. NMT04-T0583
Volume IV · Page 583
changes and corrections in the above statement. I made this statement of my own free will without any promise of reward, and I was not subjected to any threat or duress whatsoever. "Nuernberg, Germany, 24 February 1947 |
| [Signature] Heinz Hermann Schubert" |
| That the execution described by Schubert actually took place is established conclusively not only by reports but by the testimony of other witnesses as well. In fact, Schubert himself said — |
"This was the execution which has been discussed here repeatedly. It was the execution for which the 11th Army had given orders to the Einsatzgruppe to carry it out before a certain time. This deadline, as far as I know, was Christmas or the end of the year 1941." |
| At the trial the defendant endeavored to
dilute the force of his affidavit by saying that the word "supervise", which is
frequently used in his narrative, does not correctly report the functions lie
performed at the execution; he did not supervise but merely inspected. The
affidavit consisted of three pages, he made a correction on page one and
initialed the correction, placed his abbreviated name at the bottom of the
first two pages and signed his full name at the bottom of the last page.
However, even if the affidavit were to be disregarded, his account on the witness stand of the part he played in the execution of defenseless and innocent people would clearly take him within the purview of Control Council Law No. 10. When asked why these 700 to 800 people were shot, he replied — |
"I did not know why the individuals were being executed. It is possible that there were persons among them who, because of some special examination, were being executed. As for me, in general, however, I was certain of one thing, that this was an execution based on the Fuehrer Order." |
| When asked what he had done in the early stages of this operation he emphasized that he did not select the place for the execution. It was then pointed out to him that his affidavit did not so indicate. |
"This does not say that you selected it. It says that you went there to make certain that the place selected for the shooting was so located that it would fall within the regulations, namely, that there would not be any unnecessary witnesses to the shooting." |
| He affirmed this version. With regard to the taking of the valuables he also confirmed in Court. |
"I convinced myself that the collection of money and valuables of people to be shot was not done by force, etc." |
