-12-
BEAT THEM TO DEATH, THEN CARRY OUT AUTOPSIES TO SEE WHAT THEY DIED OF

14 Jan. 46

HERR BABEL: For what reason?

BLAHA: The reasons stated, depending on the nature of the guards of the commanders.

HERR BABEL: But you said you were occupied, indeed according to your statements, very much occupied.

BLAHA: Yes.

HERR BABEL: How then did you have an opportunity of observing such ill-treatment?

BLAHA: I performed many autopsies on people either shot or beaten to death at their work, and made official reports on the cause of death.

HERR BABEL: You said they were shot. Did you see such incidents yourself?

BLAHA: No.

HERR BABEL: Then, how do you know that?

BLAHA: The bodies were brought to me from the place of work, and it was my duty to ascertain the cause of death; that they men had been beaten to death, for example, that the skull or ribs had been fractured, that the man had died of internal hemorrhage, or that he had been shot; I had to make an official report on the cause of death. Sometimes, but this was rare, when an investigation was conducted, I was called in as a witness.

HERR BABEL: Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Dodd, do you wish to re-examine the witness:

MR. DODD: I have no further questions to ask the witness at this time.

THE PRESIDENT: Does any other member of the prosecuting staff want to re-examine? Colonel Pokrovsky?

COLONEL POKROVSKY: At this stage of the Trial I have no further questions to ask the witness.

THE PRESIDENT: Then the witness can go.

[The witness left the stand.]

MR. DODD: I should like to ask the Tribunal at this time to take judicial notice of the findings and the sentences imposed by the Military Court at Dachau, Germany, on the 13 th day of December 1945. The findings were dated the 12 th and the sentences on the 13 th. I have here a certified copy of the findings and the sentences, Number 3590-PS, which I should like to offer as Exhibit Number USA-664.

IMT V 199