English Translation

Pers.Ref. Dr. Zu/Me. Prague, 30.9.1943. I. Note. This morning at 11 a.m. the planned presentation of the three prisoners of war and the two "helpers" from the Czechoslovak military unit took place in front of representatives of the Czech and German press in Prague. As representatives of Wehrmacht were at the press reception Mr. Colonel von Wick, a lieutenant colonel, who was unknown to me by name, Major Kratochvil from the branch. Prague, as well as Major Kwapiil present. The number of participating journalists was around 30. 44-Sturmbannführer Wolf opened the reception and gave me the floor to present remarks. I kept myself in my statements according to the adjacent concept. Following my remarks, in order to maintain a certain discipline of conversation, Ministerial Councillor Melc in Czech addressed those questions to the prisoners of war who the journalists wanted to ask. Smolik made a very tired and often even restrained impression when answering the questions. The Czech Šnajdr and, above all, the Slovak Kuric went out of their own way. The Ukrainian Maksimishinec also gave clear answers. The Jew Egger was almost completely boycotted by the Czech editors. In particular, editor Werner agitated among the editors the view that nothing should be asked about the Jews, because they were not recognized as members of the people. At the end of the press reception, Colonel von Wick read the official statement of the OKW on the Sokolov battle. 44-Sturmbannführer Wolf forbade press evaluation of the topic until Saturday, 2.10.1943. He promised the Czech journalists that during the day tomorrow they would receive numbered brush prints of the booklet in preparation to provide a perfect basis for their press articles 5.8.M-17-9-13/44 b.w.