COPY
TOP SECRET.JOINT Intelligence SUB-COMMITTEE
Meeting to be held on TUESDAY, 15th May, 1945
Note on J.I.C./636/45.
GERMAN ATROCITIES
In this note Mr CAVENDISH-BENTINCK raises an
all-important subject. He states that the leaders of the
German armed forces are likely to do their utmost to show
that they were not guilty of any atrocities, and that if
it had not been for HITLER, Germany would have won. He
therefore urges that we should do our utmost to discredit
these leaders and for this purpose produce proof that
they have been guilty of atrocities,
I am in most emphatic agreement with Mr
CAVENDISH-BENTINCK. Tho campaign of self-justification
has indeed already begun - a typical example is shown at
Flag "A", (Note that this subject is dealt with in paras
2-6 of' JIC (45) 1543 (o) also currently under brief). I
regard it as of the utmost importance that everything
possible should be done to discredit tho German General
Staff and Officer class in such a way that they may never
regain their former influence.
There is abundant evidence of atrocities committed
under the authority of German Armed Forces leaders in the
occupied countries. It should therefore be possible to
conduct an effective propaganda campaign both inside and
outside Germany. Moreover it should not be difficult in
our propaganda to Germany to discredit the plea that
HITLER was alone responsible for Germany's military
failure.
I recommend that you advise the Meeting to agree to Mr
CAVENDISH-BENTINCK's proposal.
M.I.14
14th May, 1945
write to David Irving