Four former SS officers accused of shooting thousands of Jews in southern Russia during World War II, went on trial here today. The prosecution says the killings were exceptionally brutal and has asked Soviet authorities in Moscow to permit Russian witnesses to come to Munich to testify. The defendants were said to have operated with a special group in the areas of Nikolayev and Sinferopel in the wake of the advancing Nazi armies in 1941. Maj. Johannes Zapp, now 65, who commanded the group, is charged with participation in 16,800 cases of murder. He is the chief defendant. Former SS Sgt. Leo Recker, 57, Is accused of participating in 5000 shootings. Former SS Lt. Karl Noa, 59, is charged with aiding in the deaths of 1700 Jews but former Lt. George Moehlmayer, 58, is accused in only two cases. According to the prosecution, the victims were shot in the neck at point blank range. In many cases babies were shot in their mother’s arms. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
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