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Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:16:28+00:00

Document:
This is another research thread featuring collected documents and extracts from documents on this subject.
"Extract From Supplement to War Diary of 3d Panzer Army, August 1941 to January 1942, Concerning Execution of Partisans and PW's", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1152-1153.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-711, Prosecution Exhibit 692.
Enclosure K to Activity Report No. 3, 3d Panzer Army, Section Ic started 17 August 1941, concluded 31 January 1942.
[Handwritten] Enclosure 5, Section Ic/A.O.
Comments to the Partisan situation map 1: 50000.
Concluded on: 25 September 1941.
8. Two motor vehicles of the Panzer Group Signal Regiment 3 were fired on 9 September 1941 by approximately 10-20 partisans Searches had no results. We had no losses. Four extremely suspicious Red Army men who were apprehended in Djedkova--nearest to the place of attack--will be shot.
10. Operation against Petrakovski-Latuishki, in the night 10-11 September 1941. Short skirmish, in which one partisan was killed, another, apparently high ranking partisan commander was captured, but was shot immediately because of his serious wounds. Furthermore three innocuous prisoners were taken.
19. Six prisoners from the region of Gorodishche-Bukino were taken during the operation on 21 September 1941 in the zone Gorodishche, Bukino, Djedkova, Lavinki, Kashutina, and Sarboje, some of them armed. These prisoners were shot on the spot after a short interrogation. Furthermore 7 prisoners from Djedkova.
20. Two very suspicious looking men, probably partisans, were seized on 19 September 1941 in the region of Pashkovo. They were shot.
"Order of Panzer Group 3, 9 September 1941, Concerning the Treatment of Partisans and Partisan Followers", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1153-1154.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-688, Prosecution Exhibit 608.
[Handwritten] Enclosure 11, Group Combat Post, 9 September 1941. Panzer Group 3, Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer.
Subject: Partisans in the replacement areas [Auffrischungsraeume].
In order to capture the harmless followers as soon as possible it would seem expedient to treat them extremely well in the presence of the civilian population (food and cigarettes) so that this will become generally known and fear of giving themselves up voluntarily will vanish. Executions are, therefore, to be carried out far away and unobtrusively insofar as there are causes for suspicion of partisan activities; otherwise they will be sent away as PW's. The time during which they can give themselves up has been extended to 15 September 1942 (as stated on the leaflets). Rewards up to RM 25 may be paid to local inhabitants of partisan followers for information leading to the capture of partisans. (Payment of rewards must be approved subsequently by the division (see F.N.B1.20, BII)).
If weapons are found in the possession of partisans or if public acts of violence are committed against the Wehrmacht, the partisans are to be shot or hanged by order of an officer and the reason for it is to be made known to the local population in a suitable manner. (For instance a sign could be hung around the neck of the partisans, stating: "This will happen to everybody who saws down a telegraph pole".) The same action is to be taken with regard to local inhabitants who support partisans.
"Extract From War Diary of 18th Army, 2 July 1941, Concerning Reprisal Action Against Russians in Riga", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. p. 1154.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1316, Prosecution Exhibit 666.
begun: 21 June 1941--closed: 31 December 1941.
2 July 1941: 2215 hours: * * * The Commander in Chief reports from Riga as follows: 67 men were killed and 15 murdered of the advance detachment Lasch which had crossed to the east bank The commander in chief has ordered that all Russians captured in Riga must be shot in retaliation.
"Extract From War Diary of 121st Infantry Division, 7 October 1941, Reporting Reprisal Executions", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. p. 1155.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1578, Prosecution Exhibit 668.
Special incidents--Following the report of an inhabitant it was possible to arrest three partisans who were shot on 5 October 1941. Papers belonging to members of our armed forces were also found in their possession; these will be forwarded to Corps Headquarters XXVIII Army Corps, separately. Ten civilians were shot on 6 October 1941 as a reprisal measure, after cables had again been cut in spite of a previous announcement, and the threat of the death penalty.
Last edited by David Thompson on 21 Oct 2004 18:45, edited 1 time in total.
"Extract From Activity Report of XXVIII Army Corps, 3 November 1941, Concerning Reprisal Executions", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. p. 1155.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1580, Prosecution Exhibit 670.
Ic, Ic--Activity Report, Part III.
At Tossno a fire broke out in a sawmill and destroyed all the machinery. The fire, however, was prevented from reaching the lumberyard. It must be assumed that this was an act of sabotage. As a countermeasure 13 persons (selected from persons refusing to work and from known Communists) were shot by the Security Service.
"Teletyped Report from 17th Army to 11th Army, 15 January 1942, Concerning Shooting of Partisans", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. p. 1156.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1178, Prosecution Exhibit 694.
Teletype: from: HZAX/FU 673 15 January 1942, 2115.
Evening report: E. Up to 31 December 1941, the following results were achieved in the anti-partisan warfare. Shootings after thorough interrogations: 1119.
17th Army Ic Counterintelligence officer.
"Extract From War Diary of 17th Army, 27 February 1942, Reporting Execution of Hostages", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1156-1157.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-3346, Prosecution Exhibit 1510.
Enclosure 1 to War Diary No. 2.
Ic Reports of Army Corps from 13 December 1941 to 10 March 1942.
Ic morning report of the XLV Army Corps.
5. Five hostages were shot as a reprisal measure for a German sentry being fired on by civilians at Shabelkovka.
"Extract from 17th Army Report, March 1942 to August 1942, Disclosing the Execution of Civilians As Spy Suspects", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. p. 1157.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2501, Prosecution Exhibit 696.
17th Army Command, Section Ic/Counterintelligence officer.
Activity Report for the period 11 March 1942 to 13 August 1942.
All civilians who tried to cross our lines were shot on suspicion of espionage, since armed civilians had attempted last night to break through to the south near the mouth of the Torez river.
"Extracts From Report of 17th Army, April 1942 to July 1942, Concerning the Execution of Civilians By Secret Field Police and the Execution of Prisoners in Gorlovka Concentration Camp", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2916, Prosecution Exhibit 1305.
Supplementary Volume XI to Activity Report--Activity Report Counterintelligence Officer.
3 May 1942: On account of a denunciation submitted by a confidential agent, Secret Field Police Staff Commissariat interrogates 6 alleged members of a destruction battalion. Secret Field Police interrogates the youth Jakunin and those persons who were accused by him of being partisans. It is proved that J. is a swindler. He will be liquidated because he admits that at a certain time he participated in attacks on Italian troops.
14 April 1942: Secret Field Police Staff Commissariat interrogates a civilian, who, at 1830 hours, loitered around near the motor pool. During the transport to the counterintelligence officer and to the Secret Field Police he tried to escape twice. Result of interrogation showed that he was an imbecile who could constitute a danger for the troops. He will be liquidated.
3 April 1942: Secret Field Police Staff Commissariat liquidates the Russian Simeon Jssajev on suspicion of having been a member of the destruction battalion and for unauthorized wandering around.
"Extract From War Diary of 17th Army, 3 July 1942, Concerning Liquidation of Partisans and Agents", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1158-1159.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2561, Prosecution Exhibit 747.
[Handwritten] War Diary, Army Combat Post, 3 July 1942.
Subject: Activities to date of the Counter Intelligence Unit II.
To the OKW/Counterintelligence Department II.
II. From the moment of the arrival at the Dnepr the activities of the II Counterintelligence Unit were mainly concentrated on antipartisan warfare.
The great number of partisans and agents liquidated by all participating offices (excluding the Security Service) (up to now many more than 6000 persons) give a picture of the extent of the danger which was diverted from the troops.
For information to--Counterintelligence Hq. II, with the Counterintelligence Group South.
"Extract From Evening Reports of Subordinate Units of 4th Panzer Army, 2 August 1942, Regarding Shooting of Male Civilians over 15 Years of Age", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High CommandCase'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1159-1160.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2599, Prosecution Exhibit 697.
Enclosure 2b to Ic--Activity Report.
Ic: Evening report dated 2 August 1942 IV Army Corps.
A. Enemy continues strong opposition on both sides of the Sal Valley. Every settlement has to be searched house by house. Result--always hundreds of individually fighting prisoners. Obviously, Stalin Order No. 225, effective immediately, to hold every inch of soil until the last, has been communicated down to the last private with the corresponding results.
B. Enemy prepares again for defense near Atamanskoje at Mal. Kuberle. After strong opposition enemy was thrown back from Bratskaja Ssemja, approximately at 0900 hours. At present, heavy fighting around Oserki and Semenskinskaja, Kosinka, Frolov, and Savreljev cleared of rear guards who resisted tenaciously. Enemy was thrown back at Nishne Shiroff; there, south of the Sal, soldiers watering their horses were fired on. In heavy hand-to-hand fighting a unit consisting almost entirely of NCO's was annihilated.
2d Air Battalion 414, ground personnel assigned for infantry tasks before 91, 94, 115. Around Bratskaja Zelma the civilian population participated in the fighting against our forces. Shooting of all male civilians over 15 years of age was ordered and carried out. Very little enemy air activity.
"Extracts From War Diary of Commander of Rear Area 580, September 1942, Concerning Antipartisan Warfare", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1160-1163.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2181, Prosecution Exhibit 213.
The Commander of Army Rear Area 580 (Headquarters, Unit).
The War Diary was kept...Name and rank...from 1 September 1942 till 30 September 1942 by [Illegible signature] 1st Lt. from...till...by..from...till..by.
The Commander of Army Rear Area 580--Qu./N.O.
Reference: Special Regulations for Antipartisan Warfare, No. 1, dated 9 November 1941, 2d Army/oberquartiermeister/Quartiermeister 2.
I. General survey of the situation regarding the antipartisan warfare. In the area Fatesch--Michailowka, south of the Swapa, the presence of some partisans was noticed about the middle of the month covered by this report. Quiet, however, was established in the area since a formation of Cossacks was transferred to Michailowka. On 14 August 1942, a train was derailed by a time bomb on railroad line Lotschinowo--Kursk in the vicinity of the first mentioned town. Two persons very strongly suspected of this deed were hanged, as well as two Russian railroad workers, who, at least knew of the presence of the explosives but failed to make a report. The guards repeatedly arrested suspicious persons and Red soldiers along this stretch of railroad and brought them to the nearest prison camp. Several of the arrested persons were shot while trying to escape. Numerous civilians, who could not establish their identity, members of the NKVD, as well as Red soldiers, we also arrested in the area south of the above mentioned railroad line and east of the road Kursk--Orel. Some of these persons who were trying to escape to avoid arrest were shot, the rest were handed over to a prison camp.
7. Severe penal measures for member of bands. Prisoners in any clothing will be hanged; in uniform, they will be shot. They will be treated as fighting troops only in case of appropriate proof.
Commander Rear Area, Army Group B.
For information to--6th Army Command--Staff Don.
Independent of anti-band warfare with major troop units, important combat missions of a minor extent have often to be carried out by small, well-equipped and well armed raiding detachments [Jagdkommandos].
1. That every commander of an army rear area, every security division, and every other division employed in areas endangered by bands, immediately organize raiding detachments.
No. 7142/42 Secret, dated 4 September 1942.
2. d. If the prerequisites for surprise no longer exist, for instance, because inhabitants appear by chance, the chosen site must be immediately abandoned if the troublesome witnesses cannot be eliminated silently.
To 2d Army Command/Oberquartiermeister/Quartiermeister 2.
1. Area around Michailovka.--a. The members of the Riasanzev family (see report, commander of rear area, dated 11 September 1942, paragraph 2) admitted supporting bands. They were shot on 7 September 1942. (581st Military Police [Report] dated 13 September 1942.).
"Extracts From War Diary of Commander of Army Rear Area 580, October 1942, Concerning Execution of Red Army Soldiers and Deportation of Civilians", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1163-1164.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2276, Prosecution Exhibit 312.
War Diary No. 16, Commander of Army Rear Area 580 (Command Authority, unit).
Started: 1 October 1942--Concluded: 31 October 1942.
Commander of Army Rear Area 580 was subordinate from 1-31 October 1942 to the 2d Army.
The War Diary was kept from 1-31 October 1942 by Name and rank [Illegible signature] 1st Lt.
Commander of Army Rear Area 580--Qu./communications Officer.
To 2d Army Oberquartiermeister/Quartiermeister 2.
Subject: Antiband warfare, area around Kshen.
In Borovka there are 58 strangers who, according to interrogations, are strongly suspected of participating in band activity; 27 of them were members of the Red Army, partly not yet reported and only arrived during the past few days. They were publicly shot. Eighteen resident members of the Red Army were transferred to the PW camp at Kshen, four men of the indigenous auxiliary police and one resident, formerly a Party member, were sent to the civilian prisoners' camp Razshovez via Feldkommandatur 239. The Starost [mayor] who promoted the organization of bands through his negligence in connection with the indigenous auxiliary police, and a woman who gave shelter to a bandit for several days, were publicly hanged. 34 relatives of all the punished people were compulsorily evacuated and taken to a refugee camp via Feldkommandatur 239. A new starost deputy and indigenous auxiliary police were appointed; the inventory of the evacuees was handed over to them for administration.
The SD in Kshen receives information of individual investigation.
"Extracts From War Diary of Commander of Army Rear Area 580, October 1942 to November 1942, Concerning Executions of Partisans and Other Retaliatory Measures", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1164-1166.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2361, Prosecution Exhibit 749.
Headquarters Army Rear Area 580 was subordinate from 1-30 November 1942 to 2d Army.
16 October 1942, 0805: During a search from the north to the south of the Opash woods on 15 October 1942, by the 1st [Company] Cossack Battalion 580, a group of eight bandits and a 10 year old boy were driven to the southern border where they hid in the shrubs. In the evening hours of 15 October 1941 the bandits were arrested and shot by the blocking unit.
16 October 1942: Furthermore a large number of suspects were shot in the neighboring villages.
Report on the progress of the operation 4-18 October 1942.
A total of 65 bandits were killed in this action up to date, either in battle or while trying to escape. Although a large part of the bandits succeeded in escaping to the north, it has become quite obvious that a large part of the bandits had simply settled in the village as innocent farmers, when the situation became dangerous. They had previously hidden their arms in the woods or in the villages. This is demonstrated by a case in which, at our entering the village, seven boys, ages from 14 to 25, walked around in women' clothing without being betrayed by the rest of the population. All the 91 male inhabitants of that village were shot. In another case, a sick man, who had a shot wound in the left leg was found in the quarters of some cossacks. He admitted having been wounded while trying to escape from the Medovyj woods and that he had succeeded in reaching Michailovskij.
Meanwhile, several hundred suspects were seized and liquidated in the localities near Veretenino. Veretenino itself was set on fire.
Experience Report concerning operation of Combat Group Bergmeister (Military Police Detachment 581) from 3 October 1942 until 2 November 1942.
After the carrying-out of the retaliatory measure around Veretenino, a militiaman reported that he could give us the names of 20 bandits in Makarovo. When we told him that Makarovo as well as its surroundings had already been pacified by parts of the combat group during the march on Weretenine, he informed us that these bandits were not ordered to fight, but merely to form an advanced supply base in the East. The subsequent action resulted in the capture of several civilians who vehemently protested and stated under oath that they had never yet been in contact with the bandits. Only with the help of adequate beatings could a partial confession be forced from them for the first time.
When our troops entered, the village appeared quite peaceful. The people were very helpful. The search of the village had no results. In response to questioning of individual inhabitants of the village, whether any people from the village were or had been with the bandits, they assured us that nobody from the village had ever had anything to do with the bandits. As, on the following day, an action against Makarovo was carried out as a consequence of information received from arrested persons, some of these fellows had grown suspicious and had succeeded in escaping. The locality was encircled by surprise, and during this action the searching squad was suddenly fired on from a hollow about 200 meters east of the village. It was found out that these bandits, seeing no other way out, decided to take their arms from their hiding places and attempted to defend themselves. Approximately 60 bandits were shot during this battle; we had one wounded.
The village was completely burned to the ground. While this was going on, in nearly every house quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, and explosives were continuously exploding. Some of these detonations were of such intensity that our own troops had often to take cover for some time. All male inhabitants of this village were shot.
"Keitel Order Concerning Anti-Band Warfare; 16 December 1942, Letter of Transmittal and Distribution List, 12/29/1942", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1167-1168.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2961, Prosecution Exhibit 1306.
Section Ia No. 3/43/Top Secret, [Illegible initials].
Attached you will find an order for your information and further action.
Below corps headquarters level this order is to be destroyed after perusal.
Army commands and corps headquarters are responsible for ensuring that this order does not fall into enemy hands.
[Handwritten] Commander of Army Rear Area--Especially for instruction of the units mentioned. [Initial] S [Salmuth], 31 December 1942.
Senior Commander of Supply Troop 1: 11th copy.
17 copies of original copy--6th copy.
Headquarters, 16 December 1942, 31 copies--2d copy.
Armed Forces Operations Staff/Op (Army).
Reports have reached the Fuehrer that some member of the armed forces engaged in anti-band warfare were later on called to account for their conduct in combat.
1. In the guerrilla warfare the enemy employs fanatical fighters trained in the communist ideology who will not shrink from any act of violence. This is now, more than ever, a matter of life and death. This struggle has nothing to do any more with soldierly chivalry or the regulations of the Geneva Convention.
If this war against the bands in the East and in the Balkans is not waged with the most brutal methods, the available forces will in the near future no longer be sufficient to overcome this plague.
For this reason the troops are justified and obliged in this combat to resort to all measures--even against women and children--without leniency, as long as they are successful.
Considerations of any kind are a crime against the German people and the soldier at the front, who has to bear the consequences of the attacks and who can have no understanding for any kind of leniency, towards the bands or their helpers. These principles must also be the rule when applying the "Directive for Anti-Band Warfare in the East".
2. No disciplinary action can be taken against a German engaged in anti-band warfare, nor can he be called to account before a court martial for his conduct in fighting the bands and their helpers.
The commanders of the troops assigned to anti-band warfare are responsible for ensuring that all officers in command of their subordinate units are immediately and thoroughly instructed concerning this order, that their legal advisers are at once informed of this order and that no sentences are confirmed which contradict this order.

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