The Kingdom of serbia : report upon the atrocities committed by the Austro-Hungarian Army during the first invasion of Serbia

MASSACRES OF CIVILIANS 135

volley. Everybody fell péle-méle into the pit, which was immediately covered in with earth, without any trouble being taken to verify whether the persons shot were dead or still living. It appears certain that many of the victims were not mortally wounded, and that some perhaps were not wounded at all, but that they were all dragged into the common pit by the rest. I do not think I err in estimating that about 50 per cent. of the number were buried alive.

During this execution a second party, consisting of about 40 persons, many of whom were women, was led up to witness the execution of the first party, and while these were being pierced by the Austrian bullets, the others were compelled to shout, «Long live the Emperor Francis Joseph!”

I examined and measured the common grave and caused it to be partially opened. I was thus enabled to ascertain that the corpses still bore the cords with which they had been pinioned. On the other hand I noted that the bodies were lying péle-méle on the ground ; some were head downwards, others in a crouching position, yet others were bent double, ete. The positions of some of the bodies seemed to indicate that such victims as were only wounded had made efforts to free themselves from the earth which covered them.

I have already repeatedly stated that I interrogated and examined a very great number of wounded persons. In many cases the wounds were already replaced by scars, in others the wounds were so severe that they were not yet healed. But I repeat, that the nature of all these wounds proves