German General Staff Became Hitler's Tools, Trial Prosecutor Says

Northern Advocate, 5 January 1946, Page 5

German General Staff Became Hitler's Tools, Trial Prosecutor Says

(Received 11.40 a.m.) NUREMBERG, January 4. “THEIR GUILT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE SOLDIERS, 1 BUT BECAUSE THEY COMPLETELY IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES WITH NAZISM,” SAID COLONEL TAYLOR, OF THE AMERICAN PROSECUTING TEAM.

* He was opening the case against the German General Staff and High Command at the resumed trial of leading Nazis.

Members of the General Staff saw the Nazi band waggon was going in their direction. They climbed on it and ultimately it and the generals were taken for a ride by the Nazis. As the war proceeded they became merely Hitler’s tools.

An affidavit signed by Field-Marshal von Blomberg, German Commander-in-Chief until January, 1938. submitted in evidence, read:

“German generals were not opposed to Hitler, because he was producing the results they desired. The generals later began tp condemn Hitler's methods and lose confidence in his power and Judgment. “However, they failed as a group to take any definite stand against him. as a result of which they had to pay with their lives or positions.” VON BLOMBERG’S SUCCESSOR

Von Blomberg’s affidavit revealed that shortly before his removal from the post of commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in 1938, Hitler requested him to recommend a successor.

“I suggested Goering but Hitler objected because of his lack of patience and diligence. Hitler did not replace me, but took - over the function as commander.”

Von Blomberg recommended Keitel as Chief of Staff since he was not opposed to Hitler and was likely to bring about a good understanding between Hitler and the armed forces. Otherwise there might have been civil war.

Keitel subsequently did not oppose any of Hitler’s measures and became a willing tool in his hands. SACRED DUTY Von ,Blornberg's affidavit declared that German staff officers regarded the war to wipe out the Polish Corridor as a sacred duty. This was the primary reason why Germany began secretlv to re-arm.

The prosecutor mentioned that of 130 officers who held key positions in Hitler’s military hierarchy during the war, 114 were still living.

“There is no crime in laying military plans but the proof before you is that these professional soldiers and sailors are guilty of aggressive war crimes.” Although only five members of the General Staff and High Command were in court. 425 officers would be affected if these two organisations were declared criminal. CONCEALED SHOOTINGS

In continuation ol the case against Kaltenbrunner the prosecutor called as a witness a former brigade fuehrer of the S.S. security police. Walter Schellenberg.

Witness revealed a Gestapo plot to conceal the shooting of 50 Allied prisoners. This followed a Red Cross protest against the shooting. Kaltenbrunner ordered that they should deny the shooting and explain the disappearance of each individual prisoner under three headings. (1) Killed by Allied bombing. (2) Shot while escaping.

(5) Killed while offering physical violence.