1
Dec. 45
the
Army or the Armed Forces Operations Staff? Or
did the Army give the orders for transmission by
way of the High Command of the Armed Forces?
LAHOUSEN: Actually, speaking of
myself, in questions of this kind, regarding
matters which concerned my department, I had
dealings only with my immediate superior,
Canaris; and the superior of Canaris at that
time was the OKW under Keitel, and he was in
touch with the gentlemen of the Armed Forces
Operational Staff, and now and then with the
members of the General Staff of the Army. I
could mention specific cases from memory. But in
general the procedure was such as I described
it.
DR. NELTE: Is it true that Keitel,
as the Chief of the OKW, at first every year,
and then from 1943 on, at regular and shorter
intervals, spoke to the office and department
chiefs of the OKW; and on such occasions made a
point of telling them that anyone who believed
that something was being asked of him which his
conscience would not allow him to carry out
should tell him, Keitel, about it personally?
LAHOUSEN: It is true that the Chief of
the OKW did several times address the circle
just mentioned. I cannot recall any exact words
of his which could be interpreted in such a way
as to mean that one could take the risk, in
cases about which I testified yesterday, of
speaking with him so openly and frankly as
myself and others, that is, witnesses still
alive, could speak to Canaris at any time. I
definitely did not have that impression,
whatever the meaning might have been which was
given to his words at that time.
DR.
NELTE: Do I understand you correctly to mean
that in principle you do not wish to challenge
the fact that Keitel actually said these words?
LAHOUSEN: I can neither challenge it,
nor can I add anything to it, because I have no
exact recollection of it. I do recall that these
addresses or conferences took place, and it is
quite possible that the Chief of the OKW at that
time might have used those words. I can only add
what I have already said.
DR. NELTE:
Is it true that on several occasions, you, in
the company of Admiral Canaris, as well as
alone, had audience with the Chief of the OKW,
in order to discuss with him plans or
undertakings of a delicate nature, which were in
the purview of your official duties?
LAHOUSEN:
Yes, I said a great deal about that yesterday;
and I do not feel I have the right to talk about
such things unless I was there personally.
DR.
NELTE: I had the impression yesterday that in
many respects you were acting as a mouthpiece
for Admiral Canaris, who