20 Dec. 45
the Gestapo and the Criminal Police throughout the
occupied countries. The SD operated secretly. One of the things it did
was secretly to mark ballots in order to discover the identity of
persons who cast "No" and invalid votes in the referendum. I
now offer in evidence Document R-142, second volume. I believe it is
toward the end of the document book — R-142, Exhibit USA-481.
This document contains a letter from the branch office of the SD at
Kochem to the SD at Koblenz. The letter is dated 7 May 1938 and refers
to the plebiscite of 10 April 1938. It refers to a letter previously
received from the Koblenz office and apparently is a reply to a request
for information concerning the way in which people voted in the
supposedly secret plebiscite. It is on Page 1 of Document R-142.
THE PRESIDENT: Colonel Storey, I am told that that has been read
before.
COL. STOREY: I did not know it had, if Your Honor pleases. We will just
offer it without reading it then.
With reference to National Socialism and the contribution of the Sipo
and the SD, I refer to an article of 7 September 1942, which is shown in
3344-PS. It is the first paragraph, Volume 2. It is the official
journal. Quoting:
"Already before the taking over of
power, the SD contributed its part to the success of the National
Socialist revolution. Since the taking over of power, the Security
Police and the SD have borne the responsibility for the inner security
of the Reich and have paved the way for a powerful victory of National
Socialism against all resistance."
In connection with the criminal. responsibility of the SD and the
Gestapo, it will be considered with respect to certain War Crimes and
Crimes against Humanity which were in the principal part committed by
the centralized political police system. The development, organization,
and tasks have been considered before. In some instances the crimes were
committed in co-operation or in conjunction with other groups or
organizations.
Now in order to look into the strength of these various organizations,
I have some figures here that I — would like to quote to Your
Honors. The Sipo and SD were composed of the Gestapo, Kripo, and SD. The
Gestapo was the largest, and it has a membership of about 40,000 to
50,000 in 1934 and 1935. That is an error; it is 1943 to 1945. It was
the political force of the Reich.
THE PRESIDENT: Did you say the date was wrong?
COL. STOREY: Yes, Sir, the date was wrong, it is '43 to '45, if Your
Honor pleases; 40 to 50 thousand.