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JUDGE DALY, Presiding: Well, I notice on page 43 of document book 6,
Lehmann Document 385¹ in what purports to be a circular, it says,
“The Fuehrer has issued instructions that Russian prisoners of war are to
be put at the disposal of the German industry in large numbers.” And
Exhibit 9662 in the same book there was a written order not to employ prisoners
of war for armaments manufacturing and transport. Now I was wondering if that
had been amended or changed when the first had been in writing, if the second
one wasn’t in writing, if there was a second one changing it. Have you any
document, Doctor, showing an amendment to that written order?
DR. WOLF:
I am afraid I can’t tell you at the moment. I don’t have document
book 6 with me.
JUDGE DALY, Presiding: Well, it will just take a
minute. On pages 3 and 4 of document book 6 is Exhibit 966, Document 460, that
is an excerpt from the Reich Labor Gazette of 25 July 1940, and that says,
“prisoners of war can also be employed in other working projects essential
to the war effort. Prisoners of war are only assigned to work on projects which
are non-essential to the war effort and of secondary importance.” Then it
says later on, under, “Basic Conditions. The work to be performed by the
prisoners of war must not be connected directly with operations of war. In
particular, the employment of prisoners of war for the production and
transportation of arms or ammunition is prohibited.” Now, is there
anything in writing amending that order or directive?
A. The first
decree is from 1940, and that is a time when the war with Soviet Russia had not
yet begun.
Q. Well, let me ask it this way: Is there any document which
is in the form of an order or decree from any part of the German government
ordering prisoners of war to work in German industry?
A. Judge Daly, I
want to make the following statement: During the time of the so-called Third
Reich there was in Germany besides the written law, an unwritten law.
Q. I am not asking you that. I am just simply asking whether there was
any order from Hitler or any other person in any governmental position changing
the one I just read, and ordering prisoners of war employed in armament
industry.
A. I have presented documents about this in which Goering
after a discussion announced Hitler’s attitude and Hitler’s
desire.³ |
__________
¹ The Defense Exhibit
969, is reproduced above in section VIII G I.
² Lehmann Document
460, Defense Exhibit 966. an extract from the Reich Labor Gazette, 25 July
1940, compiling numerous decrees concerning the employment of prisoners of war,
is reproduced in part in section VIII G 1, above.
³ Lehmann
Document 515, Defense Exhibit 940, and Lehmann Document 170, Defense Exhibit
989, both of which are reproduced above in section VIII G 1.
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