THE PRESIDENT: I wonder if we could pass to some other document and then you could examine it during the recess period?
DR. MENZEL: Yes, that is acceptable.
THE PRESIDENT: With the privilege of returning to it after our adjournment.
DR. MENZEL: That suits me, thank you.
MR. DENNEY: I would like to show this section to the Court. There is quite a bit to this document and the original part which has been translated are these, as for the letter itself, and then the enclosures follow but I would like the Court to see this letter and the signature and the initial which appear at the end with the distribution list on it before it is given to counsel for the defendant Kuntze. I certainly have no objection to his seeing it but this is quite a thick document.
The Court's attention is directed to the Exhibit which was placed in evidence this morning, 160, NOKW-342, wherein an order was issued by General Bader setting the ratio as 50 reprisal for one dead and 25 reprisal for one wounded; and here the figure is again to that which it originally was of a hundred to one and fifty to one.
This is perhaps a good time to point out to the Tribunal too the mass of materials that is there which is available to defense counsel in connection with this document, and we, as the court has seen, have only used a small part of it but have furnished all to them.
Then turning to - Dr. Laternser, could you tell me the first page of NOKW-871 in your book? My pages seem to be all wrong here for the German. It is the next document. 67, thank you very much. Page 67 in the German and page 77 in the English. It is NOKW-871. It is offered as prosecution's Exhibit 185 in evidence. These again are extracts from the War Diary of the Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia, General Bader. The first entry for 21 March, Day report to the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast;
By virtue of Ia No. 542/Top Secret combatting insurgents in Servia and Croatia the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast orders hanging and shooting to death of captured insurgents.
Hence further inquiry, whether Ia No. 1847/42 Secret of 18 March (compare Enclosure 50) is to be annulled.
And the 23rd of March:
Telephone call Ia 717th Infantry Division, Major Hosterbach:
1) May ammunitions be given to Dangic?
Immediate answer Lieutenant Bode: No, as this represents illegal behavior towards Croatian State supported by Reich.
2) How are Insurgents to be treated, who march over into Serbia?
Answer: Patisans, Communists and prisoners caught with weapon in hand are to be shot to death. Respecting those coming over voluntarily an order will be issued whether transfer to territories of interest to Germany according to Ia order Number can be carried out. The decision depends upon Wehrmacht Commander Southeast.
3) What is to be done with about 300 Cetniks who for a long time have been under arrest in Uzice, and whose political past is not quite clear, but who in all probability are former adherents of Mihajlovic, and who at the time were not shot to death. Answer: Wait, orders will be given after decision of Wehrmacht Commander Southeast.
MR. HINDEMITH: Hindemith as representative of Dr. Rauschenbach for the defendant, General Foertsch. On the basis of the presentation of Document NOKW 871 Exhibit 185, I have to point out the following concerning the German version. When the text starts, the German version reads as follows: "Enclosure 59, daily report to the Commanding General Southeast Ia, No. 542, top secret; subject: "combatting of insurgents in Serbia etc." Showing of insurgents ordered. An order No. 542, top secret is referred to." Thus the impression could be gained that a special order is involved here which was sent the unit concerned. I am of the opinion that there is a typographical error here and that the document which is being referred to is the Document 500/42. That is the document which bears the number NOKW-835.
MR. DENNEY: Well, of course, if your Honors please, the document says it is 542/ and it is submitted that the reference here is the same as that which is carried in the preceding exhibit, which is at page 59 of the German and 70 of the English. If your Honors will note on page 70, this order is dated 500/42. It is dated 19 March. It is received on the 21st in Belgrade from the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast.
Now, the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast could hardly have written order 542 which he would be writing in reply to when the top order number that he had up to the time this was written on the 19th at his headquarters, was 500 and this is the first example that we have had where we have an order number without them number 1 sash 42 because it will develop when we get into the case that these order numbers which are kept in various headquarters, armies, Army high commands, divisions, corps, etc. are kept seriatim by year and if Your Honors care to refer to some of the early orders that have been put in with reference to January-February it will be seen where they go back to number 1/42 for the orders beginning in '42 and as we go along it will be seen we get into '43 and they again return to the No.1 and us the slash 43 and here it is submitted in line with what counsel has just said and based on the material contained that what was meant here doesn't appear in the German; it appears exactly the same as it is in his text and in ours 542 slash. Obviously when it was dictated it was said 500-42.
THE PRESIDENT: I take it that German counsel speaking is reading from it and is reading from the German photostatic copy. It seem to this Tribunal that all we can take is the document as presented.
DR. HINDEMITH: Mr. President, the original also has the wrong same number. The original is the same as the German copy but in spite of this I am of the opinion that a typographical error was committed by the person who made the entry, in the war diary. It is a wrong reference.
THE PRESIDENT: It was an error when typed and in preparation of the war diary?
MR. HINDEMITH: Yes, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: We have your understanding of it then and will so consider it.
MR. DENNEY: The prosecution agrees with that, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDENT: We will take our afternoon recess at this time.
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
DR. MENZEL (Counsel for the defendant Kuntze): Mr. President, I would like to refer to the extensive document which has just been read. The order about the combatting the partisans I would like to say the following about this. This document unlike the other documents, doesn't portray the final result of the regulations and the orders, but it is a mass of paper which contains collections of a large number of drafts which have been corrected over and over again. There are several drafts of the chief order, besides the original and here we don't need to look any closer into it because the signature on the original of the order is not denied; but the directives are different matter. As I have already said, there are several drafts which are corrected over and over again by hand, and which are rewritten, and then corrected again and so on. And the copy which is now being presented as the original of the directive, doesn't show at all that it is really the original. In my opinion, it is only another copy, another draft of the directives which isn't signed. It has no signature. This order was extraordinarily important, and those kind of directives had to be signed since the directives were just as important and actually contained the most important part of the order. Therefore, I think that here the copies must be checked very carefully, and that these last drafts of the directives, I am sure, cannot be recognized as an original. I therefore ask that the document insofar as it concerns the directives should not be admitted since in view of the large number of drafts it cannot be seen that the last draft is really the original.
THE PRESIDENT: The objection is overruled. I think the Tribunal has indicated its attitude toward documents of this character, and they will receive such probative value as the Court deems it merits.
MR. DENNEY: If Your Honors, please, I would like to make a statement with the permission of the court with reference to this document, in view of what counsel for the defendant has said. It is true that there are a great many copies showing work on them. Some copies in type and some in longhand. We have offered this whole file because, among other things, the prosecution contends that this order was drafted by the defendant Foertsch, and we hope, at a later time, to be able to establish through the photostatic copies of the handwritten panes that they were written by him. Counsel for the defendant has stated that the copy to which was offered is only c copy. To that, the prosecution does not accede. The copy which was shown Your Honors bears the signature of the defendant Kuntze. It has the initial of the defendant Foertsch below it. It is numbered as copy 100 of a hundred copies of which were ordered. It had the distribution list. This copy going to KTB, the War Diary of the Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber Suedost, the Army High Command, 12, which was the post which was held by the defendant Kuntze as well as Wehrmacht Commander Southeast. He was also Commanding General of the 12th Army at this time, and the document, it is submitted, is an original; it is not a copy. Now, all these other things that are in here are drafts through which the document went in the process of being worked up, a procedure which is generality followed, particularly in the case of important military orders which are put out by -- no matter what units in what army, that when it is an order as sweeping as this is, all of the material relating to the construction of the order is kept together in a file.
And for counsel for the defendant to say that this is a copy, he may contend whatever he wishes, but we submit that we have shown to the Court the pages which were handed up by the assistant to the representative of the Secretary General, with the signature of Kuntze and his initial, and at a later time, it will appear that the initials of the defendant Foertsch appear on various other copies throughout this file.
Turning then to page 68 of the German and page 79 of the English; Document NOKW-936, is offered as prosecution's Exhibit 186 in evidence. This is a situation report from the Armed Forces Commander Southeast, the defendant Kuntze, forwarded to OKW, the High Command of the Wehrmacht, the OKH, Army General Staff Operations Branch, OKH, Organization Branch, and OKH, General Staff Group near East and Balkans. It is the 14th copy of 14 copies. It is a review of a situation in the area of the commander sending the report, that is, the Southeast, up to and including 22 March 1942.
"Total Situation. In Serbia small centers of insurrection were scattered, sometimes with considerable enemy losses by attacks of troops additionally employed, which were available for mobile use. Individual attacks and sabotage primarily near Nish and Pozarevac. Traffic situation improved continually.
"In Croatia bands in the area East of Sarajevo were reinforced by people pouring in from Montenegro as well as from Serbia. Lively activity of insurgents in area of Banja Luka - Sisak.
Croatian troops partly became more active and could show some combat successes which however arc counter-balanced by some failures in East and West Bosnia. Preparations have been started for a common German-Italian-Croatian operation.
"In Southern Greece, new airplane attacks on airports. In the Aegean active enemy U-Boat activity. Enemy fleet unit fired on Rhodes on 16 March.
"Serbia: In the course of reconstruction the Serbian Police Force has been renamed 'Serbian State Guard.'
"Losses in the period of 16 February to 20 March 1942. Own: German: 37 dead, 67 wounded. Croatian, 75 dead, 205 wounded, Bulgarian, none dead, 19 wounded. Serbian Auxiliary Police, 15 dead, 13 wounded."
And then over in the right, under "Remarks: In addition, 45 missing (Bauxite-Kolonne Mostar).
"Insurgents: k,983 shot to death in combat. 1,552 reprisal measures." And the copy which is offered bears the typewritten signature of the defendant, but is certified as a true copy in writing by a first lieutenant; and the distribution list is given for the local command, that is, within the area of the Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber Suedost, the Armed Forces Commander Southeast. And, if Your Honors will look down at the list on the right, you will see the familiar designations of the units there.
MR. DENNEY: And then -
DR. HINDEMITH (Deputizing for Dr. Rauschenbach counsel for defendant Foertsch): Your Honors, I would like once again to refer to Document Exhibit No. 184 NOKW-834, in addition to the statements which Dr. Menzel has just made. According to the statements of the prosecutor, I must assume that the actual order from the 19th of March 1942 which bears the number "Ia - No.500/42 Top Secret" contains as enclosure the directives which are here. The assumption of the prosecutor seems to have certain justification. At the top of these directives - I refer to the German book, page 53 --I am afraid I can't tell you the English page -
MR. DENNEY: page 73, your Honors.
DR. HINDEMITH: "Enclosure to The Commander-in-Chief Southeast and the Commander in Chief of the 12th Army Ia No. 500/42 Top Secret" of the 19th of the 3rd, '42.
This conference concerns the order of the 19th of the 3rd. Whether it is justified or not, this mark doesn't show that these directives were really enclosed as an enclosure to this letter and the statement is therefore not justified because the document presented here for this purpose -namely, the directives themselves -- are not signed. From the document one cannot assume that this enclosure carried the directives. I just wanted to make this statement now. This is my personal opinion.
THE PRESIDENT: As I understood counsel, he was merely giving expression to his own views and without any objection being made to this particular document and it would not apparently necessitate any ruling from the Court.
DR. HINDEMITH: I am sorry -- the German translation
COURT V CASE VII
didn't come through. Will you please repeat?
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal is of the opinion that, inasmuch as counsel indicated that he was merely expressing his opinion concerning this matter, it does not necessitate any ruling by the Tribunal at this time, there being no motion before the Tribunal.
DR. HINDEMITH: No, your Honor, I didn't want to have a ruling of the Tribunal. I just wanted to point out that this statement made by the prosecutor cannot be regarded as correct in my opinion.
MR. DENNEY: If your Honors please, the only thing that was made in connection with this was to read what is on the German, on the enclosure, that is, on the next paper that comes after the letter signed by Kuntze as "Wehrmachtsbetchlshaber Suedost."
Then the next paper is the "Enclosure to the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast and Commander in Chief 12th Army Ia No. 500/42 Top Secret of 19 March 1942."
And if we look back to the beginning of the original letter it says: "Wehrmacht Commander Southeast and Commander in Chief 12th Army Ia No. 500/42 Top Secret 19 March 1942."
No comment was made about it. That's all that was said. It is admitted that the documents were self-explanatory.
THE PRESIDENT: You may proceed.
MR. DENNEY: Thank you, your Honor. We were in NOKW-936, page 82 of the English and page 69 of the German text, still on the situation reports from the Armed Forces Commander Southeast to the High Command. This is a report of 29 January 1942 which may be seen from the stamp which appears at the end, of the Chief Signal Officer, which is the time of the transmis sion and the date, in reference to the OKW communication of 25 January:
"In the Operational Area Southeast Croatia about 1000 Dangic-Chetniks (Serbian Nationality) and about 3000 Communists were present. The Dangic men well trained, only partly in uniform and equipped with rifle and machine gun. The committment of enemy artillery has not been established despite the capture of 4 guns. The will to fight and confidence is there. The Chetniks live scattered in villages and only in certain places have they been recruited in closed units. Apart of the Dangic-Chetniks had received orders not to fight against German troops. Training and organization of Communists is worse. They are equipped with rifles and machine guns. With few exceptions both groups evaded German troops, consequently they have been scattered only for a limited time by the mopping up operation and one must continue to count on their presence.
Our losses: 25 dead, 131 wounded, 1 missing, 50 sick and heavily wounded, 297 frozen all degress.
"Enemy losses: 521 dead, 1431 for the present are prisoners."
And it is signed and -- or, that is, the signature is typed just "Wehrmacht Commander Southeast" and it is certified "true copy" by a Major of the General Staff Corps who we believe is Major Pfafferott.
And then the report for -- excuse me -- that concludes that document.
The next document, on page 84 of the English and page 71 of the German, is offered as prosecution's exhibit 187 in evidence and this is a teletype to the Armed Forces, to the Commanding General Plenipotentiary in Serbia and a copy which we have here we submit has the signature of the defendant Foertsch on it:
and hence it is submitted that it comes from the Army Commander Southeast.
"Reference: Commanding General and Commander in Serbia - Ia No. 174/42 Top Secret of 21 March 42.
"The Wehrmacht Commander Southeast agrees that insurgents not captured in combat be transferred to work in Norway, insurgents captured in combat action are on principal to be hanged or shot to death, Wehrmacht Commander Southeast (12th Army) - Ia - No. 782/42.
"Top Secret. 23 March 42. In the direction Wehrmacht Commander Southeast - Ia - No. 500/42 Top Secret of 19 March the words in the enclosure under number 6, paragraph 2, or has given support to, are to be crossed out."
And that, if your Honor pleases, refers back to the enclosure which has been under discussion and refers to paragraph 6 of the enclosure which is on page 75.
DR. HINDEMITH: Representing defendant Foertsch. Your Honor, referring to presentation of document, Exhibit No. 187, NOKW-943, page 71 of the German, I would like to point out the following. The prosecutor especially stresses that this document finishes with the signature of Foertsch.
From this one gets the impression that the defendant, General Foertsch, gave the orders in this case. Looking at the photostatic copy of the original I must point out the following: The document does not bear the signature of Foertsch, but the initial "F" of 23/3. Apart from these initials there is another initial, according to the copy of the document before me. The prosecutor assumes that this is the initial "N". I would like to stress here that this cannot be seen with certainty from the initials as written. The defendant General Foertsch has told me that is really an initial "K", short for Kuntze, so that this document finishes with the initial "K". But I admit that from the way this initial is written it is very doubtful what it is.
Perhaps the Tribunal would like to look at the original.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal will give consideration to comments of counsel, and at such time the defense presents this evidence they can give further attention to this particular matter.
I think we should proceed now, after these comments made by counsel for the defendant.
DR. HINDEMITH: Your Honor, might I just point out one thing. I assume that the English copy of the document also has the initial "N" at the end, and so far I object to the correctness of the translation.
THE PRESIDENT: Will you kindly hand the document to the Tribunal.
(Document handed to Court)
MR. DENNEY: If Your Honors please, I just want to make the finish presentation of the document, and then explain our theory on it. I believe it will be apparent when the Tribunal sees it.
It is submitted, if Your Honors please, that the first paragraph was written by hand, and the defendant Foertsch's signature over to the right appears, and in the same hand appear the numerals 1 and 2, one above the first paragraph, and two to the left of the second paragraph with an arrow indicating that the second paragraph should go up ahead of the "Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber Suedost", which is printed.
Foertsch's signature, it is submitted, appears over to the right on the document.
THE PRESIDENT: You may proceed.
MR. DENNEY: If Your Honors will note in your copy, "handwritten" appears on the English ahead of the second paragraph, with reference to the words "oder unterstuetzt hat", which are referred to here. If Your Honors will look at the enclosure which is the first part of this document, 184, about which there has been so much discussion, on the third page, under the second paragraph, under the number "6", Your Honors will see the words "oder understuetzt hat", and I might perhaps explain the difference between the spelling of the word "oder understuetzt hat" in the German where it is "s-t-u (umlaut)t-z-t" and in the English where it is "s-t-u-e-t-z-t".
The English typewriters do not have the umlaut and by adding the "e" after the letter "u" or after the letter "o" the same sound is endeavored to be produced, even as in the name "Goering", which the Germans always spell "G-o (umlaut) -r-i-n-g", which Your Honors will constantly see in the American "G-o-e-r-i-n-g".
Here again we would just like to call the Court's attention that the handwritten paragraph which is written on the original contains the numbers "500/42 Top secret, 19 March" and refers to the enclosure, gives a quote from the enclosure which we find in the original document as submitted, 184.
The next document is on page 72 of the German text, and 86 of the English text, and is NOKW-930, 25 March 1942, and is from the Commanding General and Plenipotentiary in Serbia, Bader, and has general distribution.
THE PRESIDENT: Give the exhibit number.
MR. DENNEY: The exhibit number is 188. Thank you, Your Honor.
This is a document which is signed and makes reference to the 500/ 42 order of 19 March 1942. At the second reference under the heading "Reference", and refers to the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast 1a, under that reference and that number, communications of that date:
"On the basis of the decision by Wehrmacht Commander Southeast the following is ordered regarding order quoted in reference under 1) paragraph 2:
"1. Insurgents captured during combat actions are to be hanged or shot to death as a matter of principle. Band leaders, political commissars and couriers are to be interrogated in brief previously and whenever possible in the presence of SD.
"2. Persons who are found in the unauthorized possession of arms or while actively supporting the insurgents are also to be hanged or shot to death.
"3. a. Insurgents not captured in combat, b. insurgents having surrendered and given up their arms, c. persons under arrest because they are suspected of having supported or collaborated with the insurgents are not to be shot to death, but are to be sent to a concentration camp.
"There the Deputy of the Senior SS and Police Leader will interrogate them and order their disposition (for instance, transportation to the territories of interest to Germany for compulsory labor).
"4. At the present time the camps in Sabac, Belgrade-Dedinje, and Nish, later on the camp in Semlin, will be available as concentration camps."
I would just like to direct Your Honors' attention to the fact that Semlin is to be available later as a concentration camp. We have seen several references to going to one place, and later on to Semlin.
"There is no objection to informing the insurgents in a proper manner of the possibility that they may be used as labor under the conditions named above."
The distribution I believe is self-explanatory: all divisions, all home guard battalions, etc.
Then on page 73 of the German, page 88 of the English, Document NOKW-946, which is offered as Exhibit 189 in evidence; this is dated 27 March 1942 and has an illegible signature, but it is signed for the Armed Forces Commander Southeast and has his heading on the stationary, and the subject is the designation "Cetniki":
"The designation 'Cetniki's' often used in reports has frequently caused misunderstandings; it should therefore be used no more.
"Enemy groups are to be called 'insurgents', 'rebels', or 'bands', or other unequivocal designations, for instance, the term used by the enemy, 'Insurgents of the 2nd Mounted Brigade of Proletarians', and so forth. The fighters on the German and Croatian side are to be designated by the usual troop designation, for instance, 'Serbian State Guards', 'Auxiliary Police', 'Ustascha'."
Again, below that they have "Army High Command 12th" and then typed "The Chief of the General Staff, For", and then below that is a signature, and the distribution list, "Commanding General and Commander in Serbia," etc.
MR. DENNEY: Page 74 of the German text and page 90 of the English is Document No. NOKW-1035, Prosecution's Exhibit No. 190 in evidonce. This is a copy which is certified as correct. The copy is not signed except by typewriter. It is a communication from the 714th Infantry Division, dated 30 March 1942, and the subject is "Treatment of Captured Insurgents." Well, we don't have to pay any attention to the reference.
"In compliance with reference decree 1 the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia has ordered:" This 2070 of course, refers to the NOKW-930, which is Exhibit 188. That is the same order number that is referred to under 1, the order of Bader, dated 25 March, and then the other reference is to a previous order of the Division.
"1.) Insurgents captured in combat actions are on principle to be hanged or shot to death. Prior to this commanders of bands, political Kommissars and couriers are to be interrogated briefly if possible in cooperation with a member of the SD." And the order continues. It is the same as the order of 25 March, which is recited in reference 1, and I don't believe that there is any necessity in continuing through paragraph 5, which is the same. However, added is.
"Decree 2 is hereby rescinded.
"The transfer of prisoners for reprisal measures to Kragujevac and Sabac is therefore discontinued according to this ruling. Both camps are in future transit camps only. From there the prisoners will be transferred further.
"The executions are to be carried out by the unit. Insofar as hangings are to be carried out the troops are to see to the necessary preparations."
MR. DENNEY: And then "In draft," and the signature is typed, and below it is a certification with a signature that it is correct. This is the same order which Bader issued on 25 March, being passed down on the 30th try a division commander. And then, turning to page 76 in the German and page 93 in the English Document No. NOKW-1377, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 191.
These are a series of longhand entries with one typed at the end. They are reports of subordinate units to the 718th Division. The first one on page 93 recites: "3 reprisal shootings," and the permission date was the 22nd of February. Again on the 23rd of February, "Enemy losses: 7 dead, and 14 reprisal shootings," certified correct. Page 95 of the English page 77 of the German, on the 28th of February, "During reconnaissance of the Battalion Faninger (?) no contact with the enemy. 9 Serbs were captured in houses, of these 8 were shot to death in reprisal." On the 9th of March, "Battle headquarters unaltered.
Truck column fired on near Cerovak, 1 truck and 2 armoured cars knocked out by fire, they were hauled to point 144. Please arrange for them to be taken to Lublin. 2 Volksdeutsche dead, 2 wounded, 2 soldiers wounded, 2 prisoners shot to death, falling in tomorrow morning at 0700 hours."
MR. DENNEY: And then the report of 24 February, which is the one which is typed at the end of the Exhibit with some pieces of teletype paper pasted on it. This is for 24 February 1942 and is to the 65th Corps Command, with a copy to the German General in Zagreb. It is a Daily Report of 23 to 24 February: "Battalion Hoffmann received sudden fire from the direction of church 2379 while mopping up and advancing near Gay." If your Honors please, that is reference to an operational map.
"Captain Hoffmann himself was slightly wounded twice. Whilst mopping up. Intense enemy fire was received. The enemy consisting of strong forces in white coats, equipped with many machine guns, tried to reach the road. The adversary advance up to the height 218.
MR. DENNEY: And then they recite the three battalions -- one of the 724th Regiment, and two of the 750th Regiment: The total number dead 9, the total number wounded 20, and the total number missing 13. "Enemy losses: 21 dead." Then, losses of materiel. I don't think we need to read those. And then on the next page there is a "Supplement to the Daily Report of 23 to 24 February," which carries the note "To 1-3". This is another piece of paper which appears on the document.
It has some illegible initials after it. "Of the 21 dead of the enemy losses, 14 were shot in reprisal." And then to Document No. NOKW-1096, which is on page 99 of the English and page 80 of the German, becoming Prosecution's Exhibit No. 192. These are reports from the Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia, Bader, to the Wehrmacht Commander Southeast, the Defendant Kuntze. The first one is for 2 March 1942.
"Enemy fled in the direction of Brusetic. Attacked there several times by reconnaissance of the 11/741 Regiment. Enemy losses: 22 dead, among them bandit leader Nikola Drljani. 3 prisoners not yet shot, because of interrogation. Own losses: 1 non-commissioned officer killed in action, 1 officer slightly wounded."
MR. DENNEY: Report for the 5th of March, "Banat: In Pencevo, 1 police official killed, 1 wounded. 1 culprit shot while escaping, reprisal measures are being taken." Report for the 10th of March on page 81 of the German and page 100 of the English, "Near Zerovac 5 insurgents were arrested, will be shot after interrogation.
II./721 Regiment on march through Western division area, mopped up Plana-Lapovo-Raca area without contact with the enemy. Bandit leader Kolarevic hanged in Natalinci."
MR. DENNEY: Report for the 12th of March, "Bulgarian area: Kragujevac: 80 hostages shot. To telephone inquiry: In Pancevo 75 Communists shot as reprisal measure (report of 5.3.)." Daily report of the 13th of March, "717th Infantry Division: In Belgrade 100 hostages have been shot as reprisal measure for murdered Serbian police." and then there are references to the Daily Report of the 6th of March. For the 15th of March, "Artillery Division 661, part of the 714 Infantry Division. 13 arrested insurgents executed." For the 16th of March: "In Pancevo 50 more hostages were shot. (Reference to the report of 5.3.).