18 Dec. 45
Thus, early in 1940, 11 months after the initiation of
the program for establishment of the library for ideological research,
the original purpose had been expanded so as to include the seizure of
art works not only for the benefit of research but for the delectation
of the Führer and Göring and the enhancement of the
collections of German museums.
Impelled as they were by the perfidious dream of subjugating a
continent, the Nazi conspirators could not content themselves merely
with the exploitation of the cultural riches of France and rapidly
extended their activities to the other occupied countries. I now offer
in evidence Document Number 137-PS as Exhibit USA-379. That is a copy of
an order signed by the Defendant Keitel, dated 5th of July 1940, and I
should like to read that brief order in full:
"To: The Chief of Army High Command,
Chief of the Armed Forces in the Netherlands.
"Reichsleiter Rosenberg has suggested to the Führer that:
"l. The state libraries and archives be searched for documents
valuable to Germany.
"2. The Chancelleries of the high Church authorities and the
lodges be searched for political maneuvers directed against us and
that the material in question be seized.
"The Führer has ordered that this suggestion be followed
and that the Gestapo, supported by the archivists of Reichsleiter
Rosenberg, be put in charge of the searches. The Chief of Security
Police, SS-Gruppenführer Heydrich, has been informed. He will
communicate with the competent military commanders in order to execute
this order.
"These measures will be executed in all regions of the
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France occupied by us.
"It is requested that subordinate services be informed.
"Chief of High Command of the Armed Forces," — signed —
"Keitel."
From the
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France the Einsatzstab's
activities ultimately were expanded still further to Norway and Denmark.
I now offer in evidence Document 159-PS, Exhibit USA-380, which is the
copy of an order signed by Utikal, Chief of the Einsatzstab, dated the
6th of June 1944, from which it is seen that a special mission of the
Einsatzstab was sent to Norway and Denmark.
As the German Army penetrated to the East, the fingers of the
Einsatzstab reached out to seize the cultural riches thus made available
to them; and their activities were extended to the