The witness was thereupon sworn.
Signed: Kleberger, Lieutenant of Reserve and Officer of the Court.
Signed: Sergeant Richter, as Clerk of the Military Court.
C. App. 84.
Present:
Lieutenant of Reserve Kleberger, as Officer of the Court.
Sergeant Richter, as Clerk of the Military Court.
Orainville, March 17th, 1915.
Summoned as witness there appeared Captain Schröder, who, after the importance of the oath had been pointed out to him, made the following statement:
As to Person: My name is Severin Schröder. I am 34 years old; Protestant; Captain and Company Chief, 6th Company, Infantry Regiment No. 103.
As to Case: My company was bridge-guard on the left Meuse bank from the 23rd to the 24th August. In some houses were from 150 to 200 civilian prisoners, among them also many women and some children. I had the provisions brought together from the partially destroyed houses in order to provide for my company. On the petition of some women for victuals I gave them bread, rice, and sausage, and some for the remainder of the civilians.
I had explained to the inhabitants that nothing would happen to them as long as they remained in the houses under the protection of the company. A number were let go at their request, as they did not appear to be under suspicion. Men who seemed open to suspicion were detained; some women remained voluntarily. When I was relieved, Lieutenant Lemke, who remained behind with his platoon, took over the prisoners.
Read over, approved.