From PRO file WO.208/4364: [COMMENT]

IF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT IS REQUIRED FOR FURTHER DISTRIBUTION. IT SHOULD BE PARAPHRASED SO THAT NO MENTION IS MADE OF THE PRISONERS' NAMES, NOR OF THE METHODS BY WHICH THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED

G.R.G.G. 213(C)

The following conversation took place between:

General von Choltitz [failed defender of Paris]

CS/22 Generalleutnant von Schlieben [failed defender of Cherbourg] (Comd Cherbourg) Captured Cherbourg 26 Jun 44

Information received on 18-19 Oct 44

TRANSLATION

General von Choltitz: Would you kill Hitler, too?

Generalleutnant von Schlieben: It's very difficult to say whether he should be killed or not; it might turn him into a martyr. I should have him over to the Russians, to work in some Siberian mine of other; that would settle the matter.

Choltitz: As long as the man lives, German Youth will believe in his return and think only of resistance. He mustn't be surrounded by a Naoleonic halo of glory either -- that is to say, exiled.

Schlieben: Would you kill him then?

Choltitz: certainly. Death is no martyrdom. He should be killed and the whole world should be told about it; he should be photographed pleading for his life, and should be shown in a really bad light, just as they did with [the July 20 traitor] Field Marshal von Witzleben. He should be made to wear just a pullover, and to stand there as a criminal, with his hair cropped and so on.

BY C.S.D.I.C. (U.K.)

M.I.19.a      War Office   (56 copies)
N.I.D.        Admiralty    ( 9 copies)
A.D.I.(K)     Air Ministry (15 copies)

(29111) Wtr51755/3515 37,000 2/45
   A. & E.W.Ltd GP.692 J.7303