I did not persecute Jews with avidity and passion. That is what the government did. Nor could the persecution be carried out other than by a government. I accuse the leaders of abusing my obedience. At that time obedience was demanded, just as in the future it will also be demanded of the subordinate.
Obedience is commended as a virtue.
May I therefore ask that consideration be given to the fact that I obeyed, and not whom I obeyed. I have already said that the top echelons, to which I did not belong, gave the orders, and they rightly, in my opinion, deserved punishment for the atrocities which were perpetrated on the victims on their orders. But the subordinates are now also victims. I am one of such victims. This cannot be ignored.