I ask you, did you find such a command, such an order in the files, in the files which must have been presented to you when you took over office on 1 April 1944?
WESTHOFF: I did not find such an order, but an order of this kind existed without a doubt.
DR. NELTE: In what way?
WESTHOFF: So far as I recall, General Graevenitz brought this order either from the field headquarters or from the General Office of the Wehrmacht.
DR. NELTE: How is it possible then that such an order was not in your files?
WESTHOFF: Because there was an order that this order was to exist only orally.
DR. NELTE: Then please tell me what the procedure was when such an order was given orally.
WESTHOFF: It could be transmitted orally.
DR. NELTE: That is, your office?
WESTHOFF: It was then transmitted through the Chief of the Prisoner of War Department.