Q Is there anything that you haven't told the Tribunal with reference to what you saw in Kommeno in the days following the 16th of August which you would like to tell?
A Yes, indeed. I saw it with my own eyes. I saw the house of Dimitro Komtogeni. I saw him; he was dead. So was his wife, his four daughters and his son-in-law. Near there I also saw the house of the teacher Antonios Komtogeni. His whole family had been exterminated. He had been killed, his wife had been killed and his two children and their female servant.
I went to my sister's house and I found her lying near the entrance together with her husband, both of them burned to death. I saw those things myself with my own eyes.
Q How many of your relatives were lost on the 16 of August, 1943 in Kommeno?
A My mother-in-law was killed; her name was Maria Apostolou; furthermore, my sister-in-law, Athoula Panakoulia; furthermore, my brother-in-law, Jerassimos Panakoulia; furthermore, my mother's sister, Helene Paraskevi; also ly of my first cousins were killed.
A I received information from Evangelia Kontogiani who was wounded, -- that Vasilios Skouravelis, -- that she escaped to this man's house, Skouravelis house, and she stated that German soldiers had come into her home and exterminated her whole family, and besides, one more woman who was in the house, who was also killed by the Germans with a bullet. They fired a bullet into her head because they were in a hurry to leave the house, and that was before they raped her.
MR. DENNEY: I have no further questions.
CROSS EXAMINATION BY DR. SAUTER (For the defendant Lanz):
Q Witness, may I again ask you on what day Kommeno was destroyed? What day was it?
A That was on the 16th of August, 1943.
Q 16th of August 1943; Witness, is it known to you who was in charge of the Military Command in Epiros?
A I received information; I was informed by Judge Mexi, who was the Judge from Arta, and who spoke German quite well, - very well as a matter of fact, - and who also worked at the German Headquarters there, that the detachment which had destroyed Kommeno was led by a man whose name was Koviak.
Q I asked you a different question, Mr. Witness. I asked you whether it is known to you on that day - which is the 16th of August, 1943 - who was in charge of the military command in Epiros? What general, whether it was an Italian or a German who was the Military Commander of the Epiros. I would like to ask you to answer this question.
A The same person, namely Judge Mexi, informed me, that the man in charge of the 1st Division in Jannina was Von Stettner.
And that all of those units were part of the 22nd Army Corps. I do not know anything else outside of this.
Q Witness, when did this Judge tell you that, that in Epiros this First Mountain Division existed at all?
Was it on the 16th of 17th of August, or was it later -- and if later, when?
A It was much later when I was informed about it.
Q Witness, did you find out who, on the 16th or 17th of August, was in charge of the high command in Jannina? Just a moment, I would like to add the following; whether the witness knows that the commanding officer of the whole of Epiros was in Jannina, that is a commanding general -- whether that is known to him; that was at the time of the 16th or 17th of August?
MR. DENNEY: If your Honors please -
PRESIDING JUSTICE BURKE: Just a moment. Have the question transmitted and then probably if it is competent, have it repeated in installments.
Just a moment please. Your objection, Mr. Denney.
MR. DENNEY: If Your Honors please, I think he put two questions together. I have no objection to asking him, but I do not think it fair to ask the witness two or three questions at once. We do not know what he is applying to then.
PRESIDING JUSTICE BURKE: Is the witness able to answer the question as framed?
AAll I know is what I have stated so far.
BY DR. SAUTER:
Q Witness, if you were in charge of the high school, then I take it for granted that you must have been informed whether at that time the ruler of Epiros was a German or an Italian. I should like to ask you to give us some information on this subject.
A I said that as the man in charge of that College, I had left Arta toward the end of 1942, and I lived in a small shack near Kommeno where I had no contact whatsoever with Arta.
Q Did you not find out later that in Jannina there was a German General called Lanz took over the higher command?
A I heard that much later, but I do not know when he took over the command.
Q Do you know from your own experience what troops on the 16th or 17th of August, 1943, were in Jannina at that time? Were they mainly German troops, or were they Italian Troops in Arta? Mainly Germans or Italians?
Q In Arta we had a small guard unit of Italians, within Arta - that is, inside of Arta we didn't have any Germans.
DR. SAUTER: No Germans, your Honor. I have no further questions to the witness for the mere reason that it becomes evident from the documents of the prosecution that General Lanz only arrived on the 9th of September, 1943, at Jannina.
PRESIDING JUSTICE BURKE: Very well.
Is there any further cross-examination.
CROSS EXAMINATION BY DR. WEISGERBER (For the Defendant Speidel):Q Witness, you told us that on the 12th of August, 1943, 5 partisans were in Kommeno?
A Yes, that is correct.
Q That is correct, is it?
A Yes.
Q Did you know these peoples?
A I didn't know them. I did not approach them, nor did I know what their mission was.
Q Where does your knowledge come from that these people were partisans at all?
A They were wearing uniforms and they had weapons.
Q What kind of uniforms were they?
A They wore those uniforms which the British would parachute down to the fighting forces in the mountains.
Q How do you know that the British flew parachuted uniforms for them into the mountains?
A That became known all over Greece.
Q Now such groups of partisans -- did they come to Kommeno often?
A They were the first and the last ones that ever came there.
Q On the 12th of August, did you actually know that these were people who wore the uniforms which were flown by British airplanes into the mountains?
A May I ask you to say that again?
Q You knew on the 12th of August, when you saw these five people with uniforms - in uniforms -- that these uniforms were delivered by the British in the mountains, by British airplanes?
A I did not know for certain, but I imagine that those uniforms originated from there.
Q Do you know anything about the fact that in the neighborhood of Kommeno, and Arta, there were partisans quite frequently.
MR. DENNEY: May we have the question in English?
Q Is it known to you that in the neighborhood of Kommeno and Arta, there were partisans quite frequently, who appeared in groups?
A No, no guerillas ever dame there because that was out in the fields and you would hardly find any guerillas in the field.
Q These five people whom you saw, on the 5th of August, in Kommeno, were they all, or partly, members of the actual community of Kommeno ?
A No, they were strangers to all of us. They were just transients.
I would like to correct my last answer. Kommeno was in a plain rather than in a field.
Q Did you see, or did you hear from other inhabitants of Kommeno for what purpose these five partisans had come to Kommeno?
A No, I could not tell the reason, and I did not hear about the reason.
Q On the 16th of 17th of August, in the immediate vicinity of Kommeno were there other villages destroyed as well?
A Not that I know of.
Q What was the distance between you and the soldiers who, according to you, shot at Kommeno?
AAll I said was that I saw one German soldier standing at the mouth of the river that I was walking toward, and he was blazing away with his machine gun. He was the approximate distance of 200 meters from where I was.
Q At this distance, could you readily distinguish it; could you really see whether he was a German soldier, or whether he was an Italian, or whether perhaps he was of some other troops?
A Yes, I could very easily see. The steel helmets as worn by the Italians and their uniforms, were entirely different from that of the Germans.
Q Was there only one soldier which you have seen?
A I only saw one German soldier, but according to absolutely reliable information, all of them were Germans.
Q What is this reliable information? Where does it come from?
A There were approximately 60 villagers who were in the village while this massacre was going on. They watched them kill the people. They were also seen by the inhabitants of four villages which lie on the road between Arta and Kommeno. They saw them with their vehicles; they were Germans.
Yes, and even more than that, they stooped at the village of Loutrotopo, which is only one kilometer apart from Kommeno, and they ate oranges, and they had some water in that village, and no doubt was left that they were Germans.
Q Can you describe to us the German uniform and the Italian uniform?
A I couldn't exactly give you a very detailed description of their uniforms, but in any case I could tell you their steel helmets are different, and the entire way they carry themselves is so different that you can tell right away between the two; and also the color of their uniforms.
Q In that time that you spent in Kommeno from 1942, that is to the 16th of August, 1943. were there ever any German soldiers in Kommeno?
A On one or two occasions in Kommeno they asked for meat, or they wanted to have water for their horses, but in any case I did not go close to the vehicles because I was afraid.
Q When was that?
A I don't remember the exact date.
Q Witness, you told us that you sent a report to General Zervas.
A I said that I sent an affidavit of what I had seen of the destruction.
Q Did you bring General Zervas this description and the statistics of which you spoke yourself?
A No, somebody else - an officer who lived in Kommeno whose name was Karas took it to him.
He was from Kommeno but he lived in Xenochori.
Q: This officer then was in contact with General Zervas?
A: No, he wasn't in contact with hip. He only went in order to report this crime which had been committed in Kommeno.
Q: But if he was to submit a report to a certain authority to a certain person he must have known where this person was.
A: He probably received information or solicited information on his way out and he finally got that information I imagine.
Q: It is, therefore, your opinion that this officer submitted information to General Zervas?
A: Yes, of course. Impersonally wrote that affidavit.
Q: When you wrote this affidavit did you know then where General Zervas was?
A: No, as I said before I didn't know.
Q: How many times did you talk to this officer?
A: Perhaps once or twice.
Q: Witness, I must come back to this one soldier whom you saw at a distance of approximately 200 meters at the river. What was it exactly that made you recognize beyond doubt that he was a German soldier?
A: I said before that the entire appearance pointed to the fact that it was a German soldier. I had seen a German soldier before. And it was also his uniform and the style in which he kept himself.
Q: In that case tell the Tribunal what this uniform looked like.
A: Do you really think that I stopped and looked at the German soldier carefully in order to remember all the details. I fled as fast as I could. In any case I did see his uniform and it left a living picture in my eyes which I shall never forget again, but still I couldn't go on describing it.
Had I stopped I wouldn't have had the pleasure of being here today.
Q: Was this soldier standing or was he lying on the ground?
A: He was a little bit bent, that is all. And I stress the "just a little bit."
Q: And you said that he was shooting with a machine gun.
A: Yes, with a machine gun. That is correct. He wasn't aiming at anything in particular -- not at any persons -he was just firing away and aiming more or less at the exits of the village so that nobody could leave the village. With all of the machine guns, all of them did the same thing.
Q: Would you show the Tribunal how he was holding this machine gun?
A: At the time I felt so bad about it that I couldn't snow you anything right now. I couldn't show you how he was holding it.
Q: But you told us that you got quite a good picture of this soldier -- that you remembered it very well.
A: Well, not exactly. I said that the first sight I gained of this soldier left the living impression on me that it was a German soldier.
Q: Can you remember exactly whether this soldier was wearing a steel helmet or just a cap?
A: He was just wearing a cap -- rather a cap.
Q: Where did he have his steel helmet then?
A: I don't remember. All I saw was what he wore on his head. I don't know where he had his steel helmet.
Q: But you told us that you recognized the man as a German on his steel helmet because it was a German's because the Italian steel helmets were different from the Germans'; therefore, you must have seen this steel helmet somewhere.
A: What I meant to say was -- I meant to say a cap with a small visor in front.
Q: Did not the Italian soldiers have such caps as well?
A: The first impression I gained was that the soldier was a German. I didn't stop and look at him exactly.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE: I understood the Witness to say that one method of distinguishing was the fact that he knew the difference between the German and the Italian helmet.
Am I in error about that?
WITNESS: I did not mean steel helmet. I meant cap at the time.
BY DR. WEISGERSER:
Q: You said, Witness, that you saw the soldier shoot.
A: Yes, of course, I saw it. The whole thing was very fast. I saw how he was firing away with his machine guns.
Of course, that I saw.
Q: Then, certainly you can tell us whether he was holding the machine gun like this (Demonstrating as a bundle in the arms) of whether the machine gun was resting on the ground.
A: I was so scared that I didn't stop and look exactly how he was holding that machine gun. The only thing I remember was that he had a machine gun and that he was blasting away with it.
Q: And when you had seen the soldier you immediately turned around and ran. Is that so?
A: Yes, that's correct. Of course, the soldier did not see me because he was on a small hill and I was right below.
But in any case when I saw him I ran away as fast as I could.
Q: And the nearest distance to him to which you came was about 200 meters? Is that it?
A: Approximately 200 meters. I didn't sit down and measure the distance because it made no difference.
DR. WEISGERBER: I have no further questions, Your Honor.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE: Any further cross-examination? Mr. Denney, have you further questions?
MR. DENNEY: No further question, if Your Honor pleases.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE: Judge Winnerstrum? Judge Carter? The Witness will be excused.
MR. DENNEY: May we inquire from Major Hatfield what the next exhibit number is please? The last exhibit was in Book 19. I believe, Major, it is four hundred and something, but that's about the best I can do.
MAJOR HATFIELD (SECRETARY GENERAL): 457.
MR. DENNEY: The last one was 457?
MAJOR HATFIELD: The last book.
MR. DENNEY: The last one in Book No. 19 was 457. If Your Honors please, we will now continue with the presentation of document book 20 by Mr, Fenstermacher.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE; If you will just defer the proceedings until we receive our document books.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE: You may proceed, Mr. Fenstermacher.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: May it please the Tribunal, With the documents in Document Book No. 20 we continue with the documentation of events in Greece during the final period of August 1943 until October 1944. We shall be concerned for the most part with the activities of troops under the command of the Defendant Felmy who was Commander in Chief of the 68th Corps, and the activities of the troops under the command of the Defendant Lanz, as Commander in Chief of the 22nd Mountain Corps. Your Honors will recall that both of these corps were subordinate to Army Group E, which in turn was subordinate to Army Group F and Supreme Command Southeast, under the command and jurisdiction of the Defendant Weichs and his Chief of Staff, the Defendant Foertsch. The first document is on Page 1 of the English and Page 1 of the German, NOKW-1551, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 458. This is a series of Daily Reports of Army Headquarters in Berlin. The first is Daily Report West 12th March 1944. We are concerned with those sections of the reports which deal with events in the Balkans. And "Army Group E, Mainland, 68th Army Corps," which is under the defendant Felmy at this time. "In reprisal for a surprise attack by bands on a strongly protected convoy column Southeast of Tripoli, a state of emergency for the civilian population was ordered and 200 Communist hostages were shot to death." Next, page 2 of the English, Page 1 of the German, Daily OKH Report for the 15th of March 1944. That section of the report dealing with activities of the 2nd Panzer Army, at this time, is under the command of the Defendant Rendulich. The 69th Infantry Corps which, at this time, is under the command of the Defendant Dehner. According to the service record of the Defendant Dehner, which is Exhibit No. 315, he remained in command on the 69th Infantry Corps until 1 April 1944.
"LXIX Infantry Corps: 42nd Jaeger Division: 22 own dead due to mine explosion, near Garcon. During an enemy attack at the same time radio codes fell into hands of bands.
Investigation under way. 26 bandits hanged in reprisal. During the night of 15 March a transport train hit a mine west of Mitrovica." Next, Page 3 of the English, Page 2 of the German, the OKH report for the 22nd of March 1944, the section of the report dealing with events in the area of the "LXVIIIth Army Corps: During mopping up of Gythio, minor enemy losses. 22 prisoners. 50 Communist hostages were shot to death for renewed sabotage attempt on the railroad tract West of Mogara." Next, the OKH Report for the 3rd of April 1944, the report itself is dated the 4th of April 1944.
..... Balkans:
1. ) Army Group E:
Mainland
LXVIII Infantry Corps: Between Levadia and Delphi purpose attacks on our own trucks were repelled 10 Communists shot as reprisal measure.
2. ) 2nd Panzer Army:
. . . . . . . . . .
b) Serbia:
Situation Southwest Serbia: Own reconnaissance remained without important contact with the enemy up to now. 25 Kilometers South of Prokuplje during a raid of a Communist Headquarters, a Bulgarian Battalion withdrew before superior well-equipped bands.
Enemy losses in Serbia during the past week: D.M.: 128 Dead, 64 prisoners, 17 deserters. Communists: 622 Dead, 61 prisoners, 30 shot to death in reprisal, 537 arrests. Booty: 39 rifles, 4 machine guns, ammunition and equipment.
. . . . . . . . . .
This report, of course, is signed by the Ia, or Operations Officer, as are all the reports in this series. Next, on Page 5 of the English, Page 4 of the German, the OKH report of the 15th of April 1944: "Ballans, Army Group E: Corps Group Joannina," Your Honors will recall that during this period in the Joannina area in the Epiros section of Greece, the troops under the command of the Defendant Lanz were operating.
"Bands are very active of late in the area of Florina. In reprisal for a railroad attack on the line Agrinion -- Lessolongion, 120 Communists were shot or hanged. 50 suspects arrested during a raid in Agrinion."
DR. SAUTER: Dr. Sauter for the Defendant Lanz. It has just been read, under the command of the defendant Lanz. I would like the Prosecution Counsel to show me where it says that. Or at least the translation came through to the effect that it just says it is under the High Command of the defendant Lanz, but it does not say, at least my translation, that at all.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Okay. That was just an explanatory comment of mine in order that the document will have more meaning for Your Honors.
DR. SAUTER: Your Honors, I should like to say the following to the commentary. First of all, in such a case, on the part of the Prosecution it should at least be stated that this is only a commentary and that it does not say so in the document book; and secondly I should like to make the following report as to this commentary. At this time, from which this daily report comes, which is the 15th of April 1944, the Defendant Lanz was not in the Balkans at all. But he was on a duty trip in Hungary. This becomes evident from other former documents which were submitted by the Prosecution authorities themselves and were read by them. I should like to come back to that later. But I should like to say now as to these documents which have just been read, that at the heading of this report, it says "Corps Group Joannina," this was the expression which was used when General Lanz was no longer the commander of the 22nd Corps in the Balkans.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: If Your Honors please, it seems to be an issue of fact here, which I believe Dr. Sauter can raise at the proper time.
PRESIDING JUDGE BURKE: It so appears to the Tribunal that there is some merit to Dr. Sauter's objection in the fact that when a statement is made and that Lanz or any of the other individual concerned is involved it should be stated what is your conclusion at that time, and then only in connection with the factual recital which follows later. It will save confusion and it will save the necessity of here arguing the case at this time, when either of the counsel attempt to supply their personal views in lieu of the testimony. You may proceed.
DR. SAUTER: Thank you.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Next, on Page 6 of the English, Page 4 of the German, the Daily OKH Report for the 23rd of April 1944. Under that section of the report dealing with activities in the Balkans:" 2nd Panzer Army, Croatia, XV Mountain Corps: 264th Division: In reprisal for an attack on our trucks, two villages were burned down Northeast of Tregir. 392nd Division: Stronger enemy forces in the area of Otocac were repelled after heavy battles." Next, the OKH Report for the 25th of April 1944.
..... 1.) Army Group E:
Attacks on railroad line are increasing on the mainland of late.
LXVIII Infantry Corps: A British Commando Operation took place against the Island of Santorin on 24 April. The Navy transmitter did not function.
During larger scale raids in Athens, a total of 126 persons was arrested, weapons and ammunition were captured, 15 Communists were shot to death.
On the line Athens-Thebes, a train hit a mine and was derailed. The mainline was interrupted for about 8 hours.
. . . . . . . . . . .
Turning next to Page 8 of the English, Page 7 of the German, the OKH Report for the 27th of April 1944. "Balkans, Army Group E, Mainland":
.....Corps Group Joannina: During the continuation of the mopping up of the heights Northwest of Korea, three band villages were taken during the fighting and destroyed.
A concentrated attack of well-armed bands against own combat group in the Devoli-Valley was repelled. A simultaneous attack by bands on the road bases and Nationalist villages Southwest of Korea was repelled after reinforcements had been brought up.
. . . . . . . . . .
Turning next to Page 10 of the English and Page 6 of the German Document Book, Document No. NOKW-885, which is offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 459, starts with a series of extracts from the War Diary of Army Group E. Under the entry for the 12th of May 1944; Your Honors will note that the diary itself covers a period of time from the 1st of May to the 30th of June 1944.
..... Deportation of Jews The Commander of the Regular Police (Schupe) in Athens reports that, by order of the Reichsfuehrer SS, Jews are to be removed from the islands of Corfu and Crete at an increased speed.
He requests additional shipping space and the required escort personnel.
Approximately 1600 Jews are to be shipped from Corfu to Patras, approximately 350 from Crete to Piraeus.
This instruction "was teletyped at 1910 hours to the Commander of the Regular Police (Schupo) in Athens, Commandant of the Fortress Crete, Corps Headquarters, XXII Mountain Corps, naval, and Air Transport Athens, and for information to Admiral Agais:
The Commander of the Regular Police in Athens has requested shipping space for the speedy deportation of 350 Jews from Crete and 1600 Jews from Corfu.
The High Command of Army Group E agrees to the supply of shipping space if the supplying of shipping space does not interfere with Wehrmacht supplies and intended tactical operations.
Details are to be agreed upon directly by the Commander of the Regular Police (Schupo) and the Naval and Air Transport Athens.
The Command of Fortress Crete and Corps Headquarters XXIInd Mountain corps are ordered to supply Escort personnel.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Next, entry in the War Diary for the 17th of May 1944:
.....LXVIII Infantry Corps:
On the road Arges-Tripoli, meter convoys III 670th Artillery Regiment - 1 Officer and 95 men -- attacked by bands. Our losses; 25 dead, 25 wounded, 6 missing. Pursuit of the bands by detachments of 737th Regiment under way.
The measures taken as a result of the Peloponesus being declared a combat zone are being retorted currently.
Turning next the bottom of page 12 of the English, page 9 of the German Document book, the entry in the War Diary -fpr the 26th of May. 1944, the time of the entry 1945 hours.
"Deportation of Jews from Corfu:
At 19.50 hours a teletype sent to Admiral Agais, XXIInd mountain Corps, Hohore SS und Polizeifuehrer, Greece.
A representative of the Reichsfuehrer SS will apply to Admiral Agai s for the Transfer of 2,000 Jews from Corfu to the Mainland. The Commanderin Chief of Army Group E is agreeable to this, provided troop transports and the supplying of the islands in not deterred and provided deportation can take place rapidly and without interruption.
The Army at this time is unable to supply guard personnel. Information on your arrangements is requested."
Next, the entry in the War Diary of Army Group E for the 1st of June 1944, the time of the entry 1135 hours.
XXIInd Mountain Corps: Hopping up operation in the area North of Kalabaka carried out against strong enemy resistance. Several band losses. Numerous ammunition depots wiped out, three band villages destroyed. Attack by medium strength well armed band group on rood base near Leskovic repelled after heavy fighting with enemy losses. Bands are under English command."
In this connection, your Honor will recall the testimony of the witness Triandaphylidis.
Turning next to page 14 of the English, page 11 of the German Document book, NOKW-942, which becomes prosecution Exhibit 460, this again is a series of daily reports from Amy Group E to Army Group F. First:
"Daily Report High Command Army Group E Southeast (High Command Army Group F) of 24 July 1944.
Area 1XV111 Army:
For attack on medical convoy Northwerst Tripoli (Daily Report 22.10) 100 Hostages shot to death."
"Area LXVIII Army:
During "Eule" in area Avlon (30 North Athenhns) 17 Bandits were shot to death 3 machine guns and other arms captured."
Next, on page 15 of the English, page 12 of the German;
Evening Report High Command Army Group E
B) Commandant East Aegean and Fortress Crete: No special events. 1XV111 Army Corps:
During search of Parness Fountains 17 bandits shot to death.
Next the daily report of the 31st of July, 1944, section of the report dealing with events in the:
This is on urge 16 of the English page 12 of the German.
" Renewed sabotage plot against subsidiary lines near Kessolongion thwarted. West of Agrinion bank attack line repair detachment, 8 dead of own, 14 wounded. As reprisal measure, 71 Communists shot to death."
The report is signed as were the others, by High Command Army Group E..
Turning now to page 17 of the English; page 13 of the German; docment NOKW-962 becomes prosecution Exhibit 461. This is a report of the 104th Jaeger Division, dated 22 August 1944. Your Honors will notice the receipt stamp of the XXII Mountain Corps and the date 25 August 1944 in the top right hand portion of the report. The subject of the report is:
"Final Report on the Operation "Kreuzotter"
A) Task:
The headquarters of the 22nd Mountain Artillery Corps gave me the orders to clean up the area Agrinion - Thermon -Karpenission.
B) Situation of the Enemy:
For the planning of the operation there was at my disposal the situation of the enemy to be seen from the eclosed copy (see enclosure 1), which was ascertained essentially by reports from confidential agents, statements of inhabitants and, furthermore, by findings made during former operations.
According to this there were in the area north and northeast of Agrinion in the main, parts of the 13th Decision with the 5/42 Evzone Regiment in the Area Ajos - Wlassios - Thermon - Agrinion, the 34th Infantry Regiment consisting of 2 Battalions in the sector Karpenission - Triklinos and the 1/38 Evzone Regiment in the area east and northeast of Karpenission. In addition, there were in the region nroth of the Arginion Lake, as far as Meglichora (10 kilometers south southeast of Larpenission), the 1st Reserve Regiment subordinated to the 13th Decision, in the area south of the Agrinion Lake, the 3rd Reserve Regiment which also belongs to the 13th Division, and in the area southeast of Thermon the 4th Elas Reserve Regiment. West of the Acheloos River, the 7th Brigade joined with the front towards the west."
"All unite were under the centralized communist leadership which was situated together with the 13th Decision and the political EAM leadship in Karpenission. There was also an allied military mission in the area south of karpenission.
H) Tactical Result:
Though a lasting destruction of bands, as was foreseen, was not achieved, serious losses of men and material were inflicted upon the adversary, which at least limit his readiness with strong units.
By the surprise assault, which, however, was successful only in part, signs of rapod flight were established, thus justifies the assumption that the organization was not only disturbed, but may be considered seriously damaged. Through persistent destruction of all villages of the area traversed, especially by burning down the Communist Headquarters Karpenission.
The bands have lost numerous billeting possibilities a factor which must have affected the organization also. But the main success lies in the demonstration of power, which after a long period of time was once again put before the bandits in the area."
The report is signed von Ludwiger.