The Generals Read Free Page A

independent national unit. As the gentlemen of the presidium have asked for verbal submission of all material, I suggest that the officer presenting the case should read suitable extracts from the records of the preliminary investigation. I should warn the court that parts of the records are quite comprehensive.
    Major von Peters
: Why does it all have to be so bloody long-winded? Corporal Velder, why did you become a soldier?
    Velder
: You might say …
    Major von Peters
: Stand to attention, man. Captain Endicott.
    Captain Endicott
: Yes?
    Major von Peters
: You’re responsible for the accused’s appearance and personal behaviour. This is a court martial, not a pub.
    Captain Endicott
: Velder, I should like to draw your attention to the fact that technically you’re still a soldier and you should behave according to military regulations.
    Major von Peters
: I asked: Why did you become a soldier?
    Colonel Orbal
: Damned odd.
    Colonel Pigafetta
: What d’you mean?
    Colonel Orbal
: What? Oh, that he became a soldier.
    Major von Peters
: Well, Velder, it would help if you would deign to answer.
    Velder
: You might say that it was due to an unfortunate matter of chance. I’ve never really had much aptitude for soldiering.
    Colonel Pigafetta
: There’s scarcely any need for you to point that out.
    Velder
: There weren’t many who voluntarily went into the militia at the time. Perhaps I thought it was my duty. I was one of those who had the physical qualifications.
    Major von Peters
: With your bearing? I find that very hard to believe. You look like a scarecrow.
    Captain Endicott
: Corporal Velder was wounded during … thedisturbances. In addition to that, he has spent three years in prison …
    Velder
: To be more precise, fourteen months under interrogation at the Military Police’s Special Department and two years at an interrogation centre. The interrogations …
    Major von Peters
: This is not a conversation salon, Captain Endicott. See to it that the accused confines himself to answering the question.
    Colonel Pigafetta
: I don’t consider that the question has been exhaustively answered.
    Tadeusz Haller
: May I make an interjection?
    Colonel Orbal
: Interjection? Yes, by all means.
    Tadeusz Haller
: Major von Peters’ question touches on events and circumstances that are of the greatest significance to later developments. Apart from the accused, I think there is only one person in this room who was in the country at the actual time, that is, the time of national liberation.
    Commander Kampenmann
: Yourself, in fact?
    Tadeusz Haller
: Quite correct. On the other hand, none of the members of the court, as far as I know, had yet come to live here.
    Colonel Orbal
: Thank God for that.
    Tadeusz Haller
: In accordance with the general directive for this investigation and with the central objective of this session in mind, I find that an account of the so-called philosophy—naturally, it is deeply reprehensible—that led to the national liberation … well, briefly, I consider that such an account is motivated. Not to say necessary.
    Captain Schmidt
: These details are dealt with in the appendices to the preliminary investigation. On page three hundred and twelve in the first volume.
    Major von Peters
: You’re not going to suggest that we should start reading again now, are you?
    Colonel Orbal
: No. No. Refused.
    Captain Schmidt
: I didn’t mean that at all. May I suggest to the presidium that the officer presenting the case reads out aloud the extracts I indicate?
    Colonel Orbal
: Reads out aloud? That’s not a bad idea.
    Captain Schmidt
: First of all I’d like to draw your attention to Appendix V 1/33. This consists of a summary of the reported survey,drawn up by the National Historical Department of the General Staff. Both the summary and the publication are marked Top Secret. The same applies to most of the other documents and records I will be referring to during the session. Have you found the