dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
1933 there were 40 administrative officers, 200 executive officers and 70 other personnel in the main GESTAPO offices. In 1940 the GESTAPO had grown to 20,000 employees of which 1700 were administrative personnel, 11,000 were executive personnel and 8,000 others. Formal Incorporation of GESTAPO Members into the SS The witness also said that certain changes took place within the GESTAPO in 1936 by which the various ranks of members of the GESTAPO and SS were equalized. Members of the GESTAPO were formally incorporated into the SS, as a result of which they were allowed to wear SS uniforms. The object of this order was the attempt to make the entire Security Police a uniform system. No immediate pressure was put on members of the GESTAPO to transfer into the SS. In fact it was stated that a large part of the GESTAPO requested that this should be done. At the beginning of the war a number of employees were recruited on an emergency basis. These people received no prior examination as to their political views. They could not protest against their transfer to the GESTAPO. In cross-examination TESMER said that he did not agree with DR. BEST when he said in his book that the GESTAPO and later the Security Police became part of the SS. He said that BEST should have pointed out that the GESTAPO and later on the Security Police needed experts and qualified personnel. He always attempted to maintain a group of qualified officials. The transfer of GESTAPO officials to the SS was only a formal one and merely involved the wearing of uniforms. Under a decree by which this amalgamation took place, personnel of the Security Police had to make written applications to join either the SD or the SS. This was ordered by the RSHA. 63 Col. Neave Rep. Both TESMER and the witness HEDEL of the Technical Branch of the GESTAPO who were concerned with communications, denied that administrative officials had executive powers of any kind. II. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF THE SECRET FIELD POLICE TO THE GESTAPO The witness who gave evidence on this subject was KIRCHBAUM, Chief of the military police in Obersalzberg from 1940 to 1945. The object of calling this witness was to describe the transfer of members of the secret field police into the GESTAPO during the
II. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF THE SECRET FIELD POLICE TO THE GESTAPO The witness who gave evidence on this subject was KIRCHBAUM, Chief of the military police in Obersalzberg from 1940 to 1945. The object of calling this witness was to describe the transfer of members of the secret field police into the GESTAPO during the war as a result of an emergency regulation. The American Prosecution objected that the evidence was irrelevant on the grounds that the transfer of the field police could in no way affect the "basic voluntary nature of the organization". The hearing of the witness was, however, allowed. Functions of the Secret Field Police The witness was a member of the secret field police. In 1942 the Reichsfuehrer SS required that the police be enlarged in France and he attempted to get the entire, secret field police under his jurisdiction. The secret field police were originally a military organization. The witness had previously worked under Admiral CANARIS of the High Command. In 1942 the total number of Secret Field Police transferred from the Army to the security police comprised about 2500 men. The transfer was an arrangement between HIMMLER and KEITEL dated the 17th of December, 1942. All personnel were transferred as a unit together with any civilian employees. There was no kind of selection. People born in 1917 or earlier were, however, not transferred. There was no possibility for the secret police to refuse the order and they would have been tried by court martial had they done so. Personnel transferred included drivers and telephone operators. Witness estimated that the total number of personnel transferred between 1943 and 1945 was somewhere between 5500 and 7500 men. The secret field police was responsible only for occupied territory. They had no jurisdiction after 1942 concerning civilian matters. They were interested in security matters within the Army and the prevention of attacks by civilians upon military installations or units. They were originally the counter-intelligence police 64 Col. Neave Rep. of the German Army. After this transfer the counter-intelligence units of the secret field police worked exclusively with the Security Police. The remainder of the secret field police only concerned itself with military security. III. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF BORDER POLICE TO
counter-intelligence police 64 Col. Neave Rep. of the German Army. After this transfer the counter-intelligence units of the secret field police worked exclusively with the Security Police. The remainder of the secret field police only concerned itself with military security. III. COMPULSORY TRANSFER OF BORDER POLICE TO THE GESTAPO OTTO SOMANN stated that he was inspector of the Security Police in Wiesbaden from 1943. He was in charge of the so-called "Zollgrenzschutz", the custom and border security police. His organization originally belonged to the Reich Finance Ministry. It was transferred by order of HIMMLER to Amt 4 of the RSHA in 1944 in spite of the protest of the Reich Finance Office. It appears, however, that customs police who patrolled lakes and rivers were transferred to the Order Police and not the GESTAPO. Statistics of the Border Police The total strength of the Zollgrenzschutz in the summer of 1944 was about 54,000 men; about 25,000 of these came under the jurisdiction of the GESTAPO. The function of the Zollgrenzschutz was to prohibit illegal entry or exit from Germany and to prevent propaganda from being smuggled in. There was no change in the functions of the organization as a result of its incorporation, nor did they change their uniforms. The whole organization was transferred and individual members were not asked, nor could they do anything about the transfer. IV. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED TO THE GESTAPO The Reichssicherheitsdienst according to BEST was a part of the Security Police only in the sense that it was financed through them and its employees had to qualify under civil service requirements. The chief of this department was not subordinate to the chief of the Security Police but directly under HIMMLER. Members of the Sicherheitsdienst were used exclusively as guards of prominent people. This organization came into existence in 1934. BEST also described the so-called Abwehr Beauftragte, an organization for counter-intelligence in factories. Agents of this 65 Col. Neave Rep. organization were originally selected by the military counter intelligence but after 1938 by the GESTAPO. Their duties were t guard against sabotage. They were not members or employees o the GESTAPO but of the
an organization for counter-intelligence in factories. Agents of this 65 Col. Neave Rep. organization were originally selected by the military counter intelligence but after 1938 by the GESTAPO. Their duties were t guard against sabotage. They were not members or employees o the GESTAPO but of the factories where they worked. In some factories these organizations had under them executive organizations such as the Werkschutz; (works security) which could not b considered part of the GESTAPO. C KNOWLEDGE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES I. KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORK OF EINSATZGRUPPEN AND OF CONDITIONS IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS Einsatzgruppen BEST testified that Einsatzgruppen were originally not attached to the GESTAPO but were mobilized for employment by the Wehrmacht. Later, however, they were attached to the chief of the Security Police. The witness believed that most GESTAPO officials were unaware of their activities. In general GESTAPO officials did not realize that they were committing crimes in carrying out instructions of the Reich Security Office. They were professional civil servants who were doing their duty and nothing more. So far as the "Bullet" decree or Commando orders were concerned, most of the witnesses denied knowledge of them or that they were applied. Concentration Camps In regard to the knowledge of conditions in concentration camps, ALBATH stated that sometimes inmates released from concentration camps had to report to GESTAPO officials and in this way the GESTAPO were able to get some information. He said that his subordinates who received such information did not give him the impression that atrocities were being committed. He admitted that the GESTAPO officials knew people arrested under orders of the RSHA were to be sent to concentration camps. 66 Col. Neave Rep. THE SS The Defense called the following persons as witnesses for the ALLGEMEINE SS, the WAFFEN-SS, the SS Main Office and a number of other groups: A. THE ALLGEMEINE SS: OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER EBERHARD HINDERFELD, who was legal adviser to the SS disciplinary court in Munich. HAUPTSTURMFUEHRER KARL HANS JOEHNK, a member of the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. FREIHERR FRIEDRICH KARL VON EBERSTEIN, Oberabsdinittsfuehrer (higher district leader) in Dresden and Chief of Police in Bavaria
SS: OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER EBERHARD HINDERFELD, who was legal adviser to the SS disciplinary court in Munich. HAUPTSTURMFUEHRER KARL HANS JOEHNK, a member of the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. FREIHERR FRIEDRICH KARL VON EBERSTEIN, Oberabsdinittsfuehrer (higher district leader) in Dresden and Chief of Police in Bavaria from 1937 to 1945. SS OBERFUEHRER LUDWIG GRAUERT, State Secretary of Prussia. HELMUTH KLUCK, Public Health Officer and Senator in Danzig. B. THE ORDER POLICE AND SS REGIMENTS: COLONEL OF POLICE JOHANNES ZUPKE, of the Personnel Department of the Order Police. C. THE TOTENKOPFVERBAENDE (Deaths Heads Units) AND THE SS VERFUEGUNGSTRUPPE SS OBERGRUPPENFUEHRER HANS JUETTNER of the Main Headquarters of the WAFFEN-SS. GENERALOBERST PAUL HAUSSER, Commanding Army Group G on the WESTERN FRONT and formerly Inspector of the VERFUEGUNGSTRUPPE (see also under WAFFEN SS). D. RIDING UNITS: RUEDIGER VON WOIKOWSKI-BIEDAU of the Inspectorate of Riding in the SS MAIN Office. E. THE SS MAIN OFFICES: OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER DR. NORBERT POHL (SS Main Office) 67 Col. Neave Rep. WOLFRAM SIEVERS, the AHNENERBE (Research) SS STURMBANNFUEHRER, JOHANNES STEIN (the WVHA or Economic and Administration Main Office) SS OBERFUEHRER AND JUDGE GUENTHER REINECKE (Legal Department) F. THE WAFFEN-SS SS OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER WERNER GROTHMANN, Adjutant to HIMMLER 1940 to 1945. JOACHIM RUOFF, Colonel in the Main Headquarters of the WAFFEN-SS. SS JUDGE DR. BRAUSSE, Court Martial Officer. PRIVATE FELIX SCHIEBLICH, Volunteer for the WAFFEN-SS. SS STANDARTENFUEHRER DR. PETER LIEBRICH, Medical Officer in ALLGEMEINE SS AND WAFFEN-SS. OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER, KARL GUENTHER MOLT, in charge of an SS (Junker) Training School. SS OBERSTURMFUEHRER DR. HEINZ JOACHIM GRAF, Chief of the Interpreting and Interrogation Section of the WAFFEN-SS. SS OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER ROBERT BRILL, Deputy Chief of Recruiting Section of the WAFFEN-SS Main Office. SS OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER WALTER BLUME, also of the Recruiting Section of the WAFFEN-SS Main Office. COLONEL OF THE WAFFEN-SS KARL ULLRICH, Commander of the SS Panzer Division Viking. GENERALOBERST PAUL HAUSSER, Commander of Army Group G on the Western Front at the end of the War. G. DEPARTMENT OF EICHMANN (Jews) DR. EBERHARD VON
WALTER BLUME, also of the Recruiting Section of the WAFFEN-SS Main Office. COLONEL OF THE WAFFEN-SS KARL ULLRICH, Commander of the SS Panzer Division Viking. GENERALOBERST PAUL HAUSSER, Commander of Army Group G on the Western Front at the end of the War. G. DEPARTMENT OF EICHMANN (Jews) DR. EBERHARD VON THADDEN, Councillor in the German Foreign Office in charge of Jewish Questions. OBERSTURMBANNFUEHRER, DIETER WISLICENY OF THE JEWISH COMMITTEE of the Eichmann Department. 68 Col. Neave Rep. According to statements made by Defense Counsel and from an examination of the transcripts, the Defense seek to establish the following points in defense of the SS: 1. The SS was not a complete unit as described in the Indictment. Its various sections were independent and had no knowledge of each other's tasks. There was no direct cooperation between the SS, the GESTAPO and SD. 2. The development of the ALLGEMEINE SS from its formation does not indicate that it consisted of a group of persons intending to commit crimes. It was not an instrument of terror but primarily a well-disciplined bodyguard who maintained order at meetings. It is incorrect to say that it was an elite, aggressive assault troop of the party. 3. The ALLGEMEINE SS played no part in the Roehm Putsch and the events of November 10, 1938. Administration of concentration camps was not their responsibility. Various units, such as the SS Riding Unit, Medical Sections and some members of the Order Police were transferred into the SS without previous warning and not on. the ground of the political views of their members. 4. The Prosecution are relying on a chart showing the composition of the SS Main Offices and their relation to HIMMLER which is incorrect and liable to misinterpretation of the whole chain of command. 5. The Research Department (AHNENERBE) were ignorant of the experiments of Dr. RASCHER. 6. HIMMLER and EICHMANN kept their activities secret from all but a very narrow circle. The SS Legal Division were deliberately prevented from pursuing inquiries into atrocities in concentration camps. They did, however, punish a number of offenders among camp commanders and guards. 7. The WAFFEN-SS was primarily a military organization which fought
secret from all but a very narrow circle. The SS Legal Division were deliberately prevented from pursuing inquiries into atrocities in concentration camps. They did, however, punish a number of offenders among camp commanders and guards. 7. The WAFFEN-SS was primarily a military organization which fought under the direct command of the Army and was only under the SS Main Office for administration. It observed the laws of war and received special training to this end. 8. The ideological training of the SS as a whole was not such as would lead to the commission of the crimes mentioned in the Indictment. 9. The WAFFEN-SS were not responsible for the guarding of concentration camps. It was a deliberate deception on the part of 69 Col. Neave Rep. HIMMLER to designate concentration camp guards as "WAFFEN-SS" who were drawn from other organizations. This summary is divided into two parts: Part One - The Organization and Duties of the SS Part Two-Their Defense against Specific Crimes Alleged by the Prosecution PART ONE ORGANIZATION OF THE SS I. THE ALLGEMEINE SS 1. Origin and Development of the ALLGEMEINE SS The purpose of the evidence given on behalf of the ALLGEMEINE SS is to show it was not in its origins an organization formed for the commission of crimes alleged by the Prosecution. It was founded in 1926 with the primary object of protecting speakers at public meetings. Evidence was given that the employment of body guards by other parties such as those which belonged to the Social Democrats was quite frequent. In these days of political strife such precautionary measures were necessary. After 1933 the ALLGEMEINE SS was mainly used to keep order and control the audiences at large meetings of the Party and was no longer used primarily for the protection of the speakers. Its members did not carry weapons and they were instructed only to fight in self defense. It appears that the title ALLGEMEINE SS was not in general use until 1937. Previously there had been a distinction drawn between the regular Schutzstaffel (Guards) and the TOTENKOPFVERBAENDE or Deaths Heads Units who were the assault troops. The ALLGEMEINE SS were never considered as a military organization. The only drilling that they were taught was as
was not in general use until 1937. Previously there had been a distinction drawn between the regular Schutzstaffel (Guards) and the TOTENKOPFVERBAENDE or Deaths Heads Units who were the assault troops. The ALLGEMEINE SS were never considered as a military organization. The only drilling that they were taught was as part of their task of preserving order at meetings. They had various welfare and sport organizations such as motorcycle and riding units. Sport meetings were held to encourage international relations. 70 Col. Neave Rep. In cross-examination HINDERFELD denied that the sport and social activities of the SS provided any particular advantage for the members over other members of society. It was contended that the ALLGEMEINE SS were always independent of the GESTAPO. The SD was merely an intelligence service formed by the Reichsfuehrer SS which worked for the Party as a whole and grew up independently of the SS. The same independence was true of the relations of the SS with the SA. In 1932 both organizations had been suppressed though this was later rescinded by VON PAPEN. The witness GRAUERT was of the opinion that any criminal actions committed by these organizations during the days of HITLER'S rise to power were due to the disturbed state of the country at that time. Attempts were made through conversations with ROEHM, Chief of Staff of the SA, to combine the two organizations. This attempt failed and the SS were separated from the SA and put under HIMMLER. The witness considered that this was unfortunate since LUTZE, Chief of Staff of the SA after ROEHM, was a capable administrator and could have controlled both organizations in the best interests of the Reich. The underlying reason behind this separation was HITLER'S distrust of the SA resulting from the Putsch of 1934 and his desire to divide its authority. The general impression grew up in Germany that SS and SA men formed the staffs of the GESTAPO offices. This was not in fact so. The executive and administrative posts were held from the start by officials of the State Police. It was only the subordinate jobs that were held by SS and SA men. During the war the ALLGEMEINE SS practically disappeared and most of its offices were closed down. At the beginning of the war there were
so. The executive and administrative posts were held from the start by officials of the State Police. It was only the subordinate jobs that were held by SS and SA men. During the war the ALLGEMEINE SS practically disappeared and most of its offices were closed down. At the beginning of the war there were 10,000 ALLGEMEINE SS but after 1943 only about 1200 remained, their principal task being to support SS welfare activities. 2. Discipline and Recruiting of the ALLGEMEINE SS HINDERFELD said that before joining the ALLGEMEINE SS its members had to have character references and a certificate from the police. The main motive for joining was the prevalence of unemployment in the early days. The newly-joined members were impressed 71 Col. Neave Rep. by the "defensive character" of the organization. The discipline was, he declared, excellent. Height, physical condition and a good social reputation were essential to acceptance. Persons convicted of crimes prior to their entry were either not accepted or dismissed. There was a six months to two year probation. After 1935 the subordinate ranks were recruited on a local basis and local influences played a great part in the organization. Members had to buy their own uniforms and in the opinion of the witness, quite a number of people joined because they thought the uniform was smart. A number of others joined in order to further their career in the Civil Service. The large majority of members carried out their SS duties in addition to their ordinary professions. In order to show that the goals and aims of the organization did not appear criminal to the members, the Defense emphasized the extent of the "comradeship" engendered. This comradeship was valuable because it broke down class distinctions. There were a number of persons prominent in industry, science and medicine who were appointed honorary SS leaders by HIMMLER. In choosing such people, HIMMLER had no regard for their political views and frequently conferred this distinction on members of the nobility. 3. Training and Ideology of the ALLGEMEINE SS The training was not military. Firing of small-bore weapons was taught and athletic training in competition for SS or SA sport medals. The racial teaching given to new members was with the
and frequently conferred this distinction on members of the nobility. 3. Training and Ideology of the ALLGEMEINE SS The training was not military. Firing of small-bore weapons was taught and athletic training in competition for SS or SA sport medals. The racial teaching given to new members was with the object of furthering the ideal of a better German race. The destruction of other races was not taught. There was never any mention of preparation for an aggressive war although like all Germans, the SS considered that the Versailles Treaty should be revised. A peaceful emigration of the Jews was advocated. Cross-examining HINDERFELD, the Prosecution referred to Document 199-PS, USA-170. The witness denied that anything in this document which referred to the shooting of members of the SA in June 1934 could indicate that the principle that murder could be justified formed part of the teaching in SS schools. The Prosecution quoted from 3051-PS, USA-240 and from a copy of the Organization Book of 1943, 2640-PS, USA-323. The Organization Book describes the duty of an SS man "openly 72 Col. Neave Rep. and unrelentingly to fight dangerous enemies, such as Jews, freemasons, Jesuits and political clergy". HINDERFELD'S reply to this was that the date of the book was 1943, a time when the ALLGEMEINE SS had become insignificant. In re-examination he said that the words "combat or fight" did not mean physical combat. They meant discussion of "idealistic 'or world problems". Many members of the ALLGEMEINE SS found out to their disgust that HIMMLER did not practice the code of honor which he preached. This included the duty of the SS to help "poor and defenseless persons". II. THE SS AND THE POLICE The witness GRAUERT described a gradual tendency from 1933 onwards for the police and the SS to become amalgamated under one head. In 1936 when HIMMLER became Chief of Police, it was intended that the two organizations should be responsible for the security of the Reich. The witness was always of the opinion that as a result no clear responsibility for police functions existed and that this was the cause of many subsequent disasters. 1. The Higher SS and Police Leaders The creation of Higher SS and Police Leaders after 1936 was part