COL. AMEN: Did you personally assist in the drafting of these protests?
LAHOUSEN: I know that twice a protest was lodged against this order by Canaris, and by Amt Ausland, through Bürckner. The first time orally, or in writing as soon as the order was issued, and the second time after the first executions had been carried out in pursuance of this order. I myself helped to draft one of these written protests—I do not know whether the first or the second—making a contribution in the interest of my section, and the Regiment Brandenburg, whose functions were similar, very similar, to those of the Commandos.
COL. AMEN: To whom in the ordinary course did these protests go?
LAHOUSEN: The protests were addressed to Canaris’ superior officer, that is to say, to the Chief of the OKW.
COL. AMEN: Who was that?
LAHOUSEN: It was Keitel, at that time.
COL. AMEN: Did these protests in the ordinary course go also to Jodl?
LAHOUSEN: That I cannot say, but it is possible.
COL. AMEN: Now, will you tell the Tribunal what were the grounds of the protests which you made?
LAHOUSEN: The grounds were above all, that it was contrary to the interpretation of international law that soldiers, that is to say, not agents or spies, but soldiers clearly recognizable as such, should be killed after they had been taken prisoner. That was the main point which was also of concern to my section since it also comprised soldiers who had to carry out such or similar tasks in their capacity as soldiers.