be fruitful to our two peoples and States. I believe this all the more because a firmly established reliable relationship of Germany to Yugoslavia, now that, owing to historical events, we 24 have become neighbours with common boundaries fixed for all time, will not only guarantee lasting peace between our two peoples and countries, but can also represent an element of calm to our nerve-wracked continent. This peace is the goal of all who are disposed to perform really constructive work. الله PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT TC-93 PROCLAMATION OF THE FUEHRER TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE, 6 APRIL 1941 [Documents Concerning the Conflict with Yugoslavia and Greece (Dokumente zum Konflict mit Jugoslawien und Griechenland) Berlin, 1941, Page 2.] From the beginning of the struggle it has been England's steadfast endeavour to make the Balkans a theatre of war. British diplomacy did, in fact, using the model of the World War, succeed in first ensnaring Greece by a guarantee offered to her, and then finally in misusing her for Britain's purposes. The documents published today afford a glimpse of a practice which, in accordance with very old British recipes, is a constant attempt to induce others to fight and bleed for British interests. In the face of this. I have always emphasized that (1) The German people have no antagonism to the Greek people, but that (2) We shall never, as in the World War, tolerate a Power establishing itself on Greek territory with the object, at a given time, of being able to advance thence from the south-east into German living space. We have swept the northern flank free of the English: we are resolved not to tolerate such a threat in the south! In the interests of a genuine consolidation of Europe, it has been my endeavour, since the day of my assumption of power, above all to establish a friendly relationship with Yugoslavia. I have consciously put out of mind everything that once took place between Germany and Serbia. I have not only offered the Serbian people the hand of the German people, but, in addition, have made efforts as an honest broker to assist in bridging all difficulties which existed between the Yugoslav State and various nations allied to Germany. High Command of the Armed Forces. Fuehrer's H.Q. 26 May 1943. 20 copies, Copy No. 8. Ref: Treatment of supporters of De Gaulle who fight for the Russians. French airmen serving in the Soviet forces have been shot down on the Eastern front for the first time. The Fuehrer has ordered that employment of French troops in the Soviet forces is to be counteracted by the strongest means. It is therefore ordered: 1. Supporters of de Gaulle who are taken prisoner on the Eastern front will be handed over to the French government for proceedings in accordance with OKW order/WR/I/3 Nr. 4697/40 of 6 Dec 40. 2. All instances of this type will be collected and be used for exerting political pressure on the French government, which is responsible, in accordance with the terms of the armistice, for preventing members of the French forces from leaving France. Steps to be taken against the French government are being prepared by OKW/A.Ausl./Abw.Ag.Ausl. in conjunction with the foreign office. 3. Detailed investigations are to be made in appropriate cases against relatives of Frenchmen who fight for the Russians, if these relatives are resident in the occupied area of France. If the investigation reveals that relatives have given assistance to facilitate escape from France then severe measures are to be taken. OKW/WR is making the necessary preparations with the Military Commander on the spot, and with the SS and Police chief. Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces Certified correct copy. [signature illegible] (signed) KEITEL Certified correct 90 Lt.Col.G.S. aft ofgeso Capt. Distribution etc. NOT VIA REGISTRY 4 Jan. 1944 V Amt Ausland/Abwehr Ag Ausland Nr. 17/44 gKdos I B2 SECRET COMMAND MATTER Note Chief High Mil. Command We want documents on basis of which we can institute similar proceedings. They are reprisals which have no connection with battle actions. Legal indications are superfluous 8 Jan. To be submitted to the Chief High Mil. Command. via Chief Foreign Direct/Security. 2 copies of which this copy is certified correct. (signed) REICHEL Re counteraction to KHARKOV show trial In compliance with orders received the following steps have so far been taken. 1. "The army dept. for investigations of infringement" at WR has, since 1940 been carefully collecting all documentary evidence through which breaches of international law by the enemy up to the present have been placed on record. This evidence has been thoroughly checked by means of interrogation under oath of the participating soldiers. A systematic survey of this material has already been presented to WFSt by the foreign dept. in 1942. On going through the material for the present purpose (counteraction KHARKOV) it has been found, however, that in none. of the cases detailed information about the participants is available. It therefore only remains: a. To ascertain, in conjunction with the general staff of the army, which troop formations were present on the enemy's side at the time of the ascertained breaches of international law. b. To ask the chief PW organization to ascertain whether any PW from troop formations used at the time are in German hands. This information has been handed over to the Chief PW orranization and investigation is in progress. The events in Crete, at Dieppe and in N. Africa have been brought into the scope of the investigations. The collecting of further evidence is costing a great deal of time owing to the large distances between the service depts. concerned. 2. The documents referred to "Commandos" have been collected by the Reich security HQ and thoroughly investigated. In five cases members of the British armed forces have been ar rested as participants. In accordance with the order of the Fuehrer they were thereupon shot. The possibility would exist that breaches of international law could not be attributed to tnem and they could be posthumously sentenced to death by the way of the courts. Up to the present no breaches of international law can be proved against the commando participants. The documentary material to hand is therefore, correspondingly poor: further material has been asked for. When this has been received and examined it will be passed on to the Armed Forces Legal Dept. and a further report submitted. NOT VIA REGISTRY Signed: R Foreign Dept. of Defense. Foreign Directorate / Security Foreign Dept. No. 17/44 VERY SECRET DOCUMENT OU 6 Jan. 1944 5 copies, 1st copy SECRET COMMAND MATTER High Army Command, Army Operational Staff, 2. REPORT MEMORANDUM To Chief, High Command via Chief for: Direct./Sec. 12 Jan 1944 Re: Counteraction to KHARKOV SHOW TRIAL In pursuance of the orders received the following "Commando" cases have been established up to the present: 1. Guerilla activities in North Africa. a. 1st Lieut Michael Alexander, born 20 Nov 20 b. Cpl Gurney, born 8 Feb 19, in London (Volume 6) were landed on 15 Aug 42 in North Africa together with sabotage commando. After blowing up several ammunition dumps and splinter proof walls they surprised Cpl Seemann and 3 soldiers in their tent on the morning of 16 Aug 42, bound them, rendered an MG useless and took 2 German army pistols and two German army forage caps with them. For this attack A and G were only dressed in khaki coloured shirts and trousers and wore no headgear. Cpl G was wearing an English web belt with a canvas pistol pouch whilst 1st Lieut A was wearing a German pistol pouch made of black leather. During his flight after the raid A out on the German tropical cap which he had taken with him. The attacked Cpl Seemann found him a few hours later hidden in a sand pit under a straw mat and took him prisoner. Proceedings for guerilla activities have been brought before the Reich court martial by order of the Fuehrer (sheet 29) and he charge sheet (sheet 6) has been brought before the Reich ninister of foreign affairs (sheet 37). Proceedings have been emporarily suspended by order of the Chief OKW (sheet 43/46). The accused are at present in the Eichstadt Bavaria camp as ordinary PWs (sheet 22). 2. Attempted attacks on the battleship Tirpitz. At the end of October 42 a British commando that had come o Norway in a cutter had orders to carry out an attack on the attleship Tirpitz in Drontheim Fjord by means of a two-man orpedo. The action failed since both torpedoes which were ttached to the cutter were lost in the stormy sea. From amongst he crew consisting of 6 Englishmen and 4 Norwegians a party f 3 Englishmen and 2 Norwegians were challenged on the wedish border. However, only the British seaman Robert Paul vans born 14 Jan 22 at London, could be arrested, the others scaped into Sweden. Evans had a pistol pouch in his possession such as are used o carry weapons under the arm-pit and also a knuckle-duster. Violence, representing a breach of international law could not e proved. He has made extensive statements about the operaion. In accordance with the Fuehrer's order (sheet 15 and 53) e was shot on 19 Jan 42. 3. Blowing up of the Glomfjord Power Station. On 16 Sep 42 10 Englishmen and 2 Norwegians landed on the Jorwegian coast dressed in the uniform of the British Mountain 693261-47-35 |