Expert Opinion of the Commandant, 15th Mobile Forage Commando, Major v. Manteuffel.
In addition to my statement as a witness I would like to express expert opinion as Commandant and soldier to the effect that the whole firing was instigated by the inhabitants. At the same time, the approach of two Belgian battalions from the direction of Bueken was reported. The German detachments on duty were given the alarm to oppose this. When these troops had nearly got away, the Belgian inhabitants opened a lively fire upon them from windows and garret dormers. Our German soldiers went through the streets quietly and unsuspectingly, when they were suddenly fired on. The German soldiers in no way commenced or provoked the firing.
Signed: v. Manteuffel, Major and Commandant.
D. App. 4.
Court of the Government-General at Brussels.
Present:
Dr. Ivers, Judge of Military Law.
Secretary, Rambeau.
Louvain, September 23rd, 1914.
Lieutenant of the Landwehr Ibach, Adjutant, Mobile Foraging Commando No. 15, declared as follows:
As to Person: My name is Ernst Ibach, born on May 16th, 1882, at Braunschweig; Protestant; Municipal Councillor at Halberstadt.
The witness was informed that the Governor-General, Field-Marshal General Baron von der Goltz, had arranged judicial proceedings for the purpose of ascertaining whether German military persons, and, if so, which, were guilty and deserving of punishment; he then made the following statement: