3
Dec. 45
I now
offer in evidence Document C-2 as Exhibit
USA-90, which is a carbon copy of the original,
signed in pencil. Seven copies of this captured
document, as it shows on its face, were prepared
and distributed on 1 October 1938 to the OKH,
the OKM, the Luftwaffe, and the Foreign Office.
In this study anticipated violations
by Germany of international law in connection
with the invasion of Czechoslovakia are listed
and counterpropaganda suggested for the use of
the propaganda agencies. It is a highly
interesting top-secret document and with a
glance at the original you can see the careful
form in which the study of anticipated
violations of international law and
propagandistic refutations thereof were set out.
The document is prepared in tabular
form, in which the anticipated instances of
violation of international law are listed in the
left hand column. In the second column are given
specific examples of the incidents. In the third
and fourth column the position to be taken
toward these incidents, in violation of
international law and in violation of the laws
of warfare, is set forth.
The fifth
column, which in this document unfortunately is
blank was reserved for the explanations to be
offered by the Propaganda Minister. I first
quote from the covering letter:
"Enclosed
is a list drawn up by Section L of the
OKW, of the violations of international
law which may be expected on the part of
fighting troops.
"Owing
to the short time allowed for the
compilation, Columns c-1 and c-2 had to
be filled in directly therefore, for the
time being.
"The branches
of the Armed Forces are requested to
send in an opinion so that a final
version may be drawn up.
"The
same is requested of the Foreign Office.
"The Chief of the Supreme Command
of the Armed Forces.
"By
order" — signed — "Bürckner."
I am sorry that I perhaps cannot take the time
to read extensively from this document. I shall
confine myself to reading the first 10
hypothetical incidents for which justification
must be found from the second column, Column b
of the table:
"First:
In an air raid on Prague the British
Embassy is destroyed."
"Second:
Englishmen or Frenchmen are injured or
killed.
"Third: The
Hradschin is destroyed in an air raid on
Prague.
"Fourth: On
account of a report that the Czechs have
used gas, the firing of gas projectiles
is ordered.
"Fifth: Czech
civilians, not recognizable as soldiers,
are caught in the act of sabotage
(destruction of an important bridge,