LAST WORDS OF OTHERS

Chronicle (Levin), 17 October 1946, Page 5

LAST WORDS OF OTHERS

Two padres followed Rosenberg who was the fourth to die but he declined the ministrations of Ihe Protestant chaplain who followed him np the steps. Rosenberg answered: "No," wlien asked whether he had any last -words. Frank entered the gymnasium actually sniiling and trod the steps to the scaffold deliberately but his voiee was weak and quavering as he uttered his last words : "I pray God to take my soul. May the Lord receive me mercifully. " Frank then said he was grateful for good handling while in prison. Frick, wearing a check suit, peered at everyone in the gymnasium as he entered. He scowled fiercely as the guards directed him up the steps. Frick spat out with intensity his last words: "Long Jive the eternal Germany !" Frick looked arrogantiy round before the black cap covered his i'ace. The door fairly burst open as S.treicher entered wide-eycd. He had to be forced across the floor. Streiclier roared : "I pay respects to the Anieriean soldiers and officers lmt not to the Amorican Jcws. Heil Hitler!" Then, as he noa red the scaffold steps, he roared again: "Now I go to God too!" On the scaffold .to which he was followed by a Catholic priest, Streiclier shouted: "Now to God. The Bolshevists will get you too sonieday ! I'm going to my l'ather." As the black eap was placed, Streieher's deep voiee was still heard ringing out: "Adele, my loving Avife!" Sauekel eame next and glared at those assemblcd. His thin lips were pressed in a firm line as he monnted the scaffold. Sauekel wheeled smartly round under the scaffold crossbeam and answered ■c'Mssly-.wheii aqked for his- last/ st at em eht V! f /T/xti e 'dnjio.cenf;**-' ; The: verdict -wa-s^wrong: "God jjfpptect" Germany and make Germany great again. God protect my family!" Another lull followed whilc the people smoked and the bodies of those executed were removed to a curtained section of the gymnasium. Jodl entered next. Drawing himself up to make the most of his 5ft. 9ins. Jodl bore himself with dignity. His only words were : "I salute you my Germany!" Seyss Inquart, who was afflicted with a limp, ascended the steps painfully, stopping at each step whilc he dragged his left leg up to the right. He paid 110 attention as the exeeutioner removed his glasses and kept his eyes rivetted on the rafters above. He then said in an unemotional tone: "I hope this execution is the last act in the tragedy of tlie second world war and that the lessons of this world war will make for pcace and understanding among thc peoples. I believe in Germany. ' '