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Volume IV · Page 544
the effect that he hoped that Germany would lose the war because it was an unjust war that she was waging, what would you do? |
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"Q. You are on your way home one evening from the office and someone comes up to you and tells you that he overheard Hans Smith inveigh against the German Army, the German Government, Hitler and the whole National Socialist regime * * * What would you do? " |
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"Q. Well, let's go a little further. This man who stops you on your way home, says 'by the way, I just found out that there is a plot on here to kill Hitler. I heard the men talking about this; I know the house in which they gather; I saw some bombs being taken into the house and I want you to know about this, Herr Biberstein.' What would you do? |
| In a further denial that he ordered
executions Biberstein said that a pastor has the task "to help souls but never
to judge". Biberstein was no longer a pastor, professionally, spiritually, or
intellectually. He had already denounced his church and his religion and when
asked why he did not offer religious comfort to those who were about to be
killed under his orders and in his presence, he said that he could not cast
"pearls before swine". But despite his never swerving determination to avoid an incriminating answer, truth in an unguarded moment emerged and Biberstein confessed to murder from the witness stand. He steadfastly had maintained that every execution had been preceded by an investigation. As chief of the Kommando which conducted the executions, his was the responsibility to be certain that these investigations revealed guilt. However, if conceivably he could — although in law and in fact he could not — but even if arguendo he could be excused from responsibility for the death of those who |
