“The Reich Marshal then described Germany’s method in fighting
the partisans. To begin with, all livestock and foodstuffs were
taken away from the areas concerned, so as to deny the partisans
all sources of supply.”
GÖRING: Just a second please. Where is this?
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: It is Page 35, Paragraph 1, but I will find it
for you if you have any difficulty. I think it is marked, and it begins
“The Reich Marshal . . .” Can you find it?
GÖRING: Yes.
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: I will start again if I may.
“The Reich Marshal then described Germany’s method in fighting
the partisans. To begin with, all livestock and foodstuffs were
taken away from the areas concerned, so as to deny the partisans
all sources of supply. Men and women were taken away to labor
camps, the children to children’s camps, and the villages burned
down. It was by the use of these methods that the railways in
the vast wooded areas of Bialowiza had been safeguarded.
Whenever attacks occurred, the entire male population of the
villages were lined up on one side and the women on the other.
The women were told that all the men would be shot, unless
they—the women—pointed out which men did not belong to the
village. In order to save their men, the women always pointed
out the nonresidents. Germany had found that, generally
speaking, it was not easy to get soldiers to carry out such
measures. Members of the Party discharged this task much more
harshly and efficiently. For the same reason armies trained
ideologically, such as the German—or the Russian—fought better
than others. The SS, the nucleus of the old Party fighters, who
have personal ties with the Führer and who form a special elite,
confirm this principle.”
Now, is that a correct description?
GÖRING: Yes, certainly.
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: And this expresses correctly your views on how
war against partisans should be carried out?
GÖRING: I have transmitted this.
Just a second, please. May I ask what the number of this document is?
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: Yes, I will give it again: Document Number
D-729, and it becomes Exhibit Number GB-281.
Now, I just want you to help me on one other matter on these
organizations. You will remember that in answer, I think, to Dr.
Servatius, you made some remarks about the Leadership Corps. Do you
remember that? I just want you to have them in mind.
GÖRING: Yes.
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: Now, will you look at the document which will be
presented to you, Document Number D-728, Exhibit Number GB-282. This is
a document from the Office of the Gau Leadership for Hessen-Nassau. I am
sorry; there is a reference to an order of the Party Chancellery dated
10 February 1945, its subject is, “Action by the Party to be taken for
keeping the German population in check until the end of the war.” It is
signed by Sprenger, Gauleiter and Commissioner for Reich Defense.
GÖRING: The date is 15 March 1945, is that right?
SIR DAVID MAXWELL-FYFE: I am grateful to you. I knew it was just after
10 March. I have not got it in my copy, but if you say it, I will take
it.