7 Jan. 46
railway installation, would fall into the
category of those who must be annihilated."
The next document, Your Honor, is 508-PS, which will be Exhibit USA-545.
Now, the Hitler order of 18 October 1942 was actually carried out in a
number of instances of which we have the documentary proof for several.
Document 508-PS shows that during the night of 19-20 November 1942, a
British freight glider crashed near Egersund, in Norway. The glider
carried a British commando unit of 17 men, of whom three were apparently
killed in the crash. All were in British uniform. Fourteen survivors
were executed in accordance with the Hitler Order the evening of 20
November. In proof of this I will read certain extracts from 508-PS,
beginning on Page 1 of the translation, the paragraph numbered "1)":
"1. Following supplementary report is
made about landing of a British freight glider at Egersund in the
night of ... "
It reads
November 11 in the translation, but I believe in the original it was
November 20; that is a typographical error.
"a) No firing on the part of the
German defense.
"b) The towing plane (Wellington) crashed after touching the
ground; 7-man crew dead. The attached freight glider also crashed; of
the 17-man crew 14 alive. Indisputably a sabotage force. Führer
Order has been carried out."
I pass to Page 3 of the translation, on which page appear two teletype
messages, I wish to read the first two paragraphs at the top of the
page:
"On 20 November 1942 at 5:50 an enemy
plane was found 15 kilometers northeast of Egersund. It is a British
aircraft (towed glider) made of wood without engine. Of the 17-member
crew three are dead, six are severely, the others are slightly,
wounded.
"All wore English khaki uniforms without sleeve insignia.
Furthermore, following items were found: 8 knapsacks, tents, skis, and
radiosender, exact number still unknown. The glider carried rifles,
light machine guns and machine pistols, number unknown. At present the
prisoners are with the battalion in Egersund."
Passing to the second teletype message, the first paragraph:
"Beside the 17-member crew extensive
sabotage material and work equipment were found. Therefore the
sabotage purpose was absolutely proved. The 280th Infantry Division
ordered the execution of the action according to the Führer
Order. The execution was carried out toward the evening of 20
November. Some of the prisoners wore blue ski-suits under their khaki