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
After the attack in the centre of the town had been dealt with, the
troops in the interior of the town were conducted to the station. Until
then I had not seen any sign of interference on the part of the Belgian
clergy. On the way to the station I saw a man in clerical garb, with
unmistakable clerical physiognomy and a broad-brimmed hat with two
tassels, directing our troops to a certain road. I myself drove along
another road, following some cars before me. Subsequently I heard that
the troops who had followed the directions of the clergyman reached a
cul-de-sac, and were there exposed to fire from the houses.
When I arrived at the station I heard that here, too, an attack had
been made upon the German soldiers by the civilian population from
the surrounding houses, and had been defeated; in the station square
and throughout the town houses were burning. All citizens taken
were conducted to the station square, examined, and, if their guilt
was ascertained, shot according to martial law. I myself acted as
interpreter during part of the examinations. The examinations continued
through the night until the following morning. The number of persons
shot by court-martial may have been eighty to a hundred; among them
may have been ten to fifteen clergymen. This number is exclusive of
one man in unmistakable clerical garb, because beneath his clerical
garb he wore civilian dress. Among the clergymen shot was the one I
mentioned previously, and of this I am quite sure. He was pointed out
by soldiers as the one who had directed them and their comrades into
the cul-de-sac; he, too, was shot. I interpreted during the examination
of two further clergymen. On one of them a revolver was found that
still contained four cartridges, and one had been discharged; he,
too, was shot. It had, moreover, been announced previously that every
inhabitant on whom arms were found would be shot. I cannot now say what
was furthermore ascertained in relation to this clergyman; but no one
was shot whose participation in the attacks upon the German troops was
not determined beyond doubt by at least two witnesses, or on whom arms
were not found. Those brought up for examination must have rendered
themselves suspect in some way, otherwise they would not have been
examined at all.
During the night isolated attacks upon German troops took place, also
during the day.
During the examinations many of the Belgians related that their
behaviour towards the Germans had been represented to them by the
authorities, also by the preachers, as a matter of faith. When we
fetched the wounded in automobiles during the night we were fired at,
and also from a convent.
Read over, approved, signed.
Signed: GRUNER.
The witness was duly sworn.
Authenticated:
Signed: STEENGRAFE, President.
Signed: KOCH.
BERLIN, _March 19th, 1915_.
Ministry of War.
Military Examination Bureau for Infringements of Martial Law.
Present:
President, Dr. GRASSHOFF.
Secretary, PAHL.
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