MR. COUNSELLOR RAGINSKY: I should only like to ask for a few minutes’ interval in order to collect some documents. It will literally take only a few moments.
THE PRESIDENT: It would be hardly worth while if you want a short interval. We shall stop at 5 o’clock.
MR. COUNSELLOR RAGINSKY: It would perhaps be more convenient to begin again at 1000 hours tomorrow.
THE PRESIDENT: Then we will adjourn now.
[The Tribunal adjourned until 22 February 1946 at 1000 hours.]
SIXTY-FIFTH DAY
Friday, 22 February 1946
Morning Session
MARSHAL: May it please the Court: The Defendant Fritzsche will be absent until further notice on account of illness.
MR. COUNSELLOR RAGINSKY: May it please Your Honors, may I begin the submission of evidence to prove the charge that the defendants are guilty of the destruction of towns and villages and of the perpetration of other kinds of destruction. This charge is laid down in Section C of Count Three of the Indictment.
We shall present evidence proving that the destruction of cities and towns was brought about neither by the hazards of war nor by military expediencies. We shall submit evidence that this deliberate destruction was carried out in accordance with the thoroughly elaborated plans of the Hitlerite Government and orders of the German military command; that the destruction of towns and cities, of industry and transportation was an integral part of the conspiracy which aimed at enslaving the peoples of Europe and other countries, and establishing a world hegemony of Hitlerite Germany.