b) The attack on the protected person was based on political reasons, and
c) The attack resulted in a wounding or killing. Killing is presumed unless a kidnapped person has returned after a certain period.
Whether or not reprisal measures will be taken where members of the occupying powers or of the Serbian armed units were killed or wounded during combat action, depends upon whether these deaths or wounds resulted from an enemy attack or in the course of our own operations (for instance, searching actions or arrests).
In general reprisal measures will not be taken in the latter case.
2.) Security of Installations Reprisal measures also will be taken in the event of any attack against war important installations, in particular against the means of communication, transport and roads, communications installations, industrial installations, and supply installations, provided that
a) Damage has been done, and
b) The perpetrators cannot be apprehended within 48 hours.
II. Reprisal Quotas Until further notice the following quotas shall apply - unless in individual cases another number is ordered:
1.) For 1 German killed or 1 Bulgarian killed 50 hostages are to be executed For 1 German wounded or 1 Bulgarian wounded 25 hostages are to be executed.
2.) For the killing of one person in the category listed in I,1Ac) and d) Security of Persons) 10 hostages are to be executed For 1 person wounded 5 hostages are to be executed.
3.) For any attack against installations to be protected according to Para. 2) up to 100 hostages may be shot to death, according to the seriousness of the case.
In less serious cases it will be sufficient to make reprisal through imposing collective punishments (burning down of houses, money fines, penal guards, arrests, etc.).
III. What persons are to be used for reprisal executions
1.) T h e c o n f i d e n c e i n t h e j u s t i c e o f t h e o c c u p y i n g p o w e r i s s h a k e n a n d t h e l o y a l p a r t o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n t o o i s d r i v e n i n t o t h e w o o d s b y the procedure of a r b i t r a r y a r r e s t s o f p e r s o n s i n r e p r is a l a f t e r an attack or an act of sabotage near the locality where the incident occurred. This form of carrying out reprisal measures is therefore forbidden.
If, however, an on the spot investigation reveals an open or hidden cooperation or an intentionally passive behavior of certain persons toward the culprits, those persons are to be executed first, as bandit helpers. The proclamation is to point out expressly their complicity.
2.) If such accomplices can not be found, one must fall back on persons who are to be considered co-responsible although they may not have any connection with the particular incident.
Co-responsible are primarily persons who openly sympathize with Draja Michailovic or with Communism.
3.) The following are not to be used for reprisal measures:
a.) Persons who have demonstrated by their behavior that they oppose the aims of the insurgents, to be protected, as for instance, office holders. Exceptions may be made for special reasons by the Commanding General and Commander.
4.) Generally the Commander of the Security Police will furnish persons proper for reprisal measures in accordance with the above points, from the circle of suspected persons delivered over to him in accordance with Ia No. 509/42 Top Secret from the routine operations of the military and of the police, in so far as these are not to be released as innocent or transported for free or compulsory labor (hostages).
5.) These hostages are to be collected in hostage camps by districts. An order will be issued simultaneously regarding the direction of the hostage camps. A sufficient supply is currently to be kept available in the camps.
If in certain cases suitable hostages are not available or the available hostages are insufficient, the number needed is to be taken either from a neighboring camp or from the collecting camp in Belgrade.
6. ) In the event that special actions for the procuring of hostages should be necessary, suspected persons shown in the reviewed lists of the Serbian district supervisor are to be taken first (see Ia No. 184/ 43, 14/2/43). The Commander of the District HQ. with the concurrence of the commanding general and commander (Section Ia) will order such operations.
7.) In the individual cases hostages are to be selected from those available who are connected by blood or political group with the circle presumed-to be guilty: With the enmity existing at present between the two insurgent groups it would be more an inducement than a deterrent for the perpetrators, if Communist party members were killed for attacks carried out by D.M. adherents and vice versa.
The individual selection of hostages consequently depends on the political adherence of the perpetrators. If this cannot be determined, Communists and D.M. followers are to be used in equal numbers for reprisal measures. If possible persons provided for the execution should come from the neighborhood of the culprits or from the locality where the incident occurred.
IV. What authorities are authorized to carry out reprisal measures.
1.) The introduction of reprisal measures is the task of the commanders of the District HQs. These commanders after hearing the interested parties whether the conditions for the taking of reprisal measures are present in the specific case. If so, the commander of the District HQ submits to the Commanding General and Commander an application for the taking of reprisal measures.
The application must contain: a short description of the incident, losses or damages suffered, political origin of the culprits, number of hostages provided for execution.
2.) The Commanding General and Commander decides on the carrying out of the execution applied for by letter or teletype.
3.) The Commander of the District HQ orders the Kreis Commander in whose area the action took place or which is the home of the culprits to carry out the reprisal measures. After contacting the SD branch office concerned and getting the opinion of the competent Serbian Kreis supervisor, the Kreis Commander suggests to the District HQ Commander persons suitable for the execution, in accordance with III paragraph 7).
4.) The Kreis Commander issues the necessary instructions for the carrying out of the execution. Military and police units are to comply with this request to hold executions. Generally losses of the military will be retaliated for by the military. The police furnishes the execution squad in reprisal actions for their losses, and above that in reprisal actions for all attacks on non-soldiers and installations under protection.
5.) In general the executions of hostages will take place in remote localities without participation of the population. There must be no furnishing of Serbian martyrs.
The interment must be sufficientsufficiently deep. A list of the sames of the people killed must be forwarded to the District HQ concerned, which will furnish death certificates on special application.
6.) The Kreis Commander responsible for carrying out the reprisal measures will immediately report the execution to the Feldkommandatur (Admin. Sub-Area HQ). The latter will arrange publication and will inform the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia (Section Ia) by teletype of the carrying out of the execution. A file copy of the publication is to be sent in later.
V. Publication of reprisal measures Since the reprisal measure represents not only a punishment for crimes committed but is to serve primarily as a horrifying example and a deterrent to further crimes, every reprisal measure must be published.
Reprisal measures must be made public in such a way that they reach the culprits and circles close to them. The proclamation must underline the infamy of the deed and the complicity of those executed. Persons executed must not be described as "persons" but as Communists, D.M. followers, bandit helpers, etc. Publications are to be signed "Commander of District HQ".
VI The Taking of Hostages and Reprisal Prisoners
1) All the reprisal prisoners in the camps of the Kreiskommanda tur (District HQ) are to be considered h o s t a g e s. The names of the camp inmates therefore are to be published in the area of the Kommandanturs for the population with the threat that these inmates must pay with their lives for specified disturbances affecting the public order in accordance with paragraph I. If in individual cases a military unit requires hostages these are to be taken generally from the camps or the local Kreis Commander.
2) As far as persons are detained as hostages by subordinate units and offices by reason of orders issued previously, the chiefs of the offices in agreement with the SD will decide (in accordance with Section III, paragraph 1), which persons are appropriate as hostages and are to be transferred to hostage camps.
There will no longer be an exchange of these persons as before. All other persons are to be released.
3) Carrying out of this order is to be reported by 20.3.1943. If arrests of persons as hostages become necessary for the prevention of anticipated conspiracies or attacks in certain individual cases, procedure will be according to III, paragraph 6. In the execution of reprisal detainees as hostages as far as jurisdiction and procedure is concerned, Section IV is to be applied.
VIII. Validity of orders In canes of reprisals procedure is to be according to this order immediately after the time of receipt of this order and not later than 5.3.1943.
And then there follows a list of the orders which are rescinded by this order, dated 29 February 1943. The order is signed "Bader", and on page 110 of the English and 81 of the German is the distribution list for the order. Your Honors will note a copy of the order goes to the Higher SS and Police Fuehrer, another copy to the Commander of the Regular Police and another copy to the Commander of the Security Police.
That, if Your Honors, please, completes the presentation of the documents in Document Book No. 10.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, after the last order has been read almost in its entirety the important point should also be read, the last, which has been left out and in which those orders are listed which are being recinded by this order. That is what should be done so that the Tribunal can get a better picture of the situation which began with this order.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: I will be glad to do that, if Your Honors, please.
THE PRESIDENT: Very well.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: Page 109 of the English, page 89 of the German:
The following orders are rescinded:
1.) Military commander in Serbia - Administrative Staff - Diary Number 144/41 secret, VII dated 17.7.41, Section II, paragraph 4, Section IV, paragraph 3.
2.) All orders comprised in the summary Plenipotentiary Commander General in Serbia Ic No. 759/42 secret, dated 2.2.1942.
3.) Plenipotentiary Commending General in Serbia - Administrative Staff - /Command Staff Ia. Diary Ho. 197/42. secret dated 20.2.42.
4.) Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Administrative Staff/ Ic, Diary No. 532/42 secret, dated 21.4.1942.
5.) Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Administrative Staff/Ic, Diary No. 861/42 secret, dated 14.11.1942.
6.) Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Section Ia, No. 5993/42 secret, dated 22.11.42.
7.) Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Ia No. 6090/42 secret, dated 1.12.1942.
(signed) B a d e r Mr. Denney will continue with the presentation of documents in Document Book XI.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Denney, before you commence with any comments concerning this document, I think the Tribunal should make some announcement concerning Friday.
This coming Friday is the day which has been set aside and termed "Air Force Day" and under the European Command may be taken as a holiday.
MR. DENNEY: That's rights your Honor.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal, however, has ascertained that all the other Tribunals will be functioning at that time. We feel that at this present -
MR. DENNEY: You're not getting anything out in the mike, Sir -- that is, if I interpret the signes through the window as being proper.
THE PRESIDENT: Repeating for purposes of the record only, on this coming Friday the date has been set aside as "Army Air Force Day" and under the orders of the European Command may be taken as a holiday.
All the other Tribunals that are now functioning, because of the fact that they are nearing the completion of their work or for other necessary reasons, have decided to continue their work on that day. This Tribunal feels that under the circumstances we also should continue to function and operate on this coming Friday.
I might state that we have been advised that we are making very rapid and satisfactory progress in the presentation of evidence, that we are getting -- that the prosecution is getting along faster than perhaps was originally anticipated; and it is quite possible that we may take, and can take, a recess at a later time.
It might be arranged for the prosecution, if they have some matters which need to receive attention, that that could be done at the close at some weekend and we could get the benefit of this extra day which I understand, under the rules, may be taken as a substitute for the day that we will be working.
I am making that announcement so that all parties concerned may make their plans accordingly.
MR. DENNEY: The German line seems to be dead now, Your Honor.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, I believe that the translation was not clear to us. I could not understand properly. Is there a session on Friday or isn't there?
THE PRESIDENT: There will be a session on Friday.
MR. DENNEY: Continuing with the documents where Mr. Fenstermacher has left off, the next document in NOKW 1360 which is page 1 of the English and page 1 of the German. It is offered as prosecution's Exhibit 264. This contains various orders from the Commanding General and the Commander in Serbia.
The first one is dated 10 March 1943 and is to "Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 610" -- and it refers to a teletype of the same date from the Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters and the sub-Area Headquarters and the subject is: "Operation 'Ibar'".:
"People captured without resistance are to be released with the exception of officers. The same applies to those giving up arms before 25 March. Prisoners taken in combat are to be shot to death. Measures against family members are to be postponed.
"Commanding General and Commander in Serbia" -and the number of the communication appears below that, and it is signed with a signature that we believe to be "W. Auer."
And it is to be noted that after the release of this communication it's to go to the Commander of the Security Police for purposes of information.
And then the second page of the English, top of -this on page 1 of the German still -- communication dated 1 March 1943, from the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia to Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters 809 and 610; and the subject matter is the "Installation of Camps for Hostages."
"Re order mentioned in the reference, the Senior SS and Police Leader reports that the care of the hostages in the new camps which are to installed in Kragujevac, Krusevac and Zajecar, will be taken over by the branch offices of the Commander of the Security Police and of the SD there. However, this does not extend to rations and billets of the hostages.
"The Commander of the Security Police is unable to make personnel available for the hostage camps to be installed in Cacak and Leskovac. Therefore, the care of the hostages in these camps is a matter for the Commander of District Headquarters.
"For the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia", and thereafter is typed, "The Chief of the General Staff"; and then various "For information" copies are distributed.
Then, on page 3 of the English and 2 of the German text, communication of 17 March 1943 to Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters, No. 10 - 610 rather:
"Reprisal order to number of the letter quoted is rescinded since investigations set up in the meantime have shown that the murdered man was a Communist who was killed by DM-men.
"For the destruction of 14 telegraph poles during the night from 25 to 26 February Southwest of Topola, 10 Communists are to be shot to death."
And then "Commanding General and Commander in Serbia" is typed and the initials "W. A." it is submitted, are the same as the first two initials in the first communication of this series which indicate that it came from W. Auer; and then below that is the large initial "B".
The next communication is dated "19 March 1943" and is to "Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters Nich 809", and I believe "809W is not in the German. However, it should be. It appears in pen on the photostat of the original. This refers to a teletype of 18 March and again is from the "Commanding General and Commander in Serbia."
"In reprisal for the Communist attack on the dairies in Vrazegrnac, District of Zajecar, 10 Communists are to be shot to death for the murdered dairy manager and for the destruction in the dairies working for the German Wehrmacht 20 communists are to be shot to death. Completion of execution is to be reported here enclosing a copy of the publication.
"Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, 1a" and the number handwritten and "secret" and the initial "B", and here again is note showing it goes to the "Commander of the Security Police" for information.
Now, at this time I would like to again raise the question of these initials. It comes up a little bit differently here. I first pass up to the Court Document NOKW-858, which is Exhibit 8216 in evidence, having been admitted on the 24th.
This is the document, photostatic copy of the document, which is the personal history of the defendant von Geitner, made by him here in the Nurnberg prison. It contains a signature signed by Geitner and I would like to direct the Court's attention first to the signature page which is page 3 of the photo stat and then perhaps we may need, the lights on for this but -
THE PRESIDENT: Alright.
MR. DENNEY: Will you turn the lights on over the Court, please?
Line 1 of the affidavit, the Tribunal can see where the word "Ritter", R-i-t-t-e-r has been inserted by the defendant Geitner and to the left he made an initial. Again on the 11th line from the bottom he changed a letter in the second word and again made an initial out to the side. Now, I would like to have the Court look at those and, as we go through here, I would like to direct the Court's attention to the initial that I submit is similar. In connection with the Court's -- perhaps, the defendant Geitner's counsel would like to show it to him. We have had one document already with a signature on it and we have another one coming up very shortly.
MR. DENNEY: In connection with the Court's ruling about the change from the initial "Y" to the initial "G", these documents, many of them, were not as carefully examined as they are able to be examined now, because a limited number of photostats came from Washington, and we do not have the time to give the scrutiny to them that we do when we are putting the individual books in. The principal problem there is selection of documents, and then a selection of material.
Now it is a standard procedure that everything that is at the end, that comes by way of signature, shall be included. That is automatic, to show the source. Now very often a translator, may not have noticed the initial at the time --- a translator may mark it down as "Y", and if your Honors please, we have throughout the record, been calling to the attention of the court, mistakes. Now these may be mistakes either in translation, or mistakes in transcription, and we submit that it is somewhat limiting to us to not be allowed to submit that it is our contention that a defendant, as chief of staff for a military commander did place his initials on it -- we are not saying that we know that they are. But it is our contention that it appears to us to be his initial, and we submit that it is only -- we submit, of course, subject to your Honors' ruling, that it is proper that we be allowed to indicate that, and if at a later time defense counsel wishes to state that it is not, or if in the event the defendant Geitner takes the stand, and he chooses to deny them, that would be, we submit, the proper procedure.
Of course here the question is raised somewhat differently because there is nothing on this document that I have here, which I would like to show to your Honors. This is the 4th page of Exhibit No. 264, just after the 1a, and just before the initial which we submit is the initial of Bader, appears that same little peculiar initial. It is our contention that the defendant Geitner, as Chief of Staff, initialed it.
JUDGE CARTER: These documents are certified as having been correctly translated and offered in evidence on that basis.
MR. DENNEY: Yes.
JUDGE CARTER: Who testifies here that they have not been correctly translated?
MR. DENNEY: With reference to the signature, your Honor, those are pretty much of a guess. Your Honors have looked at a lot of these signatures and initials, and we submit that as to contents, yes, they are properly translated, but we also submit that in view of the initials which we presented that he made, the defendant Geitner, and the initials which appear from time to time on these documents, -- and I might add, parenthetically here, that in cases where it is a very dim copy on the photostat, the prosecution has not made any comment about them, we have only done it when we feel that at least in our mind there is no doubt.
JUDGE CARTER: The point I make is that you offer it in evidence and it is accepted; then when you get at the end of it, you ask us to change the exhibit without any evidence of anyone that what you purport to change it to has any bearing here.
Dr. Laternser is getting nothing through the earphones.
JUDGE CARTER: I will repeat what I said again. Mr. Denney, my point is that this instrument has been offered in evidence as a correct translation, and we have received it in evidence. Then when you read it you ask us, without any proof or anything else, to merely change the exhibit as it has been put in evidence. It seems to me that that is entirely irregular. If you want to argue from signature later, during the course of the argument, that is something altogether different.
MR. DENNEY: We have had errors in them before, your Honor, and as I said, these errors may be some typographical, and some may be in the process of re-transcribing.
JUDGE CARTER: I can understand where grammatical errors can come without much difficulty. When it comes down to the basis of whether one of the defendants signed the document or whether he did no to that is quite a serious matter.
MR. DENNEY: As we go along, would it be satisfactory to your Honors to show the original document, in each case, and just point out what someone has said is a "Y" and What we contend is a "G"?Now in this case, if your Honors will note, there is nothing on this document, (Page 4) to show that a "G" or a "Y" or anything else is there; yet, on the document which has been handed to your Honors, clearly we submit, the initial "G" does appear, and that it is the same initial that appears on other exhibits in evidence before in the case.
JUDGE CARTER: I see no objection to the Tribunal examining any exhibit, any original. That part is all right, but to start an argument during the middle of the prosecution's case as to what it may mean, other than the translation, seems to me is at the wrong time.
MR. DENNEY: If your Honor please, with your Honors' permission I will hand the various documents up as we go along, and perhaps we will call a translator at a later time, who has translated these earlier marks.
DR. LATERNSER: Your Honor, any alteration, -- an alteration of any kind of documents which are being presented, I object to emphatically for the following reasons:
I say that it has been asserted that in some initials that one can just guess at them. If that has to be done, then the copy should point that out too, -- that the signature is illegible. That it is not proper that in connection with the document, the prosecution assert that the document was signed or initiated by any one of the defendants which they designate at that moment - in other words they are arguing at the moment -and what they assert has to be proved at this point of the proceedings.
For this reason I object to any alterations of the signatures in the text.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal is of the opinion that its ruling as announced this morning covers the comments made at this time by Dr. Laternser. I will keep in mind also the comments made by Judge Carter.
You may proceed.
MR. DENNEY: It is your Honor's ruling that these documents may be passed up to the court to examine them as we go along, but that where a letter is indicated as being one letter in the translation, we cannot change it without bringing the translator, but we still there may show the document to the Tribunal?
THE PRESIDENT: If you wish to make any different showing as to the translation, that is your privilege, but it has to be done by proof.
MR. DENNEY: Turning to the next page, which is page 4 of the English, and page 5 of the German, this is a communication of 19 March, the year is not given, but I think it can be fairly assumed it is 1934, Administrative Sub-area Headquarters 610:
Subject: Reprisal measures.
1. In reprisal for the attack on the corn requisitioning detachment near Gornji Dubac on 14 March a total of 150 hostages are to be shot to death for the murder of the two auxiliary police men and of the corporal of the Administrative Sub-area Headquarters. That is at the 50 to 1 ration. "Insofar as it has not been established beyond doubt from what circles the culprits emanate, the persons to be executed are to be taken, one half from the DM-men and the other half from the Communists.
In consideration of the existing suspicion that the culprits home was the village of Gornji Dubac or that they were supported by its population during the attack, the village is to be burned down.
2. In reprisal for the murder of the char-woman working for Administrative Sub-area Headquarters 610 and members of her family, 5 Communists and 5 DM-followers are to be shot to death. The publication must express the fact that all circles of the population working for the German Wehrmacht enjoys its protection, regardless of their social position.
Completion of execution is to be reported here, enclosing a copy of the publication."
I would appreciate it if your Honors would look at this page of the exhibit.
.....Court examining document....
MR. DENNEY: Then on the next page, the note that after release the communication which has just been read should be sent to the Senior SA and Police Leader, and a copy for the Commander of the Security Police.
On 21 March 1943: still from the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia to Administrative Sub-area Headquarters 610:
"In reprisal for the burning down of the saw mills of the Organization Todt in Crna Roka, 30 DM-followers are to be shot to death.
According to reports available, the DM-bands intend to destroy additional saw mills shortly.
Approval for the arrest of 50 hostages is given. Completion of shooting to death and/or arrest is to be reported here."
That has the initial "B" and also the initial "G" WA, which is submitted are those that appear on the first page.
MR. DENNEY: And then on Page 7 of the English, Page 5 of the German, from the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, to the Administrative Subarea Headquarters 599, dated 23 March 1943:
"In reprisal for the murder of the mayor of the community of Sibnica of the District of Pozarevac, 10 hostages suspected of being Communists are to be shot to death."
MR. DENNEY: And this one is signed by Bader, and information copies go to the SD and Commander of the Security Police.
MR. DENNEY: And then on Page 6 of the German and Page 8 of the English, is Document No. NOKW-1633, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 265 in evidence. These are excerpts from the War Diary of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia. The entries here are for the period early in March. Under the 2nd of March:
"Teletype orders to Administrative Sub-area Headquarters 610 to shoot 10 communists in reprisal for the killing of the Commander of the Rural Constabulary Marinkovic in Krcevac, and to shoot another 10 communists for the raid on the station Dedina."
MR. DENNEY: And the next day teletype orders to shoot to death 30 D.M. followers in reprisal for the destruction of the funicular railway Majdanpek D. Milanovac, and 20 communists for the destruction of the power station of the Soko mines.
Enclosure 10 Letter to Prime Minister Nedic regarding individual reprisal measures.
MR. DENNEY: Page 9 of the English and Page 3 of the German, now going to the date, 4 March: Translation of Document No. NOKW-1633(Excerpts) Continued:
"Written communications to Administrative Sub-area Headquarters 399 saying that the proposal to shoot to death 10 peasants from the district Sopot suspected of being communists in reprisal for the murder of the mayor of the community Beljina is approved.
"6 March 43 Teletype orders to Administrative Sub-Area-Head quarters 610 to shoot to death 10 each of communists and D.M. followers in reprisal for the murder of the mayors of Troponic and Rajkinac.
MR. DENNEY: And then on Page 8 of the German and Page 10 of the English is Document No. NOKW-955, which becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 266 in evidence. This is from the Commander of German Troops in Croatia, and is dated 31 March 1943, and is directed to the Secretary of State for the Armed Power, Enclosed please find as summary of operation "Weiss" with the request to inform his excellency Poglavnik of its contents.
The summary is not suitable for publication.
In the beginning of the year 1943, military interference in the area of Karlovac -BIHAC - LIVNO had become a necessity. The Commander of German Troops was charged with The execution of the mopping up operations.
For many months the enemy had cleared for himself a Sovereign territory, had organized a considerable number of fighters and by strong road destructions and fortifications in every direction he had secured the territory he ruled. The number of active fighters equipped with automatic and heavy weapons including Artillery and Panzers may be estimated at 65,000 men. They were organized in corps, divisions and brigades.
Later the supreme leadership proved itself quite good and very mobile. The intermediate leadership was less efficient. The combat value of the Communists was partly outstanding partly absolutely good. It was only toward the end of the operation that signs of deterioration appeared.
The German divisions had available as their own units two Croatian Mountain Brigades as well as units of two additional German Divisions.
They were to be ready for attack on 20 January 43. Overburdening of the railroad, lack of coal and engines, several particularly heavy cases of sabotage as well as sudden and unusual snow threatened to make the success of the operation completely doubtful.
Utmost committment of all forces enabled us nevertheless to finish preparations on 19 January 1943.
The start of the offenses on 20 March 1943 caught the enemy by surprise. He had not counted on an attack in the winter months. By a courageous thrust the advance of the attacking troops brought them from KARLOVAC and GLINA to SLUNJ, BIHAC, from PETRINJA and KOSTAJNICA to BOS. KRUPA and from SANSKI MOST aid KLUJC to BOS. KRUPA and PETROVAC. Directly behind them, engineers and the Todt organization began to repair roads and bridges. Very soon the completely surprised enemy had reassembled, and offered a tough resistance supported by a knowledge of the terrain. PETROVAGORA, SAMARICA and all wood land and bridges had to be mopped up at times amid bitter fighting. The battle for GREMEC mountains was the hardest one.
In almost 18 months labor, the enemy had made it into a fortress, he had collected considerable supplies and organized large barrack camps. This fortress too was taken piece by piece. Preceding this SLUNJ was liberated on 25 January. On 29 January BIHAC was liberated. BOS KRUPA was liberated on 30 January, and the Partisans were chased out of BOS PETROVAC on 7 February. The area from KARLOVAC to GRMEC was swept clean of Partisans on 15 February. Unfortunately a part of the Partisans had evaded toward the Southwest and the Italian Battalions which were operating there were unable to stop them.
The troops made ready for a new attack on 21 February 43. Notwithstanding the tremendous efforts of the preceding weeks, they meanwhile had executed the assembly for the second part. A rest would have been desirable. But that would have enabled the enemy to reorganize as units and organize resistance. This would have cost our troops considerable more blood. That is why the German leadership had to insist upon an immediate continuation of the operations which had been started. Indicative of the spirit with which the Germans as well as the Croatians were imbued, -- is the fact that the elan of the attack in the very second part of the operation could hardly have been surpassed and that the men fighting at times amid high barren mountains overcame essentially great exertion with an exemplary attitude and a morale confident of victory.