. NMT05-T0146
Volume V · Page 146
| as is shown by a letter dated 20 September 1944 from the Higher SS and Police Leader Southeast to deputies of the RKFDV, in which it is stated: |
"In the individual case of a member of group 3 who refused acceptance of the German People's List identification card in order to avoid being drafted into the army, the Reich Leader has decided that in this and similar cases firm action will have to be taken and has ordered the execution of the individual in question. |
| It is quite clear from the evidence that Lorenz was an active and willing participant in the forced conscription of enemy nationals. One document in the evidence discloses that he had suggested such conscriptions. Another document, from which we shall quote, should suffice to show his close connections and active participation in this matter. On 21 December 1942, in a report to the Assistant Secretary of the Foreign Office by Berger, head of the recruiting office of the Waffen SS, a lengthy account is given concerning the activity of Lorenz and others in the induction into the Waffen SS of members of "compulsory labor service of Croatia." It appears from this report that some dissension had arisen among officials with regard to this proposed induction, and it was finally decided "to postpone a decision about the labor service until SS Obergruppenfuehrer Lorenz visited Croatia." This report then continues: |
"During this visit to Croatia SS Obergruppenfuehrer Lorenz informed the officer commanding the reserve command that he desired the induction of all the men of the labor service who were fit for the SS. One third of the leaders could join as well, otherwise, however, the labor service should be maintained as arranged. SS Obergruppenfuehrer Lorenz made an identical statement to the racial German leaders as Minister Kasche himself states in a teletype message of 7 November 1942. SS Obergruppenfuehrer Lorenz stated furthermore that he would inform Minister Kasche of the state of affairs." |
| According to further details of the report, a transport was supposed to leave on 5 November 1942 with inductees, but difficulties arose when the German labor service and the German legation failed to give their approval to the release of the laborers. Thereupon, according to the report, the following occurred: |
"SS Obersturmfuehrer Heermann told SS Standartenfuehrer Ruschka that troop trains for the transportation of the labor |
