War Crimes Trials - Vol. II The Belsen Trial. 'The Trial of Josef Kramer and Forty Four Others'

Appendices (Affidavits & Statements - Jecny, Vaclav)
 

(9) DEPOSITION OF VACLAV JECNY (Czech, aged 33)

2. I identify No. 2 on photograph No. 7 as an S.S. man at Belsen. I have now been told that his name is Oscar Smedidzt (Schmitz). On 13th or 14th April, 1945, I was standing near my block in the men's camp in Belsen. A group of prisoners were standing near the barbed wire which separated the block from the main street. Across this street was No. 1 Kitchen and near by was a pile of turnips. It was no doubt the intention of the prisoners to get through the barbed wire and cross to steal a few turnips. While they were standing there Smedidzt appeared on his bicycle and apparently realised the intention of the men. He pulled out his pistol and fired several times into the group of prisoners. It was the usual custom for Smedidzt to fire his pistol whenever he saw a group of men standing near this wire. When Smedidzt fired his pistol three men fell to the ground and the rest ran away. Smedidzt carried on cycling and I went into my block. I later heard from other prisoners that the three men I saw fall to the ground were dead. I was told that they had been taken by other prisoners to the Hospital Block and put on the existing pile of corpses.
 
Appendices (Affidavits & Statements - Jecny, Vaclav)