Your Honors will note in the lower right hand corner of the document the receipt stamp of the XXII Mountain Corps Headquarters dated 10 October 1943, page 134 of the English and 141 of the German:
"Enclosed report of the Secret Field Police Jaannina for information and request to return after use."
And the XXII Mountain Corps returns the report on the 11th of October 1943;
"and with permission of the 1st Mountain Division sent back after acknowlegdement for the General Headquarters Commander of the General Staff," And it is noted, "Received 12 October 1943."
We now turn to page 136 of the English, 149 of the German, document NOKW 864 which becomes Prosecution Exhibit 455. This document is a series of reports from the 1st Mountain Division to the XXII Mountain Corps. The first page of the document contains: File Notes for the Commanding General, and the date is 19 October 1943, written in hand:
"Arrests in the Divisional Area: 766 persons
A) Of these were released 390" Because of inability to prove aiding and abetting of bands 40 After having served short term jail sentences 137 Hostage in whose places of origin no more bands appeared 213
b) For labor employment in Germany Deported 160 persons Reason:
suspected of being members of bands and unable to show place of work.
"Of which there are at present still in the prisoner collecting camp Florina 56 Labor employment in territories not endangered by bands 40 persons
c) Shot to death:
Paramythia: Reprisal measure for 6 murdered German soldiers 58 Thereakision:
Reprisal measure for murder of Lt. Col. Salminger 14 Arta, Klisura:
Suspicious elements near the localities where attacks had occurred (about) 30 Joannina City:
4 Total 106 persons 2 Jews and 1 Greek hanged in Florina in reprisal for 2 murdered Germans (names:
the brothers Batis and Vakucopulo. All were arrested for aiding and abetting bands) 1 Greek shot to death for attempted sabotage on bridge near Sulopulon.
d) Of the civilians prisoners, approximately 200, taken over from the Italians, 195 were released. At this time still being held for aiding and abetting bands 5
e) Still detained 70 persons Of these 70 persons, 14 are hostages and 5 are prisoners taken over from the Italians.
Remainder "of prisoners:
Interrogation not yet concluded or serving short term jail sentences."
Page 138 of the English and 149 of the German is the Unit Evening Report for 19 October 1943 of the 99 Jaeger Regiment, which was subordinate at this time to the 1st Mountain Division.
"8 bandits captured by reconnaissance patrol from Kanallakion to point 402/45. 4 shot to death. 1 priest, who was with the bandits, shot while trying to escape."
Turn next to page 139 of the English and 150 of the German; I direct your Honors' particular attention to this order. It is an order of the 1st mountain Division dated 25 October 1943:
"Special directives pertaining to Intelligence Work No. 9:"
Your Honors will recall at this time the 1st Mountain Division is subordinate to the XXII Mountain Corps commanded by the defendant Lanz. Earlier this morning I asked your Honors when we were considering page 83 of the English Document Book, page 109 of the German Document Book, Document 1104, which was offered as Prosecution Exhibit 451, to note the date of that particular order of the 1st Mountain Division which was 13 September 1943. It, too, contained special instructions for the Ic area and in that order there was a directive that ten Greeks be killed for each German soldier wounded and killed by insurgents or civilians. I now refer to this order on page 139 of the English and 150 of the German dated a little bit more than a month later than the first order, this one dated 25 October 1943, an order by the same 1st Mountain Division subordinate to the defendant Lanz.
"Orders issued up to now are changed as follows: (a) If a member of the German Wehrmacht is killed by either attack or murder in a territory considered pacified, 50 Greeks (male) are to be shot for 1 murdered German. Application for the order of execution is to be made through the Military Commander of Greece," Your Honors will recall at this time, 25 October 1943 the Military Commander of Greece was the defendant Speidel.
"who represents the executive power via the Divisional Ic. The unit will safeguard the corresponding number of hostages until the decision arrives.
"b. The decision regarding executions for losses in band combat is made by the competent troop commander. Here also the ratio is 1 to 50. The ore-requisite for the order of execution is indubitable proof that the population of a village has participated in hostile action against the German Wehrmacht. In addition, the villages are to be destroyed.
"c. It is expressly prohibited to ravage villages merely because members of the German Wehrmacht have been shot at from there. The bends frequently follow the tactics of making peaceful villages suspected of being accomplices of the bands so that they may gain recruits from the population which fears German reprisal measures.
"d. The indigenous copulation may be used for the protection of military installations or of these important for the war economy. They are to be made responsible for guarding these installations under the threat of corresponding compulsory measures if they refuse.
"e. The execution ratio of 1 to 10 is ordered in the case of a murder of a pro-German Greek or a Greed working for the Germans.
"2. The German Reich has recognized the independence and liberty of Albania. It is the task of the German Wehrmacht to establish good relations with all loyal Albanians in the interest of a beneficial cooperation. A national Albanian committee has taken over the political leadership of Albania. Together with German authorities, this committee is trying to restore order in the country. The German General Plenipotentiary in Albania, with his office in Tirana, has been appointed as a military authority, with a joint staff, the military commander in Montenegro. Political directives will be issued to him by the special Plenipotentiary of the Fuehrer for Balkan questions.
"3. Escaped and recaptured prisoners of war may be punished only by disciplinary measures. Shooting to death is in contradiction to international law. However, they are to be treated as franc-tireurs if they carry weapons or if they resist recapture.
"4. All prisoners of the enemy Air Force are to be transferred without interrogation to the Divisional Ic for transfer to the competent Luftwaffe authority. All captured documents are to be sent along under seal. All enemy airplanes making emergency landings in the Divisional area, which still contain exploitable instruments are to be guarded by the unit. Any dismantling is to be stopped by all means. The exact location is to be reported to the Divisional Ic.
"5. Subject: Burial of executed, people: It has happened repeatedly that people shot to death for reprisal measures have been uncovered by heavy rainfall. The burial of people shot to death has to take place in prescribed graves."
And the order is signed: "For the Division Hqs.
1st General Staff Officer" The time of this order is 25 October 1943.
1st Mountain Division was subordinate to the XXII Mountain Corps in command of the defendant Lanz. The XXII Mountain Corps in turn was subordinate to Army Group E which itself was subordinate to Army Group F commanded by the defendant Weichs and his chief of staff the defendant Foertsch.
Next on page 142 of the English and 152 of the German, a report of the 1st Mountain Division to the XXII Mountain Corps dated 27 October 1943:
"Preliminary Report on Successes and Captured Material:
Material Captured:
2 heavy maching guns 5 light machine guns numerous rifles (destroyed) approximately 100 rounds of infantry ammunition 40 enemy dead 3 prisoners (shot to death) About 40 villages burned down."
Next on page 143 of the English, 152 of the German, a report of the Combat Group von Hirschfeld to the 1st Mountain Division. The report is dated 28 October 1943 and the receipt stamp is 1st Mountain Division and indicates the report was received at the Divisional Headquarters a day later, on the 29th of October 1943.
"Report of Enemy Situation in the area of Combat Group v. Hirschfeld during operation 'Tiger'. The bands fought in this area in civilian clothing. Mostly they wore blue riding breeches and high boots. All villages along the Arachtes Valley were destroyed. Almost all houses contained supplies of ammunition."
Finally, the report of the 1st Mountain Division to XXII Mountain Corps Headquarters of the 28 of October 1943:
"Enemy - about 100 men strong withdrew from Krania (70 km. north northeast Metszon) in a general northern direction at the approach of our troops. The ammunition dump there was evacuated as much as possible. The village was burned down. 12 men arrested as hostages for cable sabotage in Vangalati (10 Km Northwest Konispol)."
The report is signed: "For Division Headquarters The First General Staff Officer" We turn next to page 145 of the English, 154 of the German, Document NOKW 1133 which becomes Prosecution Exhibit 456.
This is again various orders from the 1st Mountain Division to its subordinate units. The first is dated 20 October 1943.
"For the formation of the convoy the following are to be detached: ..............
The remaining personnel is to be taken from the prisoner collecting camp Braja."
And the order for 1st Mountain Division for 23.10.43.:
"Subject: Formation of an auxiliary carrier-company for Mountain. Main Assembly site 'Tiger'.
1.) Company consists of 60 Italians. Leader: P.F.C. or corporal of the Medical Corps."
If your Honors please the report now relates to the first order directing that personnel for this convoy be taken from the prisoner collecting camp at Braja.
"2.) Collection of the 60 Italians with trucks. Divisional supply leader from the prisoner of war camp Braja. Detachment detailed to collect to report on 24.10 at 0600 hours to the advance massage center von Eyb, Joannina.
"3.) Equipment of the Italians. Each man must at least have one field-pack.
"4.) IVc detail at least 6 pack animals for the transportation of the wounded. Collection by the Italian carrier company from the horse Assembly Point Joannina by 24 Oct. 08.00.
"5.) Weapons and equipment department provides the improvised pact and saddle equipment (local-type saddles.) Fitting of saddles on the pack animals, in the arsenal after the horses have been collected.
"6.) Provisioning: The carrier company is dependant on the Mountain. Main assembly site for food supplies. When assembling it is to take along food rations for 3 days."
The order is signed, "For Divisional Hqs.
The second General Staff officer."
Turn finally to page 147 of the English and 156 of the German, Document NOKW 959, which becomes Prosecution Exhibit 457. These are various reports from subordinate units, with General Lanz as Commander of the XXII Mountain Corps. The first is a report from the Mountain Jaeger Field Replacement Battalion 79, to 1st Mountain Division, received 1st Mountain Division on 6 November 1943.
"Report on the Band Situation in the Area of Korca
1.) Band Area I, Dibar, Labinoti, Qävemolle, Approximately 200 bandits coming from the direction of Dibar attacked the town major's office Xicevo and kidnapped the staff (45 kilometers North of Orid Ochridasee) on 1.11.
at 0530 hours.
. . . . . . . . .
2.) Band Area III. Voxkopje, Vithuqi.
According to reports by confidential agents about 200 to 300 bandits are said to have spent the night from 2nd to 3rd November 1943 in Goskova - Vlocan Melcan (10 kilometers West Northwest Korca). I, Battalion/Brandenburg thrust ahead toward Voskop (9 kilometers West of Korca) on 3.11. It met strong resistance. Voskop was burned down, 30 persons between the ages of 18 and 60 were shot to death.
4.) The Battalion requests information whether the 8 hostages, held for interpreter Walter Jennewin (report of 31.10.43) may be hanged.
Ic ko (handwritten initials)" Next the "Report on total Captured Material III.
/Mountain Infantry Regiment 98 "Puma" November '43/2000 hours.
8 villages destroyed among them main base point district Points 422, 530, 536.
1 tent camp near 530 destroyed."
The various losses are listed. I think we need not spend any time on those.
Continuing on page 148 of the English, 151 of the German, a report from the 1st Mountain Division dated 4 November 1943 to Corps Headquarters XXII Mountain Corps:
"The villages of Dragumi (6 kilometers southeast Paramithia) taken against strong enemy resistance. Bandits retired to the gorges, to the west and southwest; village was burned down."
The next is Evening Report of the Unit:
"Mountain Infantry Regiment 99: The village of Dragumi taken against strong enemy resistance at 1400 hours. Enemy forces about 200 men strong, 1 light machine gun, 1 heavy machine gun. Neither men nor animals found in the village. Bandits retired to the gorges west and southwest. When marching off the enemy again pressed after us. The village was burned down."
Next is the evening reports of 4 November 1943, I, II, III battalions of the 99 Regiment:
"Statement of the bandit leaders reported captured in last night's reports:
1.) Zervutochis Konstantino, 51 years old and born in Alexandria, (Egypt) Statement:
I am an insurgent but I did not carry any arms. I only advised Papos regarding the organization of the band. Papos frequently came to my house. I was an insurgent only as long as the Italians were here because I wish to remain a Greek always. If I knew that the Germans would remain here for a longer period I would again become an insurgent, but since I know that they will remain only a short time, I will not be a bandit.
2.) Mathisani Georgo, 46 years old and born in Templona on the Island of Korfu.
Statement: I was with the Papos Band but I was not the Deputy of the insurgent leader. I was in charge of the supply (rations, fodder, ammunition and arms). (Marginal note: With the word when?) I only know that Serenedis, the deputy of Papos, who was born in Potamos and another Rebel Leader Giovanni, as well as Koshinos, Kuranades, are said to be on the Island.
They continue to command the band and are recruiting new people. Everything else will be reported in writing tomorrow.
During the transfer from Korfu to Igumenica one priest of the Greek Catholic church and one civilian were shot while trying to escape."
Turning next to the report at the bottom of the page 150 of the English 160 of the German:
"Final Report Operation Mountain Infantry Regiment 99:
"Village and ridge southeast of Prodromi taken against weak enemy resistance about 1400 hours .......... About 1530 hours the attack was advanced on Dragumi and Ridge 586. Houses still standing after the last battle were set on fire.
The villages of Karijot, Velianti, Prodromi and Dragumi, which were supply bases for the bandits during the winter, were eliminated thereby."
Next a report of the 1st Mountain Division dated 3 November 1943 to Field Gendarmerie Detachment 54 rather this in an order of the division to the detachment, rather than a report:
"1.) The Greek Niko Bakola is to be shot to death for aiding and abetting bands. The execution is to take place unobtrusively. Execution report to Division Ic. The carrying out of the death penalty is to be made public.
2.) The 3 Italians: Severi, Francesco Campanella, Calogero Pirino, Benetton are to be transported to Florina as prisoners of war with an Italian transport.
Proper papers are to be made out.
3.) The member of the Italian Wehrmacht, Furnerie, Francesco is to be shot to death because he is suspected of belonging to a band. Execution report to Division Ic.
4.) The Greek Johannis Itos is to be shot to death for prohibited possession of arms and for aiding and abetting the bands. Execution report to Division Ic."And, the order is indicated as having been received by the Field Gendarmerie Detachment a day after the order is dated, that is to say on the 4 November 1943.
Page 152 of the English, and 161 of the German is the order which the Field Gendarmerie Detachment, - a report which the Field Gendarmerie Detachment 54 sent to the 1st Mountain Division Ic, or Intelligence Officer, on the 8 November 1943, five days after it received the divisional order.
"Subject: Order 1. Mountain Division Ic of 3.11.1943.
The Greek Nikola Bakola The Greek Johannis Itos The Italian Francesco Furnerie were shot to death today at 1700 hours.
They were properly interred with proper regard of all cautionary measures."
Next, on page 152 of the English and 162 of the German is a proclamation. It refers to the same incident:
"Proclamation The population is informed that the following persons were shot to death:
1.) Niko Bakola, born 1915, trade: carpenter; residence: Jannina, Villar Street 50. He was convicted of:
a) Asking Italian soldiers to fight against the German Wehrmacht.
b) Recruiting Italian soldiers to serve with the bandits.
c) Attempting to purchase arms and ammunition for the bandits.
d) Anti-German propaganda."
"2.) Johannis Itos from Greveniti Reason:
Prohibited possession of arms."
Next the report of the "Mountain Jaeger Field Replacement Battalion 79 To 1st Mountain Division Ic., report dated 8 November 1943 Enclosed the Field Replacement Battalion submits a delivery slip concerning 20 kilogram of bread for the Revenge Battalion Hakmaye (Leader Petri Dume) which was found in the possession of Ismael Asim of Turan (West of Korca) who was a member of the Revenge Battalion Hakmaye.
Ismael Asim was shot to death according to martial law on 6.11.1943."
Next is the report of the "Mountain Jaeger Field Replacement Battalion 79."
dated 8 November 1943, to 1st Mountain Division:
"Subject: Reprisals for the Albanian Walter Jennewein."
Your Honors will recall that on page 147 of the English 146 of the German, and dated 4 November 1943 this same Mountain Jaeger Field Replacement Battalion 79 requested information whether the 8 hostages held for interpreter Walter Jennewein had been hanged. Now, on page 153 of the English, and 163 of the German, we see the answer, which was given apparently to the battalions enquiring. This is a report of the Battalion to the 1st Mountain Division Ic.
"The reprisals for the Albanian Walter Jennewin were carried out by the 1st Battalion/Brandenburg itself."
"18 persons were shot to death in the neighborhood of Voskop on 6 November 1943."
Next a report from Garrison Headquarters Corfu to the Division Ic, a report dated 5 November 1943.
"Subject: Bringing in of Prisoners." There is a handwritten note: "To the 1st and 2nd Death Penalty Commander."
"The following prisoners are being transferred to Division Ic: Mathiani, Georgio - 46 years old, from Debloni.
He states: I was with the Rebel Band of Pappas. I am not the deputy of the Rebel Leader. I was in charge of the supply (arms, ammunition, rations, fodder) I only know that the deputy of Pappas, Seremedis, (born in Potamos) and another Rebel Leader named Koskinas, Giovanni (born in Kuramades) are here on this Island. They continued to lead the bands and are recruiting people.
Randazzo, Ciro, 27 years old, born in Palermo, Italian soldier.
He states: I have not been with the rebels long and I am not informed regarding the details.
The two bandits, together with a third bandit, were found with loaded rifles in Debloni on 3. Nov. 43. One of the bandits were shot on the spot; the house in which the bandits were found was burned down. Appendix: The suspects named above include a very reputable farmer who has been seized as a hostage.
According to the enclosed report, the priest of the Greek Church, Colida, Spiridione and the Greek Nicokanra, Sebastian who were given over to the 2nd Regiment/99 for transfer to the Division Ic were shot to death while trying to escape."
Finally, a last report on page 155 of the English, 164 of the German, is an order from the 1st Mountain Division to Field Gendarmerie Detachment 54. The Gendarmerie Detachment's receipt stamp for the order appears on the document dated 10 November 1943, one day after the Divisional order is dated.
"Mathiano, Georgio and Randazzo, Ciro are to be shot to death for armed resistance."
And then the report of the Field Gendarmerie Detachment 54 to the 1st Mountain Division indicating it was carried out, the order that was received from the division. This report is dated 10 November 1943.
"Subject: Order 1st Mountain Division Ic of 9 November 1943.
"The Greek Mathiani, Georgio, The Italian Randazzo, Ciro were shot to death at 1700 hours today and properly interred."
And that, if your Honors please, completes the presentation of the documents in Document Book XIX.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, on the occasion of the conclusion of the evidence presented by the prosecution in Document Book XIX, I ask for clarification of the following questions important to the defense.
What is now to be done about the treatment of the subject of the entire contents of the document book or just the parts which have been read out?
THE PRESIDENT: Is your inquiry based upon the result of the ruling made earlier this afternoon?
DR. LATERNSER: no, your Honor. There is no connection between the two. As defense counsel, I must know what has become subject of the case in order, for example, to be able to judge whether, in connection with any one point, the submission of evidence by the prosecution has, any conclusive value; for, if it is not conclusive, the defense need not go into the point.
Mr. President, my attention is called to the fact that possibly the contents of my statement has been distorted by the translation of the word "schluessig," "conclusive." I mean the following:
I must know what is subject of the case, for only then can I judge whether, for example, the submission by the prosecution of any one complex is sufficient or not and, according to that, the defense has to act. For this reason, I would be very much interested in whether the entire document book has been subject of the proceedings or only those parts of it which have been read out here.
THE PRESIDENT: It is the judgment of the Tribunal that the whole exhibit is and now if you wish to read any portions of it which have not been read by the prosecution, you may do that in your defense, but the entire document is offered, as I understand it, and the prosecution is calling particular attention to certain phases of it.
DR. LATERNSER: And what is the essential part, Mr. President? Is it what is contained in the document book or the photostat of the exhibit which the prosecution has given to the secretary general?
THE PRESIDENT: If there is any portion of the document which you, as representative of the defense, wish to present to the Tribunal, that is your privilege, along with that which has been submitted to us in the English translation.
THE PRESIDENT: I would suggest that the whole thing that goes to the Secretary General is in evidence.
DR. LATERNSER: I understand that, your Honor, but if this is so, then the whole exhibit cannot be brought in because it has only been partly translated. In other words, the Tribunal does not, cannot gain an entire impression of the whole exhibit.
THE PRESIDENT: If there are certain portions of it which the defense counsel feel are important to their defense, they have the privilege and it is their right and their duty to see that the matters are presented to the Tribunal.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honors, I shall discuss this matter with my colleagues.
THE PRESIDENT: Very well.
MR. DENNEY: Your Honors please, I have just handed your Honors a paper which was typed in my office in English which contains the usual all-time advice that is administered to witnesses who are Greek Nationals. If Dr. Laternser wishes, I will be very glad to have this translated into German and submitted to him. May we have a statement on the record to that effect, Doctor?
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honors, that will not be necessary.
MR. DENNEY: Thank you, Doctor.
Your Honors will recall that at the commencement of the trial the first step in the proceedings was the reading of an affidavit by Mr. Niebergall who is presently in the document room. However, I have noted, in going through the documents, that we have occasional documents which are what might be called "anti-Niebergall" and, with that in mind, I should like to read the Coogan affidavit which was used before the International Military Tribunal and will cover such documents as bear the earlier numbers and are taken from the International case and which were developed at that time.
I believe all the defense counsel are familiar with the Coogan affidavit. However, for their convenience I have 11 copies here in German. You may want it for your files -- 3 copies for the Tribunal. I must apologize, your Honors, for the condition of these photostats or mimeographs but the pages are getting rather worn. It has been used so much. Then one in English and German for the interpreters and stenographers, court reporters, and the original one which I have left which I can read is Major Hatfield's copy, so I will give that to him after I have finished.
"19 November 1945." This, if your Honors please, will be assigned perhaps the easiest way would be to call it Exhibit 1-B" and then it will be right next to the Niebergall affidavit which covers the period subsequent to the so-called "Chief of Counsel" which was prior to the present office of "Chief of Counsel for War Crimes."
"19 November 1945.
"I, MAJOR WILLIAM H. COOGAN, 0-455814, Quartermaster Corps, a commissioned officer of the Army of the United States of America, do hereby certify as follows:
"The United States Chief of Counsel in July 1945 charged the Field Branch of the Documentation Division with the responsibility of collecting evaluating and assembling documentary evidence in the European Theater for use in the prosecution of the major Axis war criminals before the International Military Tribunal. I was appointed Chief of the Field Branch on 20 July 1945. I am now the Chief of the Documentation Division, Office of United States Chief of Counsel.
"I have served in the United States Army for more than four years and am a practicing attorney by profession. Based upon my experience as an attorney and as a United States Army officer, I am familiar with the operation of the United States Army in connection with seizing and processing captured enemy documents. In my capacity as Chief of the Document Division Office of the United States Chief of Counsel, I am familiar with and have supervised the processing, filing translation and photostating of all documentary evidence for the United States Chief of Counsel.
"As the Army overran German occupied territory and then Germany itself, certain specialized personnel seized enemy documents, books and records for information of strategic and practical value. During the early stages such documents were handled in bulk and assembled at temporary centers. However, after the surrender of Germany, they were transported to the various document centers established by Army Headquarters in the United States Zone of Occupation. In addition to the documents actually assembled at such document centers, Army personnel maintained and secured considerable documents "insitu" at or near the places of discovery. When such documents were located and assembled they were catalogued by Army personnel into collections and records were maintained which disclosed the source and such other information available concerning the place and general circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the documents.
"The Field Branch of the Documentation Division was staffed by personnel thoroughly conversant with the German language. Their task was to search for and select captured enemy documents in the European Theater which disclosed information relating to the prosecution of the major Axis war criminals. Officers under my command were placed on duty at various document centers and also dispatched on individual missions to obtain original documents. When documents were located, my representatives made a record of the circumstances under which they were found and all information available concerning their authenticity was recorded. Such documents were further identified by Field Branch pre-trial serial numbers, assigned by my representatives who would then periodically dispatch the original documents by courier to the Office of the United States Chief of Counsel.
"Upon receipt of these documents they were duly recorded and indexed. After this operation, they were delivered to the Screening and Analysis Branch of the Documentation Division of the Office of United States Chief of Counsel, which Branch re-examined such documents in order to finally determine whether or not they should be retained as evidence for the prosecutors. This final screening was done by German-speaking analysts on the staff of the United States Chief of Counsel. When the document passed the screeners, it was then transmitted to the Document Room of the Office of United States Chief of Counsel, with a covering sheet prepared by the screeners showing the title or nature of the document, the personalities involved, and its importance. In the Document Room, a trial identification number was given to each document or to each group of documents, in cases where it was desirable for the sake of clarity to file several documents together.
"United States documents were given trial identification numbers in one of five series designated by the letters: "PS", "L", "R", "C", and "EC", indicating the means of acquisition of the documents.
Within each series documents were listed numerically.
"After a document was so numbered, it was then sent to a Germanspeaking analyst who prepared a summary of the document with appropriate references to personalities involved, index headings, information as to the source of the document as indicated by the Field Branch, and the importance of the document to a particular phase of the case. Next, the original document was returned to the Document Room and then checked out to the photostating department, where photostatic copies were made. Upon return from photostating, it was placed in an envelope in one of several fireproof safes in the rear of the Document Room. One of the photostatic copies of the document was sent to the translators, thereafter leaving the original itself in the safe. A commissioned officer has been, and is, responsible for the security of the documents in the safe. At all times when he is not present the safe is locked and a military guard is on duty outside the only door. If the officers preparing the certified translation, or one of the officers working on the briefs, found it necessary to examine the original document, this was done within the Document Room in the section set aside for that purpose. The only exception to this strict rule has been where it has been occasionally necessary to present the original document to the defendants for examination. In this case, the document was entrusted to a responsible officer of the prosecution staff.
"All original documents are now located in safes in the Document Room, where they will be secured until they are presented by the prosecution to the court during the progress of the trial.
"Some of the documents which will be offered in evidence by the United States Chief of Counsel were seized and processed by the British Army. Also, personnel from the Office of the United States Chief of Counsel and The British War Crimes Executive have acted jointly in locating, seizing and processing such documents.