The German Army in Belgium, the White Book of May 1915Germany. Auswärtiges Amt
History
The German Army in Belgium, the White Book of May 1915
Germany. Auswärtiges Amt
World War, 1914-1918 -- Atrocities; World War, 1914-1918 -- Belgium
From the streets I saw inhabitants in the cellars of burning houses,
chiefly women and children, who were no longer able to save themselves
from their perilous position. Through the men of my patrol, in company
with the Marburg Jäger, their rescue was made possible, and the persons
saved were lodged in houses which were guarded by German troops. At
times the work of rescue could only be carried out with great danger to
life on the part of the patrol.
I myself was witness to the fact that Sisters of Mercy, in company with
German soldiers, fetched along provisions for the inhabitants who had
been given protection.
I was also present when Colonel Hoch sent all non-interested persons to
their homes, with the strict injunction not to let themselves be seen
in the streets.
For the other inhabitants whose houses had been completely burned down,
lodging was procured in the houses of the railway signalmen.
Close to Dinant a bullet was found by a hussar in the leaden centre of
which a spear-shaped steel blade had been inserted. This missile was
passed round in my platoon.
Read over, approved.
The witness was thereupon sworn.
Signed: KLEBERGER, Lieutenant of Reserve and Officer of the Court.
Signed: Sergeant RICHTER, as Clerk of the Military Court.
C. App. 54.
Present:
Lieutenant of Reserve KLEBERGER, as Officer of the Court.
Sergeant RICHTER, as Clerk of the Military Court.
ORAINVILLE, _March 17th, 1915_.
Summoned as witness there appeared Reservist Hentschel, who, after the
importance of the oath had been pointed out to him, made the following
statement:
As to Person: My name is Alfred Hentschel. I am 25 years old;
Protestant; by trade a butcher in Dresden, now Reservist, 9th Company,
Infantry Regiment No. 103.
As to Case: In a house in Dinant which stood at the right of the
bridge I found a severely wounded civilian, an old man with white
hair, who still had his sporting rifle with him. I also came across
civilians farther on in Belgium who had fired on the German troops with
sporting rifles. In a village beyond Dinant, which cannot be very far
from Dinant, I had my right hand injured by shot-wounds. The shot are
probably still in the fingers.
On this side of the Meuse, where a convent stood, we distributed bread
and what else we still had (cold meat, etc.) to the population, women
and children, also men.
Read over, approved.
The witness was thereupon duly sworn.
Signed: KLEBERGER, Lieutenant of Reserve and Officer of the Court.
Signed: Sergeant RICHTER, as Clerk of the Military Court.
C. App. 55.
Rifle (Fusilier) Regiment No. 108, Officer of the Court I.
LA VILLE-AUX-BOIS, _January 20th, 1915_.
There appeared Assistant Surgeon of Reserve, Dr. Sorge, 1st Battalion,
Rifle (Fusilier) Regiment No. 108, who, being warned to speak the
truth, made the following statement:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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