Archive/File: imt/nca/supp-b/nca-sb-02-fritzsche.02
Last-Modified: 1997/12/09

         Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression, Supplement B
          Fritzsche's Part in the Werewolf Movement
                              
     Excerpts from Testimony of Hans Fritzsche, taken
     at Nurnberg, Germany, 16 November 1945, 1000-1245,
     by Col. Likhachov, USSR. Also present: Col. John
     H. Amen; Capt. Mark Priceman, Interpreter; Mr.
     James P. Buck, Court Reporter.
     
Q. Do you personally affirm that you had no part in the
organization of this movement -- the Werewolves? [The
Werewolves were a movement which the Nazis attempted to
organize shortly before Germany's surrender, to resist and
sabotage the impending Allied occupation.]

A. On the contrary, I worked against the organization of
this movement.

Q. In other words you confirm the contents of your written
statement about this subject? {This refers to a statement
purporting to summarize Fritzsche's interrogations in
Moscow, where he was interned after capture by the Russians,
before transfer to Nurnberg prison. The document was drawn
up by the interrogators and signed by Fritzsche. On
interrogation by the American prosecution in Nurnberg
Fritzsche repudiated this document as inaccurate in certain
respects, and himself prepared a revised statement (see
document 3469-PS, vol. VI, p. 174). The Soviet summary is
not published in these volumes.]

A. I have read the transcript you are referring to only once
in its entirely and later on I was given a chance to see
parts of it. As I recall it the transcript says about this
subject the following: It says that I am supposed to have
broadcast over the radio proclamations in favor of the
Werewolf movement. As you gentlemen should recall, I did say
that such appeals to organize this movement were broadcast
over the radio between Sunday, the 1st of April 1945 and
Tuesday, the 3rd of April 1945. I did, however, call your
attention to the fact that these appeals were transmitted to
the broadcasting stations directly by Dr. Goebbels during my
absence. And I didn't have a chance to talk to Dr. Goebbels
until that Tuesday when I succeeded in getting the broadcast
of these appeals discontinued. May I say one more sentence?
I also stated that I would of course assume the
responsibility for whatever had been broadcast over the
radio during my absence, by my subordinates.

Q. But then I cannot understand why you claim you had
nothing to do with the organizing of the Werewolf movement.

A. I beg your pardon. When did I say I had nothing to do
with the organizing of this movement? I have just stated I
actively opposed the organizing of the movement. As a matter
of fact several

                                                 [Page 1513]
                                                            
months before the end of the war I was told to set aside a
number of radio stations that were to be used for this
movement. I also told you at Moscow that I purposely delayed
the execution of this order. And I also stated then (and I
am stating it now) that suddenly during my absence I had to
face the fact that this broadcasting had been done by my
subordinates. Furthermore I told you about the dramatic
conversation I had with Goebbels on Tuesday, the 3rd of
April about the subject. I leave it up to you to draw your
own conclusions from that.

Q. We are talking not only about your participation in any
broadcasts that were made. We are talking about your
personal participation inasmuch as you, yourself, made
statements over the radio that the movement should be
organized.

A. I never made any such broadcasts myself, but they were
given to the radio by Dr. Goebbels during my absence.

Q. However, it was well known that you yourself made such
appeals over the radio. Why do you not admit it?

A. As far as I know I never talked over the radio in that
sense.

Q. If that is so we will have to refer to some of the
speeches you made over the radio. Do you remember your
speech over the radio on the 7th of April 1945? [Document
referred to did not form part of prosecution case as finally
prepared and hence is not published in this series.]

A. I don't remember the details of it.

Q. I will make an effort then to revive your memory. You
stated over the radio, "May nobody be surprised if here and
there civilians may oppose and fight enemy troops in
occupied territories and even after the occupation has
become a permanent fact it is to be expected that the
occupation forces will meet with underground resistance.
Such resistance is being organized now under the name of
Werewolves." What do you have to say to this?

A. I don't remember having made these statements. If you
want me to make a final statement on this question I will
have to know the background of this speech and be familiar
with the considerations which preceded this statement. Right
now I can only say this. If I had spoken such words they
would not have been in support of the Werewolf movement.

Q. I am quoting your own words. You must have spoken them
and since this happened only recently you must remember
them.

A. I have made approximately a thousand radio speeches and I
couldn't possibly remember every sentence I spoke. But I
repeat that even if I did say these things it didn't mean
that I was urging people to support what you are trying to
say.

Q. How else can one interpret this?

A. This is not an appeal. It is only a defense. It is a
defense which makes reference to some previous very
important statement. It starts with the words: "Nobody
should be surprised, therefore ***"

Q. Your explanation is not convincing.

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