It continues on the next page:
"If German units are inefficient as reserves, Italian units made ready for this purpose are to be placed under German Command and combined with German units.
Airports near the coast are to be defended by German forces.
Selection and development of all defense installations and reconnaissance for approach and assembly must take into consideration the expected enemy air superiority.
The primary task of Commander-in-Chief Southeast in the rear area is to annihilate the bands in Serbia and Croatia with the focal point along the traffic lanes to Greece.
Close liaison with Army Group East and the 2nd Italian Army and a possibly necessary commitment of German forces must bring about the carrying on of the fight against the bands with the greatest energy in their territory too. The hand centers near the coast, in particular, which might be especially dangerous during an enemy landing, must be cleared up. Beyond this, if the development warrants it, the Army Group must always be prepared to take over the costal defense in the Italian area with German forces which are to be as strong as possible.
IV. The distribution of forces suggested by Commander-in-Chief Southeast on 26 July 1943 is approved in general. Details will be ordered separately (handwritten note in left hand margin: "is enclosed") An order will be issued concerning the bringing up of army Troops."
Next page:
"Beyond this, it is intended during the next few months to form an Operational Army along the railroad Belgrade-Larissa. It will be organized from elements brought up from the Last to be composed of the Following:
2 Panzer or Panzer Grenadier Divisions 2 Mountain Divisions 2 Jaeger Divisions.
Further orders concerning this will be issued separately.
The Greek territory occupied by German Troops and by the 7th Bulgarian Division, including the Islands and the neutral zone in Thrace is an area of operations Commander-in Chief Southeast exercises the executive power in this territory and he is authorized to transfer his authority to the Military Commander Greece.
The Chief of OKW will regulate his authority in a special standard order of procedure in accordance with the principle that all German authorities except the Wehrmacht stationed or to be stationed in Greece are to be subordinate to Commander-in-Chief Southeast and that they are made a part of the Staff of Military Commander Greece. The authority of the supreme Reich authorities to issue directives concerning their professional shores remains intact. However, channels of procedure go via the Military Commander."
Next page, your Honors:
"2.) The Plenipotentiary of the Reich with the Greek Government and Ambassador Neubacher, whose special mission and authority so far remain unchanged, are excepted from ruling until final agreement with the Foreign Office. The standard order of procedure for the Military Commander will provide for closest cooperation between the Military Commander and the above authorities.
"3.) The Commander-in-Chief Southeast will make felt an authoritative German influence on the military administration of territory occupied by Italian Troops only as for as is required by military leadership. If no agreement with the local Italian authorities can be reached, pertinent applications are to be made to the OKW.
B. 1) In the zone of operations in Serbia and Croatia Commanderin-Chief Southeast delegates the authority vested in him to exercise executive power to "Military Commander Southeast", the latter employing for this purpose in Croatia the Commander of German Troops in Croatia.
2.) The extreme importance of the Serbian area for the entire direction of the war in the Southeast necessitates concentration of all German Offices. For this purpose all non-military offices employed in Serbia are subordinated to Military Commander Southeast and they are made a part of his staff.
Next page:
"The authority of the supreme Reich authorities to issue directives concerning their professional spheres is not affected by this subordination. However, channels of procedure go via the Military Commander.
Standard order of procedure will be issued by Chief OKW.
"3.) The Commander of German troops in Croatia and the German Plenipotentiary General in Croatia retain their present duties and authority.
VI. The necessary orders concerning the reorganization of staffs and command authorities as well as concerning supply will be issued by Chief OKW on my orders.
Any orders contradicting this directive are reseinded.
(signed) Adolf Hitler" Your Honors, if you will kindly turn to page 82 will find, the distribution of this Hitler order as it went down from Hitler's headquarters to the various eschelons at that time.
DR. HINDEMITH for Dr. Rauschenbach, for defendant Foertsch:
Mr. President, after the original of the document NOKW 1439 was submitted, I would like to point out the following mistake. It is in Exhibit No. 295, page 47 of the German Document book, under the heading,"Communist way of fighting". Ad a supplement to this it states here that, "I never treated them without interrogation". After looking at the German document one must---
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: Let's have the English page.
MR. RAPP: 55, I believe.
DR. HINDEMITH: This is the beginning of the statement which is summarized under this title. My attention was drawn to the fact that here there must be a mistake because this statement does not refer at all to the Communists. After the document was submitted, I have noticed that the reference to the 7th paragraph of the statement which is under this heading in this paragraph, - there are also 6 other sections, but this is not immediately evident from the way in which the German original is made up.
In my view this would also have to be expressed in the translation, that important parts of the document are not translated here. I therefore ask that it be noted in the minutes, that in the statements, under the heading "Communist way of fighting," the 6 preceding sections do not appear in the translation.
PRESIDENT JUDGE CARTER: It is agreeable to have it noted in the minutes of the proceeding.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, we are offering now NOKW 1032, which you will find on page 83 of the English, and page 74 of the German Document Book. It becomes Prosecution Exhibit 298.
This is an evening report of the unit, dated 11 June, 1943.
"61st Bulgarian Infantry Regiment reports at 1940 hours.
"Mopping up operation in the area north of the Bulgarian positions as far as Tara. In addition to the booty taken yesterday, 12 charges for extra-heavy mortars were found. The school in Tepca was burned down today. Infantry ammunition exploded in it. Around the school were established 10 graves about 8-10 days old of dead Communists. The school was evidently a temporary dressing station."
Then the "Mountain Jaeger Regiment 98 reports at 2020 hours."
"Own reconnaissance troop activity. North of 1947, three Communists shot dead, otherwise no contact with, nor observation of, the enemy."
"Evening Report of the Unit, 13 June, 1943. Mountain Jaeger Regiment 98 20 hours."
"Mopping up in the area 830, 843, gridline 75 running south to 874, from there east to 911 and the Susika sector."
On page 84,74 of the German document book, we will find an entry which was again made by the Mountain Jaeger Regiment 98:
"About 200 houses burned down. Two civilians arrested, two Communists shot dead."
Then comes the "Morning Report of the Unit 14 June 1943. Mountain Engineer Company 54."
"13 civilians shot dead in the evening of 13 June. Otherwise nothing new."
Then we have the "Evening Report of March Group Salminger; 11 July 1943, 2130 hours."
"1.) Group Salminger will secure the area ordered from point 1120 which is 8 km. northeast of Leskovik)on both sides of the advance road towards the south as far as the bridge 1 km. east of Mawrowuni. Mopping up operation by 1 (Panzer Company of Infantry Regiment) 44 in the remainder of the Aoos--F1. to the Northwest pushing forward to Tsarsova. Countryside and village free of the enemy. Village was burned down. 11. (Company of Infantry Regiment) 79 pushing forward to the left of the Aoos-F1, to the northwest beyond Seja as far as Drasowa. 60 male civilians were shot dead during this, both villages were burned down whereby quantities of ammunition which was hidden in the houses exploded."
MR. RAPP: The next we find an "Evening Report of the Group Salminger," dated 12 July 1943, at 2000 hours, with an illegible initial on it. It says:
Evening Report of Group Salminger 12 July 1943 2000 hours Five civilians shot dead by security guards of the 16 (Company of Mountain Jaeger Regiment) 98 in the district of Vreptska.
Reconnaissance by the 11th Battery in the strength of one platoon towards Moliwdoskepastos and Wlachos confirmed that further villages were free of the enemy.
During the afternoon, reconnaissance of the 9th (Company) of the 98th (Mountain Jaeger Regiment) shot at in Aidonochori. Moppingup operation initiated thereupon resulted in no further contact with the enemy. Aj Dimitrios and Aj Theodori (West and Northwest of Aidonochori) were burned down.
MR. RAPP: Then we have a teletype message, "Priority: 15 July 1943, 1730 hours," and it's to the "Ib 1st Mountain Division Commander Saloniki-Aegeon Daily Report of 15 July 43
1.) Band Situation Italian Reports . . . . . . . . .
c) on 11 July a leaflet written in Greek was found in the vicinity of Agrinion. In it the British claimed that the Greek bands should be regarded as part of the British Army.
2.) In the mopping up of the band areas East of the road NegradesKaries by two companies of the II Battalion of Mountain Jaeger Regiment 98 (to approach from Negrades at 0430 hours) and one troop of Artillery Battalion 56 (to approach from Karies at 0600 hours) so far no results. Bands are retreating to the neighboring valleys. Asproangeli and Elati were destroyed; Mondendri, Witsa and Kato were fired on with one heavy field howitzer.
Final report still outstanding."
MR. RAPP: So much, Your Honors, for Document No. NOKW-1032. Now, we turn to NOKW-976, which Your Honors will find on Page 87, and Defense Counsel will find on Page 77. It will be offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 299. This is an excerpt from the War Diary of the 1st Mountain Division. It is kept in the Division Commander's Post on the 12th of November 1943. And it covers the period 24 March 1943 to 31 August 1943. It then states by which offices this journal was being kept. The entry on the 16th of June 1943 goes on to say, "The day passes without special events occurring. The mopping-up operations can be regarded as having been essentially concluded. By burning farms and driving away all the cattle within the area of the 1st Mountain Division any means for existence is taken away from any bandits who perhaps may want to return to this area." On the 17th of June we find various tactical information, and, if Your Honors turn then to Page 88, we find under the 21st of July, somewhat at the bottom of the page, the following entry--Page 78 of the German Document Book: "Concerning the treatment of the civilian population it is agreed that men carrying arms will be shot as well as such as are near nests of bands. All villages which have afforded shelter to bands will be burned. Details of the execution and cooperation in this operation are to be decided on in a conference on 24 July in Durazzo." And on Page 89, under the same entry, the last sentence states, "The Commander of Saloniki and the Aegean will be informed about the planned participation of the Division in the so-called "Zara Operation." This concludes NOKW-976. We have now NOKW-921, which is being offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 300. It is again notes from a War Diary, dated the 24th of July 1943, and is a telephone order to the 98th Mountain Infantry Regiment; and it says:
"The operation Salminger up until now has shown that the bands either retreat or disappear in the country as harmless working civilians. The division has not received permission to arrest the entire able bodied population. Therefore the following order are given:
The arrest of hostages in all villages who by confrontation with the indigenous population
1.) determine commanders of bands and report them,
2.) determine extraneous population.
Extraneous population is to be treated as members of bands and deport ed. Male members of the population encountered carrying weapons or in the vicinity of bands are to be shot to death."
MR. RAPP: Then, there are some illegible initials, and it is handwritten signed "Ia."
At the bottom of Page 3 of the original, and at the bottom of Page 90 of this Document Book we find a "report concerning the mopping-up of 22nd to 26 July 1943," and it says "Booty brought in: 150 dead bandits; 90 hostages." And turning to the next page of the same document we find, under Paragraph 5 the names of villages burned down. And in addition to the names--there are approximately ten in all--there are "several small villages and huts on the mountain pasture land not shown on the map." And then we find under Paragraph 2, on the same page, or sub-paragraph 2, "Enemy: Furthermore it has been found that every mopping-up operation remains a complete failure if one does not round up at least all able bodied men or if one does not evacuate the entire civilian population." And then, under Paragraph 4 it says, "Numerous villages and small isolated settlements were burned down." Your Honors will turn to the next page. In the second paragraph, we find: "On the 30 July the Battalion returned to its bivouac area. Presumably the enemy will again occupy the area Anojion. The following villages were burned down." And there are eight of these villages--small places which were burned down--and then finally we get a commendation from the individual whose initials were not legible under the original, and he says:
I expressed to the III Battalion of the 98th Mountain Infantry Regiment my thanks and recognition for their services in the moppingup operation carries out in the period from 27 July to 30 July. On account of the terrain and the great heat this operation made extraordinary demands of the men and beasts.
MR. RAPP: This, Your Honors, concludes NOKW-921. At this time, if the Tribunal pleases, we will present NOKW-730, which, Your Honors, becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 301. This, Your Honors, is a report stamped secret, from the 373rd Croatian Infantry Division, Field Headquarters, dated 2 August 1943. Subject is "Taking over the Corps PW (that's Prisoner of War) Collection Point." Reference: "Commander of the German Troops in Croatia," and it gives then various reference numbers, "secret." To Commander of the German Troops in Croatia Branch Qu/Ic. If Your Honors will look at the bottom of the page, under Paragraph 6, of Page 94, which is Page 82 of the German Document Book:
"The Division requests that they be allowed to transfer reprisal prisoners (B) to the SD unit at Banja Luka. On the occasion of a conference with the Commander of the SS and SD in Banja Luka, Sturmoannfuehrer Hersmann, the latter requested that all reprisal prisoners (hostages) be transferred to him. The hostages should be turned over to the SD at Banja Luka by the Division with a statement giving the reasons for their being taken as hostages and their origin. SD Banja Luka is to inform the localities concerned, from which the hostages came, with the aid of propaganda staff and in cooperation with the Luftwaffe, that the hostages will be shot if an attack on German troops takes place in the area of the locality concerned or if bridges and the like are blown up. If such a case occurs, the Division informs the SD at Panja Luka and requests for shooting of hostages named. The hostages will then be shot by the SD at Banja Luka, and the communities concerned will be informed about the shooting, with details of the reasons.
The Division considers this regulation very useful and one which will bring results and requests that it be allowed to send the hostages there.
For the Division Headquarters: The 2nd General Staff Officer deputy (initialed) V. v. Captain."
MR. RAPP: And it has a stamp on it, and it says "Transmitted 3 August 1943."
Your Honors, the following pages--that is page 96 to page 98-we will not read into the record. I believe that these pages are a personal history statement and commendations and comments made by the superior officers of Major General Zellner who commanded one of the divisions we just mentioned, but we believe that in order to put this previous part of this document into evidence, we had to leave these pages attached to the document.
If your Honors please, we would like to offer at this time an insert to the document book and, as such, it has not been registered in the index. The document book in question is called "PS-744." It will become Prosecution Exhibit 302. We were unable to provide defense counsel with mimeographed copies of this order, so instead we are furnishing defense counsels now photostatic copies of the original. Your Honors, the pages of this document will become 98-A, -B, and -C, in the English document book, I do not know the numbers of the document in the German document book, number of the page in the German document book.
DR. LATERNSER: The last page is on 83.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, this document is a letter signed or is two letters: one letter signed by Himmler and one letter signed by the Chief OKW Keitel. It merely sets forth that "All male prisoners, from 16 to 55 years age, captured in guerilla fighting in the operational area, the army area, the Eastern commissariats, the Government General and the Balkans, will in the future be considered prisoners of war. The same applies to those males in the newly conquered territories of the East. They are to be sent to prisoner of war camps, and are to be brought from there for labor allocation into the Reich.
"The chief of the Army General Staff and the Reichsfuehrer SS after consultation will issue within their jurisdiction the necessary directives on the conscription and further treatment of family members."
Your Honors, we turn now to page 99 of your document book and this will become-pertaining to document No. NOKW-714--and this will become a Prosecution Exhibit 303. Here we have a document stamped "Secret, 373rd Infantry Division, Received 6 August 1943." It has again a number of initials on there which cannot be identified.
"Commander of the German Armed Forces in Croatia Section Quartermaster /Ic No. 2016/43 'secret' Local Headquarters, 4 August 1943 Subject:
Treatment of Members of Bands, Prisoners of War, Hostages Reprisal Prisoners, Deserters, etc.
1. 1.) All male members of bands over 55 years old and all female members of bands are to be treated as bandits as before.
2.) All male members of bands between the age of 16-55 years are to be designated, in compliance with OKW directive for the Preservation of Labor, as Prisoners of War and to be treated as such.
3.) Those arrested in compliance with the order dated 10 July 1943, paragraph II, are to be treated, starting immediately, as hostages. The concepts of reprisal prisoners and exchange prisoners accordingly are no longer valid."
Your Honors will undoubtedly note that this order was published by the 373rd Infantry Division as a result of the order we have just put into evidence as Exhibit 302.
We now go to page 100 and it says:
"4.) The order Ic No. 3621/43, secret, dated 31 July 1943 remains valid to the full extent.
5.) Members of bands who voluntarily report to the troops will be treated as deserters, as before, and will be sent away for labor employment in assembly Camps. They are to be given brief identification papers denoting them as deserters.
Then to Paragraph # 2:
The Prisoners of War in the Corps Prisoners Camps Zenica and Prijedor are to be kept apart from the hostages and are to be identified as such with the letter "K" on their clothing. After undergoing sanitary measures they will be sent as laborers to Prisoner of War Camps in the Reich.
To paragraph # 3:
Hostages are to be treated in compliance with Ic order No. 3621/43 secret, dated 31 July 1943. To distinguish them from Prisoners of War they are to be designated by the letter "G" on their clothing in durable paint and to be separated if possible from the Prisoners of War in the camps until hostage camps have been established.
To paragraph # 5:
All deserters are to be transferred to the Deserters Camp to Banja Luka. The Commander of the German Armed Forces in Croatia dispose over them."
Page 101, Your Honors:
"II. The divisions will report to the Commander in the Daily Reports villages destroyed, the daily arrivals of Prisoners of War hostages arrested, and deserters in addition to the number of bandits shot.
T. On the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month, the divisions, the units directly subordinated to the Corps, and the Corps assembly camps at Zenica and Prijador, Banja Luka, report to the Commander of the German Armed Forces in Croatia / Quartermaster Section, the number of Prisoners of War, hostages (male or female), and deserters inasfar as they were in their custody on the preceding day. Prisoners of War, hostages, etc, who are being sent to another camp on the set days are to be reported separately by the departure camp, and are not to be counted by the receiving camp.
For the Commander of the German Armed Forces in Croatia The Chief of Staff Pfafferott Colonel, GSC" We now turn to NOKW-169, which Your Honors will find on page 103 of your document book and the defense counsel will find on page 87 of the German document book.
This is a communication signed by General Bader, the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia on the 5th of August 1943, at a time when the defendant Geitner was Chief of Staff to the aforementioned Bader. He states:
"The growing terror of the insurgents and Communist bandits against the peace-loving element of the population which does not follow --"
JUDGE CARTER: I don't believe you gave that an exhibit number.
MR. RAPP: Sorry, Your Honor. Exhibit 304.
"The growing terror of the insurgents and Communist bandits against the peace-loving element of the population which does not follow the enemy orders, works together with the occupying powers loyally and supports the orders of the Serbian government, the massacre of innocent members of the Serbian Volunteer Corps and others, make necessary the execution of further severe counter-measures.
"2) It is accordingly ordered that in extension of the order of 28 February 1943 Ia No. 652/43 Secret, also the male relatives, the brothers, as well as the fathers, of those persons who are with the insurgents or Communist bands can be used for execution of counter-measures.
"The counter-measures can, according to the severity of the deed to be avenged and which has rendered the insurgent or Communist bands guilty, consist in:
"a) Imposition of a fine up to 500,000 dinars, "b) Shipment to Germany for forced labor, "c) Utilization for reprisal executions.
"Persons are to be excepted from these counter-measures who "a) Are active as public officials, "b) Have declared themselves or are declaring themselves actively for the occupying powers or the Serbian government, "c) According to the knowledge of the competent military offices or own national authorities seriously refuse and condemn the actions of their relatives with the insurgents or Communist bands.
"Further to be excepted from the counter-measures under b) and c) are persons under 16 and over 65 years, and finally from the countermeasure under b) persons who, according to the judgment of the competent German military surgeon, are not capable of forced labor.
"Insofar as in special cases measures against still further relatives (par. 1) or exceptions from the paragraphs 3 and 4 appear necessary, the local district commander competent in the place of residence of the person concerned is to make the decision.
"3) The imposition of a fine is to take place through the competent District Headquarters. The arrest for purposes of deportation or for use in reprisal executions is to take place through the District Headquarters in whose area the arrested persons live, in cooperation with the unit, the SD, the Serbian Volunteer Corps, or the national authorities.
"4) Arrested persons who are sent to Germany for forced labor are to be brought to the Semlin collecting camp; those who are to be used for reprisal measures are to be brought to the locally competent reprisal camps (cf. Decree of 28 February 1943, Ia No. 650/43, secret).
"5) The names of the relatives concerned in the counter-measures and the basis for these counter-measures are to be made public to the furtherest extent at the residence of those concerned.
"6) The movable property of those persons who are with the insurgents or the Communist bandits (but not that of the relatives), as far as living stock is concerned, is to be taken away, by order of the District Headquarters, by the military police, according to the considerations of the specialist for agricultural questions. In cases of doubt, that living stock which was found on their property is to be treated as belonging to these persons.
"Confiscation of other property of the aforementioned persons has been worked out with the Serbian government.
"7) If it appears necessary in special cases to burn down houses of those persons who are with the insurgents or with the Communist bandits (but not of the relatives), the locally competent District Commander makes the decision. The execution of this measure is to take place through the District Headquarters.
"In any case, the execution of such a measure is to be reported to me.
"8) If a person returns who was with the insurgents or Communist bandits, his relatives who were arrested are to be freed. The decision rests with the District Commander locally competent for the residence of the one returned."
And this instrument, Your Honor, is signed "Bader", and it also bears the initials "H.G." and two strokes, "G", and we believe this to be the initials of the defendant Geitner.
On page 106 of your document book, Your Honor, you will find NOKW148, which will be our next prosecution exhibit, 305. Defense counsel will find this on page 90 of the document book. This document is dated August 7, 1943, is marked "secret" and is addressed to the 809th Feldkommandantur, which is 809th Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters. It says:
"For the information of: German Liaison Staff with the 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupational Corps.
"Reference: Your request Va 0207 of 4 Aug 43.
"As retaliation for the surprise attacks at Runjkovac, Leskovac District, on 16 and 28 July 43, in which 2 members of the German customs border guard were killed and two were wounded, 150 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot.
"The shooting of reprisal prisoners from the operations against the villages of Brza and Todorovce, as well as the levying of the needed reprisal prisoners through an operation against the village Runjkovac, is authorized. The operation against Runkjovac is to be carried out with the concurrence of the 1st Royal Bulg. Occ. Corps and the SD.
"Completion is to be reported by furnishing one copy of the proclamation."
There are some pencilled initials on this document, "L.R.". It is signed by the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia. "Ia No. 3302/43 Secret (Initial B)" If Your Honors will turn to the next page, you will find a letter from the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia, Branch Ia, which is the Operations Branch, No, 826/43.
"Subject: Reprisal Measures.
"Reference: Your No. 2912/43 of 13 August 43/B.
"To : 599th Feldkommandantur (Adm. Sub-Area Hq) Belgrade "As retaliation for the murder of 2 and the wounding of 2 German soldiers by insurgents on the highway at Tozarevac on 9 August 43, 150 reprisal prisoners are to be shot.
"Since the political origin of the perpetrators could not be definitely established, 75 DM and 75 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be executed.
"Completion is to be reported by submitting a copy of the publication."
And that is a ration of fifty to one and twenty-five to one, respectively.
This document is signed by the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia again. The pencilled initials on it again are that of the defendant Geitner. The signature as such is illegible and it has merely the title of Major General under the illegible signature.
And on page 108 of the English and page 91 of the German, Your Honor, you will find a secret document dated August 15, 1943.
"To: C-in-C, SE "For the information of:
Germ. Plenip. Gen. in Croatia.
Cmdr. of the German Troops in Croatia "Daily Report of 15 August 1943 "(Line 9) 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupation Corps "(Lines 11-17) 2. In operations at Arilje, further 19 enemy dead, 84 "bandit accomplices arrested.
62 houses "burned down. Bulgarian losses up to 7 dead (through own mortar fire)."
THE PRESIDENT: We will take our afternoon recess.
(Thereupon a recess was taken.)
The Tribunal is again in session.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors will remember that we were dealing with NOKW-148, Prosecution Exhibit 305, the English Document Book 108, and -- page 108, and German Document Book page 91, this case, a report for the information off the German Plenipotentiary General in Croatia, and the Commander of the German Troops in Croatia, and it states that in operations at Arilje, further 19 enemy dead, 84 bandit accomplices arrested; 62 houses burned down. Bulgarian losses up to 7 dead through own mortar fire.
18 Bulgarians and 1 German custom official fell into the hands of the bandits, who promised in writing to free the prisoners if an officer of the Serbian Volunteer Corps Company Arilje was shot by the Germans. Measures for liberation of the prisoners underway. (Lines 23-24) on the original which is hereunder:
(Lines 23-24) on the original which is hereunder:
"15 Communist reprisal prisoners shot in retaliation for the murder of a mayor and the burning of threshing machines."
"Commanding General and Commander in Serbia Ia.
No. 3485/43, Secret."
Signature illegible.
On page 109, Your Honors, we find a report to the 809th SubArea Headquarters in Nis, paragraph 1:
In retaliation for the surprise attack on the quarz washing plant in Rgotina on 1 Aug. 43, 10 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot;
The murder of the village eldest of Bukarevac, Sreten and Cifkovic on 30 July 43, 10 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot;
The killing of the leader of a mixed harvesting crew, Unterwachtmeister of the Aux. Col. Tremmel on 7 Aug. 43, 50 Communist reprisal prisoners are to be shot.
Completion is to be reported by submitted a copy of the publication of this.
On page 110, Your Honor, we find to "Commander-in-Chief Southeast" dated 24 August 1943.
For the information of: German Plenip. Gen. in Croatia Cmdr.
of the German Troops in Croatia HQ XXIst Mtn.
Corps Secret Daily Report of 24 Aug.
43 (line 11) 1st Royal Bulgarian Occupation Corps:
(lines 14-16)
2.) Enemy losses in operation Sanrilje (cf. Daily Report of 21 Aug. 43) 372 DM followers dead, 351 suspects arrested, 460 houses burned down (final report).
(lines 19-25)
4.) To yesterday's report, No. 7: Surprise attack came from 500 men strong DM band on force in the strength of 4 German police, 24 A ux. men (Moslems) , 10 Serbian State Guard Men. Losses after fourhour battle 3 police dead, 15 aux. men, that is, SS-men missing. Band retreated into the mountains, village residents taken along due to fear of reprisal measures, pursuit of the bandits by police under way, Stragari was burned down.
(lines 38-39)
Target: 25 Aug. Surprise Attack on DM officer conference with English in the Homodje Mountains.
Your Honors, on page 11 you will find that this is signed, "Commanding General and Commander in Serbia," and, "Ia. No. 3673/43 Secret" and the signature is illegible.
Your Honors, this completes Document NOKW 148, our Exhibit 305.
The next document, NOKW 155, which the Tribunal will find on page 112 of the English Document Book, defense Counsel will find on page 94 of their document book, will be introduced and submitted by the Prosecution as Document Exhibit No. 306.
This is a copy -- the original is a copy. It is, "Secret":