He agreed to give appropriate directives and showed thereby, as throughout the whole conference, full understanding for the necessity of drawing from the country to ease the supply situation.
It was decided that the civilian population, also outside of the 5 km Zone behind the Main Line of Resistance, should hand over all harvest proceeds which were not required for their own use, to feed the cattle, and as seed for the next crop.
General Gustovic shared the opinion that in taking the tribute the Croatian administration is to show itself in public as far as possible.
District Leader Dr. Flicker stated that the Croatian population would willingly submit to the evacuation measures, but that resistance was to be expected from the Serbian element.
An agreement was reached that, as an incentive to comply with the duty of turning in foodstuffs, rewards would be given during the evacuation in the form of salt and possibly other monopoly goods.
In conclusion it was agreed to compile a record of the conferences, which General Gustovic requested to have forwarded to him.
His activity, on the basis of the results of conferences so far, was once more discussed with Lt Colonel Kiesow. He explained the measures he intended for the immediate future and gave a survey of the results of his work so far. Furthermore he stated he would not call on "Demeter" trains any more until further notice and would expedite for the time being only Croatia trains to ensure first of all the Croatian share of the evacuation proceeds. He was informed that the Corps Executive Officer of the LXVIIIth Corps believed he could be able from his own evacuation measures to satisfy his announced needs for cattle to be slaughtered."
And I don't think we need to read the rest of it. It is mostly administrative detail. It is concluded at page 153.
Turning then to page 154 and 191 of the German, there is a list dated 14 November to the Army Executive Officer Headquarters 2nd Panzer Army. It bears the receipt stamp of the 2nd Panzer Army, "Certified Correct" signed by a "Lieutenant" and typewritten signature by Dr. Richter; and it lists various heads of cattle for periods in March 44 and one entry for November for cattle and sheep with totals given.
And then on page 192 of the German, 155 of the English, 6 November 1944, the operational setup as to the various districts of the evacuation staffs. I don't think we have to cover what is in paragraph 1. It is to be noted that in sub-paragraph "c" that Gruppenfuehrer Kammerhofer at Esseg had one of the evacuation staffs; and then, starting at II, at the bottom of 155 in the English and 192 in the German:
"To be procured are:
"1) In the Combat Zone: Goods not taken along by the evacuees (racial Germans and other components of the population).
In the Rear Area:
Goods not taken along by the evacuated racial Germans.
All products and raw materials (excess goods) which are not required by the population or the forces. Precise detailed instructions will be given for this. In return for property of racial Germans procured a certificate of performance will be given (sample enclosed). The issue of Certificates of Performance for goods procured from members of other components of the people is still being decided on."
And then down under "a" under "III", it speaks of "Procurement":
"In the combat zone teams will be furnished by the population. Empty vehicles will be furnished by the troops and labor will be provided by population and troops.
"b) In the Rear Area: Teams will be provided by the population. Supply column space (in exceptional cases) will be furnished by the troops. Railway transports and labor will be furnished by the population."
And then over on page 193 of the German, 157 of the English, the second paragraph on the page:
"The following authorizations are requested from General Gustovic, which upon receipt will be forwarded immediately to the Evacuation Staffs: for removal of Croatian goods, for employment of indigenous labor, to furnish teams."
And it is signed: "For the Corps Headquarters" by "The Chief of Staff." and then the distribution list on the following page.
And then there is an order starting on page 195 of the German, 158 of the English, 21 November, from the 2nd Panzer Army to the Corps Group Kuebler who was one of the evacuation groups:
"The order referred to does not contain the entire results of the conferences on 5 and 6 November, which decided on further salvage measures to between representatives of the Army on the one hand and the Quartermaster of the 68th Corps together with Lt. Colonel Kiesow, the Quartermaster of the Commander in Syrmia and General Gustovic on the other. In view of the importance of the salvage measures for the German Reich as well as for Croatia, there must be complete clarity at all headquarters employed in the measures about their duty to procure the salvage goods completely and about the manner of carrying out the salvage measures. Therefore, once more the instructions at present in force for salvaging are made known."
And then he repeats the instructions which were contained in the memorandum of Wagner and Kaldrack; and I don't think we need to reread them here; and that takes us over to the conclusion of this particular part of the exhibit: "For the Headquarters of the 2nd Panzer Army, The Chief Quartermaster" initialled, and the various copies which appear on page 163 of the English and 199 of the German.
And on page 200 of the German and 164 of the English starts the first of a long series of reports of the various material that was evacuated. I would just like to direct the Court's attention to the items and the amounts and the dates, page 164; Wheat, barley, oats, rye, corncobs, sunflower, beans, linseed, hemp, vetch, hops, poppies, pigs, cattle, paper, packsaddles, driving belts, artificial fertilizer, malt, accommodation equipment, empty barrels, copper ore, printing presses, oils, alcohol, used buna-rubber, soot, soap, stones, soap powder, and then over on the next page colts and horses, machinery, rations, textiles, wenears, stallions, bucks, tractors and ploughs.
And then there is a note down, handwritten, that: "This does not include 46 trains sent directly from our headquarters at 5 trains a day." and then another handwritten note: "In addition provisioning the troops from the country."
And then, turning to page 201 in the German and 166 in the English is a further communication from headquarters 2nd Panzer Army. Of course, at this time the defendant Rendulic was no longer there. He had left for other parts, but the 2nd Panzer Army was still under the defendant Weichs and this has to do with evacuation measures in Syrmia and again it talks about the changing of the Kiesow Group and the duties of the Kiesow Group being assumed by the Group Kuebler; and paragraph "3", page 202 in the German, 166 in the English, last paragraph in the page:
"Further salvaging measures are to be carried out in accordance with the 2nd order referred to. Group Kuebler will arrange further participation of SS Gruppenfuehrer in salvaging measures."
Next page:
"The branch will give a final report at once on the results of its last 10-day report. Additional 10-day reports, in compliance with the 3rd order referred to, are to be submitted by Group Kuebler to Commander-in-Chief Southeast (High Command Army Group "F" -- that is the defendant von Weichs -- and the various copies, one going to the "Commissioner of the Reichsfuehrer SS in Croatia."
And then, starting on the next page, we have several more pages of what they were evacuating.
I think the pages are self-explanatory and I don't need to read them into the record but the columns generally have: types of goods, quantity and weight, number of freight cars and the shipping ticket number, the date of the departure, place of origin, and who dispatched it; and then, on the first two pages, it is to be noted that everything was dispatched by the 2nd Panzer Army.
Over on page 172 of the English, 205 of the German, the 2nd Panzer Army seems to have done most of it but there is a few entries of dispatches by the Police and these lists continue on over to page 190. I would just like to direct the Court's attention to the items again, the dates and who sent them -- and the amounts.
And on page 226 of the German and 190 of the English, another short report to Headquarters 2nd Panzer Army, Quartermaster Section, and Corps Group this is for 14 December 1945, signed by Kiesow. I don't think there is any necessity to read it.
And then we have several more pages of listed material similar to that which we have seen before and that concludes the document.
Before Mr. Rapp starts -- excuse me a moment -- that concludes Document Book XVI, if your Honors please, and Mr. Rapp will take over the presentation of Document Books XVII and XVIII.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, we are turning now to Document Book XVII. The first document we submit, NOKW-861, which is submitted as prosecution Exhibit 410 -- I beg your pardon, your Honors -- it is 409; this exhibit is an affidavit from the defendant Wilhelm Speidel who swears, states and deposes:
"I should like to make the following statements regarding my personal history: on 8 July 1895 I was born in Metzingen (Wurttemberg). From 1895 to 1901 childhood in Metzingen ... education in parental home. 1901 to 1903 elementary school in Stuttgart. 1903 to 1913 Humanistic Gymnasium. 1913 in June, Abitur Secondary School (graduation). Chose to become a professional officer. On 25 June 1913 entered the Army as officer candidate (Grenadier Regiment, 123 in Ulm)."This should be 26th of June, your Honors.
The month has been forgotten in the English translation -- "26 of June, 1913."
"As officer candidate I attended military academy in Metz in 1914. In 1914 I was promoted to Lieutenant. 1914 to 1918 I was platoon company commander on the Western Front in the Grenadier Regiment 123. I was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 22.3.1918. (Decorations: Iron Cross IInd and 1st Class, Knights Cross of the Wurttemberger Military Merit Order, Silver Wound-Badge for being wounded four times).
"In 1919 adjutant of the District Command Schwaebisch-Gmund. 1920 adjutant of a Reichswehr Battalion (Infantry Rgt.26) in Ulm. 1920/21 served with the troops with the 13th Grenadier Rgt. in Ulm and Ludwigsburg. 1921 Adjutant Garrison Hw. Stuttgart. 1921/22 1st course of the "Training of the Assistant Staff Chiefs" in Wehrkreis VII, Munich. In 1922 second course of the "Training of Assistant Staff Chiefs" in Wehrkreis VII, Munich. (Interrupted due to brain concussion and broken skull.) 1923 staff officer with Staff Wehrkreis V, Stuttgart. 1924/25 2nd course "Training of the Assistant Staff Chiefs" in Wehrkreis V, Stuttgart. 1926 service with troops with Infantry Regiment 13 in Stuttgart. Promoted to Captain in 1926. 1926/27 3rd course "Training of the Assistant Staff Chiefs" in the Reichswehr Ministry, Berlin. 1.10.1927 transferred to the General Staff of the Reichswehr Ministry. 1927 to 1933 in the Reichswehr Ministry Organization Department, interrupted by the following service abroad: 1928 detached for 5 months to the "Red Air Fleet" in Russia; 1929/30 for 1 year to the U.S. Army Air Forces "in the U.S.A. Promoted to Major 1.4.33; 1933/1934 transferred to the Reich Air Ministry, Organization Department.
1935/36 commander of a "Combat Group" (Bomber Unit) in Giebelstadt. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1.9.1935. 1.4.1936 chief of the General Staff, Luftkreis Command III, Dresden. Promoted to Colonel 1.10.1937. 1.4.1938 Chief of General Staff, Luftflotten Command 1. 1939 campaign against Poland. Promoted to Generalmajor (Brigadier General) 22.9.1939. (Decorations: bars for the Iron Cross, IInd and 1st Class). 1939/40 Chief of the General Staff, Luftflotten Command 2. 1940 campaign against the Western Countries and England. Promoted to Generalleutnant (Major General) 19.7.1940. From October 1940 to 1942 "Commanding General and Commander of the German Luftwaffe Mission in Rumania" (Several Rumanian and Bulgarian decorations). 1.1.1942 promoted to General der Flieger. May to September 1942 ill with malaria in Germany. 9.10.1942 "Commander South Greece". September 1943 "Military Commander Greece". June to September 1944 without assignment in Germany. 1944/45 "Commander of the Liaison Staff Luftwaffe High Command Southeast." ("Reception Organization". March 1945 to the capitulation: Commander feldjaegerkommando III (special field Police regiment) on the Western Front, Prisoner of war since the capitulation in 1945.
Other remarks: 1. Married 9.10.1940 to Inge von Buelow. 1 son born 25.4.1945. 2. Relationship to the NSDAP (Nazi Party): I was a monitor for ½ year in 1922. I do not know my number. After 9.11.1923 violently against the Party.
I have read the above statement, consisting of 2 pages in the German language and declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief it is the full truth. I have had the opportunity to make changes and corrections in the above statement. I have made this statement voluntarily and without any promise of reward and I was neither threatened nor compelled to do so."
The next document being offered your Honor is NOKW-174. I believe that is erroneously marked in your document book, your Honors, as page 52. Is that correct? I believe it is marked page 52 though actually it is right after the document I just have read into the record No. 174.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: Document 174 in my book is at page 52.
MR. RAPP: At page 52 then. Very well, your Honors. The next document you have in your book now is NOKW-1735? Is that correct?
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: It is in my book. I do not know whether that is true -
MR. RAPP: In some of the English books, the first two pages of NOKW-1735, you will find on page 48 of one English. I believe you will recognize it there, -- marked 1735.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: That seems to be correct. Your statement is correct so far as my book is concerned. I am advised that is also correct as to the other members of the Tribunal.
MR. RAPP: Yes.
Now this document, your Honors, we would merely like to have marked for identification as Document 409a. We will not read it into the record, or offer it as an exhibit; it is merely to be marked for identification as Document 409a. That is a rather voluminous document. I believe it goes all the way through to about page 53.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: And it is not offered as an exhibit?
MR. RAPP: It is not offered as an exhibit, your Honor, it is merely to be marked for identification.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honors, I do not know what the prosecution intends, if it just submits documents, or introduces them by way of document books, just for purposes of information. We are here in the stage of evidence, and the prosecution has to produce evidence. I do not understand this procedure, because there is no information for the court; rather one has to submit evidence to the court at this stage.
I request from now on just to accept documents, only for evidence and not for information.
MR. RAPP: If your Honor please I don't think Dr. Laternser had his ear phones on when I was addressing the Court, I did not offer this exhibit for information. I merely said that I would like to have this particular document marked for identification only, and I believe your Honors will believe that is all I have said. I did not call the court's attention for any information purposes, for evidence or for any other purposes.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: Is there any further statement you wish to make?
DR. LATERNSER: No.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: The record then is that this particular exhibit, No. NOKW-1735, is marked 409a, for identification purposes only, and is not offered as an exhibit, and under such conditions it will not be considered by the court as an exhibit.
MR. RAPP: That is correct, your Honors.
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: Very well. You may proceed.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, the next document to be offered is NOKW-174, which is being submitted as Prosecution's Exhibit 410 I believe your Honors will find this in the English Document Book on page 52.
Now in reading those documents, I would like to call the Tribunal's attention only to one fact. I would like to ask you to notice the dates of these documents, I am about to read into the record, because they extend into the fall of 1943 and into the winter of 1944.
This document we have before us is a letter to the Army Group F bycourier, enclosure 10, War Diary, for information of 2nd Panzer Army German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia. Daily report of 2 August '43, Serbia, 1st and 2nd SS Panzer Grenadier Regiments:
"21 suspects shot," partly in flight, 1 DM Officer arrested by SS Police Fighter Detachment.--
Do the interpreters have this document? Has it been distributed to you?
INTERPRETER: Could you kindly give us the German Document Book number?
MR. RAPP: He is bringing it right there to you.
INTERPRETER: Thank you.
MR. RAPP: I repeat for the record only:
"21 suspects shot, partly in flight, 1 D.M. Officer arrested by SS Police Fighter Detachment during search operation N.W. of Lajkovac.
. . . . . . . .
Greece.
. . . . . . . .
2.) Shooting of 50 workers threatened on account of arson in the streetcar depot at Collithea, in case the perpetrators do not surrender.
. . . . . . . .
Croatia.
Political situation in the main unchanged. Growing unrest in the Zagreb area. In the city area delivery of communist orders to report for active duty, under the threat that members will be killed in case of disobedience and their possessions destroyed. The population of the neighborhood of Zagreb is forbidden by the bandits to bring provisions into the city under penalty death."
It is certified, to "Wheade, 1st Lieutenant". Signed, "Military Commander Southeast, 1a, No. 17/43, and then it is typed in the signature of the defendant, "von Geitner".
The next order is dated the 2 September 1943, still the same document to the 610th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters, and refers to 50-to-1 execution of "400 Draja Mahailovich reprisal prisoners are to be shot as revenge for the surprise attack on the security detachment of the 21st Auxiliary Police Company in Stragari, in which 3 members of the company were killed and 5 missing who did not return after expiration of the established time period.
Reprisal prisoners lacking are to be furnished by the Commander of the Security Police.
The burning down of Stragari as a reprisal measure is to be reported in the proclamation.
Completion of the action is to be reported. Certified: 1st Lieutenant. After transmission to: Senior SS and Police Fuehrer, Military Commander Southeast Ia No. 33/43 Signed Felber.
MR. RAPP: On the next page, Page 54 of the English and Page 40 of the German, it states: "To: 809th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters, for the information of: 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupational Corps through the German liaison Staff, 2 September 1943, 2nd Pazer Army." Hear is an order pertaining to a ratio of better than 40 to 1. It states:
"A total of 450 communist suspects are to be shot and one bandit village is to be burned down, after safeguarding of the detachment at Crkvica (20 km. W. of Leskovac) on 1 Sept 43 in which 7 German police were killed and 4 wounded. The reprisal measured are to be carried out if possible by German police in the course of the operation at present underway in the area W. of Leskovac and is to be make public after completion. Completion of the action is to be reported.
Certified:
Bode First Lieutenant after transmission Senior SS and Police Fuehrer Military Commander Southeast Ia No. 31/43 sgd.
Felber On the next page, Your Honors, is another 40 to 1 order "To: District Administrative Headquarters 1/823, Reference:
Your communication Ic No. 9185/43 of 2 September 1943." This communication is dated 4 September 1943.
"As revenge for the surprise attack on the village of Duplja west of Weisskirchen on 30 Aug. 43, in which 3 Voldsdeutsche members of the Banat State Guard and one community official were murdered and the community records were set on fire, 160 communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot. The utilization of bandit members confined in the Gross-Betschkerek hostage camp for execution and of women, so far as they ave convicted bandit helpers, is approved.
Completion of the action is to be reported by enclosure of one copy of the publication.
Certified:
Bode First Lieutenant After transmission to Senior SS and Police Fuehrer Military Commander Southeast Ia No. 44/43 sgd.
Felber And on the bottom it says "To: 610th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters."
On the next page, Your Honor, "Subject: Reprisal Measures." I believe the first paragraph figures out something like 37 to 1. It says: "As retaliation for the surprise attack on a truck of the German customs border guard at Bajina Basta on 13 September 1943 by a DM band, during which 4 German customs officials were shot and 4 wounded, 300 DM followers are to be shot." The next one, I think, is plain 50 to 1 it says. "As retaliation for the surprise attack on a German harvesting detachment at Banja (5 km. S.E. of Arandjelovac on 4 September 1943 during which 2 German police sergeants were killed, 100 communists are to be shot." The next one is 2 to 1.
"A retaliation for the surprise attack on the Serbian State Guard Detachment in Gojna Gora (20 km. N.NE. of Pozega) on 14 Aug. 43, in which 4 Serbian State Guard men, among them one officer, were kidnapped and murdered, 10 D.M. followers are to be shot; then is:
As retaliation for the surprise attack on an automobile of the SD of Uzice at Serozva (6.5 km. S.E. of Uzice) on 8 Sept 43, in which one SD man was wounded, 25 D.M. followers are to be shot.
The execution is to be effected by the Commander of Security Police central, as far as reprisal prisoners are not at the disposal of the Administrative Sub-area headquarters.
Completion of action is to be reported by 25 Sept 43.
Military Commander Serbia Ia No. 101/43 sgd.
Felber Certified:
1st Lieutenant After transmission to Senior SS and Police Fuehrer And this is signed by the Military Commander Serbia, Ia. Your Honor' attention is invited that during this period the Defendant Geitner was Chief of Staff to this man Felber who signed these orders.
The next document, Your Honors, you will find on Page 58 and Page 43 of the German Document Book. It is NOKW-157, being offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 411. This document is dated 4 October 1943. It has a rubber stamp and various pencilled noted on top. It is addressed to Army Group F, at that time headed by the Defendant Weichs, (by messenger), for the information of 2nd Panzer Army, the Defendant Rendulic, German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia.
"Daily report of 4 Oct. 43 Serbia Communist surprise attack (100) on National Economic school in Leskovac, building burned down, crops stolen.
Bulgarians did not enter the attack.
In operation with Bulgarians and German Field Gondarmeric East of Uzice, 1 DM bandit shot, 28 captured housed burned down.
In Cacal on 1 Oct., 263 DM reprisal prisoners and 43 Communists shot as revenge for a series of surprise attacks in the area of the 610th Admin. Subarea Hqs., in which German and Bulgarian Wehrmacht members were killed.
Certified 1st Lt.Mil.
Co. Southeast La No.772/43 secret Signed von Geitner" And it is 3 War Diary Supplement 87.
On the next page, Your Honors, Page 59 under document, we find "For the Information of: German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, 2nd Panzer Army, Daily Report 17 October 1943." Then, "Serbia: As revenge for surprise attacks on German customs and police patrols in the area of the 610th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters, 100 DM and in Belgrade, 150 Communist reprisal prisoners shot." Signed, Military Commander Southeast, Ia No. 1041.43 secret, Signed Steiger, Major." And the certified by a first lieutenant. If Your Honors turn now to Page 60 of Your document book, defense counsel will find this on Page 46, we submit NOKW-162, to be Prosecution's Exhibit No. 412. This, Your Honors, is again a report, and it says: "Arrest of suspects from Petrovo Selo as hostages approved up to 50. Only such persons may be arrested who, if necessary, may be shot to death also.
Safekeeping must be guaranteed. The liability of the hostages is to be announced publicly." The next document, Your Honors, you will find on Page 61. It is NOKW-166, to be offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No-413. I believe defense counsel will find this on Page 47. There is again a report by the Military Commander Southeast, to the 816th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters, and the subject is some reference to a teletype message of the 23rd of October 1943: "The arrest of hostages petitioned with the teletype referred to above is approved for a period of 4 weeks. The reason for the arrest is to be made public. Only those persons are to be arrested who can also be shot, of the occasion arised." On Page 62, Your Honors we offer NOKW-170, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 414. Defense counsel will find this on page 48. Here is a report from the Military Commander Southeast, and it is distributed to the 599th and 809 Administrative Sub-area Headquarters. It states, Subject: Reprisal Measures."
It is dated 29 October 1943.
"In reprisal for the attack on 2 German soldiers by DM Chetniks near Tekija on 17.10.43 for a further attack 21.10.45 near DI. Milanovac and for the attack on tug drawn barges on the Danube near Izlaz on 26.
10.43 150 DM followers were shot on 29.
10.43. Publication issued by the Propaganda Section Southeast in cooperation with competent Kreis Kommandantur (District Ho.) in Pozarevac and Zajecar and of the unit employed on the Danube which will receive the proclamation shortly.
For the Military Commander Southeast The Chief of the General Stall by order of and sgd.
Major On the next page, Your Honors, Page 63, still Page 48 of the German Document Books we find an entry in the War Dairy, the Propaganda Section, Ia. and it States:
"Feldkommandantur 610 The murder of the 2 customs border police near Selac has been compensated for by the operation of the VI Auxiliary Police Battalion on 19 and 20 October 1943, in which 7 Serbian villages were burned down and a considerable number of persons shot to death.
The result of the operation is to be published as a direct reprisal measure for the murder of the 2 German customs border police.
Military Commander Southeast La/No.264/43 dates 27.
10.43 signed FELBER" And then some ittegible initials, and it's certified to be a true copy and it again goes for information "After release:
"SS und Polizei Fuehre, Liaison Official of the Customs Border Police." This Concludes NOKW-170 The next document, your Honor, you will find on page 64.
It will be page 50 of the German document book. It is NOKW-1420, to be submitted as Prosecution Exhibit 415. This is a report from the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, High Command Army Group F. In other words, the defendant Weichs. To the OKH and OKW pertaining to the execution of 100 Draza Mihailovic and 150 Communist retaliation prisoners in Belgrade. The first page merely states that this particular TWX has been addressed to Army General Staff, Operations Branch, daily report from the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast, 4 October 1943.
On page 65 we find: "In Cacak, 1 November, 283 DM hostages and 42 Communists shot to death in reprisal for surprise attacks, in the course of which members of the German and Bulgarian Wehrmacht were killed." It is signed by the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast.
On Page 66 the Army General Staff, Operations Branch, received this TWX 18 October 1943, and it says under Serbia: "Diminishing band activity in reprisal for attacks on German border patrols in the area of 610 Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters, (SABAC) 100 DM and in Belgrade 150 Communist hostages were shot to death."
And then on the other page, your Honors, it is signed Wehrmacht Commander Southeast, High Command, Army Group F, I C/ AO No. 3120/43 Secret, dated 17 October 1943.
On page 63 we find the same type report in TWX form. We find this on page 68, page 52 in the German Document Book, and it pertains to the administrative area headquarters 395, and on page 69 it says:
"Enemy losses 2205 prisoners, 37 dead, 42 wounded, 13 depots. Ammunition rations and clothing were taken in booty and estroyed, 3 villages were razed to the ground. Own losses, 2 dead, 3 wounded. (Signed) Wehrmacht Commander Southeast (High Command Army Group F) 20 October 43."
The next page, your Honor, page 70, I believe this is page 53 of the German document book, the same type TWX report, this time dated 1 November 1943. "Daily report from Wehrmacht Commander Southeast. SERBIA: Final report concerning combat actions in the area of Lebanc.
.." That is on the other page, your Honor. "...more than 150 enemy dead. - Bulgarian losses: 30 dead, 8 missing. - On the lower Drina River, Communist bands entrenching. Intentions: Reconnaissance thrust on West Drina bank. 42 DM reprisal shootings. 'Hammelbraten", 25 South of Cacak encountered strong DM band....
"(Signed) Wehrmacht Commander Southeast (High Command Army Group F)" This, your Honor, concludes Document 1420.
JUDGE CARTER: To whom are these last reports directed?
MR. RAPP: They were reports from the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, and at the same time Commander-in-Chief Heeresgruppe F to the OKW--OKH in this case, the High Command of the German Army.
Your Honors, if you turn now please to page 72, you will find NOKW-165 which is submitted as Exhibit 416. This is a letter of the Military Commander Southeast to the German Plenipotentiary General in Croatia pertaining to the recruitment of labor. It states:
22 October 1943, to:
German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia:
For purposes of provisioning the Army and the Luftwaffe, and for the General of the Transportation Corps, labor forces are to be recruited and in Croatia 3,000 workers. The recruiting is to be carried out with dispatch. On account of the working conditions (salary, provisioning of the workers with food, provisioning of the families, etc.) liaison is to be set up with the Chief Administrative Officer of the Military Commander, Southeast.
It is signed: Military Commander, Southeast Ia, No. 1156/43 Secret And it bears the initial "G" and is dated 23 October '43. At the bottom of this document, it says:
After transmissions, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief of Military Administration and To: OKW/WFST Qu. Branch.
The procuring of labor forces from Serbia is meeting considerable difficulties at the moment. Forceful measures were declined up to now by Minister Neubacher, since the new political order should not be disturbed. Neubacher informs us from Berlin that the Reich Foreign Minister would agree to the commitment of 12,000 Italian prisoners as workers in the Serbian area. It is requested that the approval of the Reich Commissioner for Labor Employment, Gauleiter Sauckel, and Reichsminister Speer be obtained.
(Signed) Military Commander, Southeast from Ia No. 275/43, 29 Oct.
'43.
An then it bears the initial B. And then it gives the distribution, After transmission, by writing to:
. . . . . . . . .
The next document, your Honor, you will find on page 74. German defense counsel will find this on page 56. This is NOKW-159; it is being offered as Prosecution Exhibit 417. This is an order of the Military Commander Southeast Felber to Higher SS and Police Leader for the execution of Communists and Draza Mihailovic hostages. It is dated the 23rd October, 1943.
. . . . . .To the Senior SS and Police Fuehrer for the information of:
809th Administrative Sub-area Headquarters German Liaison Staff with the 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupational Corps
1) As revenge for the surprise attack on the cattle purchasing detachment at Sljivar, by a DM and a Communist band, through which 8 German and Bulgarian Wehrmacht are Police members were killed, 8 German and Bulgarian Wehrmacht members were wounded, and 2 German military Police were missing, 100 DM prisoners and 300 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot under consideration of the reprisal measures which have already taken place, consisting of burning of houses and the losses which the bandits suffered in this operation.
2) As revenge for the surprise attack on the collecting detachment of the 8th Auxiliary Police Battalion on 6 Oct. '43 at Jelasnica by a DM band, during the course of which 3 auxiliary police men were killed, 8 were heavily wounded and 9 were slightly wounded, 100 DM reprisal prisoners are to be shot.
The Senior SS and Police Fuehrer is charged with carrying out the execution. It is to take place in the Zajecar district.
In the publication of the reprisal measures relating to 1) reference is to be made to the horrible treatment of the wounded who fell into the hands of the bandits and the mutilation of the corpses; in the proclamation concerning 2), it is to be expressed that the reprisal quota would have been considerably higher if the wounded had not been decently treated."
Then below, on page 75, and I think on defense counsel page 57:
.......... To 809th Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters As revenge for the surprise attack on the cattle purchasing detachment at Sljivar 100 DM followers and 200 Communists were shot on 29 Oct.
'43 in Belgrade.
As revenge for the surprise attack on the collecting detachment of the 8th Auxiliary Police Battalion at Lelasnica 100 DM followers were shot on 29 Oct.
'43.
The reprisal measures are to be published in the Zajecar District. In the publication reference is to be made expressly to the horrible treatment of the wounded who fell into the hands of the bandits and the mutilation of the dead in Case 1.
An enclosure copy is to be sent here. Military Commander Southeast and then on Ia No. "Secret".Your Honors, turn now to page 77.