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Testimony of: T/3 Henry J. Wells (Contd)

602 A After I heard all of the fire and after I got out of the prone position, I was in the prone position when the first burst was fired; after I got out of that after the fire was lifted for a split second, I got out of that I rather felt that something on the part of the enemy must have gone wrong which was observed by friendly soldiers.

603 Q Will you tell me in detail just what happened after the last German soldier walked out of the tower?

A I gave an order to line up in two ranks and was ready to give a right face to march them away. Something must have been observed which some GI noted and commenced firing.

604 Q Did that fire come from the left, from the right, from the rear, or from the front?

A I don't know, sir.

605 Q Continue?

A As there were several American soldiers around a volley was fired and everybody hit the prone, including myself.

606 Q Did that also include the German soldiers?

A I could not say because I hit the ground so fast that I could not say, but I am rather inclined to believe the German soldiers also hit the ground.

607 Q Then what happened?

A After we were all on the ground I believe the fire was lifted for a split second when I got up.

608 Q And then what happened?

A Then, as I believed my life was in danger, due to the fact that other soldiers fired, and I also started shooting into the general area.

609 Q What do you mean, you were shooting into the general area?

A Of the enemy soldiers, because I believed my life was in danger.

610 Q Were these German soldiers standing at that time or were they on the ground?

A I am not aware of that any more, sir.