7 Jan. 46
anti-partisan warfare was carried on by
army troops mercilessly and to every extreme, I know as the result of
discussions with army troop leaders, for instance with General Herzog,
Commander of the 38th Army Corps, and with his Chief of Staff, Colonel
Pamberg, in the General Staff, both of whom support my opinion. Today
it is clear to me that anti-partisan warfare gradually became an
excuse for the systematic annihilation of Jewry and Slavism."
Your Lordship, I am told that I misread and said "Hitler"
instead of "Himmler".
I next wish to offer another and shorter statement by Rode, which shows
that the SD Einsatzgruppen were under Wehrmacht command. This is Number
18, Exhibit USA-563; Document Number 3716-PS:
"As far as I know, the SD Einsatz
groups with the individual army groups were completely subordinate to
them, that is to say tactically as well as in every other way. The
commanders were therefore thoroughly cognizant of the missions and
operational methods of these units. They approved of these missions
and operational methods because, apparently, they never opposed them.
The fact that prisoners, such as Jews, agents, and commissars, who
were handed over to the SD, underwent the same cruel death as victims
of so-called purifications, is a proof that the executions had their
approval. This also corresponded with what the highest political and
military authorities wanted. Frequent mentions of these methods were
naturally made in my presence at the OKW and OKH; and they were
condemned by most SS and Police officers, just as they were condemned
by most army officers. On such occasions I always pointed out that it
would have been quite within the scope of the authority of the
commanders of army groups to oppose such methods. I am of the firm
conviction that an energetic and unified protest by all field marshals
would have resulted in a change of these missions and methods. If they
should ever assert that they would then have been succeeded by even
more ruthless commanders, this, in my opinion, would be a foolish and
even cowardly dodge."
I
would like next to read the final affidavit, Number 24, in Document Book
1.
THE PRESIDENT: Colonel Taylor, unless you are going to conclude this
particular part, I think we had better adjourn now.
COL. TAYLOR: I will conclude with two affidavits, Your Honor, but it
will take probably 10 minutes.
THE PRESIDENT: Very well, if that will conclude it, go on.