Siffone, October 5th, 1914.
Present:
President of the Court, Schweinitz.
Secretary, Lips.
There appeared as witness Acting-Sergeant-Major Kern, who made the following statement:
As to Person: My name is Theodor Kern. I am 37 years old; Catholic; formerly mason; later frontier guard; at present Acting-Sergeant-Major of Landwehr in the 3rd Infantry Munitions Column.
As to Case: On August 22nd, 1914, about 2.30 p.m., I rode back through Marche, after I had previously ridden into the place to arrange for quarters. In front of me rode Captain Michahelles. As we passed a cross-road the Captain began to trot. At the same moment I saw at a first-storey window of a house in this cross-street a civilian, who was aiming with a gun at the soldiers, and in my judgment more especially at the Captain. Almost at the same instant came the crack of an infantryman's rifle, who fired up at the civilian.
On August 23rd, 1914, we were at Sorrinnes. During the day one noticed no signs of hostility among the inhabitants, but at 9 o'clock, when it had become dark, we were fired at from various houses. From one house Lieutenant Knauer received a shot in the abdomen, from which after some days he died.
Read over, approved, signed.
Signed: Theodor Kern.
The witness was sworn.
Signed: Schweinitz. Signed: Lips.