Your Honors will note the retaliation quota applied in that case 25 to 1 for the wounding of a German soldier. Next, on Page 211 of the English document book, Page 161 of the German, Document NOKW-1762, which is offered as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 546. This exhibit consists of a series of three reports which were sent by the Commander of Southern Greece to the Commander in Chief Southeast, who was simultaneously Commander in Chief Army Group E. The first report is dated 4 June 1943; the Commander in Southern Greece at that time was the Defendant Speidel. The first portion of the report deals with the political situation. Yours Honors will recall that at this time, June, 1943, when the Defendant Speidel was Commander of Southern Greece, the Defendant Foertsch was the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief Southeast, to whom the report of the Commander in Southern Greece was sent.
I. Overall impression:
"The abandonment of the North African front has made a profound impression on the Greek populace. Enemy propaganda which started immediately has tried to exploit the success of this so-called "boxing of the Germans and Italians out of Africa" in every respect and liberation of Greece from its "conquerors".
"The Greeks are thereby kept in a state of excitement this psychological effect seems to be carefully calculated - and their sense of resistance and desire for liberty is constantly being whetted. This also explains why the appeal for a cessation of bandit warfare has met with no decisive or tangible success.
"Outwardly, the situation - irrespective of political attacks on the present Government - remains perfectly quiet. The steady rise in prices on all vital consumer goods which is due to the rise of the gold Pound, is cleverly exploited in the form of strike slogans by the Communists.
In the Italian area the onset of strikes has been detected. The Rallis Government order, peace and security, to reinforce the police and gendarmerie and to purge it of unreliable elements.
"The relative peace in the "State of Athens" is to be attributed to a great extent to the energetic measures taken by Rallis. A vehement struggle has started on the part of all political parties in order to assume the leadership and patronage of the two police battalions. Democrats, royalists, Denizelists and even Communists are trying to take over the leadership."
The next portion of the report from Commander of Southern Greece, at that time, the defendant Speidel, deals with strikes and demonstration: "Food supplies for the population were plentiful to be sure at very high prices and therefore despite all instigations there was no reason for strikes and demonstration. The following incidents have been reported during the period covered by this report:" I am calling Your Honors' attention to sub-paragraph "b" of this section, dealing with strikes and demonstrations:
"The workers of the Chemical Plant "Lipasmata" in Pirieus staged a sit down strike on 24 May 1943; other employees joined the next day.
"District Headquarters Piraeus had ten hostages seized from among the workers and ordered the resumption of work. The order was followed immediately.
"In Athens, bank employees started a sit down strike. When on 29 May 1943, almost all banks had gone on strike, the Greek Prime Minister decreed the closing of all banks in Athens on 31 May 1943.
"In Piraeus work was not interrupted again. The officials were informed by District Headquarters that all strikes would be considered as directed against the German Occupation authorities and would be dealt with accordingly."
Finally on Page 214 of the English, Page 162 of the German, the section of the report from the Commander in Southern Greece dealing with economic development enemy situation?
"Overall impression: The bandit amnesty was proclaimed at a most unfavorable time. The fall of Tunis has incited the will to resist of the Greek populace and even of those people who have thus far looked on passively. It has convinced the insurgents that they would be able to vanquish the axis Troops just like the "Sacred army of the Greeks" which fought in Tunis had done. Nevertheless, the opinion was expressed that after 20 May 1943, the German occupation troops in particular would carry out an extensive operation against the bandits.
"The successful mopping up operations in the Olympus and Othry's area were not the least important factors which contributed to this belief. This is the only way of explaining the movement of the bandits from the more open area of Eastern Greece to the less accessible mountains of the middle and of the West. Apparently, the Giona Massif has become the central headquarters of the bandits.
"It is possible that this movement to the West Coast was prompted by an English directive in preparation for an eventual landing in these somewhat inaccessible areas.
"Bands have been observed on the Pelopennesus. They crossed the ocean East of Patras near Lepanto and infiltrated to the Southern tip of the Pelopennesus."
I think we need not read the remainder of this particular report. Your Honors will note what full exposition the activities in Greece are given by the Commander of Southern Greece, the Defendant Speidel at this time, in his report to the Commander in Chief Southeast, who at this time was General Loehr, whose Chief of Staff was the Defendant Foertsch. I call Your Honors' attention to Page 219 in the English, Page 165 in the German, which is the estimate of the situation made in his report by the Commander of Southern Greece:
"Expecting a sudden large scale action by German Troops after 20 May 1943 - the last day of the amnesty - the bands have withdrawn West into more inaccessible areas.
"The Giena Mountains must be regarded as their central headquarters. The reputation of the German troops has suffered considerably because no operation has taken place. In general Greek circles define this attitude of the German troops as weakness. Thus the door has been left wide open for British propaganda. The blasting of the tunnel located near 255 kilometers during the night of the first be the second of the month in the course of which an Italian Troop Transport Train has been destroyed completely and the railroad line Saloniki Athens was interrupted for two days must be regarded as a sign that the resistance will of the bandits has flared up. The threat to the only supply line Saloniki Athens and continuing to the Pelopennesus, will presumably increase during the next period. Even the German troops recently brought into the area of Southern Greece are unable to suppress the bands and the insurection movement on the area of Attica and Boeotia because the greater part of them has been assigned to the Pelopennesus which has also become a center of unrest.
"The reputation of the German Occupation Troops and ultimate peace and order (which in view of an eventual English landing is more necessary than ever) and the reputation of the German occupation can be established and maintained only by the ruthless resistance of bandits which has been demanded repeatedly."
And the report is signed for the Commander South Greece, by the Chief of Staff.
THE PRESIDENT: We'll take our afternoon recess at this time.
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal will be in recess for fifteen minutes.
(The Tribunal recessed at 1500)
THE MARSHAL: The persons in the Courtroom will be seated.
The Tribunal is again in session.
THE PRESIDENT: You may proceed.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: If Your Honors please, prior to the recess, we were looking at Exhibit 546, which is a series of three reports from the Commander of Southern Greece to the Commander in Chief Southeast. We had finished the first report and now we look at the second, which is on page 221 of the English and page 166 of the German. This is a report from the Commanding General and Commander of Southern Greece, dated 5 July 1943. At this time, the defendant Speidel is the Commander Southern Greece. The report covers the period 4 June to 3 July 1943.
"Political Situation Overall impression:
The rapid defeat of the Italian Isles of Panetelleria and Lampadusa, the almost undisturbed control of the Mediterranean Area by allied naval and air forces, the decrease of German U-boat successes as well as the constantly increasing air attacks on Germany and Italy were exploited by enemy radio and whisper propaganda, by dropping of pertinent illustrated papers and leaflets which try to prove the superiority of the Allies. The greater part of the Greek population at this time is convinced of the imminent landing of the Allies in Greece and in particular of the final victory of the Democratic Powers. The lack of any larger operation against the bandits contributes to this opinion. It is also interpreted as a weakness of the Germans that the Allies were successful in attacking the important air fields of Kalamaki and Eleusis without suffering any losses.
"Any visible success of the Allies, no matter how small, now is exaggerated because of the total situation and is considered to be a weakness of the Axis Powers.
Only thus can it be understood that the anti-axis movement in the Greek population increases more and more.
"90 per cent of the Greeks today are unanimously hostile toward the Axis Powers and are ready for open revolt. The fact that all strike attempts and all strikes up to now were camouflaged with economic reasons, and that the general strike attempted on 25 July 1943 was carried out openly under the slogan of a protest against the hostage shootings of 17 July 1943, prove the correctness of the statement. The extent which this strike seemed to achieve at first, made its political significance perfectly clear.
"Those Greeks who are still pro-Axis --- they usually make money by supplying the German or Italian Wehrmacht decrease more and more or they do not dare to confess themselves to be friends of the Axis. The enemy radio publishes the names of Greeks working in German offices. If people are particularly prominent, their death sentences, pronounced in absentia, are published.
The EAM also publishes the names of the Greeks working for the Axis powers in its numerous party papers and party leaflets. It warns and exhorts the to join their ranks. An additional important argument expounded to the Greeks who are still willing to work is the small wages paid by German offices.
"The indigenous volunteer forces serving with German units -- identifiable as such by their uniform - are being molested and threatened right out in the streets. The Communists movement has gained in strength impact, and reputation in particular by its indisputably great political successes in all of Greece, mainly however in and around Athens.
By use of clever camouflage, the EAM including all its subsidiary groups has succeeded in gaining the direct support of the British Secret Service. A major contributing factor to an abatement of the struggle against Communism is the belief that England will be strong enough after the war to keep Communism out of Greece at least. This has made the EAM with its combat organizations the main bearers of the entire resistance movement against the Axis powers. The greater part of the bands is subordinated to it. It is in a leading position, politically speaking and, because it is very active and enjoys a co-ordinated leadership it represents the greatest danger to the occupying powers."
Then follows a section on Strikes and demonstrations.
"The food supply for the indigenous population is asbefore-more than sufficient and to a great degree it is better than that of the German soldiers. However, wages are unable to keep up with the rapid rise in prices. Nevertheless, economic reasons are the decisive factors for only a very few of the attempts at strikes. All strikes carried out thus far have been organized and led by Communists. They have tried to shake the reputation of the occupying powers and to weaken whichever Greek Government was in power. Simultaneously, however, they were endeavoring to determine the resistance power of the Axis. Unfulfillable demands such as a 7 hour day, granting of credits, supplying shoes, garments, food stuff, were to serve as camouflage for these operations. Thus it was all the more surprising that all camouflage was dropped when the general strike of 25 June 1943 was called and the political strike was proclaimed openly. It is true that only minor strike attempts have been observed in the entire area which is under German Sovereignty because the careful interference by German offices prevented any outbreak.
Yet, the reputation of the occupying powers was greatly impaired because the Italians in Athens did not apply the same severe measures as was the case in the area of German Sovereignty. The Greek does not differentiate between the German and Italian occupying power. He only knows the axis powers.
"The shooting of hostages on 17 June 1943 and the ensuing strikes must be considered from that point of view. On 25 June many plants in Athens actually went on strike and the owners were compelled by the Strike leaders to close their factories. Several columns of demonstrators tried to march through the city but they were dispersed within a short time. The political impetus of the strike called by the Communists in protest against the shooting of hostages was particularly emphasized by the fact that most of Athens Police Officials (about 1200 men) went on strike. On 2 July 1943, the Police returned to duty after the Government had disarmed 395 officials and dismissed them from the service. 35 of these striking officials were arrested by the Italians. The table enclosed shows the strikes which occurred in the month of June. The decree issued by the Commanding General and Commander South Greece -" -- and that, if Your Honors please, is the defendant Speidel --- "on 27 June 19A3 which threatened particularly severe procedure in case of strikes in the area of German Sovereignty - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - was revealing and served as a deterrent.
" The report next deals with enemy propaganda, economic development, and finally we have a portion on the enemy situation.
I ask Your Honors to pay particular attention to this next portion because it is quite a good description of the ELAS organization, one of the two large Greek partisan organizations which came into being during the German occupation of Greece. Your Honors will recall the oral testimony of the witness Triandaphylidis on the nature, size, military structure, and organization of the EDES partisan organization, and now we have in the report from the Commander of Southern Greece, the defendant Speidel, an account of the ELAS partisan organization.
"Enemy Situation.
"Overall Impression.
"The ELAS (Greek National Army of Liberation) includes about 70 percent of all the bands. About 20 percent of the bandits consist of socalled nationalist bands, leader, Colonel Zervas." This is on page 226 of the English, Your Honors, page 168 of the German. "About 20 percent' of the bandits consist of so-called nationalist bands, leader, Colonel Zervas, The rest must be considered as politically uncertain. According to a report received here, the ELAS is organized as follows:"
Then Your Honors will note the diagram which appears on page 227 of the English document book, page 109 of the German document book, showing the organization of the ELAS units: General Leader Athanasios Klaras, Lamia, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd General Staffs.
And on page 228 of the English and 169 of the German, the numerical strength of the ELAS:
"RED Andartes in action - 7,000 men.
"RED Adnartes in reserve - 24,000 men.
"All of these are armed, but for practical reasons the majority of them remains hidden in the guise of 'peaceful, working' population.
"The bandit situation is as follows:
"The majority of the bands controls the high mountain range of Pinbos-Giona Massif. Staffs and main forces are located in a switch position which extends through north and central Greece from northwest to southeast.
"The nationalist bands under Colonel Zervas, whose English advisor is Colonel 'Eddy', are situated north of the line Agrinion-MacrokomiUpper Sperohia Valley. Headquarters is in Metsovon. The communist bands under their leader Aris - whose deputy is Belis - have their headquarters on the east side of the Giona Mountains. The bands have no uniform equipment. There is a lack of uniforms and shoes. Armament is of English, Italian, and German origin. Every large bandit group has radio equipment. U-boats and small sailing boats take care of the supply. The northeast coast of Euboea, the northern coast of the Gulf of Corinth, south of Parnassus and of Helikon, as well as the west coast from Preveza to Astakos, are the main landing places. Frequently the population procures the foodstuff.
"Since the German counter measures expected after the amnesty period had expired did not occur, a considerable number of the bandits have been returning since about the middle of July to the territory which they occupied before. The movement is coming from the west and the east. The greater number of the bandits still continues to remain in the Goina Mountains.
"Communication with the English, who fly in almost every night to bring supplies, takes place by means of light signals. About 4,000 bandits are in the villages of Kukuvista, Diaselon, and Sideroporto on the eastern slope of the Giona Massif.
"An attempt was made to blow up the steamer 'Citta di Savona' in the harbor of Piraeus by a magnetic mine fastened to the bow of the ship. A leak 50 x 70 was sprung. The bow sank about two meters and then touched bottom. Sixty-nine horses were drowned. No casualties. After a few days the ship was serviceable again. There is a possibility that the mine was put in at the port of Patras on 11 June. Investigations still under way. As a counter measure from the German side, ten hostages -- mostly communist leaders -- were shot to death on 17 June.
The Italians shot to death nine hostages. The impression on the population was strong, as proven by the demonstrations on 25 June 1943."
The next portion of the report deals with railroad and cable sabotage. On page 231 of the English and 170 of the German, counter intelligence situation.
Now, turning to page 232 of the English and 171 of the German, that first portion of the Commander Southern Greece's report which deals with his estimate of the situation:
"The increased activity of the RAF, the serious cases of sabotage against the transport 'Citta di Savona' and against the railroad line Saloniki-Athens, the attempted general strike and the demonstration on 25 June 1943 prove that there is cooperation between saboteurs, communists, and bands in all spheres. The central direction of these operations rests in the hands of the English officers, who are with the bands and who certainly are also temporarily with the direction of the EAM in Athens. This coordinated leadership leads one to expect coordinated measures in the event of an enemy landing either on the Peloponnesus or on the west coast of central Greece. These measures will have a dangerous effect, the more so because only minor units of German troops can be used in the Command Area against the insurgent movement which is at least 50 to 20,000 men strong. In addition, it must be expected that a general strike will be proclaimed in Athens and immediate vicinity by the EAM followers (estimated strength about 20,000 men according to Greek sources). Also that the EAM followers - pursuant to directives of the EAM and of English band leadership - will carry out pillaging and attempt sabotage in the objects hit even while the attacks are still in progress. The intimidation of the Greek workers in German plants is disturbing slowing up all important war work. The occupying powers can no longer look on passively at such activities. In view of the known weakness of the Italian occupation, it must be made possible for the German commander to intercede effectively in the Italian area as well, in order that the aforementioned dangers might be averted. He should be able to do this by exploiting the fear for the German soldier and his resolute behavior which is still prevalent among the Greeks.
The authority he holds at present is insufficient. If the German Wehrmacht is not to suffer heavy losses in Greece, the bandits must be opposed forcibly and with the employment of strong forces. The inner political and the economic situation is in the last analysis dependent also on the result of the battle against the bandits.
"Notwithstanding certain initial successes, the Rallis Government was unable to maintain itself among the population. Without effective support by the occupying powers, its days seem numbered. It is a moot point whether it will be succeeded after its fall by a capable government which is willing to cooperate honestly with the occupying powers."
And the report is signed: "For the Commanding General and Commander South Greece, The Chief of General Staff."
On page 235 of the English and 173 of the German we have the final report. Your Honors will recall that in the end of August 1943 the whole Southeast Command was reorganized and in line with that reorganization the title of the defendant Speidel as Commanding General and Commander in Southern Greece was changed to Military Commander Greece. In the document which begins on page 235 of the English and 173 of the German we find the defendant Speidel now Military Commander Greece sending a report on the date of the 4th of September 1943 to the Military Commander Southeast who at this time was General Felber. Your Honors will recall that Felber's Chief of Staff was the defendant Geitner. This is a report from the Military Commander Greece for the period from 1 September to 3 October 1943:
"Political Situation.
"Survey.
"The conclusion of the armistice by Badoglio caused open joy among the entire Greek population. The collapse of the European defense front seemed to be very imminent. The speedy disarmament of the Italian Wehrmacht by numerically inferior German forces which took place mostly with out friction caused dismay and fear.
The liberation of Mussolini was taken for what it actually was: a courageous coup and the fulfillment of a friend's word. The departure of the Italians, who frequently were hated because of their unjust behavior, their lack of military demeanor, and because they were defeated in the Albanian campaign, evoked joy and even pity in the widest circles. Those Greeks who had the right attitude rejoiced when the Germans assumed control of the security and administration of all Greece. They expected a just procedure and performance in particular in the economic sphere, in the black market, and hoped for an improvement of the situation and of the economic problem."
The next portion of the report deals with:
"Strike Situation:
"After the collapse of the general strike of 31 August 1943 work was resumed almost everywhere on 1 September 1943. Only the employees of the small banks continued to strike, and a part of the office force of the gas and electricity works and the majority of workers in the tobacco industry. On 5 September 1943 work was fully resumed everywhere.
"Up to now there were hardly any strikes in the area of German sovereignty. Now that the Germans had taken over executive power in all of Greece the strike instigators were fearful lest the same rigid procedure be applied to them as was done hitherto in the area which was formerly under German sovereignty. The decree of the Military Commander Greece" -- and that, if Your Honors please, is the defendant Speidel -"stating that any strike would be considered as directed against the German Wehrmacht and would be treated accordingly, was an additional factor.
"The strike which broke out on 1 October 1943 in the Athens gas works - 160 men and four women of the entire force stopped working - was suppressed by the immediate interference of the field gendarmerie. This strike must be regarded as an attempt to determine whether the Germans would actually apply their severe measures against striking workers."
Next is an account of the enemy situation. I think we need not read the portion dealing with the Italians but continue on page 238 of the English, 174 of the German, with the account of the Military Commander Greece on the insurgent movement. Paragraph B, Insurgent Movement:
"The distribution of bandit groups has remained essentially unchanged. Pursuant to orders of the English High Command, the bands evade larger operations. They limit themselves to acts of sabotage on march roads and to occasional attacks on columns. Larger combat actions did not develop anywhere.
"The bandit movement has been strengthened essentially by the collapse of the Italian Wehrmacht. Considerable supplies of arms and ammunition and some rations also have been placed into the hands of the bands by the Italians. On Euboea the Italians turned ever almost all their equipment to the bands and some of the Italians joined the bands.
"The main areas of band activity are situated in the Pindus and in the mountain ranges closing off the Hiakmon valley, further southwest and northwest of Thebes on both sides of the railroad line Thebes-Lamia. On the Peloponnesus the area northwest of Tripoli primarily is endangered by bands. Smaller bandit territories are situated in the area of Parnis, north of Athens, and in the southeast Peloponnesus. In the area of Agrinion and Arta also, bands have been observed with a changing circle of activity. It is of special importance that according to reports of confidential agents the opposition between nationalist and communist bands at this time is increasing. Even the English threat of withdrawal of all supplies unless hostilities cease has removed the tension only superficially. In addition, the English Colonel 'Eddy', the actual leader of the Greek band movement, has been recalled to Egypt because he is. too pro-communist (reports from reliable confidential agents)."
And next follows a section of the report dealing with counter intelligence situation. I think we need not read it at this time but I call Your Honors' attention to the final paragraph of that portion of the report which appears on page 240 of the English and 176 of the German:
"According to a careful estimate the number of armed insurgents situated in Athens and neighborhood is supposed to be somewhere between 20 and 30,000. The RO was newly established during the period covered by this report. The Greek Minister of the Interior Tavularis is said to have founded this organization."
The report deals next with sabotage activity, enemy propaganda, and finally the important section of the report dealing with the estimate of the situation by the Military Commander Greece:
"Greece at this time is in a state of economic, political, and financial disintegration. It is a widely held belief that the AngloAmerican troops, once they have arrived, will stop this disintegration and make Greece into agree and great country. That is why the three largest political parties, the Democrats, the Royalists, and the Communists, are preparing to seize power during the period which will elapse from the departure of the Germans until the arrival of Allied troops. Each one of the groups mentioned above is trying to arm its followers. At this time, the Democrats, who still hold certain elements of the state authority, are in the best position to retain power with the help of the gendarmerie and the police. Inter--politically, the Communists are the most dangerous because they represent the most active group, and because they have considerable forces available and are very well organized. Mainly, however, they can call attention to the catastrophic economic development which has brought the Greek people to the brink of an abyss. Consequently, it does not lack followers. The other political parties are slowly permeated with the thought that a further development of the Communist Party signifies the greatest danger. In this connection, it is significant to note that it is the so-called Anglophiles who are most persistent in demanding that the Germans take action against the Communists.
"Since 15 September 1943 the economic situation is becoming increasingly worse. The gold pound rose to almost 600,000 Drachmas.
The most important foodstuffs have become three to four times as expensive. One oka of oil now costs 60,000 Drachmas. The general increase of wages and salaries as decreed by the Greek Government with the support of the Special Plenipotentiary on 2 September also contributes to the deterioration of prices and to the increase of the inflation. Economic measures alone can no longer stop this price development which is leading to chaos. The German occupying power will interfere with draconic measures in order to stop the black market which increases prices and to check the hoarding of basic consumer goods. The economic situation can be stabilized only if continued inflation and additional price rises are stopped.
"The political danger inherent in this development is very great.
"The bands all over Greece are the advance guards of an AngloAmerican landing. To smash them is as important as it is to improve the economic and social situation."
The report is signed: "For the Military Commander Greece, The Chief of General Staff, v. Bogen."
The next document, NOKW 1494, has already been introduced into evidence in Document Book XII so we pass it at this time and turn instead to page 246 in the English, 180 of the German, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 547.
DR. BERGLER (Deputizing for Dr. Weisgerber, attorney for defendant Speidel): Your Honor, I object to the introduction of NOKW 1783, which document is a report of the 611th secret police, detachment, Iraklion 5 July 1943, to the Commander of tho 22nd Infantry Division, Fortress Command Post. The 22nd Infantry Division was at that time in Crate, Iraklion is likewise situated on Crete. Crete, however, is not part of the authority command of the Commander in Greece who at that time was Speidel.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: If your Honors please, we have no intention of offering this document against the defendant Speidel. The 22nd Division which was operating on Crete was subordinate to tho Commander in Chief Southeast Who was simultaneously subordinate to tho Commander of Army Group E, and we offer it against the defendant Foertsch, who was Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief Southeast, and we do not offer it against the defendant Speidel.
THE PRESIDENT: By reason of the statements made by the Prosecution, the objection will be over-ruled.
MR. FENSTERMACHER: On page 246 of the English Document Book, page 180 of tho German, Document NOKW 1783, Prosecution Exhibit 487. If your Honors please this is a report dated Iraklion District Headquarters, 611th Secret Field Police Detachment.
Dated Iraklion 5 July 1943, Sent to the Commander of the 22nd Infantry Division.
"Subject: Report on the executions ordered.
The undesigned offices submit the persons hereafter named for execution, according to order:"
I think we need not read the remarks which appear beside the first several names, your Honors. I will just read the first ones. The following ones are similar.
"Fundukidis, Georges: of Michael, born 1916 at Sechum, Soviet Russia, resident at Chania, carpenter, single, 1 child, was always active as Communist. Suspected spy."
The next man, Pronakis, Dimitries, was discovered with leaflets, enemy propaganda, communist activity.
Third, Pronakis, Johann, was also discovered with leaflets, enemy propaganda and communist activity.
The fifth, sixth and seventh men were suspected spies. The eighth, ninth, and tenth are labeled brutal criminals, punished several times previously, as is the eleventh person listed. The 12th is said to be a law breaker, punished several times previously.
I call your Honors' attention to the remarks after the following men on the list: No. 13, on page 248 of the English, 181 of the German:
13. Heim, Michael of Isaak, born 1904 in Kerkira, resident at Iraklion, hat maker, married, 2 children, Politically suspect Jew.
14. Sambaton, Elias of Samboton, born 1902 in Chaina, resident at Iraklion, Pedler, married, 2 children, Politically suspect Jew.
15. Elchai, Abraham of Isaak, born 1870 at Iraklion, resident at Iraklion, plumber, married, 11 children. Politically suspect Jew.
16. Welenis, David of Samuel, born 1902 at Kerkira, resident at Iraklion, cabinetmaker, married, 2 children. Politically suspect Jew.
17. Elchais, Jakob of Abraham, born 1900 at Iraklion.
18. Abigador, Simon of Matthaeus, born 1911 at Chania, resident at Iraklion, official, married, 3 children, Politically suspect Jew.
Your Honors will note in the left hand portion of the document, "District Headquarters Commander, Approved 6 July 1943, signed Mueller."
Your Honors will recall that Frederick Wilhelm Mueller was at this time the Commander of the 22nd Infantry Division, the same Mueller who was executed in May of this year in Greece as a war criminal.
"The execution was finished at 0525 hours. Death was sealed by shooting. Signed: Knebel. 6 July 43."
If Your Honors please, I have been asked by My. Rapp to state for the record, the Prosecution today has handed to Defense Counsel for the defendant Foertsch, one copy of a handbook for the General Staff Officer, a German Army publication which is commonly referred to as "Roter Esel."
We continue now on 250 of the English Document Book, page 183 of the German, Document NOKW 1760, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 548.
This a is a report from the First Mountain Division to the Commander Saloniki Aegean, dated 25 July 1943. Your Honors will recall that at this time the Commander Saloniki Aegean was subordinate to the Commander in Chief Southeast who at this time was General Loehr, with his Chief of Staff General Foertsch. This is an Intermediate Report for the period from 24 July 1700 hours to 25 July o900 hours.
I think the only portion of the report which I need call to your Honors attention is paragraph under c.
"c) 24 July 0400 and 6700 hours 2 counterattacks of bands in strength of 30 to 50 man against Eleftheron. The bands in the area of Eleftheron are mostly uniformed."
The report is signed First Mountain Division, by the I A, and operations officer.
Turning next to page 251 of the English Document Book, page 184 of the German, Document NOKW 1758 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 549. Those are a series of daily reports from the 187th Infantry Reserve Division to Higher Headquarters. The first is the daily report for the 24 August 1943.
187th Reserve Division 462nd Reserve Infantry Regiment . . . . . .In retaliation for an attack on a truck at Paljevina (see Daily Report 21 August 1943) and on gendarmes at Cazma, hostages wore taken in both places . . . .I think we need not read the rest of the report at this time but turn next to page 252 of the English, page 185 of the German, Daily Report for 9 September 1943, from the 187th Reserve Division, to Higher Headquarters.