A Yes; in the course of discussions the whole question was discussed and also the manner in which these executions were carried out, according to my recollection, by the Kommando of the SD; that the SD had to make the selection and the places where the prisoners were to be assembled and arrange about the executions.
of the Russian prisoners of war in camps. Reinecke in a very sharp form supported Mueller's arguments and not mine and as strongly as possible, and with very sharp words. this conference the exact manner in which the sorting of these prisoners was made and in what way it was determined which of the prisoners should be killed? peculiar and completely arbitrary points of view. The leader of these Einsatz Kommandos took note of racial marks, particularly of course any Jews or Jewish types or any others that were looked upon as racially inferior, and those were selected for execution. The other leader of the SD selected the people according to their intelligence. The third had some other views, usually most peculiar, so that I felt obliged to put the question to Mueller "According to what principles does this selection take place? Has it anything to do with the height of a person or the size of his shoos?" and Reinecke took over the sane point of view as Mueller. The meaning of what I said was that the Ausland Abwehr wanted to males matters easier, and he took no note of what I said. orders were executed through official reports which you received? either from the front or from the camps. Officers of the Abwehr Division were in the camps, and in this way, through the normal service channels, we were informed orally of all these measures and of their effects. information not open to others?
that came to our ears by the normal channels. Practically, however, they were known to largo circles of the Wehrmacht, these things that happened in the camps, particularly in the selection. respect to the treatment which Russian prisoners generally were to receive in prison camps? was discussed by Reinecke, and Reinecke was of the opinion that in the carps the treatment must not be the same as the treatment of prisoners of war of the Allies, but here too, according to the principles already explained, their treatment must be carried out. The camp guards were to be furnished with whips, and they were to have the right at the very slightest sign of anybody attempting to escape or anything else which they did not desire, the arms were to be used. given?
A Those are details which I do not remember for the moment. I can only say what was mentioned in these discussions.
Q What, if anything, did Reinecke say about the whips? it was. branding of Russian prisoners of war?
THE PRESIDENT: Colonel Amen, I think you should refer to them as "Soviet", not "Russian" prisoners.
COLONEL AMEN: Yes, Your Honor. BY COLONEL AMEN:
Q Did you learn of such an order? the divisional chiefs were present, yes. order?
known. When the intention was made known of branding those prisoners, a very sharp protest was made at once. It was Buerckner who made the protest
Q What, if anything, did Canaris tell you with regard to this order? medical opinion, that it was madness to treat this in a medical opinion.
That was the main thing that was said in this discussion. official channels regarding plans to bring Soviet prisoners back to German territory? is, in discussions between Canaris and the chiefs of his divisions, I know that it had been planned to bring back prisoners into Germany, but that these projects were sudden ly stopped, and I remember that this was at the order of Hitler himself. One of the reasons was that these prisoner could not be accomodated and could not be provided with clothing. previous answer. Will you start again to tell us about the change which was made in these orders. Soviet prisoners back to German territory. Is that correct their not being brought back at the direct order of Hitler? the answer in the interpreting process. Pleas just repeat if again. cared for where they were outside the country. They could' be accomodated; they couldn't be fed; they couldn't be ** cally attended, and so great masses of them were without food or proper food, without any medical attention, without proper accomodation, mostly on the bare ground. A great many of them died.
Epidemics broke out. There was even cannibalism. That is, some people, because they were starving, ate other human beings. conditions. of these things that I have just described with my own eyes. These impressions that I had at the time are to be found in my notes. through official channels of the Abwehr? and from the Ausland's Abwehr. the Wehrmacht involved in the mistreatment of those prisoner knew about these matters Which referred to prisoners of war. Executions were matters for the SD and the Reichssicherheitshauptamt.
Q But isn't it a fact that the prisoner of war camps were entirely under the jurisdiction of the Wehrmacht? diction of the Supreme Commander of the Whermacht. Special Purpose Kommandos of the SS were responsible primarily for the executions and the selection of the peopl to be executed, is that correct? tion regarding the existence of an order for the killing of British Commandos?
with respect to this order? that such an order was going to be issued, was discussed in our circle, that is Canaris and the section chiefs. We were all, of course, absolutely agreed on its rejection apart from the aspects of international law because the Amt Ausland's Abwehr-- my division was Brandenburg-- would have had to fulfil such orders. Therefore, as chief of the section which was connected with the regiment, and for which I felt myself responsible in carrying out the repressive measures which were expected as a result of this order, I made the strongest protest possible against this order. protests? issued, either in written or oral form, and a second tine, after executions had been carried out as a result of this order, Canaris again by Amt Ausland through Buerckner, made protest against this order. I contributed to one of these written protests in the interests of my own section, Regiment Brandenburg, which was rather like the Kommandos. go?
A The pretests went to Canaris' superior officer, that is to say, the chief of the OKW.
Q Who was that? to Jodl?
A I can't say, but it is possible.
the protests which you made were. national law that soldiers, that is to say, not agents or spies, but soldiers who were shown to be such, should be killed after they had been taken prisoner. That was the main point. My division supported that idea because ay division was made up of soldiers and would have to carry out that kind of task itself.
these orders?
A Certainly. Other reasons were also mentioned according to the interest of the different divisions which were affected by these orders. For the Amt Ausland, it was the point of view of international law. The Abwehr Division was particularly interested in the interrogation of prisoners who had been taken, but never interested in having them killed. assisted in the preparation of these protests?
Q You mentioned Admiral Buerckner, did you not? wasn't the chief, but only for the Amt Ausland.
Q Now, have you ever heard of an operation known as "Gustav"? very like the one which was demanded in the elimination of Marshal Weygand. referred to the question of General Giraud. Keitel?
Q And are you referring to General Giraud of the French Army? my recollection, in the year 1942 fled from Koenigstein.
Q Do you know of any order issued with respect to General Giraud?
Q Who issued such an order?
A The Chief of the OKW. Keitel gave an order of this kind to Canaris, not in writing but orally.
Q How did you come to know about this order?
of the department, Chief of Abwehr Section III, Bentivegny, and a few other officers. We all heard it at a discussion with Canaris.
Q What was the substance of the order?
A The main content: of this order was to eliminate Giraud similar to Weygand.
Q When you say "eliminate" what do you mean? was to be killed. given by Keitel to Canaris? times repeated. I cannot say for certain when it was given for the first time as I was not present myself. It was probably after the flight of Giraud from Koenigstein and it was probably given for the first time to Heydrich in Prague. According to my notes, in the presence of Canaris, this subject was discussed in the presence of Keitel in July of the same year. this affair?
A I can't give the exact text, but the meaning was that he proclaimed the intention of having Giraud killed, similarly as in the case of Weygand, and asked me how the matter was progressing.
Q And what did you say to him on that occasion?
A I cannot remember the exact words. I probably gave some evasive answer.
Q Now, was this question later discussed by you at any time? August. The exact date can be found in my notes. Canaris rang me in my private apartment one evening. Keitel was urging him again, was pressing him about Giraud and the service chiefs were to meet the next day on this question. this larger circle what he had said to me over the phone the night before.
That is, he was being continually pressed by Keitel that something must at last be done in this matter. Our attitude was the same as in the matter of Weygand. All of us who were present rejected absolutely this new request to carry out a murder. Canaris was of the same opinion and Canaris thereupon went down to Keitel in order to induce him to leave the Military Abwehr out of all such matters, and as it happened at former times, and as he had already requested earlier, to leave such matters to the SD. Pieckenbrock spoke and I remember every word. He said it was about time that Keitel was told clearly that he should tell Hitler, his Hitler, that we, the Military Abwehr, were no murder organization like the SD or the SS, After a short time, Canaris came back and said it was now quite clear he had convinced Keitel that we, the Military Abwehr, were to be left out of such matters and the rest of it was to be left to the SD. this order had been given, said to me that the execution must be, will be, prevented at any cost. He would take care of that and I was to support him.
Q I don't think you have yet told us just who was present at this conference? which I have already mentioned; Colonel General Bentivegny, and I. Probably, too, General Oster, and possibly Buerkner, but I cannot remember. In my notes only those three chiefs are mentioned who already rejected the proposal. attention again? recorded, Keitel rang me up in my private department. He asked me what was happening with Gustav, "you know what I mean by Gustav." I said, "On Gustav, yes, I know." "How is the matter progressing, I must know, it is very urgent." I answered, "I have no information on the subject. Canaris has reserved this matter for himself, and Canaris is not here, he is in Paris." Then came the order from Keitel, or rather, or before he gave the order came one other question. "You know that the others are to carry out the order." By the others, he means the SS or the SD. I answered, "Yes, I know." Then came an order from Keitel once more to inquire how the matter -- how the whole matter is progressing. "I must know it urgently," he said. I said, "Yes." But went at once to the office of the Ausland's Abwehr, General Oster, and informed him what had happened. For his reply of what was to be done by Canaris and me in this extremely painful matter. I told him what Oster already knew, that the Canaris Abwehr had told the SD no words, or what the SD was intending to carry out., that is to say, the murder of Giraud. General Oster advised me to fly to Paris immediately and to tell Canaris, to tell Canaris, and to warn him. I flew the next day to Paris, and in a hotel while we were at dinner in a small -- we were in a small circle, and Admiral Buerkner was present, I told Canaris what had happened. Canaris was horrified and amazed, and for a moment he saw no solution. presence of other officers, it was Colonel Rudolph, and another man whose name I have forgotten, Canaris asked me when Giraudhad fled from Koenigstein, and the next day -- that is, when the assassination of Heydrich had been attempted, and I knew these dates, and told them in part when he had the three dates.
He was instantly relieved, and his face which had been very clouded, relaxed. He was certainly relieved in every way. I must say that in particular -- at the three days conference of the Abwehr Heydrich was present. It was a meeting between Amt Abwehr III and the co-ordinating people at the meeting of the Prague.
Canaris then based his whole plan on these three dates. His plan was to attempt to show that Heydrich at that conference had harped on the order to carry out the action. That is to say, his plan was to use the death of Heydrich to wreck the whole proposition. The next day we flew to Berlin, and Canaris reported to Keitel that the matter was quite in order, and that Canaris at the three days conference in Prague had given Heydrich the necessary instructions, and Heydrich had prepared everything, that is, a special purpose action had been started in order to have Giraud murdered, and there that same matter was finished and dropped.
COLONEL AMEN: There was a mistake I think in the translation back a little ways. If you don't mind will you please go back to where you first referred to Heydrich with Canaris, and repeat the story, because I think that the translation was incorrect. In other words, go back to the point where Canaris suddenly seemed relieved, and started to tell you what the apparent solution might be.
THE WITNESS: All these present saw that Canaris was much relieved, as he head from me the three dates. His whole plan is already maneuvered like as they did with Heydrich; to him it was intellectual, simply intellectual combination that he was making of the three dates. And the essential part was the date of the escape of Giraud, and the three day conference. If this conference had taken place before his escape, the combination would probably not have been possible, or it could not be made convincing.
THE PRESIDENT: Colonel Amen, what is the reason for the repition?
COLONEL AMEN: There was a mistake in the record. If it is the wish of the Tribunal, I shall not have him repeat it any further.
THE PRESIDENT: It seems clear to the Tribunal what was said.
COLONEL AMEN: Very well. concerned?
A Nothing more happened. Later, I only heard very much later that Hitler was first indignant about this escape, and said that the SD had failed miserably, that it had to be written down in the notes of the hauptquarter. The man who told me this is in the American zone.
Q Where you acquainted with Colonel Rowehls?
Q Who was he?
A He was an officer. He was a colonel of the Luftwaffe group.
Q What was the work of the special squadron to which he was attached? the Auslands Abwehr reconnaissance, in certain respects over certain states.
Q Were you ever present when he reported to Canaris?
Q Do you recall what Rowehl told Canaris on those occasions? first Abwehr -- Amt Abwehr I was responsible for this, and scrutinized these results. been made over? I cannot say in any greater detail what territory, and what state in the southeast, but I know that this squadron was stationed in Budapest for such reconnaissances.
Q Did you personally see some of these photographs? reconnaissance flights over London and Leningrad were being made?
A I can not give the exact date. I only remember being present at the Abwehr with Canaris, or with Bentivegny who was there sometimes; that this reconnaissance flight did take place, and photographic material was furnished, and that the squadron operated upon Hungary airfields, and sometimes they flew back to Berlin.
I knew some of the pilots from their activities. say, when these reconnaissance flights were being made?
Q And were these flights being made from Hungary, if you know? Jews in certain territories? III, and I have copies made for Canaris and for no, and copies of that report made for Canaris, and a copy for myself.
Q Is that an official report?
A Yes, and it is reported. The files would show from what office it came to us. In this connection Borison is the particular none in connection with this shooting of the Jews. I never knew very well.
COLONEL AMEN: Now may it please the Tribunal I should like to offer in evidence a photostatic copy, or copies of the entries made by the witness in every detail, together with a photostatic copy of the report. The originals are here in court, but cannot be lifted out of the box in which they are contained. They are so much damaged by a bomb explosion that if they were to be lifted out of the box, they would be destroyed beyond use, but we have had them photostated, and the photostatic copies are new available. That letter would be Exhibit U.S.A. 80-3047-PS.
THE PRESIDENT: Do I understand, Colonel Amen that only such portions of this document as are read in court will be offered in evidence?
COLONEL AMEN: Well, these have been used by the witness to refresh his recollection.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I know they have.
COLONEL AMEN: And none of them have been read in full in court, but they may be so read at any time, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: If you want them to go into evidence as documents, you must read then, of course. Colonel Anon, do you want to use the documents any more than you already used then for the purpose of refreshing the witness's memory?
COLONEL AMEN: I do not, sir, except having used then in this fashion, I now think it is only fair to offer then in evidence for the information and scrutiny of the Tribunal; for my own purpose they have served their purpose.
THE PRESIDENT: If the defense counsel wish to see them for the purpose of cross-examination, of course, they may do so.
COLONEL AMEN: Oh, yes, sir. I have offered already sir, to be Exhibit U.S.A. 80-3047-PS.
THE PRESIDENT: But otherwise they may not be put in evidence?
COLONEL AMEN: Correct. the plans of the German Reich for waging of war?
THE PRESIDENT: From this damaged paper, it seems to contain a report on the execution of the Jews in Borisov.
COLONEL AMEN: Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: That again will not be in evidence unless you read it.
COLONEL AMEN: Correct, sir. We will include that in the offer which I just made to you, that unless what we are offering is desired by the Court, I will not offer it in evidence but only read it.
THE PRESIDENT: Very well, the Court does not desire it.
COLONEL AMEN: Very well, I will repeat the question. plan of the German Reich for waging of war? for these matters. which was not available to an ordinary person, or to an ordinary officer in the army?
A Yes, certainly. It belongs to my office. in your group come to any decisions as to whether or not the attack on Poland, for example, was an unprovoked act of aggression?
THE PRESIDENT: Well -
THE WITNESS: Would you be kind enough to repeat the question?
THE PRESIDENT: That is one principal question which this court has to decide. You cannot produce evidence upon a question which is within the province of the court to decide.
COLONEL AMEN: Very well, sir. The witness is now available for cross-examination.
THE PRESIDENT: Is it the Russian Prosecutors wish to ask any questions of this witness?
THE RUSSIAN PROSECUTOR: You have made definite replies to questions, and I should like to have certain details. were under the direction of German Wehrmacht? Germans?
A The commandos perhaps is not the right expression. They were people who were together in camps, and had had an apparent military training.
Q What was the function of those commandos?
A They were organizations. They came from the Caucasian, they come from the Caucasian Ukrania, and had worked together with the office of the Abwehr.
Q What was the actual function of these troops? beginning of hostilities. There was the field commando line of officers to which I belonged.
Q What functions did those troops have?
Q Otherwise, in what territory? that is to say, in a concrete case about those natters, to say, particularly in Poland.
Q In this case of Poland, what was the sabotage and other activities?
military administrations. I have just described the activities in general. That is to say the destruction of important military installations.
Q I am asking you, what else? Whether any militaristic acts as to its commands?
A That the Abwehr officer didn't give them their political, but the Auslands Abwehr, these were given to them by the confidentes service of the Reichs.
Q You have misunderstood me. You are speaking about sabotage, and I was asking you about terroristic acts. Do you understand me. Wasn't there terror? New, I am not clear. May I again repeat. As well as to sabotage acts, was there any terror acts in there?
terrorism. From whose side was the question of terror?
A Well, that was the whole point at the time. The military OGPU in various forms was always being asked to use our purely military organization for political or terroristic purposes; for example, as can be shown by notes in the files, in the preparation of the campaign against Poland. upon as a logical enemy and was subjected to special measures, what do you mean by special measures? I repeat the question. You have said that Red Army man was locked upon by you--I mean, by the German High Command as a geographical enemy and was to be subjected to special measures. What does it mean? What do you mean by saying "special measures"? taken, which I have already spoken of, and I should like to add that there was much, much more of it than I can say from my after all restricted point of view. commandos which were picked from the prisoners of war. I understand that the picking was done--one was to be killed and the other one was to go to labor? cerned with the execution of those selected among the prisoners of war. as to who was to die? Reinecke. It was the leader of those special purpose squads who had to decide who was to be looked upon as Bolshevistically tainted or not. do with them?