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one of the regrettable handicaps of the defense, which I am certain
the Tribunal will fully appreciate, that many of the men with whom he so
cooperated like Admiral Canaris and General Wagner can no longer give testimony
as they were killed by Hitler as his avowed opponents.
Warlimont is
accused of having participated in starting aggressive wars. It is obvious that
wars may be conducted offensively. The prosecution takes great pains to blur
over the distinction between offensive warfare and aggressive warfare. It is
the task of all general staff officers of all armies to make each in his place
– their contributions to plans which are laid down in preparation for wars
in which their countries might be involved. That is their professional duty. It
lies beyond their duty to make decisions, as to whether an aggressive war will
be waged. It would set a dangerous precedent to say that they have to examine
the question of whether offensive plans might be used for an aggressive war.
The IMT has been very careful to limit the scope of responsibility for
aggressive wars. It has nowhere objected to the participation of a man in the
war efforts of his country, not even of Speer who was responsible for the whole
field of the German armament production. Warlimont participated in the war
effort as a general staff officer, but not in initiating aggressive wars.
While this Tribunal has been in session, the world has witnessed the
beginning of a new war. The world has been staring at a spot on the map where
it was to start on a given date. Is it an aggressive war? Who is the aggressor?
Nothing could illustrate the terrible responsibility of deciding such a
question more clearly than what we are witnessing in these days. The world does
not seem to think that anybody expects of the soldier in the rank and file or
of the officer on the staff, that they consider the distinction between
offensive and aggressive action while they are doing their duty. This duty is
to fight. The responsibility for that distinction lies elsewhere.
|
| |
G. Extract From the Opening Statement for
Defendant
Reinecke* |
| |
| * * *
* * * *
* * * |
| |
| DR. SURHOLT: The charges made regarding mass killings of segregated
Russian prisoners of war range among the most serious charges made before the
Nuernberg Tribunals. On this point in particular documents are available, and
although they are by no |
| —————————— |
* Complete opening statement is recorded
in mimeographed transcript, 2 July 1948, pp. 7153-7178.
226 |
. 
