20 Dec. 45
I think it is unnecessary to continue further with the
list. I skip to the fourth paragraph of the report:
"The figures mentioned above indicate
that again a heavy destruction of the population must be expected. If
only 492 rifles are taken from 4,500 enemy dead, this discrepancy
shows that among these enemy dead were numerous peasants from the
country. The Battalion Dirlewanger especially has a reputation for
destroying many human lives. Among the 5,000 people suspected of
belonging to bands, there were numerous women and children.
"By order of the Chief of Anti-Partisan Combat, SS Obergruppenführer
Von dem Bach, units of the Armed Forces have also participated in the
operation."
This is as far
as I will quote.
The Tribunal will recall that SS Obergruppenführer Von dem Bach
was referred to in the Posen speech by Himmler as "our comrade"
whom he had placed in charge of anti-partisan activity.
The activities I have just dealt with were joint activities, in which
the Gestapo, Order Police, the Waffen-SS, and SS police regiments were
all involved. But these units were also used individually to carry out
tasks of such a nature.
I offer in evidence a letter from the Chief of the Command Office of
the Waffen-SS, our Document 1972-PS, as Exhibit Number USA-471. It is a
letter from the Chief of the Command Office of the Waffen-SS to the
Reichsführer SS, dated 14 October 1941; subject: "Intermediate
Report on Civilian State of Emergency." I shall read that letter; I
quote:
"I deliver the following interim
report regarding the commitment of the Waffen-SS in the Protectorate
Bohemia and Moravia during the civilian state of emergency:
"In turn all battalions of the Waffen-SS in the Protectorate
Bohemia and Moravia were assigned to shootings and hangings.
"Up till now there occurred in Prague 99 shootings and 21
hangings, in Brünn 54 shootings and 17 hangings; total: 191
executions (including 16 Jews).
"A complete report regarding other measures and on the conduct
of the officers, noncommissioned officers, and men will be made
following the termination of the civilian state of emergency."
It is not surprising that units of the Waffen-SS and the branches which
had thus been employed in extermination actions and in the execution of
civilians are also to be found violating the laws of warfare when
carrying on ordinary combat operations. I offer in