While the Battle in Berlin was raging around them, Hitler ordered Mohnke to set up a military tribunal for SS-"Gruppenführer" Hermann Fegelein, adjutant to Heinrich Himmler, in order to try the man for desertion. The tribunal consisted of Generals Hans Krebs, Wilhelm Burgdorf, Johann Rattenhuber, and Mohnke himself. Years later, Mohnke told author James P. O'Donnell the following: