HOW NAZI LEADERS MET DEATH AT NUREMBERG

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 October 1946, Page 7

HOW NAZI LEADERS MET DEATH AT NUREMBERG

Goering Committed . Suicide ■ Dignified Conduct of ' Remainder | - NUREMBERG, October 16. The Four Power Commission in Germany issued a communique announcing the execution of all the condemned Nazi leaders except Goering, who took his life with poison about two hours before the time fixed for his execution. Correspondents report that the hangings took place between 1.14 a.m. and 2.57 a.m. local time. Each condemned man was held by two American Army guards from the time he left his cell until the trap was sprung. Their hands were tied behind them and their feet were strapped with Army belts. Ribbentrop, who was the first to be hanged, mounted the scaffold with closed eyes and declared in a vibrant voice: “God save Germany. My last wish is that Germany will find her unity, that an alliance will be accomplished between East and West and that peace will reign throughout the world.” Last Words Unrepentant

Basil Gingell, who represented the combined British Press at the executions, says the Nazis died With dignity. Their last words on the scaffold were unrepentant. After the last execution —Seyss-In-quart’s at 2.57 a.m.—two American soldiers entered the gymnasium carrying Goering’s body on a stretcher covered with an army blanket. The blanket was removed revealing the dead Goering in disarrayed black silk pyjama trousers and a pale blue silk pyjama coat. Doctors examined him. Then an American colonel said: “Okay. Take him away.”

Goering’s body was then taken behind a black cloth screen where his comrades were already being placed in rough pine coffins. Reuter’s correspondent says an unconfirmed report states that the executed Nazi leaders will be buried secretly at sea. The ten who were hanged died bravely. Not one broke down or whimpered, or made any appeal. Each was given a chance to say a last word and only Rosenberg could find no word except a murmured “Nein.” Execution of Ribbentrop

Basil Gingell says that Ribbentrop marched from his cell through the great prison hall to the nearby gymnasium where the scaffold stood prepared on a pitch marked out for baseball. Ten fierce electric lights blazed down on the scene. A chaplain walked beside Ribbentrop as he walked between the security guards towards the door of the gymnasium. Ribbentrop blinked at the sudden light inside the gymnasium but he held his head high. The handcuffs were removed and his hands tied behind his back. Ribbentrop, supported on either side by American soldiers, walked firmly to the scaffold. At the foot of the 13 steps on top of which hung the noosed rope, an office!- said: “State your name.” Ribbentrop in a firm voice answered: “Joachim von Ribbentrop.” An American officer mounted the steps. Ribbentrop followed slowly. He looked neither to right nor left. As his feet were bound an officer asked: “Have you any last words to say?” In a ringing voice echoing through the building, Ribbentrop said God protect Germany.” The American hangman placed tne black cap on Ribbentrop’s head, the noose was adjusted and the trap door sprang open. A doctor 20 minutes later pronounced Ribbentrop dead.

Strange Quietness The correspondent says a s^ra^ e quietness descended on the hall as the rope hung tautly through the open trapdoor. The hangman and his assistant then moved to st second sc aff°ld —two scaffolds being in use with a third in reserve. Keitel then entered the gymnasium dressed as though to go on parade, his suit pressed 1 and his jackboots gleaming. Keitel marched to the second scaffold, mounted boldly and steadily and then, speaking clearly but not loudly, he said: “I call on the Almighty to have mercy on thd German people. More than 2,000,000 went to their deaths before me. I now follow my sons.” . , , i A The trap opened. A doctor later certified him dead. In the lull after the execution of Keitel those present were "given permission to smoke, but cigarettes were ordered to be put out at 1.30 as we waited for Kalfenbrunner. He entered stumbling and blinking. He had apparently dressed hurriedly because he did not wear a tie. A Catholic, chaplain wearing the habit of the Fransciscan order accompanied Kaltenbrunrier, whose last words were: “I served my German people' and my

Fatherland with a willing heart. I have done my duty in accordance with the laws of my fatherland. I regret the crimes committed in which I had no part. Good luck Germany.” Two padres followed Rosenberg who was fourth to die, but he declined the ministrations of the Protestant chaplain who followed him up the steps. Rosenberg answered “no” when asked whether he had any last words. Entered Smiling Frank entered the gymnasium actually smiling. He trod the steps to the scaffold deliberately, but his voice was weak and quavering as he uttered his last words: “I pray God to take my soul. May the Lord receive me mercifully.” Frank then said he was grateful

for the good handling he had had while in prison. I Frick, wearing a check suit, peered at everyone in the gymnasium as he , entered. He scowled fiercely as the 1 guards directed him up the steps. Frick spat out with intensity his last .words: “Long live the eternal Germany.” n , I Frick looked arrogantly round before the black cap covered his face. I The door fairly burst open as Streicher entered wide-eyed. He had ' to be forced across the floor. Streicher roared: “I pay my respects to American soldiers and officers, but not to American Jews. Heil Hitler.” Then as he neared the scaffold steps he roared again: “Now I go to God, too.” i On the scaffold, to which he was 'followed by a Catholic priest, Strei--1 cher shouted: “Now to God. The Bolshevists will get you, too, some day. I’m going to my Father.” As the black cap was placed Streicher’s deep voice was still heard ringing out: “Adele, my loving wife.” , Sauckel came next. He glared at those assembled. His thin lips pressed in a firm line as he mounted the i ! scaffold. Sauckel wheeled smartly ■ round under the scaffold cross-beam ' and answered crossly when asked for his last statement: “I die innocent,” , he said. “The verdict was wrong. God protect Germany and make Germany great again. God protect my family.” Bore Himself With Dignity Another lull followed while people smoked. The bodies of those executed were removed to a curtained section j of the gymnasium. Jodi entered next ' drawing himself up to make the most I of his five-feet nine. Jodi bore him- | self with dignity. His only words I were: “I salute you, my Germany.’ Seyss-Inquart, who was afflicted with a limp, ascended the steps painfully, stopping on each step while he dragged his left leg up to the right. ! Seyss-Inquart paid no attention as <he executioner removed his glasses. He kept his eyes rivetted on the rafters above. He then said in an unemotional tone: “I hope this execution is I the last act in the tragedy of the se- ■ cond world war and that the lessons ' of this world war will make for peace I and understanding among the peoples. I believe in Germany.” Streicher’s Prediction. There was a pause after SeyssInquart’s execution as the guards went across the prison to bring Goering’s body on a stretcher. The body was inspected by the representatives of four countries and the German representatives. . . I There were 33 men in the hanging I chamber at the start of the executions, mostly American soldiers, nc.o.’s, and officers. Those present included the four military members of the Allied Control Hanging Committee, representing Britain, America, France, and Russia. Selkirk Panton, representing the combined British press, says that Streicher’s end and his shouting at fected those present more than the other hangings. Panton’s version of Streicher’s last words is: “A. Jewish holiday. A Jewish holiday in 1946. Now we go to God. The Bolsheviks will hang you all next. I’m going to mv Father.”