has given assurance that the communists are fully responsible for guarding the railroad tracks situated within their district and that they are compelled to surrender hostages to the Croatian police.
"The Order Commanding General Ia No. 4495/42 secret of 19 August 1942 remains authoritative for the method of combat.
"The Divisions can dispose over the Administrative Sub-area and District Headquarters in the areas of the Division only in the event of an alarm for defense against enemy attacks.
"The Order Commanding General and Commander in Serbia No. 2070/42 secret of 25 March 42 is accordingly valid for the treatment of prisoners.
"According to the express opinion of the Fuehrer any negotiations with the enemy (Communists, Bands, D.M. followers)" -- that means Draga Mihailovic -- "is prohibited.
"Maps showing the borders of the final Division Areas in the Croatian State Territory will be subsequently."
And it is signed: "Bader, Lieutenant General of Artillery."
Then turning to page 23, or page 24, page 37 in the English, NOKW1134, which becomes Document -- or Exhibit -- 223 in evidence, if your Honors would look at the order signed by General Bader, to the right of "General Artillery"' appears the initial of the defendant Geitner, his Chief of Staff at that time. That is Exhibit 222.
Turning to Exhibit 223 in evidence, this is a report signed by the Armed Forces Commander Southeast, and forwarded to the OKW with copies to OKH, and various others that appear in the heading. Again the signature is in draft, and it is certified to by Lt. Roessler. It is dated 11 September, 1942.
The situation in Greece, on page 3, and on the first page bears the stamp of 12th Army for 16 September. Page 38 in the German, still on page 24 in the English:
"Strike in Athens ended. Cause: Hunger and inflation exploited by Communist and Nationalist propaganda. Strike discontinued by rigorous handling of the situation."
"III. Losses in the Entire Area (25 Aug. - 8 Sept. 1942):
a) Own losses: Dead Wounded Missing Germans 51 76 4 Croats 49 67 7 Serbian State Guard 22 --
b) Insurgenus: 2,601 dead 121 wounded 3,325 captured and arrested 37 shot as reprisals Total number of insurgents shot in combat or as reprisals up to 8 September 1942:
52,362 Economical Situation.
Considerable harvest losses in Serbia. Nutrition in Greece continues to be insufficient, especially since grain deliveries from Serbia are not possible this year. The inflation continues. Prices doubled within 4 Days" Signed in draft, by General Loehr". Signature is typewritten.
Certification to the left is signed by Lt. Roessler.
Turning to page 39 of the German, 26 of the English, Document NOKW 1241 is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 224 in evidence. This is an extract from the war diary of an SS division. The "Prinz-Eugen" or 7th SS. It is handwritten and the extracts are taken from the diary, which was-this portion of it-was on the 19 March 1942 to the 31 May 1943. Out to the left, as your Honors will see, this diary was typed not typed, bur rather made in long hand. There appear the dates for '42, which we are using.
"The SS-Mountain Artillery Regiment "Prinz-Eugen", and then it gives the subordination.
PRESIDENT JUDGE BURKE: From what page are you reading?
MR. DENNEY: From page 26, if your Honor pleases.
I do not think we need to read these headings. Your Honors have all seen it. The first entry for 14 October, "The patrol of the combat transport in the camp of Maejureije was fired on from the direction of the house of the local clergyman on 10 October 1942 at 2100 hours. 3 were wounded. The clergyman with two sons was arrested and all three were shot dead while trying to escape."
Then turning to page 28 of the English, 41 of the German, this is document C 81, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 225, this if your Honors pleases, is a photostatic copy without any distribution list on it. However, at a later time we can show that this Hitler order, - it is the Commando Order of 18 October 1942, was passed on to units in this area. We have diary entries later which we submit conclusively connect this order with the defendants, or some of them, Perhaps your Honors would care to look at that. That has a little different style than some of the other orders that we have seen, and at the end is a photostat of the former Supreme Commander of the German Armed Forces' signature.
It is dated 18 October 1942. Top secret. Only by Officer.
The Fuehrer a Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces I think this order should be read completely. It is only two pages, if your Honors please:
The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
I have been impelled to issue a strict order for the annihilation of enemy sabotage groups and to put the disobedience of it under severe penalty. I believe it necessary to inform the competent commanders in chief and unit commanders of the reasons for this order.
As it has never been done before, in this war a method was developed to disrupt the lines of communications in the rear to intimidate those parts of the population who are working for Germany, as well as to destruct industrial installations, vital for the war in the territories occupied by us.
In the East, this manner of fighting a so-called partisan war, already last winter had led to a considerable decrease of our fighting power, has cost the lives of numerous German soldiers, railroaders, workers of the organization Todt, the labor service (Arbeitsdienst), and has extremely decreased the performance of transportation for the maintenance of the fighting ability of the troops, it has even disrupted the latter for days. The successful continuation of this type of warfare or even its itensification may possible lead to a serious crisis at one or the other sector of the front. Many measures against this cruel as well as teacherous sabotage activity fail simply because the German officer and his soldiers have no conception of the extent of the danger they face, and thus they individually do not act against these enemy groups as much as it is necessary to help the most forward front and thereby the entire war effort.
Therefore, it was partially necessary to establish special units in the East which mastered this danger, or to transfer these missions to special SS units. Only where the fight against this partisannuisance was begun and carried out with ruthless brutality, successes were not missing, and consequently they cased the situation for the fighting front.
Therefore, the war in the entire Eastern territory against the partisans is a fight for the complete annihilation of one or the other part.
As soon as this fact has become common knowledge of a unit, it will be able to handle these happenings normally within a short time, if not, their commitment will not be successful. It therefore becomes useless.
Although under different names, England and America have decided on a similar type of warfare. The Russian tries mostly to bring sabotage groups behind our lines by land, and only exceptionally do they use aerial transport to infiltrate men and supply food. England and America, however, carry out this warfare by sabotage units until landed mostly from submarines or inflatable boats, or by parachute agents. Fundamentally, however, this type of warfare is not different at all from Russian partisan activity.
For the mission of these units is:
1) To build up a general espionage service with the aid of willing natives.
2) To organize terrorist groups and to supply them with the necessary weapons and explosives.
3) To undertake such sabotage actions as are not only able to continually disrupt our communications by the- destruction of traffic installations, but also, if necessary, to make troop movements impossible altogether and to neutralize the means of communications.
Finally, attacks are to be attempted by these units against establishments essential to the war, by blowing up key plants according to a scientifically explored program, thus paralising practically entire industries.
The consequences of this activity are extremely serious. I do not know whether every commander and officer is aware of the fact that the destruction of, for instance, a single power station can cost many thousands of tons of aluminium for the air corps and thus the loss of production of numerous planes which are missing at the front for combat, and thus lead to severe damage at home and bloddy losses among the fighting soldiers.
But this type of warfare is entirely without danger for the enemy. For since he lands his sabotage units in uniform, but on the other hand gives them civilian clothing as well, they can appear as needed either as soldiers or as civilians. While they themselves have the mission to liquidate ruthlessly German soldiers or even inhabitants whi hinder them, they are not in danger of suffering really serious losses in their activities because of worse comes to worst and they are caught, they can give up immediately and thus they believe they will fall theoratically under the Geneva Convention. There is no doubt, however, that this is the worst kind of an abuse of the Geneva convention, even more so since some of these elements are criminals who have been liberated from their jails and can rehabilitate themselves by such actions.
England and America will therefore be able to find volunteers for this type or warfare as long as it can rightly be said to them that there is no danger of life for them. If worse comes to worst, they only need to complete their attacks against people, traffic installations or plants successfully, and then, caught by the enemy, they can simply surrender.
If the German war effort is not to suffer severe damages by such actions, then it must be made clear to the enemy, that every sabotage unit will be exterminated without exception to the last man. That means, the chance to get away alive is zero. It can under no conditions be permitted that a demolition-, sabotage-or terrorist unit simply surrenders and is taken prisoner to be treated according to the rules of the Geneva convention; consequently they are to be exterminated in every case without exception.
The report which shall appear about this in the armed forces bulletin, will contain very briefly and laconically, that a sabotage terrorist or demolition unit has been caught and exterminated to the last men.
I therefore expect, that the commanders of the armies subordinated to you, as well as the individual unit commanders do not only understand the necessity of this action, but also that they do their utmost toward the execution of this order. Officers and NC)'s who fail because of some weakness are to be reported without consideration or, according to the conditions - if danger is imminent - are to be held strictly responsible. The homefront as well as the fighting soldier on the front have a right to expect that behind them, the basis for their food as well as the supply of important weapons and ammunition be safeguard.
These are the reasons for the order issued by me.
Should it be advisable at times to spare one or two men at first for intelligence reasons, then they are to be shot immediately after interrogation.
signed Adolf Hitler And this is the section which is under Count 3 of the indictment, at letter "h", which says, "During a period of time after 18 October 1942 all of the defendants herein, except the defendant List, issued, executed, and distributed to troops under their command and jurisdiction an order to execute in battle, or within 24 hours after capture, all members of Allied 'commando' and 'military mission' units, whether or not such persons were regularly attached to, and wore the recognized uniform of, duly authorized members of the established military forces of enemy belligerents."