MASSACRE OF ITALIANS

Chronicle (Levin), 19 November 1946, Page 5

MASSACRE OF ITALIANS

Press Assn.-

German Officers On Trial REPRISAL FOR AMBUSH

Lv Teleqrcivh

-Cowriaht

Received Tuesday, 10.30 a.m. ROME, Nov. 18. Von Mackensen and Maeltzer pleaded not guilty before the British War Crimes Tribunal to charges oi responsibility for the massacre f 336 Italians in the Ardeatini '•Gaves on March 24, 1944. It is the first trial for war crimes committed in Italy. The prosecutor, Colonel R. C. Halse, said the killings were done as a reprisal and von Mackensen assumed full responsibility for issuing the order. It had been established that hostages were taken from political prisoners held in Roman gaols, even if they had not been tried. "This may be German justice, but it is not the justice of any civilised power." Colonel Halse said that those killed included four condemned to death, 17 long term prisoners, 174 arrested for crimes against the Germans and 57 who had "committed 110 crime except that of being Jews." The Italian police had furnished the rest of the hostages. The total of 336 was fifteen "more than the established ten to oue ratio of Italians to Germans. Maeltzer was so unconcerned with the details of the case. said Colonel Halse, that he did not know until two days later where the massacre occurred. The reprisals were recognised as permissable only after an attempt had been made to find the people who actually ambushed the occupation troops, when the reprisal was confined to the locality of the incident, and when excessive measures were not taken. Von Mackensen, white-haired and frail, wore a black civilian suit. Maeltzer was in a smart Lnftwaffe grey uniform. British troops guarded every entrance to the courtroom. Over 100 tanks blocked the roads to the court, as the authorities feared a lynching attempt.