If your Honors turn to page 141, we have now the last document in Document Book 14, NOKW-074. It is being offered as prosecution Exhibit 363. This this document is dated the 4th of December, 1943. It is a teletype message to the 2nd Panzer Army from Croatia. It states:
Reference: Your teletype No. 1a 783/43 Top Secret. Defense counsel will find this document on page 112. According to the information at hand, about 6000 people capable of bearing arms, excluding all given possibilities, are to be counted on in the "Panther" operation. Camps for the population and prisoners concerned are to be Sisak and Karlovac. Erection and care possible through 1036th Administrative Sub-Area Headquarters. Security forces not at hand. The following is suggested and requested:
1) Not to evacuate all the male population at hand, but A) only suspicious people and strangers within the localities. B) Those seized outside the localities. 2) To bold ready for filtration within the localities 5 special purpose groups of the SD, following the military action. This is possible.
3) Hold Panther area as occupied as possible, after successful action. The Croatian government could be requested after the action to guarantee administrative forces for the area.
Deportation of all those capable of bearing arms to Germany might apparently come up against strong resistance from the Croatian government. Negotiations accordingly may take place only after the end of the action, through the embassy.
Germany General Plenipotentiary in Croatia 1a No. 02439/43 Top Secret 4 Dec 43.
(rubber stamps and pencilled notes)
Top Secret Corps Headquarters XV Mountain Corps.
722/43 Top Secret with presentation 1a p
1). In supplement to Teletype 1a No. 955/43 Top Secret of 27 Nov 43, a sketch concerning the utilization of forces and planned execution of the operation "Panther" is presented.
The purpose of the operation is destruction of the bandit forces at Glina and destruction of the enemy supply bases in Petrova Gora and Samarica. Through cleaning-up of Samarica the possibility of provisioning larger forces is taken away from the bandits and the increased security of the Main Railway Zagreb-Sisak-Novska is assured.
On page 143, page 114 and 115 of the German document book, under "2", we find various tactical orders and in paragraph 4 it states:
4) The Corps Headquarters suggests that all the male population capable of bearing arms in the territory to be cleaned up, be evacuated, since this territory was always a bandit retreat.
Pm. K.
(Sgd) von Longus.
Mission only of the German General Plenipotentiary!
Labor use in Germany?
Your Honors, this concludes Document Book 14. Your Honors, if I may be permitted to make a short reference to prosecution Exhibit NOKW-1258, which was offered as Exhibit 361, I believe that I called to your Honors' attention the fact that this document consisted of a teletype message of the 2nd Panzer Army and a march order for the operation "Panther" issued by the defendant Leyser.
For the purposes of the record, your Honor, I am trying to ascertain whether or not you have also taken notice of the signature of the defendant Leyser appearing in the middle of the document besides the initials which we allege to be that of defendant Rendulic.
JUDGE BURKE: To what page do you refer in the English document book?
MR. RAPP: I beg your pardon, your Honor?
JUDGE BURKE: To what page do you refer in the English document book?
MR. RAPP: In the document book? It is page 145. There are two signatures of the defendant Leyser in the middle of this document.
THE PRESIDENT: Page 145 is not a part of Exhibit 561, is it?
MR. RAPP: One page, your Honor, is page 138.
THE PRESIDENT: You claim the signatures on that page -
MR. RAPP: On page 138 of the document took, you will find in the original that I just have handed up to you, your Honor, a signature which is appearing hero saying illegible. That is on page 12 of the original document you have before you, your Honor.
THE PRESIDENT: I think you should keep in mind the comments made by Judge Carter to the fact that it is incumbent upon the prosecution to prove that this is the signature of the defendant Leyser.
MR. RAPP: Yes, your Honor, we fully realize that.
JUDGE CARTER: It seems rather peculiar that we examine all these signatures when we have never seen one that anyone says is the signature of the defendant Leyser.
What do we compare it with? We can look at them and that is all.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors will recall that we have submitted to you previously affidavits of the defendants, signed in their own handwriting and the only purpose of showing these documents now at this time is to make your Honors familiar with the fact that these documents are signed by individuals who we believe to be the defendants.
JUDGE CARTER: Maybe I am getting a little technical but no one has ever said that he signed that instrument. Even the affidavit.
MR. RAPP: Your Honors, the affidavit was read into the record as saying that he had read it, he had signed it, he had sworn to the truth of the contents and as such I believe your Honor was admitted into evidence.
JUDGE CARTER: We admitted it for what it was worth and until somebody establishes that it is the signature of the defendant, it isn't worth very much.
MR. RAPP: That is correct, your Honor. We will endeavor at the proper time to show proof to the court of the signatures. If I may be permitted to recall your Honors' attention to Document NOKW-509, which we discussed yesterday afternoon and there were various pages missing in the German document book, the pages I am referring to in your document book, your Honor, are pages 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and the whole document of 509. Now the prosecution has meanwhile furnished Dr. Laternser sufficient copies of pages 45, 48, and 49 to distribute these pages to defense counsels and to insert these pages into their document books. If I may be permitted, for the purpose of the record, I would like now to road these pages into the record and have defense counsels properly identify them in their document books.
THE PRESIDENT: That will be agreeable. Will you kindly state, however, the Exhibit number and document number again?
MR. RAPP: Yes, your Honor. That was NOKW-509 and that was prosecution Exhibit 340. Now I shall only read that much of the document which was not read yesterday because it was missing in the German document book. Corps Headquarters, LXIX Reserve Corps, 1a. 3166/4406/43 Secret Corps Headquarters dated 30.1.43.
JUDGE CARTER: What page are you starting on?
MR. RAPP: I am starting on page 45, your Honor.
JUDGE BURKE: I think you are in error; it is on page 26 if you arc referring to Exhibit 509.
MR. RAPP: I am referring to Exhibit 509, that is correct, your Honor.
JUDGE BURKE: That Exhibit starts on page -
MR. RAPP: It is document 509, Exhibit 340.
JUDGE BURKE: Yes, document 509, Exhibit 340.
MR. RAPP: That is correct.
JUDGE BURKE: Beginning on page 26.
MR. RAPP: On page 26? Thank you, your Honor, That is Corps Headquarters, LX IX Reserve Corps 1a. No. 3166/ 4406/43 Secret. Corps Headquarters -- have the interpreters the page?
INTERPRETER: Which page in the German document?
MR. RAPP: Dr. Laternser, have you a spare page, please?
I am reading from page 45 of the English Document Book:
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT No. NOKW - 509CONTINUED (page 18 of original) SECRET Corps HQs LXIX.
Res. Corps Corps HQ, dated 30.11. 1943 I a No. 3166/4406/43 secret.
Reference is: Reprisal measures in the Slavonic Area.
Subject: 2nd Panzer Army Ic Intelligence Officer Teletype date 24.11.43.
3 Enclosures To Panzer Army Ic Intelligence Officer Directives pertaining to reprisal and evacuation measures issued within the area of the Corps HQ's were given on the basis of the directive "2nd Panzer Army, Intelligence Officer (III) No. 38/43 secret dated 5.9. 1943."
According to this directive divisional and independent regimental commanders are competent for ordering and execution of reprisal and evacuation measures as is reaffirmed expressly by the directive "2nd Panzer Army, Intelligence Officer (III) No. 306/43 dated 44.11.1943."
The Corps HQs has ordered that the arrests of hostages within its area can be made only in agreement with Creation Administrator and police authorities respectively Ustasha units. Enclosed are copies cf the pertinent orders dated 23.9., 16.10 and 20.11.1943.
In connection with the evacuation measures within the area of the 187th Reserve Division, which were started and later stopped, you are referred to Corps HQs LXIX.Res.Corps I a No. 375/586/43 top secret dated 8.11.1943, which was sent to the 2nd Panzer Array Ia and O. Qu on the 9.11.1943.
Having repeatedly pointed out orally to the commanding officers, the necessity of special consideration toward Volksdeutsche and Croatians the Corps HQs believes that blunders will be limited in the future. They will not be completely avoidable in the overall situation.
signed - DEHNER If your Honors please, turn now to page 48 of your document book.
We will read into the record this page which was previously missing in the German translation:
TRANSLATION DOCUMENT No. NOKW - 509CONTINUED.
Corps HQs LXIX. Reserve Corps Corps Hq., dated 6.12.1943 I a No. 3255/4607/43 secret.
(handwritten) SUBJECT:
Mopping-up operations in the Fruska Gora on 27.11.43 under the Leadership of the Deputy Commanding Officer of the 173rd Division.
To the
SS Police Section Leader Esseg SS-Oberfuehrer and Colonel of Police in S A M M E R N -F R A N K E N E G G.The 173rd Reserve Division reports that after the close of the operation against the village of Lezimir, and after the divisional troops had marched off, the remainder of the population, which had been driven together in the town hall of Lezimir and which consisted of old men, women and children had been shot to death in the church by the SD by your order.
I myself was in Lezimir on the 27.11.43 and saw the old people and children, who seemed completely harmless to me. I should like you to tell me why you gave this order to sheet these people to death, in particular of what these people shot to death were suspected.
I further request information whether the SD actually shot these people to death inside the church.
Since I must make a comment to the report of the 173rd Reserve Division before passing on the report to the 2nd Panzer Army I should appreciate a speedy answer (initial) (signed) DEHNER TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT No. NOKW - 509CONTINUED.
37 (handwritten) K.T.B.
The next page your Honor, is page 49:
Unclassified Text of Radio Message from Operational Staff Brauner 6.12.43.
(handwritten) arrived 7.12.1943 14.
22 (initial illegible) To the LXIX.
Res.Corps:
The 3rd Croatian Jaeger-Brigade reports:
Behavior of Cossacks toward Domobranes.
Croat. I. Batl. / Jaeger-Regt. 8 dated 3.12.43 Domobranes from districts of TUZLA, GRACANICA, DOBOJ, DERVENTA BOSN, and BROD complain that their wives and sisters were raped by the Cossacks and that the people attempting to interfere were murdered with the excuse that they were communists. There is a great deal of disgust among the Domobranes. Furthermore, the houses of the Domobranes are being looted. The Domobranes are in the mood to escape home and to defend themselves by force of arms.
signed: F R I T Z. Colonel.
The above report is submitted for further action since the 2nd Cossack Brigade is subordinate to the LXIX Reserve Corps.
187 Res. Div. Ia No. 10259/43 secret.
Your Honors, Mr. Denney will now present document book XV.
MR. DENNEY: First, may it please your Honor we have some inserts to the exhibit for identification which is at the close of Document Book I. This is to be added to Exhibit 38a for identification. It lists the charges against the defendants offered with reference to Exhibit 4b in evidence. I have handed 24 copies to counsel for the defendants, copies to the Secretary-General, interpreters and the translators, and that gees to the end of Bock L, and that is, as your Honors will recall, Exhibit 4b in evidence which was originally marked for identification.
PRESIDING JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: Which page number will that receive?
MR. DENNEY: Page 138 your Honor, of Book I. Then I have the similar chart for Book XI which will be pages 80 and 81 in Book XI and the exhibit number will be 284a for identification.
PRESIDING JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: Mr. Denney, may I take the liberty of asking again for the page number of the insert to Book I.
MR. DENNEY: Book I your Honor?
PRESIDING JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: Which you referred to first?
MR. DENNEY: Yes, Your Honor. Page 138, Document Bock I; it is the fourth page of Prosecution Exhibit 38a fer identification, 138 English Document Book I, being the fourth page of Prosecution Exhibit 58a for identification.
PRESIDING JUDGE WENNERSTRUM: New, if you will also give us the information concerning this sheet that you have handed us concerning Document Book XI and with this suggestion may I say if you will circulate them first and then refer to the page number and identification mark so that we can put it down.
MR. DENNEY: Very well, if Your Honor please.
MR. DENNEY: Very well, if Your Honor, pleases.
THE PRESIDENT: If you will kindly refer to the Exhibit and page number again.
MR. DENNEY: 285-A, as in Able for identification; page 80 and 81 of the Document Book No. 11.
Continuing now with the same period in which Messrs. Fenstermacher and Rapp have been concerned for the past two books, we now start with Document Book 15. The first document which we offer is NOKW 1136, which is page 1 of the German and page 1 of the English of Book 15, and which is offered as Prosecution Document 164 in evidence. These are some reports from the 1st Cossach Division, which yesterday was concerned, if Your Honors will recall, under the 69th Corps. We have as yet seen no transfer of them to the 15th Corps. However, these reports are directed to the 15th Corps from the Division.
This first series of reports we have are all in teletype. The first one is dated 28 December 1943:
I. During the night a female bandit detachment / strength approx. 30 entirely destroyed bridge / southeast of Glina road bridge 4 Km West of Glina was blown during the night / still passable for pedestrians / reinforced raid from Sunja on Stremen without success / enemy retired over save / 71 male inhabitants eligible for service were arrested / a harvesting detachment was attacked by partisans in the Bijelnik district / 22 horses and 12 vehicles were lost / 1 bandit was shot / .......... // 1/cossak division 1A Daily report// The second report is dated the 16th. These work backwards, Your Honor, please. It is again directed to the 15th Mountain Corps, and again the 1st Cossak Divsn.
Division / has combed out the areas Bacuga - Blinja Komogovina - Jabuvac - with units / all villages are evacuated / there are no more installations / villages and fortified shelters in forward areas were destroyed / paragraph /...........1/cossak/division/ IA The next report is for December 8, the same addresses, the 15th Mountain Corps, which at that time was commanded by defendant Leyser:
II. Telephone communication center for / quote / Banja / quote / blown up railroad near point / 101 repaired / during reprisal measures 36 civilian suspects were arrested as hostages / /......1/ cossak/ division/
Then the report which was reported on the 7th December: at 0855:
12 Km northwest of Sisak empty train struck mine on water bridge / and it gives the map coordinance, bridge destroyed / restoration probably by noon on 8/ 12/ local safety ensured by units of regional defense company / company / of Croatian / railroad / guard / Battalion/VI // reprisal measures will be carried out on 8/12/. That is tomorrow, the 8th December, "By I/ R/ R /1 From Potrinja to Sela and Greda/ //
Own losses on 7/ 12/ amounted to 9 dead/// among them 1 German and 1 Cossak / officer/ /// 24 wounded among them 1 German and 1 Cossak / officer and 2 missing / 4 prisoners were taken/ //.................intentions for 8/ 12/ holding of the blockade line ///reenforced reconnaissance in Glika ---- Potrinja area /// reprisal action against Greda /
Then turning to page 6 in both the German and English Document Books, NOKW 1399, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 365 in evidence.
These are Daily Reports from the 15th Mountain Corps commanded by the defendant Leyser, to the 2nd Panzer Army, which is the unit at this time commanded by the defendant Rendulic, dated 17 December 1943 one of the subordinate units to the 15th Mountain Corps, also in Croatia:
Temporary blasting of railroad. "Then comes the location." Blocked until 17 December by the removal of 400 meters of railway lines. In both cases hostages were taken and the nearest houses burned down as reprisal.
And then one of the 16th of December for the 2nd Panzer Army again a supplementary report to the report of the 15th:
114th Jaeger Division: Again one of the subordinate units to the 15th Mountain Corps. Enemy in front of "Ziethen" continues to defend toughly the approaches to Kupres and Glemoc with the 1st Proletarian and 9th Division along line: 4 kilometers northeast, and more indication of their position. The destruction of Kupres confirmed by aerial reconnaissance; 49 counted enemy dead: 18 prisoners; 16 deserters.
I would like to call your attention to the use of that term "deserters" in passing, and we shall see it as we go further. And in reference to the term deserters;
"a part of them with pack animals and weapons. Parts of the 19th Division Grahove threw a Cetnik group 14 kilometers north northeast of Knin to the south (50 enemy dead according to statements of prisoners.) Area around Strmica and north of Plavno (14 kilometers north northwest of Knin) occupied by bands. These advances present a threat to Knin and to the supply road near Zrmanja Vrelo. During reconnaissance of the booty camp northeast of Ervenik (see Daily Report 12 December) a middle sized band was attacked (10 enemy dead, 15 prisoners). Rest in Velebit.
The entire ammunition of different kinds (9 tons) blownup on account of lack of transportation space; 3 places northeast of Ervenik, which were friendly towards the bands destroyed; at the same time numerous detonations in the houses.
And again this as the prior one and as all the rest of these just has typed "15th Mountain Corps". However, the signature over to the left of the gentleman named "Pfafferott" with whom we have had some familiarity before, appears on these documents, and it is his signature.
And again on the 11 December:
373rd (Croatian) Infantry Division West of Srb medium sized band thrown to the west by own operation.
Communist local committee near Udbina silenced by Cetniks. Strong band (II Brigade 8th Division) withdraws from east of Slunj across the Korana to the south. 5 kilometers northwest of Bos. Novi own reconnaissance shot at by machine gun and trench mortars; after reinforcement the terrain was mopped up. The railway line of Bos. Novi was blasted three times. Reprisal measures started.
South of Prijedo the enemy (600 with 4 machine guns, 4 trench mortars and 1 light gun) thrown back to the south by own operation.
And then another reference to the enemy believed thrown back.
Then if Your Honors will note a note to "Security Service (SD), and "Infantry Division", with an illegible initial thereafter, and again signed the 15th Mountain Corps, and there is an illegible signature to the left.
Then the report for the 9th. I should like to call Your Honors attention here to the fact that there is an information copy going to the V SS Mountain Corps, which was a collateral unit. The V SS Mountain Corps was at this time also subordinated to the commander of the II. Panzer Army Commander Rendulic. It is interesting to know that the report in addition to going to a higher division goes laterally.
Again the 1st Cossack Division:
1st Cossak Division Movement of medium sized bands from 10 kilometers southwest to 12 kilometers northwest of Glina (well known assembly area of bands). Enemy supply column had losses by own artillery fire 7 kilometers northwest of Glina.
Enemy garrison south and southeast of Glina unchanged. Weak band raided Cossack patrol 6 kilometers southwest of Petrinja. 22 dead, 3 prisoners, 12 deserters. (Again we have the use of the term deserters.) 36 hostages arrested for destruction of line northwest of Sisak.
Booty: South of Fojnic Italian ammunition dump." And again, "XV Mountain Corps".
Turning to Page 9 in the German and page 9 of the English copy, NOKW 728, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 366 in evidence. The first part of this is a teletype, completely in teletype, and the second half on a teletype blank, but is completely in handwriting, and I pass it up for Your Honors to inspect. This is dated December 17, 1943. It is from the 373rd Infantry Division, and it is the report for that day. This infantry division, of course, is the same as the 373rd Croatian Division to its superior headquarters, 15th Mountain Corps, which at that time was commanded by the defendant Leyser.
On page 9 of the German and page 10 of the English:
Reconnaissance from Bos. Novi to the southwest in area north of Una without enemy. Line blown up 6 kilometers south of Bos. Novi was repaired in a short time. (That is the one they spoke of in the other report) The line open again to traffic on 16 December. 2 hostages were taken 2 houses were burned down in reprisal.
And then for the Area Prijeder:
During the night from 15 to 16 December 400 meters of railway tracks removed by bandits near Dragotinja. The line will again be open to traffic on 17 December. Reinforcement of night patrols was ordered. Nearby houses were burned down in reprisal.
This concludes that pert of the report, and then turning to the handwritten part which starts on 11 of the German and 11 of the English, this is for 18 December 1943, again to the 15th Mountain Corps, and again from the 373 Infantry Division:
"Intermediate report Panther, the areas ordered to be combed through were combed according to plans.
Ambush near D A H I C I (Leskovac):
I Italian captured. 3 bandits shot, 3 wounded (Observed) Leskovac and Ravlovica are burning. Operation against 40 bandits without success. A bandit who made a false report was shot to death.
Large transit traffic of bands Vrnograd toward the west.
Husko Contact with the enemy near Masvina. 5 prisoners captured. Some cattle and hay was seized.
Intention: For the next day - Reconnaissance, mopping up and placing of ambushes."
There is a certification and an illegible signature.
Then on page 13 of both texts, Document NOKW 1331, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 367 in evidence. These are reports from the 15th Corps to the 2nd Panzer Army, and the units are still commanded by the same individuals, the defendants Leyser and Rendulic.
These again are all typewritten except for the signatures of "Pfafferett" which again appears on the left on some of the reports, and there are one or two illegible signatures. The first one, 2nd Panzer Army, 2 November. The handwritten note up here, "1940" should be "0940". Perhaps Dr. Fritsch would like to come up and look at it. Would you like to come up here and look at it so that I can correct one of the copies?
It is a daily report for the 2 November, and on page 13 of the English, --- of the German , and 14 of the English:
"373rd Division:
Train Bihac - Bos. Novi near Blatna (5 kilometers northeast of Otoka) ran on a mine in spite of previous reconnaissance. 5 soldiers, 10 civilians dead, 4 soldiers and 4 civilians wounded, 3 cars completely destroyed. Houses from which the mine was detonated by means of a wire were burned down. Reconnaissance in the rest of the area without special events."
It is from Corps Headquarters, XV Mountain Corps."
The signature which appears over at the left is that of, "Pfafferett", and in the copy which has been offered in evidence for your Honors' information, apparently it has been improperly placed on here, - at least it is not on the copy, and we withdraw the words, "very urgent" which appear out on the margin at the left.
Then for the 6th of November, -- and here the report goes to the 2nd Panzer Army, the Fliegerfuehrer Croatia, German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, IIIrd SS Panzer Corps, --- this unit id down here just for a short time, but this is another SS corps in the area, -- and the V SS Mountain Corps, with which we have had some familiarity before.
Again from the 373rd Division:
"Brezovac was taken by parts of the 373rd Reconnaisance Detachment in spite of weak enemy resistance from Mazin.
26 civilians band suspects (Communist committee) were arrested.
As reprisal measure for the blasting of the railroad near Blatna 5 civilians were arrested and 12 houses were burned down."
Again typed, "Corps Headquarters XV Mountain Corps", and the signature to the left, "Pfefferott".
For the 9th of November, to the 2nd Panzer Army, again copies to the Fliegerfuehrer Croatia, the German General-Plenipotentiary in Croatia, III SS Panzer Corps, V SS Mountain Corps:
"Supplement to the Daily Report of 9 November 1943", for the 114th Division, one of the divisions subordinate to the XV Mountain Corps, at this time commanded by the defendant Leyser:
The combat group Muenchhausen made a surprise thrust in to the area 25 kilometers east of Banga Luka. By means of strategm 2 band leaders taken care of, good effect of fire on bands fleeing en masse. Enemy losses estimated at a minimum of 100, own losses none."
It is typed, "XV Mountain Corps, Corps Headquarters" and to the left there is an illegible signature, and on the English it is: "Satisfactorily taken care of" in handwriting, and the signature which is illegible, I believe that is left off the German. However , perhaps Dr. Fritsch will see whether or not it is there.
The next communication is for the 5 December 1943 --
DR. FRITSCH: I also am unable to road the name, but there is a handwritten note here, which is indistinct.
MR. DENNEY: I cannot either, your Honors.
DR. FRITSCH: Neither can I; I do not know either what it is supposed to say.
MR. DENNEY: Then in the daily report, of 5 December, which appears at the bottom of page 15 of the German, it is where the addresses appear, and it is on 16 of the English. The addresses carry over to the 16th page in the German they are the same we have seen before, so far as the Corps Headquarters are concerned, less the III SS Panzer Corps, but here again are the units and the 3 divisions, the 1st Cossack, the 373rd Infantry and 371st.
Then for the 114th Infantry Division:
"114th Division:
The heights 5 kilometers south of Ervenik, northwest of Knin and Mokro Polje strongly occupied by the enemy. Enemy movements continue in the area 11 southeast of Gracac. In the area Osredci". Then it gives the location --"band patrols dispersed. 6 enemy dead, 1 prisoner. Attempt by night on bridge Medak" -then it gives the location, "prevented by Ustascha. 6 bandits dead, 5 prisoners, 4 boxes of explosives, Own fighter Detachment and Cetniks 8 kilometers southeast of Velika threw medium band towards the east, 15 enemy dead, 15 prisoners, 1 deserter" ---- again employing the use of the term "deserter" --- "1 own wounded. In the area Muz rather weak resistance broken. 14 bandits shot to death according to martial law. Total enemy losses 44 dead, 23 prisoners, 1 deserter. Own losses, 1 wounded , 6 Cetniks wounded. Booty: 3 trucks, 2 motor buses, 4 automobiles, 1 boxed motor bike (all not drivable as parts have been withdrawn".
And this again has at the end. of it, typed, "XV Mountain Corps," and there is an illegible signature over at the left.
Then on page 17 of the English and German, again directed to the 2nd Panzer Army, again coming from XV Corps, -- and this, of course is to be noted in addition, because of the fact that here the XV Corps is reporting the first Cossack Division on up to the 2nd Panzer Army, --- so it is at least to be reasonably assumed that at some time prior to this, they were transferred from the 69th Corps to the XV Mountain Corps. As I said, we do not have the order, but we have seen earlier several instances of this Cossack Division reporting itself to the XV Mountain Corps, -
Unless there be some allegation that it was a mistake, while here we see for the purposes of these reports, the XV Mountain Corps reporting on up to the 2nd Panzer Army, with reference to the 1st Cossack Division:
"The obstacle line Kostajnica - Sunja - Save ordered for "Panther" occupied, up until now no contact with the enemy. At 0855 hours an empty train ran on to a mine on the bridge 12 kilometers northwest of Sisak, bridge destroyed. Probably repaired by 8 December at noon. Own losses on 7 December: 9 dead, 24 wounded, 2 missing. Enemy losses according to own determination -- 100; according to the report of confidential agent, 180 -- 200 men, 4 prisoners.
Then their intentions:
"To hold the obstacle line, to intensify reconnaissance in the area Glina -Petrinja. Reprisal operation for blasting of railroad."
Then, of course, if we turn back to the earlier report, the 1st Cossack Division, we have reporting this same information up to the XV Corps. It is on page 4 of the English, which is part of Exhibit No. 364.
Then for the 9 December, again to the 2nd Panzer Army, Fliegerfuehrer in Croatia and the German General Plenipotentiary in Croatia, Branch Office III, the SS Panzer Corps, and the V SS Mountain Corps, and then some further indications over on the right, to the various divisions, these of course, being the divisions which were subordinated to the XV Corps.
Daily report of the 1st Cossack Division:
"Patrol skirmish in area Glina - Gora. 36 hostages taken for blasting of lines".
PRESIDENT WENNERSTRUM: We will take our afternoon recess.
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