There is an illegible signature, "Colonel in the General Staff".
Then for 1 July 43, the stamp and the entry is for 1 June, Commanderin-Chief:
"Commander-in-Chief: Flew with Ia to Sarajevo, conference there with Fliegerfuehrer of Croatia, Brigadier General Chamies and Commander of the German Troops in Croatia, Lieutenant General, Infantry, Lueters, and Colonel, General Staff Corps, Pfafferot. Journey to Foca, conference with the Commander of 118th Jaeger Division, Brigadier General Kuebler, continuation of journey to the artillery positions of Gaertler unit, journey back to Sarajevo, conference of the situation with the Commander of the German Troops in Croatia.
"20 June:
"Service Instructions: The Staff of the Commander South Greece is transformed into the Staff 'Commanding General and Commander South Greece' to take effect at once."
MR. DENNEY: And then the last entry, except for the conclusion "Reprisal measures against acts of sabotage OKW/WFST.
has ordered, with order Opns. Top Secret, quick and decisive reprisal measures against sabotage acts. Detailed supplementary instructions to this are being sent by order Ia No. 1585/43 Secret to the Commanders and the troop staffs subordinated to the Army Group.
For the Commander-in-Chief, Southeast (High Command, Army Group E) For the Chief of the General Staff.
MR. DENNEY: That is all typed. There is an initial out to the right. And here again it might be appropriate to pass the Court this document, some twenty-five pages, of which we have used about three; but we are furnishing the entire one to the defense counsel. That, If Your Honors please, concludes Document Book 11, and now the presentation of Document Book 12 will be undertaken by Mr. Rapp, who would have been with us earlier in this case had he not been unavoidably absent and has just been above to return from America.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, we are turning now....
THE PRESIDENT (Judge Carter Preceding): What is the name of the Counsel who is now addressing the Court?
MR. RAPP: Mr. Rapp - R - A - P - P.
THE PRESIDENT: Apparently I do not have Volume 12. (Supplied the Court) You may proceed.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, we are turning now to Document Book No. 12, page 1 of the English and page 1 of the German. The first document is Document No. NOKW-941, which is offered as B prosecution's Exhibit No. 285. This document is a divisional order from the 373rd Croatian Infantry Division - page 1 of the original; it is stamped "secret", "For Operation in the Area of Cardaci." It is dated 2 July 1943. "1) Enemy reports of the last few days confirmed the presence of a strong Partisan Group (figure mentioned is 1500) in the area of Cardaci.
In Skakavic, Cardaci, Petacici, staffs were reported present on the Zjamet Mountain 1 depot was reported. On page 2 of the original: "7.) Suspected persons are to be arrested. People encountered carrying arms are to be shot to death after interrogation. Prisoners with valuable statements are to be turned over to the Ic Branch of the Division." That, Your Honors, is the Intelligence Branch. "Cattle obviously belonging to bands is to be driven out. Communities having aided and abetted bands (finding of material. entrenchment of the enemy) are to be leveled." Page 3 of the original -- Ruthless measures are to be taken against Red bands... Operations under the directions of the Division." And this is certified to be a true copy by a Lieutenant Colonel, of the General Staff Corps, and it is signed in draft by Zellner, Major General and Divisional Commander. And you will find below the distribution lists two elements lower than the division headquarters. The next document, Your Honors, is Document No. NOKW-1013, on page 2 of the German Document Book and on page 3 of the English Document Book. These are excerpts from a War Diary of the 104th Jaeger Division. It becomes Prosecution's Exhibit No. 286. It was started on the 1st of April 1943 and completed on the 9th of July 1943. We are turning now to page 2 of the original document, which is page 3 of the German and page 4 of the English Document Book. "The IIIrd Serbian Volunteer Corps shoots to death 23 daptives who were convicted of belonging to Communists." If Your Honors permit us at this time, I believe there has been a slight mistake in the translation of the original document, and I would ask Your Honors' permission to hand this document to the Court Interpreter to straighten out this particular paragraph I am having reference to.
THE PRESIDENT: We'll handle it that way.
(Court Page takes document to Court Interpreter, Mr. Lea)
MR. LEA (German-to -English Interpreter): The IIIrd Serbian Volun teer Corps shoots 25 arrestees who were proved to be members of the Communists.
The shooting shall be made public by proclamations of the District of Pozarevac.
MR. RAPP: I believe this is all we have reference to, and if Your Honors permit, we would like to change the word "convicted." I'm repeating this for the record only, as the translator has corrected it to the word "proved." Is that agreeable with Your Honors?
THE PRESIDENT: Is it agreeable to the Defense?
DR. LATERNSER: Yes, it is.
THE PRESIDENT: It is so ordered.
MR. RAPP: Thank you. On the same page, that is page 4 of the English and page 3 of the German, I continue, "349 Prisoners taken by Serbian Volunteer Corps and Serbian State Guard of which three were shot to death and 227 turned over to the SD. Prisoners made by troops: 162, of which 83 were turned over to the SD, 25 released, 11 transferred to the compulsory labor camp, the rest are still with the unit." Page 3 and 4 of the German, page 5 of the English, April 4, 1943, we find the following entry:
By order of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia. In reprisal for the member of the organization Todt shot to death by Communists, 8 kilometers South of Pozarevac, 75 hostages were shot to death in Pozarevac by the SD. The executions are secured by units of the garrison.
MR. RAPP: This, in other words, is the 1 to 75 ratio. On the 16th of April 1943, still on the same page we find the following entry:
In Pozarevac 30 hostages shot to death by the SD as a reprisal measure for the murder of the Mayor of Sirakovo (13 kilometers Northeast Pozarevac).
(signed) von Ludwiger.
MR. RAPP: On the next page. Your Honors, page 6 of the English and page 4 of the German Document Book, is the entry of 22nd of April 1943:
The 1st Battalion of the 734th Jaeger Regiment together with SD Pozarevac and 1 armored Reconnaissance car carrying out operations to Rudna Clava, during Night of 22 to 23 April. At 2230 hours to 0030 hours guards and billets in Rudna Clava are being fired on.
Five arrested DM suspects were shot to death by the SD, one farm which offered billets to the insurgents was burned down.
MR. RAPP: Now, we Turn to page 7 of the English and page 4 of the German Document Book, and we find under the entry of April 25, 1943 the following:
The Division applies to the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia in retaliation for the shooting to death of three captured German soldiers by the Communists near Binovac on 23 April:
1.) To evacuate the village Binovac and to burn it down as well as deport all men from 16 to 60 years of age for compulsory labor in Germany.
2.) To shoot to death 150 Communists imprisoned in Belgrade from the Districts of Mladenovac and Smederevo, at the place of the attack.
MR. RAPP: This is the 1 to 50 ratio. On the same page, under the entry of 6 May 1943:
In Pozarevac, 27 Communists shot to death by the SD in reprisal for the murder of the Mayor and Community clerk of Vosanac.
Your Honors, turn now to page 8 of your document book which is page 5 of the defense counsel document book, we will find under May 14, 1943:
Pozarevac ---
The Division applied to the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia for the shooting to death of 125 Communists hostages and the evacuation of the villages of Kamendo and Dubona in reprisal for the attack on the railroad patrol near the Station of Drazanj Sepsin ----20 May 1943 in the same diary.
Night of 19 to 20 May, the Depot of the Serbian State Guard in the District office Kamenica (14 Kilometers North west/Valjevo) looted by about 30 bandits while the Serbian State Guard was committed. Arms, ammunition and tobacco was taken. --
Bandits are wearing unfamiliar insignia. - -
The Division received approval of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia for the burning down of houses near the locality of the incident and for the shooting to death of the male population above 18 years Civicy in the vicinity in reprisal for the attack West Valjevo on 19 May ---
We turn now to page 9 of the English Document Book; page 6 of the German:
20 May 1943 ---
Division applies to the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia for the to purpose of having 20 MD men shoot to death in reprisal for the confidential agent of the 734th Jaeger regiment, simultaneously is a member of the 11 Serbian Volunteer Corps, who was shot to death at the Northern exit on 19 May.
Report reprisal measures Ia/o1/ No. 420/43 secret of 20 May 43 . . . . .21 May 1943 . . . .In reprisal for the attack on the organization Todt camp Thueringen near Monastery Gornjak (16 kilometers Southeast Petrovac ) the entire cattle (2570 heads) is confiscated from the inhabitants of the neighboring villages Zdrelo, Krepoljin, Setonje and Bresnica, with the stipulation that 50% of the cattle will be lost, if useful reports regarding the culprits are not made before 23 May.
We now turn to page 10 of your Document Book, your Honors, and pages 6 and 7 of the German Document Books:
26 May 1943 ------
In MI Pozarevac, 125 Communists who were brought there from Belgrade, were shot to death by the Field Gendarmerie of the Division in reprisal for the attack on the railroad patrol of the home guard riflemen battalion 977 near Drajanj Sepsin on 13 May -----28 May 1943 ......In reprisal for the attack North Binovac by order of the Commanding General and Commander in Serbia 150 Communists from the districts of Smederevo, Mladenovac, Arandjelovac, Palanka and Sopot will be shot to death in Belgrade on 14 May ......1 June 1943.
......
In the central sector the reprisal operation ordered against 7 villages was carried out: 50% of the cattle and all grain was secured, 80 men arrested.
(signed) V. Ludwiger - - - - - - - - - - - -
We now turn to page 11 of the English and page 7 of the German Document.
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: On page 10, under date of May 28, 1943, it says:
"150 Communists will be shot to death on the 14th of May."
How does that happen to appear on the date of May 28?
MR. RAPP: If your Honor will permit, I will check with the document for one minute.
PRESIDING JUDGE CARTER: We will take our morning recess at this time.
(A recess was taken.)
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
JUDGE CARTER: You may proceed.
MR. RAPP: The inquiry in question is whether or not 150 communists from the districts of Smederevo, Miadenovac, Arandelovac, Palanka and Sopot will be shot to death in Belgrade on the 14th of May. Notice that the entry in the diary is dated 28 May.
THE INTERPRETER: Well, the German text says. "were shot." I think that's quite obvious.
MR. RAPP: Thank you very much.
If the Tribunal, please, we are turning now to page 11 of the English and page 7 of the German, the entry of June 1, 1943:
Division receives the report that Lt. Koenig who was seriously wounded during the Communist attack on Officers of the Staff and the second Battalion of the 724th regiment on 14 December 42 in Mladenovac had died of his wounds in the Military Hospital Vienna XVI D. The Division applies to the Commander for the purpose of having additional 25 Communists shot to death.
Your Honors, then follows page 12 and 13 of the same document, Exhibit 286 which is page 7, 8 of the German document book, and I don't believe we have to read this now.
We are turning now to page 14 in the English document book which is page 9 in the German document book. This is NOKW-911, dated 12 July 1943, which will become prosecution's exhibit 287. This document enables from the 373rd Croatian Infantry Division. It is stamped "Secret" and is so-called "Combat Report." The first paragraph concerns itself with purely tactical matters.
Paragraph 4: "Result of the Operation:
"Losses:
"Resultant losses of our own: 23 dead were counted. Higher enemy losses may surely be assumed. An important prisoner is partisan Zolja Milan who is known to all inhabitants of the neighborhood as the brutal intendant of the Hotic Group. He comes from Medini and he has requisitioned cattle and other rations and recruited for both the Hotic Group and passing Partisan Groups."
Page 15, which is page 9 in the German Document Book:
"His interrogation confirmed the known partisan movement from North to Southeast toward the end of the Month of June. There he knew of the 5th Division and the Krajin Brigade which moved via Komar to Fojnica 10 to 15 thousand men strong. Hotic is alleged to be the Chief of Staff of the 5th Division. In the area between Travnik G. Makuf there are said to have been 380 armed and 120 unarmed partisans lately. Zolja has been shot to death by order of the Divisional Commander after everything has been gotten from him by interrogation. Some arms and unimportant documents were captured. Partisan hideouts were burned down. During this process an estimated several thousand rounds of ammunition were destroyed.
"The Divisional Commander, Signed in draft, Zellner, Major General," and under it it is certified to be a true copy with an illegible signature.
Your Honors, we are turning now to page 16 of your document book and page 10 of defense counsel's document book. This is NOKW-1494which will become prosecution Exhibit 288. This is a report stamped "Secret," dated 5th of July 1943. That has also been handwritten initialed, to be sent to the Intelligence Section, to be entered into the War Diary. It's from the 1st Panzer Division, subject:
"Band Activity."
"1) Recent events show a revival of band activity in the entire Southeastern area. In the Peloponnesus there are also indications that here also an increase in band and sabotage activity is to be expected.
"2) The OKW has ordered that, also in the areas occupied by the Italians, after any attacks and acts of sabotage, speedy and sweeping reprisal measures are to be taken, to deter the population and to make amends for the damage inflicted upon the authority of the German Wehrmacht. The Fuehrer expects these measures to be carried out with the utmost energy and in a manner which will not fail to show its effects on the widest sections of the population.
"3) For the combating of bands in the Peloponnesus the following is ordered:
a) Units in their billeting areas police the main roads by employing motorized patrols at irregular hours. For this the normal trips by messengers or for supplies are to be utilized. Drivers and assistant drivers are to be instructed and armed accordingly. All observations are to be reported to the Division. The observations are to be exchanged with Italian headquarters. It is important to recognize early that bands are being formed and to suppress their formation at the start.
"b) In an extension of the order by 1st Panzer Division, Ia Section 1875/43 secret, dated 8 June 1943, number 7.), in every locality where units of the Division are stationed a fighter detachment of platoon strength is to be kept constantly at the alert for the combatting of bands and parachutists. Closest cooperation is to be maintained with Italian fights detachments existing in Italian garrison.
Requests for support by German fighter detachments are to be granted in cases of limited local engagements, this being previously reported to the Division. Major operations against bands, etc. with employment of stronger forces.
"4) Any acts of sabotage that may have occurred, as well as attacks on German soldiers, German Wehrmacht installations and all other installations, which are of service in the provisioning of the troops or in military tasks, are to be reported to the Division without delay. The division will then decide on the reprisal measures to be taken. Units are forbidden to carry out reprisal measures on their own accord.
"5.) I expect this order to be carried out with greatest exactness with regard to observation matters and reports. The opinion widely spread amongst troops that band activity is exclusively directed against the Italians is to be opposed with all severity. Rather the bands led by British officers aim merely at dividing the allied (Axis) nations by showing an apparently different attitude towards Germans than to Italian Occupation Forces. The German soldier, without doubt, is just as much Occupation Force, and thereby an enemy of the country, as the Italian. It is the duty of every superior, through his own behavior and during instructions, to constantly see to it that every German soldier adjusts himself to these particularities of the Balkans and draws his conclusions from it."
"Signature: Krueger."
The next document, your Honors, you will find on page 19 of the English and page 12 of the German document book. It is NOKW-1495 which will be offered as prosecution Exhibit 289. This is a rather voluminous document, being a collection of teletype messages sent from the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, High Command Army Group "E", the now deceased Colonel Loehr; and the first document which was sent on June 3, 1943 and was received at OKH on June 4, 1943, was addressed to the Operations Department of the General Staff of the Army OKH.
It gives a report of the situation in Greece.
"In the Italian region Vijese bridge west of Kenitsa (i.e. 40 kilometers north of Jbannina) blown up. Supplementary report concerning attempt on railroad Nezeres: 92 Italian and 60 Greek prisoners dead. Large number of wounded and missing. In Larissa 100 Communists from the concentration camp shot dead in reprisal. In the area of Soupre (40 kilometers northeast of Lamia) a band was reported in Greek uniform. Commande in Chief Southeast (High Command Army Group E)," dated June 3, 1943.
The next page is again a teletype or TWX Message from the High Command Army Group E, Commander in Chief Southeast, 4 June 1943, addressed to the OKH General Staff of the Army Operation Department:
"Secret --Daily Report of the Commander in Chief Southeast of 4 June 43 -- Operation 'Schwarz' -- Greece -- South of Florina a band 200 men strong. In the area Metsovo (38 kilometers northeast of Joannina) 1000 Communists reported. During Italian mopping up of area Joannina and Amfissa Atlanta 5 bandits shot dead quite a large number of rifles and ammunition secured, several houses of bandits burned down"; and that is signed "High Command June 4."
The next document, still the same NOKW-1495, which you find on page 14 -- or page 14 of the German, 21 of the English, is again a report about the situation in Greece and it states that:
"In the area Melisseurghi strong group of bands under leadership of former Greek General apparently in connection with Zervas hands in the area Arta. The strike situation in Athens has quieted down."
That is "Secret" and is dated June 7, 1943.
If you will turn your next page, your Honors, you will find the same addressee and the same source under the 18th of June 1943 pertaining to the situation in Serbia, however, and it says:
"Local band activity. In reprisal for raids and acts of sabotage committed during the last period 350 communists and 50 cetniks were shot dead."
And it is signed again by the "High Command Army Group E" -- on the next page, Your Honors.
On the next page, your Honor, you find the same source reporting to the OKH, the situation in Croatia pertaining to the 114th Jaeger Division, in which there it is reported that, "6 bandit villages destroyed."
That report was dated the 19 June 1943.
There is another report you will find on page 24, page 17 of the German Document Book, pertaining to the situation in Croatia again, and it states; "20 Cetniks and 10 Communists shot dead."
Also again signed, "High Command army Group E", June 23 1943.
We then go back to Greece again, which you will find on page 25 of your document book, and page 18 of the German, and it states that two commanders of bands have been arrested, and several bandit houses have been burned down.
Then it changes from Greece to Serbia, and you will find that 30 Communist prisoners were shot dead.
That was the 26 June 1943.
We turn to page 26, and there we find the High Command of Army Group E reporting under the 27 of June, 1943, pertaining to the situation in Serbia: "In reprisal for shooting of Italian officer in the area of Berane Podgerica Niksic, 150 communist prisoners in all were shot dead".
Page 27, your Honors, page 20 cf the German, a tactical report about Greece and then about Serbia: In the area Krusevac and Mladenovac, in all 125 communists and their assistants and band suspects were arrested by the German police and the Serbian State Guards, 7 communists were shot dead".
Page 28, the report about Greece again, -- that is page 21 and 22 respectively of the German Document Book--, and down toward the end of the report we find:
"Complete destruction cf the surrounding villages in connection with reprisal measures ordered, and in progress. Up to now 4 villages burned down, In reprisal for blowing up of line near Litochoron". ** "50 communists were shot dead".2 July 1943.
In the report dated 3 July 1943, on page No. 29, your Honors, you will find a report on Greece, addressed by the High Command of Army Group E, and stating:
"Slight contact with bands. 5 bandits dead. 2 further villages destroyed. Mopping up and reprisals continued."
On Page 30, Greece again, to OKH, from Army Group E:
"In athens strike cf the telephone company; mopping up operation southeast of Servia continued by Combat Group Salminger; further villages burned down; 87 suspects were shot dead while escaping".
Then we turn to page 31, page 25 of the German Document Book, and here is a report of the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, dated 5 July 1943, "Greece: In Malaxe acts of sabotage on important communication lines. Searching operations so far without any result. Increasing security measures ordered since 3 July prevented more serious damage. Reprisal measures 50 Greeks shot dead. Further shooting threatened, if perpetrators not discovered by cooperation of population within 7 days."
Page 32, which is page 26 of the German Document Book:
"Greek railway personnel arrested. Examination and reprisals measures in progress."
"Serbia: Weather fine. Local band activity. 25 DM reprisal prisoners shot dead."
This concludes document 1495, which is Prosecution Exhibit 289.
Your Honors we would like to offer now NOKW 949, which will become our Exhibit 290. This, your Honors, is a top secret report, dated 22 July 1943, 4th Brandenburg Regiment Commander. There are various handwritten names on there which are illegible. There is also an illegible initial on the original. It is addressed:
"To the Commander in Chief Southeast/Ia, through Commander of the German troops in Crotia.
Subject: Proposals for the future employment for special purposes of the 4th Brandenburg Regiment."
If your Honors would now turn, please, to page 34 of this same document, in the middle of the page, -- that is page 28-29 of the German Document Book-- and we find here:
"The method followed up to now of shooting to death all partisans without distinction, could never be successful, Many became partisans but by the combined influence of several circumstances such as: Ustaschi-Moslems-or Cetnik-atrocities- want and starvation, terror and duress by other partisans.
They stay partisans because the way back is blocked by the German orders. They have lost their country end their family and so they fight to their death.
Since the political conditions in Croatia are not improving new partisans replace those who are killed.
According to congruent observations of the troop, it would have been possible to win over a certain percentage of the captured partisans for fighting on the German side, if their lives were spared and food, as well as their return to their homesteads later on, were guaranteed."
There are some marginal notes on this letter from the 4th Brandenburg Regiment to the Commander-in-Chief Southeast. The initials are illegible, but it says:
"Since the political conditions in Croatia are not improving, new partisans replace those who are killed."
"Correct" on the marginal side.
In the next paragraph, the marginal, information says, "But not the Croatians?
No!"
Now on the next page, your Honors, page 35, right on the top there is a proposal made by the 4th Brandenburg Regiment, it states:
"Immediate order to troops, not to shoot to death any more captured partisans. Delivery to collecting camps and humane treatment.
In the collection camps short observation of the partisans by confidential agents."
Somebody wrote on the margin, "No".
"Recruitment of the partisans considered suitable, by Brandenburg.
Transfer of those unsuitable to work camps.
After instruction and very careful observation in troop for special commitment - employment against Tito.
Means of pressure: All partisans still remaining in the troop and in camp guarantee with their lives against treason of the bandits employed.
In case of efficiency and prowess also recognition, pecuniary compensations, allotments of land and cattle. No pettefoggery. What is precious today is only German blood."
Then Paragraph B which says:
"Raiding of the so-called "Mainstaff" and the English airfields in the area Bihac:
In the area west and northwest of Bihac there is a strong wellorganized group of partisans amounting to about 8,000 individuals extending far out into the Italian occupied area. Air-reconaissance and reports of confidential agents confirm that a continuous supply of leaders and materials is being assured by the Royal Air Force. Active airfields, permanent billets, some of them barrack-camps, were identified whether this group is under Tito's command or whether it has its own leader is not yet certain. The latter is probable."
"This group is of special importance, because in the event of an English landing at the place most suitable for the purpose - (for the reasons see under letter c) - it will be able to form a bridgehead and to hold it open.
Inside this group, which beyond a doubt contains English officers, the designation "English-American Volunteers Army" has already been coined."
This document is signed: "Heinz, Colonel and Commander of Regiment".
Your Honors, we have now NOKW 1079, Prosecution Exhibit 291. This, Your Honors, is an order dated the 14 July 1943, and the order was issued by the Commander-in-Chief Southeast, simultaneously charged with Command of Army Group E, and the order concerns itself with the security and reprisal measures against the enemy population.
July 26, 1943-- this is about the period, your Honors, that the defendant Foertsch was Chief of Staff to the then Commander-in-Chief of the Army Group E.
I cite: "In the event cf enemy landing attacks we must reckon with the most far reaching participation of hostile parts of the population on the side of the enemy. The activities of the bands against objects of vital importance especially the railroads will begin suddenly.
In order to overcome this great danger measures of adequate security are to be taken now.
1. I give permission to and oblige all commanders to take most severe measures in case of obvious hostile attitude of the population on their own responsibility and without having requested authorization from their superior offices. Measures taken are to be reported and will be covered by me. Commanders however who out of negligence or softness omit to take measures of reprisal will be held responsible.
2. Among other things, all strikes even if they do not directly affect military affairs are to be considered as hostile attitude."
of the population. Curfew regulations for the entire population closing of shops and the cutting of electric light and water supplies are to be immediately introduced as efficient counter measures.
3.) It is the duty of every German soldier to break any active resistance of the population, by force of arms, immediately and relentlessly. Soldiers who violate this duty are to be brought before courts martial and the sentences are to be made known to the troops.
4.) As soon as sufficient forces have arrived, the setting up of an evacuation zone 5 to 10 kilometers wide is to be carried out in Greece on both sides of the main railway lines with the exception of large localities. The zone is forbidden to the civilian population except for those working under guard, every civilian is to be shot unchallenged. In the larger villages, curfew at dusk and the taking of hostages etc. are to be considered. Preparations are to be made now. Plans for such prohibited zones, with corresponding maps are to be reported by 1 August 1943.
5.) In all measures of reprisal the following is to be observed.
Ruthless combat and reprisals should as far as possible be directed only against the hostile civilian population. By a correct treatment of the friendly population a rush of the population towards the bands must be avoided.
As a result of these considerations however it must not happen that for example, if German soldiers were shot at in a village nothing is done because the perpetrator was not clearly determined. In such cases measures of reprisal must be effected by the immediate arrest and shooting to death or still better by hanging publicly influential personalities of the villages. The same applies when justifies suspicion exists that the perpetrators of successfully carried out or even only attempted acts of sabotage were supported by the population. In most cases the populartion is on the side of the bandits.