[how…] ever, it was possible
to increase the production of concentrates by the ore dressing plant to about 4
tons. The number of personnel for the mine was 252 at the end of the year of
the report.” |
The mine was operated until June 1944 when the Germans were forced to
evacuate due to the advance of the Allied forces. Before departing, however,
the equipment was thoroughly and systematically destroyed and surface buildings
set on fire. Dynamite was used to destroy much of the surface machinery.
During the period of exploitation of the mine approximately 50 tons of
tungsten ore concentrates were removed and shipped to Germany, some of which
reached the Krupp plants. The system of mining used — that of stripping
— was designed to obtain the maximum quantity of ore within the shortest
period of time and without regard to future mining operations. As a result,
considerable exploratory work and reconstruction would be necessary before
normal mining operations could be resumed by the French owners. This operation
resulted in supplying Germany and the Krupp firm with at least 50 to 60 tons of
a very valuable and very scarce metal which was taken from the French owner
without authorization and for which he received no compensation. The operation
of this mine was of such importance that the subject was discussed at a
conference between Hitler and Speer in August 1942. Notes of the latter
state: |
| |
"I reported to the Fuehrer on the
development of the Wolfram-Mine Montbelleux. The development should be carried
through completely." |
| am satisfied from the credible evidence presented before us that the
confiscation of this mine was a violation of Article 46 of the Hague
Regulations. The removal of the ore concentrates to Germany and the systematic
destruction of the machinery at the time of the evacuation were acts of
spoliation in which the Krupp firm participated |
| |
| |
| CHROMASSEO MINES, YUGOSLAVIA |
| |
| On 10 October 1940 Johannes Schroeder, a direct subordinate to
defendant Loeser in the finance department, submitted a very thorough and
excellent intelligence report to his superiors in the Krupp firm on the then
economic, political, and military conditions in Yugoslavia. Just 6 months
thereafter (6 April 1941) the German Army invaded Yugoslavia and Greece.
Defendant Loeser thought so well of the report that he set up the distribution
list in his own handwriting, on the list being the names |
. 
