“The directive . . . is applicable to all branches of the Wehrmacht and to all organizations which exercise their activities in occupied territories (the Reich Labor Service, the Todt Organization, et cetera).”
These orders, aimed at the extermination of innocent civilian populations, were to be carried out vigorously but at the price of a constant collusion of the German Army, the SS, the SD, and the Sipo, which the people of all countries of the West place together in the same horror and in the same reprobation.
In the war diary of General Von Brodowski submitted this morning under Exhibit Number RF-405, an excerpt of which is to be found on Pages 3, 4, and 5 of the document book, it is stated that repressive operations were carried out:
“An action against terrorists was undertaken in the southwestern area of the Department of Dordogne near Lalinde, in which a company of Georgians of Field Police, and members of the SD took part . . .”
Dated 14 June 1944 is a statement on the destruction of Oradour-sur-Glane. I shall come back to the destruction of this village. “600 persons are said to have been killed,” writes General Von Brodowski. It is underscored in the text.
“The whole male population of Oradour has been shot. Women and children took refuge in the church. The church caught fire. Explosives had been stored in the church. Even women and children perished.”
We shall let you know the results of the French inquiry. The Tribunal will see to what degree General Von Brodowski lied when he described the annihilation of Oradour in these terms.
Concerning Tulle:
“On 8 July 1944 in the evening the barracks occupied by the 13th Company of the 95th Security Regiment were attacked by terrorists. The struggle was terminated by the arrival of the Panzer division, ‘Das Reich.’ 120 male inhabitants of Tulle were hanged, and 1,000 sent to the SD at Limoges for investigation.”
THE PRESIDENT: M. Dubost, could we see the original of this document?