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

Appendices (Affidavits & Statements - Grunwald, Wilhelm)
 

(35) DEPOSITION OF WILHELM GRUNWALD (Czech, aged 17)

2. About 10th April, 1945, whilst at Belsen, I saw two prisoners crawl through a hole in the wire surrounding Kitchen No. 2. They were attempting to steal some carrots piled up there. Before the two prisoners could reach the pile I saw an S.S. man, whom I recognise as No. 3 on photograph No. 3, shoot at them with his pistol and the prisoners fell. I have now been told that this S.S. man's name is Fritz Mathes. About twenty minutes later I saw other prisoners collect the two prisoners, who had been shot and were lying on the ground, and carry their bodies away to a pile of corpses. I have no doubt that the men were killed by Mathes.

3. I recognise No. 5 on photograph 25 as an S.S. woman at Belsen. I have now been told that her name is Herta Bothe. Between 1st and 15th April, 1945, I saw several very weak female prisoners carrying a food container from the kitchen to the block. As it was filled and very heavy the women could not stand the weight and put it down to rest. At that moment I saw Bothe shoot at the two prisoners with her pistol. They fell down, but I cannot say whether they were dead or wounded, but as they were very weak, thin and under-nourished I have no doubt that they died.

 
Appendices (Affidavits & Statements - Grunwald, Wilhelm)