Questions
Question 1 20 point
This is a complex question — spend 20 minutes on it.
We looked at a document– page 160 in edition 1. It is the German Destruction of the Soviet Union.
The Russian prosecutor says– “The German fascist invaders completely or partially destroyed or burned 1710 cities, and more than 70,000 villages–
The Germans destroyed 65, 000 kilometers of railway tracks, 4,100 railway stations…
The Germans destroyed or devastated 40,000 hospitals .. 84,000 schools 43,000 public libraries
Were all of these acts war crimes— under The Hague rules?
Question 2 10 points
Page 171 of the textbook discusses submarine Admiral Karl Doenitz. His lawyer’s argument was that the US engaged in the same practices in the Pacific. This meant not picking up survivors…
In the movie clip, from Das Boat– we saw the German U-Boat fire an torpedo against a ship that was already sinking… and then a number of crew members– who were not seen before– jump into the water. The captain orders the U-boat to reverse and not pick up survivors…
Is this a violation of the Hague rules… ?
Question 3 10 points
We looked at some cases of shooting hostages and reprisals. The word reprisals here does not mean an international wrong for an international wrong– but punishing the civilian population if something bad happens near their village or town. I guess another way of describing this is collective punishment.
Why did German troops shoot hostages and what sections of Hague might it violate? You might even want to provide an example or two that was brought to the IMT’s attention.
