I am also ready-as I was in several camps and have therefore found a relatively large proportion of my comrades in misfortune again-to get hold of these to confirm my statements. I should like to add also that I was carried off by SA men in Berlin as early as March 1933-i.e. immediately after the taking over of power-and was very badly ill-treated, so that I had to be picked up in the street and taken to the Urban Hospital at Friedrichshain. It seems to me that the documents regarding this can be found in the hospital concerned. All I wish to say here is that the SA in no way lagged behind the SS in their murderous and criminal methods at that time already. I, Rudolf Schoenberg, hereby declare that the above statements are founded on pure truth and I am at all times ready to repeat and add to this testimony on oath. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 22 July 1946. Certified a true signature of Schoenberg in the presence of the undersigned: [signed] Melvin W. Nietz Major, Infantry Military Government Officer TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT C-60 TOP SECRET FUEHRER H.Q. 24 March 1941 8 copies Copy Nr. 3. High Command of the Armed Forces Top Secret Only by officer Subject: Reconnaissance and attack within Greek territorial water (Island of Crete) Effective immediately, the Leader and Supreme Commander has authorized reconnaissance and attack against all naval forces (including Greek forces) within Greek territorial waters surrounding the island of Crete. The Chief of the High Command By Order [signed] JODL Distribution: Supreme Command of the Air Force, Air Force General Supreme Command of the Army (Information) 1st copy ... 2nd copy Supreme Command of the Navy, naval situation report. 3rd copy Chief, Armed Forces operational Staff MID/24/T 7/45. TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT C-100 TOP SECRET. "SINK AT SIGHT" POLICY Throughout the latter part of 1939 and the beginning of 1940, the "sink at sight" policy was being evolved by the Germans. The following extracts from German documents all have some bearing on this subject. I. Extracts from documents contained in "Kriegstagebuch 1 Skl. C. Heft VII. Oberlegungen des Chefs der Seekriegsleitung und Niederschriften ueber Besprechungen mit dem Fuehrer." 23.9.39. From a report on a conference in Zoppot between the Chief of Naval War Staff (Raeder) and the Fuehrer, at which Generaloberst Keitel was present: "(2) The strengthening of A/S activity (planes, armed merchant ships) eliminates the possibility of searching British merchant ships. The Fuehrer agrees to the proposal that action without warning be taken against any merchant ship, definitely established as enemy (not passenger ships), on the assumption that she will be armed. When possible, neutrals should be specially well-treated, in order to show that the system has not been radically altered." (P.3 of "Unterredung Chef der Skl. mit dem Fuehrer am 23.9 in Zoppot. (In Gegenwart Generaloberst Keitel)") 16.10.39. From a report, signed by Raeder (Ob.D.M.) [C. in C. of the Navy] on a meeting he had with the Fuehrer. General Jodl was present: "(2) Report on the intensification of the war at sea, as an appendix to the memorandum sent to the Fuehrer. The Fuehrer has agreed to: (a) the torpedoing of French and British merchant ships without warning. (b) the torpedoing of passenger ships in convoy, provided that some time elapses between the announcement of this intention and the torpedoing. Ob.d.M. points out that passenger ships are already being torpedoed, if they sail without lights." ("Vortrag Ob.d.M. beim Fuehrer am 16.10.1939. General Jodl") 10.11.39. Gegenwart From a report, signed by Raeder, on a meeting he had with the Fuehrer. Gen.Ob. Keitel and Korv. Kapt v. Puttkamer were present: Query: Should a proclamation, concerning the intensification of the U-boat war, be made to neutral countries at the time of the commencement of a land offensive, so that any protests to it, by being made at the same time as other, possibly stronger protests, create less stir in the world? Ob.d.M. suggests a much more gradual intensification-step by step-without, for the time being, taking a proclamation into account. At the moment, a proclamation such as this is less necessary, as the Americans have themselves announced a prohibited area for their ships round Britain and France, whereby encounters with the powerful neutrals are eliminated. (See appendix.) Ob.d.M. suggests as the next step, the sinking without warning of enemy passenger ships, which are often heavily armed and used as troop transports, or for carrying contraband cargoes. It is known that these ships are armed; it is even shown in pictures. The Fuehrer agrees to this, provided that the names of the large ships concerned are announced, and that it is established that they are being used as auxiliary cruisers or troop transports. Ob.d.M. suggests, as a later step, the sinking without warning of neutral ships, which we definitely know carry contraband goods, whose port and time of departure and whose route are known to us (i.e. Greek steamers). The suggestion will be put forward by Ob.d.M. for consideration as soon as the possibility of a change in attitude among neutral nations is established (i.e. in the case of an offensive). The immunity from attack of ships owned by friendly nations (Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain) should be continued. Setting up of a communications and control organization in neutral ports (appendix, section B, final sentence)." ("Vortrag beim Fuehrer am 10.XI.1939 (Gegenwart: Gen.Ob. Keitel und K.Kpt.v. Puttkamer).") "I. Proclamation Appendix to the above: By the declaration of a prohibited zone for American ships in the European area, a new situation has arisen in connection with the necessity of an announcement in the form of a proclamation. The possibility exists that the war at sea against. Britain can be intensified to such an extent by war measures, that almost the identical goal is attained as that aimed at by the proclamation. The intentions of the general war directorate must be considered when the necessity for the issue of a proclamation, or the appointing of its time of issue, is settled. II. Measures for the intensification of the war on merchant shipping. (A) Present position: (1) The following are not yet affected by the intense form of war on merchant shipping (sinking without warning): (a) all neutral merchant ships sailing alone, or under neutral escort; (b) passenger ships sailing alone (even armed passenger ships), if they are built to accommodate a large number of passengers. (2) The following are not, as yet, liable to capture: (a) merchant ships of friendly neutral states: Italy, Spain, Japan, Russia; (b) all neutral ships sailing alone towards an enemy port, provided that their manner is correct and their cargo does not include contraband goods; (c) all neutral ships, without contraband goods on board sailing from enemy ports. (B) Suggestion for further intensification: (as a measure to be put into force when the most intense form is required) (a) freedom of action against all enemy ships, including passenger ships: Grounds: armament, use as troop transports. (b) further methodical laying of mines in British harbours and approach points. (c) concentrated attack by the operational air force on the main enemy import harbors. (d) support of these war measures by the setting up of a communications and control organisation in neutral ports, and by strong political and economic pressure on neutral countries for the purpose of terminating their merchant shipping traffic with Britain. * * * * (V) Further possibilities, which are, however, undesirable at the present time: (1) merchant shipping warfare in accordance with the Prize Regulations against Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Japanese ships. (2) the sinking without warning of all neutral ships which are known to be carrying contraband goods to Britain. ("Anlage zum Vortrage des Ob.D.M. v. 10.XI.39. Fuer Vortrag des Ob.d.M. beim Fuehrer” — in full.) 30.12.39. From a report, unsigned, on a meeting between Ob.d.M. (Raeder) and the Fuehrer, at which Gen.Ob.Keitel and Freg.Kapt. v. Puttkamer were present: * * * * "(5) Intensification of the U-boat war. See appendix. The procedure, in force until now, of general intensification without any special announcement, has been successful. Should a proclamation of general intensification of the war be made (the Fuehrer has approved this), it is desired that it be merely a general intimation of intensification even of the war at sea, and that it contain no concrete definitions. Furthermore, it is requested that the Naval War Staff have full power to carry out any steps of intensification, which the general situation and the preparedness of the means of war allows. The full consent of the Fuehrer, however, must in every case be gained beforehand. The same process must be carried out even if no proclamation be made. The Fuehrer, thus, gives his consent to: (a) Merchant ships of nations which sell or charter ships to Britain-mainly Greek ships-may be fired on and sunk without warning within the American prohibited area. This may be done by one or more U-boats according to the situation, and will possibly be limited to specific areas. (b) In those sections of the American prohibited area, in which the fiction of danger of mines can be maintained i.e. the Bristol Channel, all or single U-Boats may fire 744400-47-55 |