EXECUTE ALL THE COMMANDOS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 7, 9 January 1946, Page 3

EXECUTE ALL THE COMMANDOS

HITLER’S ORDER EVIDENCE GIVEN AT TRIAL GOERING BURSTS INTO ANGER Recd. 6 p.m. Nuremberg, Jan. 7. A German account of the execution of a British Commando unit which crashed in a glider near Elersund in November, 1942, was presented as evidence to the International War Crimes Tribunal to-day. The account stated that three Commandos were killed by the crash and the 14 survivors, all wearing British uniforms, were executed the following day by German troops. They were the first known victims of Hitler’s order for the slaughter of all Allied Commandos to the last man, even after their surrender or capture. An account of the deed was laid before the tribunal by the American prosecutor, Colonel Taylor, as part of the case to prove that the German High Command was a criminal organisation. The prosecution stated that Hitler’s orders, which remained in force until the end of the war, vehemently emphasised that no pardon should be granted to Commandos or sabotage troops “on principle.” Hitler, in his order, stated: “I will hold responsible under military law all commanders and officers failing to carry out this order.” KEITEL SIGNS ORDER. The prosecutor stated that the German High Command in June 1944. ruled that Hitler’s execution order applied not only to Commandos and airborne troops captured in the battle area of Normanay, but also all members of “terror and sabotage units found outside the immediate combat areas.” This order was signed by Keitel. The order directed the number thus killed to be published daily in the armed forces communique, to exercise a frightening effect.

The prosecutor added that Keitel found the measures insufficient to deal with mounting anti-German resistance in occupied territory on the eastern front, whereupon he issued a fresh order, calling for even more drastic steps.

The order alleged that ..the Commandos were partially recruited from freed criminals and were directed to kill all defenceless prisoners. They were especially brutal and treacherous and employed methods outside international conventions.

In a supplementary letter to all members of the High Command, Hitler said that if individual sabotage troops had to be interrogated, they must be shot immediately afterward. The prosecutor told the tribunal that the accused Goering, Keitel, Jodi, Doenitz and Raeder were directed to carry out this order.

The German General Staff and the High Command became wedded to a policy of terror. ‘Many of the crimes the S.S. and German security service committed were with the knowledge and necessary support of these groups, resulting in uniformed Soldiers being shot in cold blood and Commandos and paratroops being shot without trial so summarily that German commanders afterwards had to reprimand then men for not first interrogating the victims. The High Command also ordered the liquidation of all members of British, American and Russian military missions captured in south-east Europe. Zelewski added that Himmler ordered that, the Slav peoples had to be reduced by 30,000,000. “I believe the Wehrmacht commanders were aware of this intention and helped to carry it out, ’ said witness. “Had the general war situation in the east not changed I think the plan would have been carried out to its end,” Questioned whether the scheme was Himmlers personal idea or a party policy, Zelewski shouted: “It was Nazi philosophy and policy. It took me a long time, but I realise that now.” Flushed with anger and losing his customary mocking smile, Goering cursed Zelewski and called him a dirty dog and a traitor when witness gave damning testimony incriminating the whole Germany High Command for atrocities on the eastern front. Zelewski told the court he was confessing because “I found my conscience.” The Associated Press says that Goering, on leaving the court, explained to his fellow defendants: “That man has more blood on his hands than all the rest of us together, and I will testify to that under oath.”