The Reich Minister for Justice As deputy: KLEMM 6. CIVILIAN COURTS MARTIAL PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NG-715 PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 112 DECREE OF 15 FEBRUARY 1945 ON CIVILIAN COURTS MARTIAL PROCEDURE 1945 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 30 The seriousness of the fight for existence of the Reich demands of every German determination to fight to the last, and devotion to the utmost. Whoever tries to withdraw from his duties towards the common cause, especially if it is done through cowardice or for personal profit, must at once be called to account with the necessary severity, so that the State will not suffer damage through the failing of one single person. Therefore, the following has been decreed upon the order of the Fuehrer in agreement with the Reich Minister and chief of the Reich Chancellery, the Reich Minister of the Interior and the chief of the Party Chancellery: I Courts martial are to be established in Reich defense districts which are menaced by the approach of the enemy. II 1. The court martial consists of a judge of a criminal court as president and a member of the Leadership Corps [of the Nazi Party], or a leader of a unit affiliated with the National Socialist Party, and of an officer of the armed forces, the Waffen SS [armed SS] or the police, as associate judges. 2. The Reich defense commissioner appoints the members of the tribunal and designates a state attorney as public prosecutor. III 1. The courts martial have jurisdiction for all kinds of crimes endangering the German fighting power or undermining the people’s fighting strength and will to fight. 2. For these proceedings, the regulations of the code of criminal procedure will be applied. IV 1. The sentence of the court martial will be either death, acquittal, or commitment to the regular court. The consent of the Reich defense commissioner is required. He gives orders for the time, place, and kind of execution. 2. If the Reich defense commissioner is not available, but the immediate execution is indispensable, the public prosecutor is authorized to act in his place. V The necessary regulations for amendment, changes and execution of this decree are issued by the Reich Minister of Justice in agreement with the Reich Minister of the Interior and the chief of the Party Chancellery. VI This decree goes into effect immediately upon its promulgation over the radio. Berlin, 16 February 1945 The Reich Minister of Justice THIERACK