Some of the common defenses for the one hundred plus people who were tried were:
- He or she was only following orders.
- I did not know about the concentration camps or whatever they were charged with.
- It was war. You have to expect this (their charge) to happen in war.
- Hitler ordered it. I had to do it or be killed by Hitler.
- I was not there, never heard of it, I did not do it or this tribunal is not lawful.
They argued that the accused were simply 'obeying orders'.
