III.
The question is now how best to take into account local and technical requirements in staffing the individual offices.
In the Economic Staff Oldenburg and in the economic inspectorates, which in all essentials have the same organization, a differentiation according to geographical points of view appears unnecessary, as in each of the gigantic fields of activity every type of question arises and therefore all departments must be staffed.
The gentlemen will therefore find in the strength reports, which are in their hands, both in the Economic Staff Oldenburg and in all economic inspectorates, after each C.O. and his personal assistant a _staff group_, which in accordance with the scheme submitted to you contains:
the adjutants's office, the office for the establishment of the authorities, counter-intelligence, signals and communications, command of the staff quartermaster, messing officer, and interpreter.
In the same manner, _Group M_ is to be staffed uniformly with all branches of the armed forces (army, navy, air, administration) and the transport, technical, general and military supplies divisions. It is impossible to effect any economics here.
_Economic commands_ also start from the common denominator of a normal strength which is likewise submitted to you. It is however neither necessary, nor desirable to fill it in all economic commands to the full extent or in an equal measure; the decisive factors here are the individual peculiarities of the various regions.
In all economic commands, the posts in the staff group, transport, technical and general offices will have to be filled. But whether the individual _branches of the armed forces_ wish to be represented in the respective economic command will depend essentially on whether the branch of the armed forces in question has any interests of any significance to look after in the territory.
It must be borne in mind that the whole organization requires a gigantic staff apparatus and that, in view of the general lack of qualified personnel, only such posts can be filled as are justified by practical necessity.
The branches of the armed forces will therefore have to decide in which of the 23 economic commands they wish to be represented. To fill all 4 offices of army, navy, air and administration will be necessary only in a few centrally situated spots. If on the other hand in some cases _all_ branches of the armed forces require no representation, we would substitute for the planned division into 4 parts, a joint office for armament industry and staff it from the Office of Industrial Armament.
In the interests of speed--the establishment has to be completed by the 15th May--we have to request the branches of the armed forces to communicate their decision to the Office of Industrial Armament by Friday 2nd May.
In order to prepare to a large extent and to facilitate this decision, Captain (Cav.) Jonas, who has a profound knowledge in this field, has compiled a list, on which after the name of each economic command he has indicated by means of the initial of the branch of the armed forces in question which of these branches is in his opinion likely * * * represent * * * by an office.
The material has been submitted to you in the form of the lengthy treatise R., in particular in the form of the economic map and the list showing all firms which are important from the point of view of industrial armaments. In order, however, to assist the gentlemen to form their own opinion in the short time at our disposal, Captain (Cav) Jonas will now illustrate the peculiarities of the different areas in the field of industrial armament by means of a short lecture.
_Lecture Captain (Cav.) Jonas._ _Further Points to be discussed_
_a._ In the interests of staff economy, we want to staff some of the above-mentioned authorities by enlisting personnel from authorities already existing in occupied territories, e.g. the _Moscow Economic Inspectorate_ is to be staffed by the armament industry office (Rue In A) to be withdrawn from France.
_Murmansk Economic Command_ is to be staffed from _Norway_ _Moscow Economic Command_ by _Troppau Armament Command_ _Lodz Economic Command_ by _Radom Armament Command_ _Sevastopol Sub-Office_ by _Aarhus Sub-Office_.
Even though these units will have to be brought up to the required strength and supplemented, their employment at least creates a basis and thus effects a considerable economy in staff.
_b._ Which members of branches of the armed forces are already earmarked for Rue VI?
_c._ In which economic commands are the commander or for instance the head of the transport office to be appointed from the members of a branch of the armed forces which has an overriding interest?
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1161-PS
Defense Economics--and--Armament Office [Wehrwirtschafts--und Ruestungsamt]
Az. Stab I a Nr. 1134/40 Berlin, 31 May 1940
To Gen Qu (General Headquarters) through VO Major Dr. Just
I. In the enclosure is forwarded a map on which are marked the boundaries for the economic teams anticipated in France. The territorial distribution of economic teams has followed the same principles as were used in the creation of the teams for Belgium and Holland. The boundaries are established according to the economic structure of the districts. In them are located individual industrial concentrations which will be the main fields of work for the teams. Since the whole area without exception had to be divided up the working areas of the individual teams appear relatively large, however the working power of the teams will not be visibly influenced thereby, since only a few additions lie outside the industrial centers.
The boundaries are and must be established for the above named reasons without regard to later commitment of main field commands [Oberfeldkommandanturen] and/or sections of the AOK (Army High Command).
II. It is requested that the economic teams be instructed to send their reports directly to Gen Qu and at the same time to Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Wirtschaft Ruestungsamt. The purpose of the commitment of the economic teams is the most rapid instruction of the OKW/Wi Rue Amt concerning existing raw materials which must be brought--trainload after trainload--to finishing plants in the occupied territories and in the Reich, according to the requirements of manufacturing programs.
The experiences of the last three weeks have shown that the channels prescribed for this purpose have entirely failed. So far, except for a single message which reached the OKW directly, the OKW has received no report from the economic teams. This situation must be changed as quickly as possible by the forwards administrative posts, without consideration of possible questions of competence but from the purest material viewpoint, all the more as the life expectancy of the military government in Belgium, as also that of Holland, may be of short duration.
I.A. signature
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1162-PS
ORDER
BY ORDER of the German Wehrmacht all men from 17 up to and including 40 years old must register for the Labour Service.
Immediately on receipt of this order ALL men within this age-group must appear in the street with the required equipment.
All other inhabitants, women and children included, must stay in their houses until the operation is completed. Men of the age mentioned above who are found in their houses when they are searched, will be punished, and their private possessions will be confiscated.
Identification cards from civilian or military authorities must be brought along for inspection.
Those, who are in possession of such identification cards must also appear in the street.
Warm clothing, strong shoes, blankets protection against rain, eating-utensils, knife, fork and drinking cup and bread for one day must be taken along. Persons who bring along their bicycles, which they take with them, will be allowed to keep them.
THE DAILY COMPENSATION CONSISTS OF GOOD FOOD, TOBACCO AND FIVE GUILDERS.
THE RELATIVES LEFT BEHIND WILL BE LOOKED AFTER.
ALL INHABITANTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY ARE FORBIDDEN TO LEAVE THEIR RESIDENCE.
THOSE WHO TRY TO ESCAPE OR TO RESIST WILL BE SHOT.
* * * * *
ANNOUNCEMENT
All male persons between the ages of 17 and 50, resident in the township of Apeldoorn, must report on the 2nd October, 1944 at 9 a.m. in the market place at Apeldoorn, in order to work for several days in the Province of Gelderland.
They must bring with them a shovel or spade, also eating utensils, spoon, fork, and a blanket.
Zutphen, 1st October, 1944. The Plenipotentiary of the Reichs-Commissioner for the Province of Gelderland. Dr. SCHNEIDER.
* * * * *
OFFICIAL NOTICE
By order of the German Wehrmacht all men of the town of Amersfo between the ages of 17 and 50 years must report today at 9 o'clock at the Infantry Barracks for digging operations.
Release certificates from civil or military places of employment are to be brought for scrutiny. They are not a release from the duty to report.
Return after the period of employment can be definitely guaranteed.
Men must bring: warm clothing, strong footwear, blankets, covering against rain, eating utensils with spoon, knife and fork as well as spades or shovels. Bicycles brought remain in the possession of the owners.
Good food, smokes and 5 Gulden daily will be given! Leaving the town is forbidden on principle. The Delegate of the Reich Commissioner for the Province of Utrecht: MUELLER-REINERT.
* * * * *
NOTICE
By virtue of Section 1 of Order No. 42/1941 regarding conscription and regarding the limitation of change in places of work within the scope of Order No. 48/1942, and by virtue of special authorization, it is decreed:
All male Dutch nationals and those without nationality born within the years 1915 to 1928 inclusive, who have their domicile or permanent residence in the Provinces of North Holland, South Holland and Utrecht, are under labour obligation. The calling-up for labour duties will be effected by special proclamation.
Until the calling-up for labour duties the above-mentioned persons are obliged, without prejudice to the existing regulations regarding change of place of work, to remain at their present place of work and in their dwelling place or their present permanent domicile. All labour necessary for the maintenance of public administration, as well as for the continuance of installations and agricultural and industrial undertakings, in which vital tasks are to be accomplished or commissions of military importance are to be carried out, will be reserved and not called-up for conscripted labour elsewhere. All persons thus reserved will receive a generally valid reservation certificate. It will render invalid all other reservation certificates hitherto issued as such. When called-up for work, the maintenance of those called-up as well as of their dependents will be provided for in sufficient measure.
Whoever acts contrary to the stipulations of this Notice or of the regulations issued for its execution, or tries to circumvent them will be punished by imprisonment as per Section 4 of Order No. 42/ in as much as a heavier punishment is not incurred in accordance with other stipulations. Accessories before the fact, collaborators and assistants incur the same punishment as the perpetrators themselves. Security Police measures are held in reserve. Houses and places in which a called-up man hides, will be sequestrated, together with their contents.
The regulations of this Notice come into force immediately.
The Reich Commissioner for the Occupied Dutch Territories. The Plenipotentiary for total war effort. LIESE.
The Hague, 14th December, 1944.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1163-PS
NOTICE!
I consider all inhabitants responsible for destruction or damage to railroad installations, waterways with their installations, telephone cables and Post Offices occurring within their districts.
The population of such communities may therefore expect reprisals in the form of seizure of property and destruction of houses or groups of houses.
I advise the communities to arrange for adequate protection of the means of transportation and of communication in their districts, by patrols or other effective means.
The Hague, 24 September 1944. (Sd.) SEYSS-INQUART The Reich Commissioner for the Occupied Netherlands Territories.
* * * * *
NOTICE.
The Superior SS and Police Chief gives notice that on 20 Nov 1944 Schutzgruppenmann Janssen and on 13 Dec 1944 the Senior Officer Candidate Guse were shot in the back by criminal Netherlands elements.
Both were robbed of their pistols.
Independent of further investigation of the perpetrators, two houses were blasted and 12 Netherlanders were executed at the place of one of the crimes as reprisals.
The Hague, 16 Dec 1944
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1164-PS
SS Economic Administration Office Official Group Chief D Concentration Camp DI/1/az.:14c9/Ot./U. Secret Diary _63_/1942 Oranienburg, 21 April 1942 [Stamp] Concentration Camp Gross-Rosen Kommandantur Entered: 22 April 1942
SECRET
Secret Diary No. 243/42 Subject: Labor mobilization of clergy. Reference: SS Economic Administration Office Ch.Po/IIa. Enclosures: None
To: Camp Commandants of Concentration Camps Da., Sah., Bn., Man., Flo., Neu., Au. Gr.-Ros., Natz., Nie., Stu., Arb., Rav., PW Camp Lublin.
Copy to: Chief of Office D II here.
The Reich Fuehrer-SS and Chief of the German Police has ordered, that the Polish and Lithuanian priests are to work fully, i.e., may be summoned for all work. The German, Dutch, Norwegian Clergymen, etc. are to be employed in future as previously only in the medicinal herb gardens.
The execution of this order is to be reported here.
By direction
(signed) Liebenhenschell SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1165-PS
SECRET
Concentration Camp Gross Rosen Office of the Commandant Gro.Ro./Az.: KL.14f I/10.41/Su/Wa Geh.Tgb.Nr. 117/41 Gross Rosen, 23 October 1941 Subject: Execution of Russian PWs
Reference: Oral conference with SS Major General Mueller, Gestapo, Berlin
Annexes:--1--
To: Major General Mueller Berlin, Prinz-Albrechtstrasse
The commandant's office of the concentration camp Gross Rosen submits in the annex a list of the Russian PWs who were executed on 22 October 1941 from 1700-1800 and who were subsequently cremated. The inspector of the concentration camp Oranienburg was separately notified from this station.
The Camp Commandant of the Concentration Camp Gross Rosen
[initials illegible] SS Lt Colonel
* * * * *
LIST
Gross Rosen
List of the PWs who are to report on 22 October 1941 for transportation from the "S" Camp.
---------+--------+----------------------+---------- Current | Stalag | | No. | No. | | ---------+--------+----------------------+---------- 1 | 45860 | Nikolai Troitzki | 1/2/21 2 | 45861 | Konstantin Marfenkow | 6/5/22 3 | 45862 | Wassili Mainko | 23/3/20 4 | 45863 | Wladimir Warnaschin | 24/7/19 5 | 45864 | Nikolai Pankratow | 23/8/20 6 | 45865 | Pietr Gorelow | 8/6/21 7 | 45866 | Jefgeni Pianitzki | 18/3/19 8 | 45867 | Georgi Koschuchowski | 10/7/16 9 | 45868 | Alexander Konowalow | 3/9/20 10 | 45869 | Alexander Ibriganow | 1/4/07 11 | 45870 | Michael Ignatow | 20/9/09 12 | 45871 | Jakow Jakolow | 21/7/16 13 | 45872 | Jakow Barsukow | 22/11/05 14 | 45873 | Georg Wirkejenke | 19/4/13 15 | 45874 | Nioklai Ibrielow | 3/5/15 16 | 45875 | Wladimir Aleschkow | 19/4/20 17 | 45876 | Iwan Korolow | 14/6/11 18 | 45877 | Apolon Dimentzow | 18/3/18 19 | 45878 | Wassili Kirisanow | 14/1/10 20 | 45879 | Alexi Merkulow | 11/4/15 ---------+--------+----------------------+----------
Neuhammer, 22 October 1941
True copy
signed: THIELE
* * * * *
The Chief of the SIPO and the SD B Nr 2009 B/41g - IV A I c Berlin, 9 November 1941
SECRET SPECIAL DELIVERY
Subject: Transportation of the Russian PWs, destined for execution, into the concentration camps
Previous correspondence: None
Annexes: * * * Annexes
The commandants of the concentration camps are complaining that 5 to 10% of the Soviet Russians destined for execution are arriving in the camps dead or half dead. Therefore the impression has arisen that the Stalags are getting rid of such prisoners in this way.
It was particularly noted that, when marching, for example from the railroad station to the camp, a rather large number of PWs collapsed on the way from exhaustion, either dead or half dead, and had to be picked up by a truck following the convoy.
It cannot be prevented that the German people take notice of these occurrences.
Even if the transportation to the camps is generally taken care of by the Wehrmacht, the population will still attribute this situation to the SS.
In order to prevent, if possible, similar occurrences in the future, I therefore order that, effective from today on, Soviet Russians, declared definitely suspect and obviously marked by death (for example with typhus) and who therefore would not be able to withstand the exertions of even a short march on foot, shall in the future, as a matter of basic principle, be excluded from the transport into the concentration camps for execution.
I request that the leaders of the Einsatzkommandos be correspondingly informed of this decision without delay.
_Distribution_: All offices of the State Police To the CO of the SIPO and the SD Metz To the CO of the SIPO and the SD Strassburg _For the information of_: The Reichsfuehrer SS and the Chief of the German police The Chief of the SIPO and the SD The Chiefs of Departments I to VII Gruppenleiter IVD SS Lt Col Dr Weinmann The higher SS and Police Chiefs--except in the Hague The Inspectors of the SIPO and the SD The Commanders in Chief of the SIPO and the SD--except in Metz and Strassburg The Commanders of the SIPO and the SD
The Inspectors of the concentration camps
All commandants of the concentration camps
For:
signed: MUELLER
Certified:
signed: L. WOLFERT
Office Girl
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1166-PS
TOP SECRET
Oranienburg, 15 August 1944
SS--Economic--Administration Department Section D--Concentration Camps-- DIV--189--8.44--Ru./Schm.
_Diary No. 199/44 Secret_
_Subject_: Report of the number of prisoners and Survey of prisoners clothing type "G" and "Z" and the supply of "G" available.
_Reference_: Telephone call by SS-Sturmbannfuehrer Waschkau on 15.8.44.
To: Chief of Section B, SS-Gruppenfuehrer and Lieutenant-General of the Waffen-SS Loerner
_Berlin--Lichterfelde/West Unter den Eichen 126-135_
With reference to the above-mentioned telephone call, I am sending herewith a report on the actual number of prisoners for 1.8.1944 and of the new arrivals already announced, as well as the clothing report for 15.8.44.
(1) The actual number on 1.8.44, consisted of:
_a._ male prisoners 379 167
_b._ female prisoners 145 119
In addition, there are the following new arrivals:
1. from the Hungary program (anti-Jewish action) 90 000
2. from Litzmannstadt (Police prison and Ghetto) 60 000
3. Poles from the General Government 15 000
4. Convicts from the Eastern Territories 10 000
5. former Polish officers 17 000
6. from Warsaw (Poles) 400 000
7. continued arrivals from France approx. 15000 20 000
Most of the prisoners are already on the way and will be received into the Concentration Camps within the next few days.
(2) Survey of clothing for male prisoners in the possession of the prisoners or the Concentration Camp.
-----------------------------+------------+------------+------------------ | | |Supply of clothing | | |held by Section D |a. |b. |in Sachsenhausen |"G" clothing|"Z" clothing|and Buchenwald -----------------------------+------------+------------+------------------ Cloth jackets | 232 024 | 168 987 | 70 509 Cloth trousers | 184 338 | 121 581 | 72 220 Cloth coats | 162 809 | 102 657 | 19 990 Cloth caps | 257 509 | 65 669 | 27 610 Drill jackets | 229 840 | - | 2 930 Drill trousers | 243 366 | - | 6 865 Shirts | 358 871 | 331 467 | 5 500 Underpants | 457 232 | 167 022 | 1 000 Woolen waistcoats | 169 462 | 19 605 | 32 501 Material waistcoats | - | 38 847 | - Socks | 328 041 | 9 517 | 174 186 Foot-bandages | 96 615 | - | 30 240 Short socks | 82 739 | - | 2 200 Ear protectors | 97 567 | 9 640 | 440 Balaclava helmets | | | (Teufelshauben) | 47 845 | 12 000 | 206 220 Handkerchiefs | 20 941 | 77 205 | 17 000 Mittens | 74 570 | - | 145 400 Gloves | - | 9 177 | - Knap-sacks--paper | 48 386 | - | - Knap-sacks--material | 89 396 | - | - Aprons | 6 267 | 4 796 | - Working jackets | - | 2 602 | - Working trousers | - | 2 594 | - Working suits | - | 4 998 | - Lace-shoes--leather | 47 406 | 16 979 | - Lace-shoes with wooden soles | 243 128 | - | 977 Lace-shoes with buckles | | | and wooden soles | 10 041 | - | 3 539 Wooden clogs | 119 259 | - | - Boots, high (leather) | 2 192 | 3 233 | - Hollaender | 13 520 | - | - Body-belts | 9 788 | - | - Woolen shawl | - | 9 770 | - Boots with wooden soles | 389 | - | - Half-shoes--leather | 1 635 | - | - Bags for effects | 21 992 | - | - -----------------------------+------------+------------+------------------
(3) Survey of the clothing for female prisoners in the possession of the prisoners or the Concentration Camp.
----------------------------+------------+------------+------------------- | | |Supply of clothing | a. |b. |held by Section D |"G" clothing|"Z" clothing|in Ravensbrueck ----------------------------+------------+------------+------------------- Winter dresses |38 064 | - | 2 220 Summer dresses |55 638 | - | - Dresses "Z" | - | 41 963 | - Skirts "Z" | - | 34 796 | - Blouses "Z" | - | 36 262 | - Winter jackets |42 183 | - | 4 840 Coats "Z" | - | 32 802 | - Shirts |35 418 |210 808 | 14 680 Night-dresses | 9 194 | 4 940 | - Winter trousers |48 246 | - | 14 010 Summer trousers |35 781 | - | 6 690 Knickers | - | 79 687 | - Petticoats |36 878 | 938 | 3 490 Women's jackets "Z" | - | 8 041 | - Women's stockings |41 677 | 58 711 | 6 199 Suspender belts |13 676 | 3 322 | 2 622 Head scarves |32 270 | 60 643 | - Woolen waistcoats | 2 066 | 74 808 | 13 290 Brassieres | - | 7620 | - Bandages--paper |33 400 | - | 186 798 Bandages--material |64 041 | - | 9 755 Bandage-belts |23 826 | - | 807 Handkerchiefs |38 553 | 14 562 | 152 100 Aprons | 4 436 | 13 636 | - Women's caps | 9 488 | - | 5 600 Mittens | 9 294 | - | - Gloves "Z" | - | 5 931 | - Lace-shoes--leather | 2 392 | 4 348 | - Half-shoes--leather |20 442 | - | - Lace-shoes with wooden soles|33 967 | - | - Clogs |40 092 | - | - Hollaender | 7 272 | - | - Bags for effects |19 963 | - | - ----------------------------+------------+------------+-------------------
(4) Owing to a total at the time of 524,286 prisoners and to the new batch of 612,000[3] prisoners already announced and on the way, it is impossible for me to undertake to clothe completely all the unexpected new arrivals, in spite of the latest assignment of special allotments of yarn and textiles for the Hungary program through the Reich Ministry of Economics.
I would also like to mention that the civilian clothing previously received from the Hungary program has all been distributed and precious little can be expected from other useful articles received from the Poland action (Warsaw).
The civilian clothing already distributed, particularly under-clothes and shoes, have to be replaced very soon owing to their inferior quality. Their durability, in comparison with new articles is very limited.
Further it must be kept in mind that the employment of prisoners in special measures [Sondermassnahmen] A and B is a great strain on clothes and footwear and the expected durability must be decreased.
For the above-mentioned reasons, I would ask you, Gruppenfuehrer, to be so kind as to request that Reich Ministry of Economics to take the necessary steps so that further special allotments of yarn and leather may be assigned to meet the exceedingly great need for prisoners' clothing. Mention might also be made to the Reich Ministry of Economics that, up to the present, enormous quantities of rags of unusable civilian clothes, from the various actions, have been sent for disposal from Auschwitz and other camps to the Reich Ministry of Economics, and more are to follow.
Head of Administration [initial illegible] SS Sturmbannfuehrer [Burger]
[Footnote 3: including approx. 387,000 men and 225,000 women.]
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1168-PS
Memorandum from SCHACHT to HITLER, [Identified by SCHACHT on 16 October 1945]
May 3, 1935
_Financing of Armament_
The following explanations are based upon the thought, that the accomplishment of the armament program with speed and in quantity is the problem of German politics, that everything else therefore should be subordinated to this purpose, as long as the main purpose is not imperilled by neglecting all other questions. Even after March 16, 1935 the difficulty remains, that one cannot undertake the open propagandistic treatment of the German people for support of armament without endangering our position internationally (without loss to our foreign trade). The already nearly impossible financing of the armament program is rendered hereby exceptionally difficult.
Another supposition must be also emphasized. The printing press can be used only for the financing of armament to such a degree, as permitted by maintaining of the money value. Every inflation increases the prices of foreign raw materials and increases the domestic prices, is therefore like a snail biting its own tail. The circumstance that our armament had to be camouflaged completely till March 16, 1935 and even since this date the camouflage had to be continued to a larger extent, making it necessary to use the printing press (bank note press) already at the beginning of the whole armament program, while it would have been natural, to start it (the printing press) at the final point of financing. In the portfolio of the Reichsbank are segregated notes (for this purpose: armament) of 3,775 millions and 866 millions, altogether 4,641 millions, out of which the armament notes amount to RM 2,374 millions (Status of April 30, 1935). The Reichsbank has invested the amount of marks under its jurisdiction, but belonging to foreigners in * * * notes of armament. Our armaments are also financed partly with the credits of our political opponents. Furthermore 500 million Reichsmarks were used for financing of armament, which originated out of Reichsanleihe [Federal loans] placed with savings banks. In the regular budget the following amounts were provided. For the budget period 1933/34 RM 750 millions, for the budget period 1934/35 RM 1,100 millions, and for the budget period 1935/36 RM 2,500 millions.
The amount of deficits of the budget since 1928 increases after the budget 1935/36 to 5-6 millions RM. This total deficit is already financed at the present time by short term credits of the money market. It therefore reduces in advance the possibilities of utilization of the public market for the armament. The Minister of Finance correctly points out at the defense of the budget: As a permanent yearly deficit * * * is an impossibility; as we cannot figure with security with increased tax revenues in amount balancing the deficit and any other previous debits, as on the other hand a balanced budget is the only secure basis for the impending great task of military policy, for all these reasons we have to put in motion a fundamental and conscious budget policy which solves the problem of armament financing by organic and planned reduction of other expenditures not only from the point of receipt, but also from the point of expenditure, e.g., by saving.
How urgent this question is, can be deducted from the following, that a large amount of task has been started by the state and party and which is now in process, all of which are not covered by the budget, but from contributions and credits, which have to be raised by industry in addition to the regular taxes. The existing of various budgets side by side, which serve more or less public tasks, is the greatest impediment for gaining a clear view over the possibilities of financing the armaments. A whole number of ministries and various branches of the party have their own budgets, and for this reason have possibilities of incomes and expenses, though based on the sovereignty of finance of the state, but not subject to the control of the Minister of Finance and therefore also not subject to the control of the cabinet. Just as on the sphere of politics the much too far reaching delegation of legislative powers to individuals brought about various states within the states, exactly in the same way the condition of various branches of state and party, working side by side and against each other, has a devastating effect on the possibility of financing. If on this territory concentration and unified control is not introduced very soon, the solution of the already impossible task of armament financing is endangered.
We have the following tasks:
(1) A deputy is entrusted finding all sources and revenues, which have its origin in contributions to the Federal government, to the state and party and in profits of public and party enterprises.
(2) Furthermore experts, entrusted by the Fuehrer, have to examine, how these amounts were used and which of these amounts can in the future be withdrawn from their previous purpose.
(3) The same experts have to examine the investments of all public and party organizations, to which extent this property can be used for the purpose of armament financing.
(4) The federal ministry of finances is to be entrusted to examine the possibilities of increased revenues by way of new taxes or increasing of existing taxes.
The up-to-date financing of armaments by the Reichsbank under existing political conditions was a necessity and the political success proved the correctness of this action. The other possibilities of armament financing have to be started now under any circumstances. For this purpose all absolutely non-essential expenditures for other purposes have not to take place and the total financial strength of Germany, limited as it is, has to be concentrated for the one purpose of armament financing. Whether the problem of financing, as outlined in program, succeeds, remains to be seen, but without such concentration it will fail with absolute certainty.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1183-PS
COPY The Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Department Arbeitseinsatz Berlin SW 11, Saarlandstr. 96, 29 Jan 1942 V a 552/27 Express Letter! To:--
The Government of the Government-General
Main Labor Division, _Cracow_:
The Reich Commissioner for the occupied Norwegian territories,
Labor and Social Division, _Oslo_
via the bureau of the Reich Commissioner for the occupied Norwegian territories.
The Reich Commissioner for the occupied Dutch territories, _The Hague_;
The Military Administrator for Belgium and Northern France,
Economic Division, Group VII (Arbeitseinsatz), _Brussels_.
The Military Administrator in France,
Administrative Staff, Economic Division, _Paris_;
The Plenipotentiary for Economics in Serbia
Command Officer, _Semlin near Belgrade_;
The Chief of the Civilian Administration in _Luxemburg_;
The Chief of the Civilian Administration in Lorraine, _Metz_;
and
The Chief of the Civilian Administration in Alsace, _Straszburg_.
Subject: Increased mobilization of man-power for the German Reich from the occupied territories and preparations for mobilization by force.
On the one hand, the labor shortage which was rendered more acute by the draft for the Wehrmacht, and on the other hand, the increased scope of the armament problem in the German Reich, render it necessary that man-power for service in the Reich be recruited from the occupied territories to a much greater extent than heretofore, in order to relieve the shortage of labor. Therefore, any and all methods must be adopted which make possible the transportation, without exception and delay, for employment in the German Reich, of man-power in the occupied territories which is unemployed or which can be released for use in Germany after most careful screening.
To the High Command of the Armed Forces Wi Rue Amt Berlin W 35 [Page 2]
This mobilization shall first of all, as heretofore, be carried out on a voluntary basis. For this reason, the recruiting effort for employment in the German Reich must be strengthened considerably. But if satisfactory results are to be obtained, the German authorities, who are functioning in the occupied territories, must be able to exert any pressure necessary to support the voluntary recruiting of labor for employment in Germany. Accordingly, to the extent that may be necessary, the regulations in force in the occupied territories in regard to shift in employment and withdrawal of support upon refusal to work, must be tightened. Supplementary regulations concerning shift in employment must above all ensure that older personnel who are freed must be exchanged for younger personnel to make up for it, so that the latter may be made available for the Reich. A far-reaching decrease in the amount of relief granted by Public Welfare must also be effected in order to induce laborers to accept employment in the Reich. Unemployment relief must be set so low that the amount in comparison with the average wages in the Reich and the possibilities there for sending remittances home may serve as an inducement to accept employment in the Reich. When refusal to accept work in the Reich is not justified, the compensation must be reduced to an amount barely enough for subsistence, or even be cancelled. In this connection,
## partial withdrawal of ration cards and assignment to particularly heavy
obligatory labor may be considered.
However, all misgivings must give way before the necessity of supplying the deficit in man-power caused by excessive draft calls into the Armed Forces, in order to avoid detriment to the armament industry. For this purpose the forcible mobilization of workers from the occupied territories cannot be disregarded, in case the voluntary recruiting is unsuccessful. The mere possibility of mobilization by force will, in many cases, make recruiting easier.
[Page 3]
Therefore, I ask you immediately to take any measures in your district which will promote the employment of workers in the German Reich on a voluntary basis. I herewith request you to prepare for publication regulations applying to forced mobilization of laborers from your territory for Germany, so that they may be decreed at once, in case recruiting on a voluntary basis will not have the desired result, that is relief of the man-power shortage in the Reich. I request you to inform me of the measures taken by you.
Copy for cognizance. Signed: Dr. Mansfeld Attested by: [signature illegible] _employee_
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1188-PS
20 May 1941
Decree of the Fuehrer
Concerning the Economy in the Newly Occupied Eastern Territories
(1) In the newly occupied eastern territories Reichsmarshall Hermann Goering as the Plenipotentiary of the Four Year Plan shall issue all orders concerning matters within his jurisdiction which are essential to the highest utilization of existing stocks, to the highest increase of the industrial capacity, and to the further building up of all economic resources that can be utilized for the German war economy.
(2) In order to accomplish his task, he may also give orders to Wehrmacht agencies.
(3) This decree becomes effective to-day. It may only be published after special authorization.
Fuehrer's Headquarters The Fuehrer, The Chief of the German High Command The Reichsminister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery
* * * * *
Remarks
Reichsleiter Rosenberg wants to see no limitations applied to the principle that civil agencies of the newly occupied eastern territories should get orders and directives from nobody else but him. He therefore desires that within these territories he should also be authorized to give orders concerning measures with regard to the Four Year Plan. He is willing, however, to follow those directives which the Reich Marshall, in his capacity as a delegate for the Four Year Plan, has given personally. Rosenberg, therefore, suggested that the delegate for the Four Year Plan should use the Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories as his Plenipotentiary General for carrying out his tasks in the newly occupied eastern territories. The latter should then receive orders from him (Goering) for that purpose. The Reich Marshall turned down such an arrangement.
In the event that Reichsleiter Rosenberg's suggestion is disapproved by the Fuehrer, Rosenberg at least wants to be able to coordinate measures taken by him as the Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories with those measures taken by the delegate of the Four Year Plan. In order to make sure of that he desires to insert after the word "jurisdiction" [Befugnisse] in Paragraph 1 the words "via the Reich Minister for the Eastern Occupied Territories".
Reichsleiter Rosenberg, furthermore, has misgivings relative to the publication of this decree, since it left no doubt that Germany was only interested in the occupied eastern territories for purposes of extreme economic exploitation. If that became known in these territories the political reaction there will be disastrous.
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1189-PS
in the field 4/11/1941 Wi Stab Ost Fue/Ia, Az.B.NR. 6730/41
Special Instructions No. 44 Feeding of Civilian Population in the occupied Eastern Territories
Weekly Maximum in Grams
a. _For population which does no work worth mentioning._ Meat and meat products none Fat 70 Bread 1500 Potatoes 2000
* * * * *
d. _Children under 14 years old and Jews_: Half of the maximum according to a.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1193-PS
SECRET The Reich Marshall of the Greater German Reich Deputy for the Four Year Plan _The State Secretary_ Berlin W 8, Leipziger Str. 3, 14 November 1941 V.P. 19008/2 Secret.
In the annexes I submit, in three copies, a note on the result of a conference which was held on 7 November 1941 by the Reich Marshall and which concerned the
Employment of Soviet Russians
Meanwhile the Reich Marshall has ordered (cf. V of the note) that the utilization of those Russians who are not under the armed forces (prisoners of war and free workers) should be centrally directed in the Reich, including the protectorate and the General Government, as well as in the Reich Commissariats by his agency Arbeitseinsatz. To perform its functions, it will avail itself of the general administration of the Arbeitseinsatz, and in the occupied Eastern territories of the organization for the Arbeitseinsatz which is at the disposal of the Economic Staff East, respectively the Reich commissar, general commissar, etc.
The Reich Marshall has made the agency Arbeitseinsatz responsible for a rapid and appropriate solution of all problems which are connected with the utilization of the Russians in the civilian domain. He requests that the responsible agencies should acknowledge the importance of this matter by fullest cooperation and should help in eliminating the existing difficulties to the best of their abilities.
The Reich Marshall expects to receive on 15 December 1941 the first report of the agency Arbeitseinsatz as to what extent the directives issued by him on 7 November have been set into practice.
Signed: Koerner Authenticated: Schwingle Ministry Registrar
* * * * *
Conference of 7 November 1941 about the Employment of Soviet Russians
The Reich Marshall gave the following directives for the Arbeitseinsatz of the Soviet Russians:
I. _The stronger labor reserves in the zone of the interior are also decisive for the war._
The Russian workers have proved their productive capacity during the development of the huge Russian industry. Therefore it must be made available to the Reich from now on. Objections against this order of the Fuehrer are of the secondary nature. The disadvantages which can be created by the Arbeitseinsatz have to be reduced to a minimum: the task especially of counter-intelligence and security police.
II. _The Russian in the zone of operations._
He is to be employed particularly in building roads and railroads, in clearing work, clearing of mines, and in building airports. The German construction battalions have to be dissolved to a great extent (Example: Air Forces!); the German skilled workers belong to the war industry; it is not their task to shovel and to break stones, the Russian is there for that.
III. _The Russian in the territories of the Reich Commissar and of the General Government._
The same principles apply as in II. Furthermore, stronger utilization in agriculture; if machines are lacking, human hands have to produce what the Reich has to request from the agricultural sector in the East. Furthermore, sufficient native labor has to be provided for the ruthless exploitation of Russian coal mines.
IV. _The Russian in the Reich territory including the Protectorate._
The number of the employed depends on the requirement. By determining the requirement, it is to be considered that workers of other states who produce little and eat much are to be shipped out of the Reich and that in the future the German woman should come less into the foreground in the labor process. Beside the Russian prisoners of war, free Russian workers should also be used.
A. _The Russian prisoner of war._
1. The _selection_ has to take place already in the collecting camps, beyond the Reich border. The profession and physical condition are decisive. At the same time screening as to nationality and according to the requirements of the security police and counter-intelligence must take place.
2. The _transportation_ has to be organized just as the selection and not improvised. The prisoners are to be forwarded rapidly. Their feeding should be orderly and their guarding unconditionally secured.
3. _Officers_ are to be excluded from the work as much as possible, _commissars_ as a matter of principle.
4. The Russian belongs in first line to the following _work places_ (in order of priorities):
Mining.
Railroad maintenance (including repair shops and construction of vehicles).
War industry (tanks, artillery pieces, airplane parts).
Agriculture.
Building industry.
Large scale work shops (shoe shops!).
Special units for urgent, occasional and emergency work.
5. The following apply to the method of employment: Principally closed group employment (at least 20). Exceptions only with express permission. In the agriculture in first place the great enterprises come into consideration; besides rotating employment of closed units in small farms day after day. In industry including mining establishments of "Russian enterprises" as an ideal condition (exclusively Russian workers under German supervision) to be striven for.
6. _Housing_: In closed camps (barracks).
7. _Guards_: During work, members of the armed forces, but also German workers who have to perform auxiliary police functions. The strictest and fastest activity is decisive for security measures. In general, there are no further steps in the scale of punishment between restriction of food and execution according to martial law.
8. _Clothing_: Creating of a standardized work suit is to the point. The first clothing is secured according to the High Command of the Armed Forces. Wooden shoes are the rule. Underwear is scarcely known to or customary to the Russians.
9. _Rations_: The Russian is easily satisfied. Therefore he should be fed lightly and without serious infractions upon our food balance. He should not be spoiled or accustomed to the German food, but he should be satisfied and kept in the productive capacity which corresponds to his assignment.
B. _The free Russian worker._
_Employment and treatment_ will not be handled in practice differently than for Russian prisoners of war. In both categories, particularly good production can be acknowledged by a limited distribution of luxury items. Sufficient, adequate nourishment is also the main thing for the free workers.
As to the _working conditions_ of the free Russian, the following is to be considered.
1. He can receive a _small allowance_.
2. _His relatives should be provided for._
3. Since his productive power is placed at the disposal of the employer at a cheap price, _a financial compensation with the employer_ is to be taken into consideration.
4. _Subjects of the Baltic State_ who are old residents can receive privileges. At the most their cash allowance can be made equal to the wages which are provided for the Poles who are in the Reich. The general wage standard in the East has to be taken into consideration in this matter.
5. _Ukrainians_ have no special privileges. The Fuehrer has ordered that in the future they should not be released from war captivity.
6. The Russian employment should under no conditions create a prejudice in the East as to the problem of salaries. Every financial measure taken in this field has to originate from the consideration that the lowest wages in the East, according to a directive of the Fuehrer, are prerequisites for the settlement of the cost of war and for the clearing of the war debts of the Reich after the end of the war.
Infractions will be punished with strictest measures.
This logically applies for every furthering of "social aspirations" in the Russian colonial territory.
7. The Russian free workers obtain a _badge_ which makes them recognizable as such.
V. The Reich Marshall reserves for himself a special decree about the _organization of the Russian Arbeitseinsatz_, number and obligatory membership, obligatory registration. All recruiting and every shipment which are not conducted through the organization are prohibited. Recruiting and employment of prisoners of war are to be conducted in a unified way and are organizationally to be coupled with one another.
Signed: von Normann
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1195-PS
Copy Supreme Command of the Armed Forces W.F.St./Abt.L (IV/Qu) Nr. 00630/41 Top Secret. Fuehrer's H.Q., 12.4.1941
_Reference_: OKW/L (IV/Qu) Nr.4434/41 Top Secret of 3 April 1941.
I. Provisional Directions for the Partitioning of Yugoslavia
The Fuehrer has issued the following directions for the partition of Yugoslavia:
1. _Former territory of Steiermark and Krain._
The territory of the former _Steiermark_ enlarged towards the South by a strip of about 90 Kilometer breadth and 10-15 Kilometer depth will go to Gau Steiermark.
The Northern part of _Krain_, with a border line which runs in the south only as far as the river Sava but north of Laibach according to attached map OKH/GEN Qu, will belong to Kaernten.
_The territory occupied by German troops will be handed over_ district by district by the Army High Command to the Gauleiters concerned as soon as the pacification of the country permits.
_The handing over of the territory occupied by the Italians_ will be prepared by letter from the Fuehrer to the Duce and carried out according to a more detailed direction of the Foreign Office. Until that time no measures whatever are to be taken from the German end. (Telegram OKH-Gen Qu/Abt. Kr. Verw. A. Ob. Kdo. 2 I Nr.801/41 g. Kdos, is hereby dealt with).
2. _The territory beyond the river Mur_ [_Ubermur-Gebiet_]:
The territory beyond the river Mur goes as a whole to Hungary conforming with the historic boundary. A later transfer of the German population in the north-eastern part of this territory has been taken into consideration. The handing over of this territory to the Hungarians will be regulated by the Army High Command.
3. _Banat_:
The territory from the point where the river Orava cuts the Hungarian national boundary to the entry of the river Tisa in the Danube goes to Hungary.
The territory east of the river Tisa will be at first under German protection as will the territory south of the Danube and east of the general line: mouth of the river Morava-Danube-Pozarevac-Petrovac-Boljavac-Kugarevac-Kalina. This territory comprises the Boz copper territory and the adjoining coal district in the south-east. The above line is to be considered as the basis [Anhalt] and provisional demarcation line. At first Military Government under the Army High Command is to be established.
4. _Southern Serbia_:
The territory inhabited by Bulgarian Macedonians, in conformity with the ethnographical boundary goes to Bulgaria.
Preliminary delimitation from the military view point will be carried out by the Army High Command which will prepare the handing over to Bulgaria.
5. _Former Serbia_ [_Alt-Serbien_]:
The territory of former Serbia will be placed under German military administration of the Army High Command.
6. _Croatia_:
Croatia becomes an independent state within its ethnographical boundaries. There will be no interference on the part of Germany with its home policy.
7. _Remaining territories including Bosnia and Montenegro_:
The political shaping of these territories will be left to Italy. Here also the restoration of an independent state of Montenegro can be considered.
II. The drawing up of boundaries
1. If the drawing up of boundaries has not been laid down in the above
## part I it will be carried out by the Supreme Command of the Armed
Forces in agreement with the Foreign Office, the plenipotentiary for the Four Year Plan and the Reich-Minister of the Interior.
The Operational Staff of the Armed Forces (L IV/Qu) is the authority which will prepare the drawing up of the boundaries for the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.
2. The Army High Command will forward as soon as possible to the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces W.F. St., its military requirements in this regard--where not already laid down by the Fuehrer--and with the exception of the territory under protection south of the Danube.
3. The OKW/Branch Economy and Armament [OKW Wi Rue Amt] will forward as soon as possible to the Operational Staff (Section L) its demands regarding the boundaries of the territory under protection south of the Danube (Part I. para 3).
4. As far as the Italians are concerned, tactical boundaries between the armies are valid for the present.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces /s/ Keitel
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1199-PS
Rue IV d 4 July, 1941
MEMORANDUM on discussion held at the Wi Rue Amt on 4 July 1941 on the subject of mobilization of labor [Arbeitseinsatz] and utilization of the Russian P.W.'s
Chairman of the discussion: Lt. Col. Dr. Krull.
## Participants: (see enclosed record of attendance) Representatives of
the Commissioner for the Four Year Plan, of the Reich Labor Ministry, of the Reich Food Ministry, of the Rosenberg Bureau, of the AWA/P.W. and of the WI Rue Amt, Arb. Amtsdir. Panse, Dr. Bergan and Reg. Rt. Dr. Kloeden.
After an introduction by Lt. Col. Dr. Krull, Lt. Col. Breyer of the P.W. department explained that actually there was in effect a prohibition by the Fuehrer against bringing Russian PWs into the Reich for mobilization of labor; but that one might count on this prohibition being relaxed a little. For the time being the prisoners are to be retained in camps in the occupied territories and in the Government-general; as soon as conditions become overcrowded, they are to be transported to large camps in the Reich. In case Arbeitseinsatz should be permitted in the Reich, certain racial groups would be exempted (White Russians, Ukrainians, Latvians, Esthonians, Finns, etc.). PWs of Asiatic origin (such as Mongolians) are by no means to be transported to the Reich for Arbeitseinsatz. Moreover, only Russian-speaking prisoners will be utilized for the Arbeitseinsatz, because of the possibility of Bolshevist propaganda. Only Arbeitseinsatz as units (Organization Todt, construction battalions), under guard will be permitted.
Representatives of the various departments (including the representatives of the Commissioner for the Four Year Plan and of the Reich Labor Ministry) unanimously agreed that Labor Mobilization of the Russians was unqualifiedly necessary. Approximately 500,000 prisoners are needed (also to make up for the 50,000-100,000 French who are to be released)--400,000 in agriculture, 80,000 in construction, 10,000 in mining (especially lignite). The need for an additional 70,000 prisoners in the munitions industry cannot be filled under existing stipulations and at most may be accomplished only by exchange. These figures, which were presented by the representative of the Reich Labor ministry, were mentioned only from the viewpoint of a possible slight increase in number of PWs. It must be taken into consideration, moreover, that 25% are absorbed by losses and by the camps themselves.
The chairman summarized the results of the discussion as indicating that all the interested bureaus unqualifiedly advocated and supported the demand for utilization of PWs because of manpower needs [Arbeitseinsatz] in the Reich. The Wi Rue Amt will approach the Commissioner for the Four Year Plan with a request for relaxation of the restrictive regulations and express to the WFS/I its point of view, accordingly.
[signature illegible]
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1206-PS
TOP SECRET
Draft Rue (IV) Berlin, November 11 1941 _6 Copies_, 6th Copy NOTES
on outlines layed down by the Reichsmarschall in the meeting of 7 November 1941 in the Reich Ministry for Air (RLM)
SUBJECT: Employment of laborers in war industries.
The Fuehrer's point of view as to employment of prisoners of war in war industries has changed basically. So far a total of 5 million prisoners of war--employed so far 2 million.
Directives for employment:
Frenchmen: Individual employment, transposition into armament industry [Rue-wirtschaft]
Serbs: Preferably agriculture
Poles: If feasible no individual employment achievement of Russian armament industry surpasses the German one. Assembly line-work, a great many mechanical devices with relatively few skilled workers.
Readiness of Russians in the operational area to work is strong. In the Ukraine and other areas discharged prisoners of war already work as free labor. In Krivoy Rog, large numbers of workers are available due to the destruction of the factories.
EMPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN PWs
As a rule, employment in groups [geschlossener Arbeitseinsatz] no individual employment, not even in agriculture. Guard personnel, not only soldiers but also foremen, at least during the working time proper. As a rule soldiers in the camp.
_Employment in_:
1. Operational area
2. Reich Commissariats (occupied territories in the east)
3. General Government
4. Interior and Protectorate is to be differentiated.
For 1: In the _operational area_ take preferable into consideration:
a. Railroads.
b. Highway construction.
Very important that in the Ukraine some roads be built with increased speed, not by German skilled labor but by Russian PWs.
c. Clearing work.
d. Agriculture.
The Ukraine being conquered, we now finally have to secure the feeding of the German people. If feasible, also Frenchmen and Belgians are to be used for directing the Russian farm-workers in the eastern area. If farm machinery is lacking, employ masses of workers. Transplantation of German farmers only where actual success can be expected.
e. Railroad-repair-factories, etc.
Best supervision: "Field kitchen." Quick evacuation from operational area are necessary. Losses during transport very heavy (escaping and joining with partisan and robber bands).
Barbed wire hard to get. (Discarding of barbed wire fences in East Prussia desirable.)
Leave Asiatic people in operational area if possible.
From construction battalions 69,000 workers have been transferred to the armament industry: replacement by prisoner of war battalions.
Again and again skilled workers are being found in the construction battalions (fraisiers etc). Investigation by army desirable. Express will of the Fuehrer, that every skilled worker is used in the proper place. If necessary, repeated checking should be instituted.
For 2: The same applies to employment in _Reich Commissariats_.
For 3: The above is also applicable to the _Government General_.
Attention is to be paid to avoiding of unnecessary transport of machinery, as thereby often the available manpower in the Gouvernement is not fully utilized, and, on the other hand, the machinery cannot be made use of for a long time in other places.
For 4: In the _Interior and the Protectorate_. It would be ideal if entire factories could be manned by Russian PWs except the employees necessary for direction. For employment in the Interior and the Protectorate the following are to have priority:
a. At the top _coal mining industry_.
Order by the Fuehrer to investigate all mines as to suitability for employment of Russians. At times manning the entire plant with Russian laborers.
b. _Transportation_ (construction of locomotives and cars, repair-shops)
Railroad-repair and industry workers are to be sought out from the PWs. Railroad is most important means of transportation in the East.
c. _Armament industries._
Preferably factories of armor and guns. Possibly also construction of parts for airplane engines. Suitable complete sections of factories to be manned exclusively by Russians. For the remainder employment in columns. Use in factories of tool machinery, production of farm tractors, generators, etc.
In emergency, erect in individual places barracks for occasional workers which are used as unloading details and similar purposes. (Reich Minister of the Interior through communal authorities).
OKW/AWA is competent for _transporting_ Russian PWs, employment through "_Planning Board for Employment of all PWs_." If necessary, offices of Reich Commissariats.
No employment where _danger to men_ or their supply exists, i.e. factories exposed to explosives, waterworks, powerworks, etc. No contact with German population, especially no "solidarity." German worker as a rule is foreman of Russians.
_Food_ is a matter of Four Years' Plan. Supply their own food (cats, horses, etc.)
_Clothes_, _billeting_, _messing_ somewhat better than at home where part of the people live in caverns.
_Supply of shoes_ for Russians as a rule wooden shoes, if necessary Russian shoe repair shops.
Examination of _physical fitness_, in order to avoid importation of diseases.
_Clearing of mines_ as a rule by Russians if possible by selected Russian engineers.
Employment offices for _civilian workers_ to be kept separate from those for PWs. In this respect the wage-problem is to be considered. Furthermore families in Russia have to share the support. As a rule employment in closed groups [geschlossener Einsatz].
_Some points as to general Arbeitseinsatz_
Rather employ PWs than _unsuitable foreign workers_. Seize Poles, Dutchmen, etc., if necessary as PWs and employ them as such, if work through free contract cannot be obtained. Strong action.
General employment of all _German women_ repudiated by the Fuehrer.
Where Russians can be employed, _labor service_ is not to be used. Labor service to be used where greatest effect is produced, even if the principle of education through labor service is curtailed thereby. War situation to be taken into consideration.
_As a matter of principle central interests precede local interests_, therefore no resistance from Reich commissaries and other local authorities against Arbeitseinsatz in the homeland.
_Savings in wages_ are to be made up by compensatory contributions of the business.
_Express order by the Fuehrer._ Under no circumstances may the _wage level in the East_ be raised or assimulated to the wages in western Germany. Strong action is imperative against solicitors who offer high wages.
It is intended to issue a basically new regulation of _wages for foreign workers_.
_Foreigners not to be treated like German workers_, on the other hand do not provoke inferiority complex in foreigners by posters.
The _welfare installations_ of the Labor Front [DAF] are _under no circumstance_ to be used for PWs or Eastern workers.
All agencies are to promote maximum _utilization of Russian manpower_.
Employment of Russians not to be improvised, but first to be thoroughly organized in the operational area. _Speed_ is necessary, as the mass of manpower is decreasing daily by losses (lack of food and billets).
Make provisions to decrease the excessive number of _escaping prisoners_. Especially in and around Berlin strictest guard necessary.
[illegible initials] _Distribution_: Chief Rue--1st Copy Sect. Ro--2nd Copy Rue II--3rd Copy Rue IIIa--4th Copy Rue VI-IIIa--5th Copy Draft (Rue IVd)--6th Copy
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1208-PS
SECRET 1938
Reich Justice Ministry [various numbers and notes]
The Commissioner of the Four Year Plan [various illegible notations] Reich Justice Ministry, 14 Dec 1938
To:
The Highest Reich authorities,
The leaders and heads of branches of the party and the affiliated organizations,
The district leaders,
The Reich governors,
The state governments,
The Chief Presidents and Presidents of the governments,
The Reich commissars for the Saar territory
for the Reunion of Austria with the German Reich
for the Sudeten German districts.
_To message_: to the Reich leaders of the NSDAP.
In agreement with the representatives of the leader I hereby order the following:
I
1. The elimination of Jews from the German economic life is the task of the state and therefore is exclusively the duty of the authorities and agencies expressly designated for that.
2. As far as special installations have been created for this purpose, they require the approval of the Reich minister of economy or they are to be dissolved.
II
The taking over of Jewish businesses and other fortunes from Jewish possession has to be affected only on a strictly lawful basis according to the directives issued for this purpose. Transactions which were made since 1 Nov 1938 contradictory thereto, will be cancelled.
III
Only the Reich is entitled to the benefit from the elimination of the Jews from the German economic life.
Persons and agencies which have illegally benefited from the transfer of Jewish businesses or other fortunes from Jewish possession, may therefore be ordered to pay a compensation tax in favor of the Reich.
Berlin, 10 December 1938
The Commissar for the Four Year Plan Signed: GOERING General Fieldmarshall
----------------------------------------------
To be circulated Dept. IV
Messrs: Read
[DR. VOLKMAR[lined out] ANZ Initialed 10/1 DR. BECKER Initialed 11/1 BRAUNS Initialed 14/1 DR. BREITHAUPT Initialed EPPING Initialed 11/9 FECHNER Initialed 12/9 DR. FICKER Initialed 14/1 [DR. HESSE [lined out] HENSSLER Vacation 18/1 HOFFMANN Initialed 11/1 HORNIG Initialed 11/1 [DR. JONAS[lined out] DR. KOEHLER Initialed 13/1 DR. KRAMER, AGR Initialed 11/1 KUEHNEMANN Initialed 11/1 [LAUTERBACH[lined out] LENTZ Initialed, date illegible MASSFELLER Initialed 13/1 DR. MERTEN Initialed 11/1 [DR. PAETZOLD[lined out] [DR. POHLE[lined out] [DR. PRITSCH[lined out] REINECK Initialed 14/1 REINECKE Initialed 13/1 REXROTH Initialed 11/1 DR. SAAGE Initialed 11/1 SEBODE (since 9.1.39) Initialed 16/1 DR. VON SPRECKELSEN Initialed 11/1 DR. SCHAEFFER, GAss. Initialed 11/1 DR. SCHULTZE Initialed 11/1 STAUD Initialed 12/1 [STEMMLER[lined out] DR. VOGELS Initialed 13/1 DR. WAITNAUER Initialed 11/1 ZIEGERT Initialed 11/1
to V a 445/38 Secret ----------------------------------------------
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1216-PS
Concentration Camp Dachau special orders (Camporganization)--Service regulations Notes on Death Penalty--Conference
Re: "Important Incidents in Concentration Camp Dachau" Subject: Concentration Camp Dachau
Memorandum
On 29 May 1933 p.m., Dr. Wintersberger, the chief prosecutor [Oberstaatsanwalt] of the State Court [Landgericht] Munich II, has handed me his report of 29 May 1933 with two copies of the "special regulations" concerning inmates of the concentration-camp Dachau (Camp Organization) and stated orally that several deaths have been reported from the concentration camp Dachau during the last few days showing that the report of the camp commandant and the camp physician as to the causes of death is hardly in conformity with the findings of the coroner's inquest and autopsy, so that the evidence obtained by the inquiry so far would justify the suspicion of crimes committed. The essential contents of his oral report on the single cases is incorporated in the memorandum of 30 May 1933 drafted by the prosecuting authority [Staatsanwaltschaft] of the district Court [Landgericht] Munich II, which is referred to.
The same day, on 29 May 1933, I reported on this subject to the State Minister of Justice in the presence of Amtsgerichtsdirektor Sprick. The Minister of Justice called the Prime Minister by telephone and obtained his consent that the subject "Execution of protective custody" should be made an item on the agenda of the meeting of ministers on 31 May 1933; he commissioned me to submit the matter to the State Minister of the Interior together with Amtsgerichtsdirektor Sprick and to take all further steps which might become necessary.
Accordingly, on 30 May 1933 a.m., accompanied by AGDirektor Sprick, I made my report first to Ministerialdirektor Gareis, secretary for police matters [Polizeireferent] in the Ministry of the Interior and then in the presence of the latter to the State Minister Wagner himself stating the facts as they had been reported to me by Dr. Wintersberger, the chief prosecutor [OStA]. I restated the official findings in the cases of Schloss, Hausmann, Strauss and Nefzger, pointed out that in accordance with Article 346 of the Penal Code (StGB) it is mandatory to make an inquiry which, by the way, would also serve the true interests of the state; discussed the legal aspects of the camp regulations [Lagerordnung] and duly communicated that the Prime Minister, on request by the Minister of Justice, had put the subject on the agenda of the meeting of ministers of 31 May 1933.
State Minister Wagner declared that the pacts are not yet cleared sufficiently to allow the matter to become a subject of discussion in the meeting of ministers, and that the commandant of the Bavarian political police who was sick at the time, should be heard first as well as the camp commandant.
He asked the Prime Minister by telephone to delete this item from the agenda and gave orders to Ministerialdirektor Gareis to open a discussion of the matter without delay. From the sphere of the Ministry of the Interior the following are to participate in the discussion: Ministerialdirektor Gareis, the commandant of the political police, Himmler, as well as the camp commandant and the camp physician of the concentration camp Dachau; from the sphere of the State Minister of Justice: Amtsgerichtdirektor Sprick, Chief Prosecutor [OStA], Dr. Wintersberger, Dr. Flamm, physician of the District Court (Landgerichtsarzt) and the undersigned reporter in this matter.
I have reported the result of my audience with the State Minister Wagner to Ministerialdirektor Degen and Staatsrat Spangenberger on 30 May 1933 and in the presence of the latter to the State Minister of Justice on 31 May 1933. I was requested to emphasize at the proposed meeting that Article 346 of the Penal Code (StGB) makes an inquiry by prosecution and police mandatory.
On the afternoon of 31 May 1933 I was told by Min. Dir. Gareis over the telephone that in accordance with orders from State Minister Wagner the proposed discussion would not take place, because he wished to avoid any sign of intervention in a pending matter, that the chief prosecutor [OStA] of the District Court [LG] Munich II should contact Himmler, the commandant of the political police, as had been suggested in the case of Schloss by letter of the Ministry of Justice of 29 May 1933 No. II 28923, and that the State Ministry of the Interior would take the necessary steps as far as its own sphere was concerned in this matter.
A.G.Dir. Sprick was asked to make this known to the Minister of Justice who was just participating in a meeting of ministers [interlineary note in ink:--on 31 May--] (OStA) Dr. Wintersberger was orally requested to contact Himmler, commandant of the political police, as soon as possible, and to report on the result.
Munich, 1 June 1933 (s) DOEBIG
2 June 1933 (Friday)
At 5:15 parley on the matter with Reichsstatthalter von Epp.
The papers on Schloss, Hausmann, Strauss and Nefzger were available at this parley on informal request.
Result of the parley:
The files of the prosecution Munich II on these 4 cases are submitted to the State Minister of the Interior in order to get his view first. In the camp Dachau a change of personnel shall take place.
DOEBIG.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1229-PS
TOP SECRET [Stamped] [illegible pencil mark] Supreme command of the Armed Forces
Armed forces Fuehrer Staff (WFST) /department L number 33 264/4C top secret, for general officers only.
[stamped] Fuehrer headquarters, September 6, 1940. 73 [in pencil] [illegible pencil mark] _7 copies_ _4th_ copy [in pencil]
SUBJECT: Material for the intelligence service
SUBJECT: _Counter intelligence (Abw.) III number 398/40 top secret of August 26 1940._ OKH General Staff of the Army (Gen. St.d.H.) operational department Ia number 150231/40 top secret of September 2, 1940.
TO: _Counter intelligence service abroad_ (Ausl./Abw.)
The Eastern territory will be manned stronger in the weeks to come. By the end of October the Status shown on the enclosed map is supposed to be reached.
These regroupings must not create the impression in Russia that we are preparing an offensive in the East. On the other hand, Russia will realise that strong and highly trained German troops are stationed in the Gouvernement, in the Eastern provinces, and in the Protektorat; she should draw the conclusion that we can at any time protect our interests--espec. on the Balkan--with strong forces against Russian seizure.
For the work of our own intelligence service as well as for the answer to questions of the Russian intelligence service, the following directives apply:
1. The respective total strength of the German troops in the East is to be veiled as far as possible by giving news about a frequent change of the army units there. This change is to be explained by movements into training camps, regroupings.
2. The impression is to be created that the center of the massing of troops is in the Southern part of the Gouvernement, in the Protektorat and in Austria, and that the massing in the North is relatively unimportant.
3. When it comes to the equipment situation of the units, espec. of the armored divisions, things are to be exaggerated, if necessary.
4. By suitable news the impression is to be created that the _anti-aircraft protection_ in the East has been increased considerably after the end of the campaign in the West and that it continues to be increased with captured French material on all important targets.
5. Concerning improvements on _railroads_, _roads_, _airdromes_ _etc._ it is to be stated that the work is kept within normal limits, is needed for the improvement of the newly won Eastern territories, and serves primarily economical traffic.
The supreme command of the Army [OKH] decides to what extent correct details, i.e., numbers of regiments, manning of garrisons etc. will be made available to the defense for purposes of counter espionage.
The chief of the supreme command of the armed forces by order of Signed: JODL A certified copy F.M. [in pencil] Captain
_Distribution_:
Counter intelligence service abroad 1st copy (with map)
Supreme command of the Army (Operational department) 2nd copy
Supreme command of the Airforce (Fuehrer department) 3rd copy
_Supreme command of the armed forces_
Armed forces Fuehrer staff [WFST] 4th copy
Department L, Ref, IH, IL 5th-7th copies
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1233-PS
Secured Objects of Art in the Government-General [Poland]
Introductory page:
By reason of the decree of 16 December 1939 by the Governor General of the occupied Polish territories, the special commissioner for securing objects of art and culture was able to seize within six months almost all the art objects of the country, with one exception: A series of Flemish Gobelins of the Castle of Cracow. According to the latest information these are now in France, so that subsequent seizure will be possible.
Scientific treatment of the objects of art took place simultaneously with the salvage activities. The result is shown in the catalog with pictorial supplement, which clearly proves the penetration of the East by the German will for culture.
It is superfluous to speak of an independent Polish development of art in the historic epochs of style. There are creations of German impressions and Dutch or Flemish works which according to their spirit and character, equally do not express anything but German spirit and German culture. French and Italian works are in the minority.
The state of preservation of the secured objects of art was generally poor. The Poles' hasty salvage efforts prior to the out-break of hostilities and neglect over a considerable time have caused damage of all sorts which required immediate remedy. For this reason, our own shops for restoring purposes, were established in Cracow and Warsaw, so that these works of art could receive care corresponding to their value.
The catalog contains a qualitative selection corresponding to the standards of leading German museums. German art and everything having a rank within the entire European development of art was given preference.
Art objects excluded by this qualitative selection were also scientifically treated, catalogued, and protected against loss or damage.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1249-PS
Copy 1 June 1942 The Chief President of the Province of Upper Silesia. 1. I b 2 _Subject_: Police Courts-martial. Enclosure: Decree dated 1 June 1942.
In agreement with the Reichminister of the Interior and the Reichminister of Justice I am hereby establishing a police courts-martial at Kattowitz for the annexed Eastern territories of my province, effective immediately.
The administrative competence of the police courts-martial is seen from the enclosed decree.
In the sense of paragraph 1 of the decree, severe excesses of Poles and Jews as well as other criminal acts by Poles and Jews which endanger seriously the German reconstruction are:
1. High treason [Hochverrat].
2. High treason [Landesverrat].
3. Sedition.
4. Crime and Attacks against public order.
5. Forgery.
6. Sexual crimes against Germans.
7. Crimes against the life of Germans.
8. Assault and battery against Germans.
9. Crime and violation against the personal freedom of Germans.
10. Theft and embezzlement against Germans.
11. Robbery and extortion against Germans.
12. Receiving and concealing of stolen property of Germans.
13. Fraud and treachery against Germans.
14. Wilful destruction of property of Germans and the Reich.
15. Crimes and violations dangerous to the commonwealth of the Germans and the Reich.
16. Crimes and violations in the sense of the law against malice.
17. Crimes and violations in the sense of the decree of extraordinary radio measures of 1 September 1939.
18. Crimes against war economy.
19. Violations of the law for controlling venereal diseases dated 18 February 1927, as far as the violation is committed against Germans.
20. Crimes and violations in the sense of the law against criminal and publicly dangerous use of explosives.
21. Violations of the law against possession of arms.
The police courts-martial is competent for all punishable acts according to paragraph 1 of the decree dated 1 June 1942, which are committed by Poles and Jews in the annexed Eastern territories of the province of Upper Silesia. The courts-martial can also try punishable acts committed by Poles and Jews in the other Reich territory or in the occupied territories, if the perpetration live in the annexed Eastern territories of the province of Upper Silesia.
I request to instruct the county [Kreis] and local police authorities, competent for preliminary proceedings for punishable acts, and to submit those proceedings which come under the jurisdiction of the police court-martial immediately to the court-martial section of the state police administration, office Kattowitz, at Kattowitz, street of the SA No. 49.
Before submitting the case to the court-martial section, I request that the nationality of the accused be established beyond a doubt.
The report forms to the criminal police administration office at Kattowitz are not affected by this decree.
_Distribution_:
1. To the president of the district at Kattowitz.
2. To the president of the district at Oppeln.
3. To the secret state police--state police administration office at Kattowitz.
4. To the state police administration office at Oppeln.
5. To the criminal police administration office Kattowitz.
6. _For information._
To the inspector of the security police and of the security service at Breslau.
* * * * *
2. I b 2 1 June 1942
To the Reich Minister of the Interior, _in Berlin_.
_Subject_: Administration of law in the annexed Eastern territories.
_Ref._: My report of 30 January 1942--I b 2--and decree there Pol. S II A 2 No. 113/42--176 from 22 May 1942.
_Enclosure_: Decree dated 1 June 1942.
Enclosed I am forwarding to you the decree about the establishment of courts-martial in the annexed Eastern territories of the province of Upper Silesia.
The decree has been put into effect on 1 June 1942.
Forwarded for your information.
* * * * *
3. I b 2. 1 June 1942
To the District headquarters [Gauleitung] Upper-Silesia, _at Kattowitz_.
_Subject_: Establishment of a police courts-martial for the annexed Eastern territories at Kattowitz.
_Enclosure_: Decree dated 1 June 1942.
In agreement with the Reichminister of the Interior and the Reichminister of Justice, I have established, effective immediately, a courts-martial for the annexed Eastern territories of my province.
The local and administrative competence of the courts-martial is defined in the enclosed decree.
Forwarded for your information.
4. Copy of 3, with enclosure: to
a. The district leaders [Kreisleiter] of the districts Kattowitz, Jarnowitz, Warthenau, Beuthen, Bendsburg, Krenau, Pless, Rybnik, Teschen, Bielitz and Saybusch;
b. The general command VIII sector command Breslau, Gabitzstr.;
c. The public prosecutor at Kattowitz;
d. The president of the superior court at Kattowitz;
e. The leader of the security service administrative sector [SD-Leitabschnitt] Kattowitz, attention: SS battalion Podlich;
f. The Reich commissar for the strengthening of German nationalism attention: SS battalion leader Dr. Arlt, at Kattowitz.
5. To the files at I b 2.
* * * * *
Kattowitz, 1 June 1942 The Chief President of the Province of Upper Silesia I b 2
Decree for the establishment of courts-martial in the annexed Eastern territories of the province of Upper Silesia dated 1 June 1942
On the basis of number 13 of the decree of the cabinet council for the Reich defense, for the administration of criminal jurisdiction against Poles and Jews in the annexed Eastern territories and the district of the previous Free City of Danzig, dated 4 December 1941 (RGBl. I, p. 759), the following is decreed in agreement with the Reichminister of the Interior and the Reichminister of Justice:
Par. 1.
1. Severe violations of Poles and Jews against Germans, as well as other criminal acts by Poles and Jews which seriously endanger the German reconstruction work, can be sentenced by courts-martial, until further notice.
I reserve for myself the decision as to whether or not the criminal act is a crime in the sense of paragraph 1.
Par. 2.
The courts-martial pass sentence of death, transfer to the secret state police acquittal.
Par. 3.
1. Courts-martial will be established for the district of a state police administration office. They consist of one president and two members.
2. President is the leader of the state police administrative office or his permanent deputy. The members will be appointed by the leader of the state police administration office.
Par. 4.
1. During the trial the _court_ must do officially everything that is necessary to discover the truth. If necessary, the accused is to be tried with the assistance of an interpreter.
2. The names of the judges and of the accused, the evidences on which the sentence is based, furthermore the crime, the sentence including a brief justification, as well as the day of the sentencing are to be recorded.
3. Otherwise the courts-martial determines its proceeding according to its dutiful judgment.
Par. 5.
1. The decisions of the courts-martial are not legally contestable.
2. The sentences of the courts-martial are subject to a reexamination which leads to confirmation or voiding.
3. The confirmation makes the sentence lawful and executable.
Par. 6.
The right of confirmation or voiding of the courts-martial sentences is mine and, on my orders, that of the higher SS and police officer.
Par. 7.
The courts-martial can, for special reasons, forego a penalty or transfer the case to another court.
Par. 8.
This decree becomes effective on the day of its publication.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1276-PS
MOST SECRET The Chief of the Security Police and the SD _IV A 2 a - Bk. No. 502/42 Most Secret_
In written communications, please give this reference No., the date and subject.
Berlin SW 11, 17 June 1944 Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse 8 Local tel. no. 120040 Trunks 126421 Reichsbank Clearance Account: 1/146. Post Office Transfer Account: Berlin 2336. Express Letter Security Section III Recd: 20 June 1944 No. 20/44 Most Secret Annexes: Nil 94 To: Supreme Command Armed Forces Ops. Staff of the Armed Forces I C III general security
For the attention of Colonel of the General Staff Martini not represented in the department
_Berlin W 35_, Tirpitzufer 74/76.
Subject: Commando operations. Fuehrer's order of 18.10.1942
Reference: Communication of Counter Intelligence Bureau Defense Section III 527/2. 44g (C 2) of 21.3.1944.
The C-in-C of the Security Police and the SD in Paris reports the arrest of isolated parachutists of _French nationality_ in English uniform near Plumelec/Morbihan. It is evident from interrogation that _members of the De Gaulle Army_, after reporting voluntarily to the "Service Air Special," were taking part in a 14-days special training camp, in which were 300 Frenchmen and 300 Englishmen. Apparently only Frenchmen are used for operations in France. The parachute-jump is made in groups of ten, each consisting of:
1 Lieutenant 2 wireless operators 7 sabotage experts. Armament: each man 1 sub-machine gun 1 pistol 1 carbine 1 stabbing weapon. Equipment: Sabotage and radio apparatus, including Eureka gear i.e. D/F beacons. (therefore arrested by the SD? [marginal note in pencil])
The group which was arrested had orders to carry out railway sabotage in the district around Rennes. The acts of sabotage were obviously to be carried out by the group as a body. In addition, the group was to await further orders in some hiding-place.
Apparently they were not ordered to link up with the local resistance organisations. The arrested men had no civilian identity cards on them.
The employment of such groups is for the most part obviously planned for regions where, due to the action of the Security Police, there are no more local resistance or sabotage organisations in existence, or where the enemy knows that sabotage organisations were only counterfeited by tricks of the security police, which had meanwhile been disclosed.
* * * _I consider it essential that the necessary orders should also be given from there, in order that the lesser units_ of the Armed Forces may not--as has often been the case recently--interpret them wrongly and turn the Commando troops over to the Security Police instead of slaughtering them in combat as they retreat. It is only a question of handing them over to the Security Police when members of Commandos of this kind are not captured in battle by the Armed Forces but by other means, e.g., by being handed over by the native police.
If a few isolated Commando troops _are spared at first for interrogation purposes_, I consider it necessary for the _Security Police authorities to take part in_ the interrogation. The further treatment of members of Commandos, who are finally to be treated as killed in action [Gefallene], is, however, even in these cases, the responsibility of the Armed Forces.
I request that the measures taken from there be reported to me.
By Order
Signed: Mueller
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1279-PS
MOST SECRET
_WFSt/Qu (Admin. 1)_ No. 007893/44 Most Secret [The number is changed, in pencil, to 009074/44] One copy has been destroyed [remainder of pencil note illegible] 27/7 22.7.1944 2 Copies 2nd Copy
_Subject_: Treatment of members of foreign "military missions" captured with partisan groups.
Minutes of a meeting
1. The Fuehrer has decided that members of Anglo-American and Soviet-Russian so-called "military missions", captured in the partisan fighting in the South-East, are to be treated in the same way as those taking part in a commando-operation and not as prisoners of war.
2. Independently of the above, the Ag. Ausl., following queries made by the RSHA--Military Section--has put forward for decision the question of how British and American soldiers, captured with the partisan groups are to be treated.
The following are the resulting opinions:
a. _C-in-C, South-East_
The members of allied military missions are to be handed over to the SD, should the opinion below (b) be inapplicable.
b. _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Prisoners of war general_ in conjunction with _Supreme Command of the Army/Army General Staff Alien Armies in the West_ and Armed Forces Ops. Staff/Op. (Army).
Treatment as prisoners of war in accordance with Order: Armed Forces Ops. Staff/Op (Army) No. 03408/43 Secret, dated 18.8.43.
c. _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Chief of Prisoners of War Section_ in conjunction with _Armed Forces Reserve_ (_WR_) and _Armed Forces Ops Staff/Org I_.
Treatment as prisoners of war in accordance with Order: Armed Forces Ops Staff/Org II No. 02958/43 Secret, dated 8.7.43, which disregards differences of nationality. The only exception made is in the case of commando operations. (then they are handed over to the Security Service [SD]).
d. _RSHA/Section IV_
Fundamentally treatment as prisoners of war under the directives mentioned in b and c, but a more definite ruling is required to decide whether and in what circumstances, they are to be handed over to the Security Service [SD].
e. _RSHA/Military Section_
Considers that the Commando Order _cannot_ be applied to partisan fighting in the south East, that to do so would be dangerous in that it might imperil those taking part in our own operation (Brandenburg).
No opinion on the question of foreign missions.
f. _Ag. Ausl._
Fundamentally, treatment as prisoners of war, that implies that members of missions were taking part in a commando-operation.
g. _Armed Forces Ops Staff/Op._ (_Army_)
Treatment as the members of partisan groups themselves, i.e., as prisoners of war if they are in uniform and are captured or surrender in open battle, or executed if they are in civilian clothes or are captured in a sabotage- or commando-operation.
[The whole of g is crossed out.]
3. _Opinion and proposal of the Armed Forces Ops. Staff_
According to the orders issued to date, even for example, the British captured in the "Rosselsprung" operation must be treated as prisoners of war. This is especially evident in the Op. (Army)-Order dated 18.8.43.
[This last sentence is put in parenthesis, underlined, Op (Army) crossed out and a large query inserted in the margin.]
The Commando Order has never yet been applied to such missions, its extended application to cover them has not yet been ordered. If the missions are to be treated otherwise than in accordance with the orders to date, it must first be decided whether a foreign mission
## acting with the partisan groups in the South-East is to be called a
commando-operation and therefore treated as such. Such a decision seems to be indicated even if it does not correspond completely to the wording of the Commando-Order or to the previous definition of a commando operation (as an especially under-hand and still unusual form of warfare which must be combatted with the appropriate counter measures). The principle must be adopted from the start that all members of partisan groups, even in the South-East are fundamentally guerrillas. Indeed they are treated as prisoners of war for reasons of expediency, in order to obtain the largest possible number of deserters and workers. There is no reason for this with regard to the members of foreign missions who are not numerous. There is therefore no necessity to treat them, in every case, in the same way as the members of
## partisan groups themselves. Basically, it would be far more appropriate
to consider Anglo-American as well as Soviet-Russian military missions as commando-operations and to treat their members accordingly.
The appended Order is therefore proposed.
W [Initialed by Warlimont]
* * * * *
MOST SECRET
_WFSt/Qu_ (_Admin._ 1) 27.7.1944 No. 009074/44 Most Secret 2 Copies 1st Copy
_Subject_: Treatment of members of foreign "military missions" captured with partisan groups.
K [initialled in pencil by Keitel]
Minutes of a meeting
1. The Fuehrer has decided that members of Anglo-American and Soviet-Russian so-called "military missions", captured in the partisan fighting in the South East, are to be treated in the same way as those taking part in a commando-operation and not as prisoners of war.
2. Independently of the above, the Ag. Ausl. following queries made by the RSHA--Military section--, has put forward for decision the question of how British and American soldiers, captured with the
## partisan groups, are to be treated.
The following are the resulting opinions:
a. _C-in-C, South East._
The members of allied military missions are to be handed over to the SD, should the opinion below (b) be inapplicable.
b. _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Prisoners of War General_ in conjunction with _Supreme Command of the Army/Army General Staff/Alien Armies in the West_:
Treatment as prisoners of war in accordance with Order _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces_/Armed Forces Ops Staff/Op. (Army) No. 03408/43 Secret, dated 18.8.43.
c. _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Chief of Prisoners of War Section_ in conjunction with _Armed Forces Reserve_ (_WR_):
Treatment as prisoners of war in accordance with Order: Armed Forces Ops. Staff/Org II No. 02958/43 Secret, dated 8.7.43 which disregards differences of nationality. The only exception made is in the case of commando-operations (then they are handed over to the Security Service [SD]).
d. _RSHA/Section IV_
Fundamentally as prisoners of war under the directives mentioned in b and c, but a more definite ruling is required to decide whether, and in what circumstances, they are to be handed over to the Security Service [SD].
e. _RSHA/Military Section_:
Considers that the Commando-Order _cannot be applied_ to partisan fighting in the South East that to do so would be dangerous in that it might imperil those taking part in our own operations (Brandenburg).
No opinion on the question of Foreign Missions.
f. _Ag. Ausl._
Fundamentally, treatment as prisoners of war, that implies that members of missions were taking part in a commando-operation.
3. _Opinion and proposal of the Armed Forces Ops Staff_
According to the Orders issued to date, even, for example, the British captured in the "Ruesselsprung" operation must be treated as prisoners of war.
The Commando-Order has never yet been applied to such missions, its extended application to cover them has not yet been ordered. If the missions are to be treated otherwise than in accordance with the orders to date, it must first be decided whether a foreign mission
## acting with the partisan groups in the South East is to be called
a commando operation and therefore treated as such. Such a decision seems to be indicated even if it does not correspond completely to the wording of the commando-order or to the previous definition of a commando-operation (as an especially under-hand and still unusual form of warfare which must be combatted with the appropriate counter measures). The principle must be adopted from the start that all members of partisan groups, even in the South East, are fundamentally guerillas. Indeed, they are treated _as_ prisoners of war, for reasons of expediency, in order to obtain the largest possible number of deserters and workers. There is no reason for this with regard to the members of foreign missions who are not numerous. There is therefore no necessity to treat them in every case, in the same way as the members of partisan groups themselves. Basically, it would be far more appropriate to consider Anglo-American as well as Soviet-Russian military missions as commando-operations and to treat their members accordingly.
The appended Order is therefore proposed.
Sgd: Warlimont _Distribution_:
Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces via the Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces Ops Staff.
1st Copy Qu. (Draft) 2nd Copy
[The second copy of the above dated 27.7.1944 marked "Draft" is also contained in 1279-PS it is initialled at the end by Warlimont and has an illegible pencil note at the top. In the second copy the first words of 2 and 3 are underlined in pencil. The type-script of both copies is identical.]
* * * * *
MOST SECRET Draft _Supreme Command of the Armed Forces_
No. 007893/4 Most Secret/Armed Forces Ops. Staff/QU (Admin. 1)
[The number is changed to 009074/44] Fuehrer Headquarters 22.7.1944 --Copies, --Copy
_Subject_: Treatment of members of foreign "military missions" captured with partisan groups.
The Special Orders for the treatment of captured members of partisan groups do not apply to members of foreign so-called "military mission" (Anglo-American or Soviet-Russian) captured in the fight against
## partisan groups in the areas under the command of the C-in-C South East
and South West. They are therefore to be treated, not as prisoners of war, but in accordance with the Fuehrer's Order on the extermination of terrorist and sabotage troops, dated 18.10.1942 (OKW/WFSt No. 003830/42 Most Secret).
This order is not to be distributed beyond the divisional or equal-ranking staffs of the other branches of the Armed Forces. Any papers distributed to Army Headquarters and equal-ranking staffs, of the Armed Forces are to be recalled, when read, and destroyed.
[This last sentence is changed to "This order is not to be distributed beyond General Headquarters and equal-ranking staffs of other branches of the Armed Forces and is to be destroyed when read."]
Keitel
_Distribution_:
C-in-C South East Copy 1 C-in-C South West Copy 2 Army General Staff Copy 3 OKM/Naval War Staff Copy 4 OKL/Air Force Ops. Staff Copy 5
Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police--Headquarters Staff of the Reichsfuehrer SS--for the attention of SS Brigadefuehrer and Major-General of the Waffen SS Rohde, also for RSHA Copy 6
OKW/Gen. Armed Forces Dept. Copy 7 /Chief of P.W. section Copy 8 /Armed Forces Reserves (WR) Copy 9 /WFSt/W Pr Copy 10 /Op (Army-Air Force-Navy) Copy 11 /Org Copy 12 /War Diary Copy 13 /Qu (Draft) Copy 14 Reserve Copy 15-25
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1285-PS
"The German Police"
[Extracts from handbook "Die Deutsche Polizei" 1943] B. Use of weapons on command
1. Every policeman is compelled to make use of his weapon if a superior officer, in compliance with his duty, orders him to do so.
2. In such a case, the superior officer alone bears the responsibility.
Use of weapons on the part of the police in the case of fugitive PWs
3. Fugitive Russian prisoners of war shall be fired upon without previous challenge.
4. Under no circumstances will warning shots be fired.
* * * * *
_To a_: According to paragraph 1 of the law mentioned * * * the following become as of 1 April 1937 immediate Reichs officials [unmittelbare Reichsbeamte]:
1. Officials occupying TO positions [Planstellen] in the agency "Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of German Police in the Reichs Ministry of the Interior".
2. The officials of the Security Police [Secret State Police--Gestapo], and Criminal Police, however not the Police administrative officials working with the state police administrations for the criminal police.
3. The officials of the Protective Police [Schutzpolizei] and the Gendarmerie [Landjaegerei] and the police medical and police veterinary officials, police vocational school teachers and technical officials working with these organizations.
The personal salaries and welfare expenses of these officials and the operational expenses of the whole state police will be borne from 1 April 1937 on by the Reich, the same for the salaries, etc. of all employees and workers working at police agencies, who likewise on 1 April 1937 enter the Reichs service (paragraph 1(2) and paragraph 2). Hence from the fiscal year 1937 on there will be made up a Reichs budget for the police.
_To b_: For all police officials uniform official titles are introduced through the law cited * * * along with equal pay; only a few exceptions (retaining of some former official designations for the present incumbents) are permitted in the implementative regulations (transition lists).
_To c_: Through the German police official law [24 June 1937, RGBl I, 653] the same legal situation is created for all process servers without differentiation. Hence in Germany there is no longer a Prussian or a Bavarian process server, but now only a German process server, who is everywhere subject to the same legal regulations, wears the same uniform, and has the same official designation of rank.
The laws cited [relating to police officials] are valid since 1 October 1938 also for the former Austrian federal executive police, which including the police administrative officials by the decree of 27 October 1938 (RGBl. I, p. 1633) is at the same time taken over into the Reichs budget and thereby brought into the Reichs service.
More detailed regulations on this matter are to be found in the implementative regulations of 15 May 1939 [RGBl. I, p. 945]. According to these the valid functional police law in the former state of Austria is not affected.
_To d_: According to paragraph 1 of the law [28 March 1940, RGBl. I, p. 613] the police administrative officials of upper middle and simple civil service rank are transferred onto the Reichs budget. The officials of the higher police administrative service of a federal state can with the consent of the latter be transferred onto the Reichs budget.
* * * * *
[Pp. 81-82] III. Security Police [Sicherheitspolizei]
At the head of the Security Police is the chief of the security police and of the Security Service [SD]. Provisionally the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police in the Reichs Ministry of the Interior has taken over leadership personally. He unites in his person the direction of the security police and of the "Security Service of the Reichsfuehrer SS".
The security police is composed of the secret state police (including frontier police) and criminal police which in the central instance together with the central offices of the security service are united in the Chief Office for Reichs Security [RSHA].
Thereby the governmental security police and the party's SS intelligence activity complement each other in the unified central agency both organizationally and in leadership.
With the Chief Office for Reichs Security rest the elaboration of all organizational, personnel, economic, and technical affairs of the security police and security service; besides this however, the central agencies of the state police and criminal executives and the central direction of the security service information nets are also included.
In the field of functional legislation the Chief Office for Reichs Security, insofar as its interests are touched upon, either controls the framing of the law or has a part therein.
The chief office for Reich security is composed at present of 7 offices, to these several special institutes are attached.
The following serve to train the members of the security police and the security service:
1. The leaders' school of the security police in Berlin-Charlottenburg.
2. The elementary school of the security police in Fuerstenberg/Mecklenburg.
The establishment of special sport and technical schools is planned.
The criminal-technical institute [KTI] is available for all chemical and physical experiments and research to the whole security police.
The chief of the security police and of the security service is president of the international criminal-police commission. Through this personal union an especially close exchange of findings and methods of the German criminal police with other nations which are also connected with the IKpK is assured.
IV. Higher SS and Police Leaders
Higher SS and police leaders are installed for the area of every military district [Wehrkreis] as well as in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, in the General Government, in Norway, the Netherlands and in parts of the occupied area of the Soviet Union, who are in their areas the representatives of the Reichsfuehrer SS and chief of the German police in regard to all duties for which the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of German Police is responsible.
Inspectors of the order and security police are subordinate to the higher SS and police leaders.
[P. 83]
Inspectors (Commanders) of the Security Police and Security Service
Inspectors of the Security Police and Security Service--without prejudice to their subordination to the higher SS and police leaders--are installed in the field of responsibility of the security police in corresponding manner for the exercise of inspectoral authority.
Outside of territory strictly a part of the Reich, commanders of the security police and security service are appointed whose duty it is to lead the security police forces employed there.
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1292-PS
Fuehrer Headquarters, 4th Jan. 1944 To Rk. 13402 c Double Ref.: Allocation of Labor 1944
1. A conference took place with the Fuehrer to-day which was attended by:
The Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor, Gauleiter Sauckel,
The Secretary for Armament and War Production, Speer,
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Army, General Field Marshal Keitel,
General Field Marshal Milch,
The Acting Reich Minister for Food and Agriculture, State Secretary Backe,
The Minister of the Interior, Reich Fuehrer of the SS, Himmler,
and myself.
(The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Economy had repeatedly asked to be permitted to participate prior to the Conference, but the Fuehrer did not wish their attendance).
The Fuehrer declared in his introductory remarks:
I want a clear picture:
(1) How many workers are required for the maintenance of German War Economy?
(a) For the maintenance of present output?
(b) To increase its output?
(2) How many workers can be obtained from Occupied Countries, or how many can still be gained in the Reich by suitable means (increased output)?
For one thing, it is this matter of making up for losses by death, infirmity, the constant fluctuation of workers, and so forth, and further it is a matter of procuring additional workers.
The Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor, Sauckel, declared that, in order to maintain the present pool of workers, he would have to add at least 2-1/2 but probably 3 million new workers in 1944. Otherwise production would fall off. Reichminister _Speer_ declared that he needs an _additional_ 1.3 million laborers. However, this would depend on whether it will be possible to increase production of iron ore. Should this not be possible, he would need no additional workers. Procurement of additional workers from Occupied Territory would, however, be subject to the condition that these workers will not be withdrawn from armament and auxiliary industries already working there. For this would mean a decrease of production of these industries which he could not tolerate. Those, for instance, who are already working in France in industries mentioned above, must be protected against being sent to work in Germany by the Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor. The Fuehrer agreed with the opinions of Reichminister Speer and emphasized that the measures taken by the Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor should order no circumstances which would lead to the withdrawal of workers from Armament and auxiliary industries working in occupied territories, because such a shift of workers would only cause disturbance of production in occupied countries.
The Fuehrer further called attention to the fact that at least 250,000 laborers will be required for preparations against air attacks in the field of civilian air raid protection. For Vienna alone 2000-2500 are required immediately. The Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor must add at least 4 million workers to the manpower pool, considering that he requires 2-1/2 million workers for maintenance of the present level, that Reich Minister Speer needs 1.3 million additional workers, and that the above-mentioned preparations for security measures against air attacks call for 0.25 million laborers.
The Plenipotentiary for Employment of Labor, Sauckel, declared that he will attempt with fanatical determination to obtain these workers. Until now, he has always kept his promise as to the number of workers to be furnished. With the best of intentions, however, he is unable to make a definite promise for 1944. He will do everything in his powers to furnish the requested manpower in 1944. Whether it will succeed depends primarily on what _German_ enforcement agents will be made available. His project cannot be carried out with domestic enforcement agents.
The Reichfuehrer SS explained that the enforcement agents put at his disposal are extremely few, but that he would try helping the Sauckel project to succeed by increasing them and working them harder. The Reichfuehrer SS made immediately available 2000 to 2500 men from concentration camps for air raid preparations in Vienna.
Generally all participants in the conference agreed that it will be possible to treat additional manpower even at home by activation and intensification of available labor, especially the Prisoners of War, provided they are given awards in form of additional food, clothing, and so forth. State Secretary Backe will examine to which extent help can be given with additional food. Field Marshal _Milch_ remarked that especially in agriculture, many women, who are really able to work, evade it because they receive family-allotments from their husbands who were inducted into the Armed Forces, and the wages for work done would be deducted from their family allotment. In their primitive way of thinking they therefore believe that they would have to work for nothing. Therefore on one hand, wages should not be deducted from the family allotment; on the other hand, it should be ruled that women who refuse work would, in consequence, receive no family allotment, or only a reduced family allotment.
The Fuehrer did not comment, declaring that he did not wish to go into details any longer.
Results of the Conference:
(1) The Plenipotentiary for Employment of Labor shall procure at least 4 million new workers from occupied territories.
(2) These workers may not be taken from armament and auxiliary industries in actual production in the occupied territories.
(3) It is to be examined by what means the output of workers now on hand can be increased and intensified, especially that of Prisoners of War.
(4) The Plenipotentiary for the Employment of Labor shall get in touch with the Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs before taking any action.
Signed: Dr. Lammers
II. Reichleiter Bormann has received a copy of paragraph I.
III. To the State Secretary for cognizance.
IV. Original to Mr. C. Please return. (Arrival at Fuehrer Headquarters, 6 January 1944.)
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1301-PS
Financing of the armament
The following explanations take as their premise the fact that the execution of the armament program is by its speed and extent _the_ mission of German policy, that everything else therefore must be subordinated to this purpose, unless the neglect of other questions would endanger the main goal. Even after 16 March 1935, the difficulty continues to exist, that one cannot attempt the influencing of the German people by propaganda for support of the armament, without endangering internationally our position. The financing of the armament program, already almost impossible, is being made especially difficult by that.
Further, another prerequisite must be presented. The printing press can only be used for the financing of armament to the extent which the maintenance of money value allows. Each inflation increases the prices of foreign raw materials, and increases the prices within the country; thus it is a snake, which bites its tail. The fact that our armament had to be camouflaged completely until 16 March 1935, and for the biggest part even afterwards, has led to that, that the printing press has already been made use of at the start of the armament program; whereas it would have been natural to put it at the final point of the financing. Of the 3775 millions in the portfolio of the Reichsbank plus 866 millions set aside in bills of exchange==total of 4641 millions, the bills of exchange to finance armament represent 2374 millions (status of 30 April 1935). The Reichsbank has invested most of the German mark sums, available to its administration and belonging to foreigners, in armament bills of exchange. Thus our armament was partly financed with the property of our political opponents. Also used for the financing of the armament program were the 500 millions RM, which came together through the Reich loan placed at the savings banks in Jan 1935. In the regular budget the following amounts were provided for the armed forces: fiscal year 1933/34 RM 750 millions, fiscal year 1934/35 RM 1100 millions, fiscal year 1935/36 RM 2500 millions.
The sum of the deficits of the budgets increase since 1928, according to the estimate 1935/36, up to 5 to 6 billions RM. At present this total deficit is already being financed by short-term credits from the money market. Thus it already burdens in this amount the possibilities of use of the public market for armament. The Reich Minister of Finance is justified in saying in his budget explanations: "Since an annual deficit ... is an impossibility permanently, since one cannot count with certainty on an increased tax income, covering the deficit and other previous debts; since on the other hand only a balanced budget offers a secure basis for our great future task in the armament policy, fundamentally and consciously--a budget policy must be followed, which will solve the problem of financing of armament by organic and planned decrease of other expenses, not only from the point of view of income, but also of expenses, that means saving."
How urgent this demand is can further be construed from the fact that an unending number of tasks were attacked and are in the process of execution by state and party, all of which cannot be covered by the budget but by subscriptions and credits, which must be raised besides the regular taxes by business. This simultaneous existence of various budgets, which however all serve a more or less public purpose, present the greatest obstacle to the gaining of a clear picture of the financing possibilities of armament. A whole series of ministries and numerous agencies of the party have their own budget in addition to their share of the Reich budget, and thus accordingly income and expense possibilities, which, although they are based on the financial sovereignty of the state, are not subordinated to the control of the Minister of Finance and thus also not to the control of the cabinet. Exactly as in the field of politics, the too far reaching delegation of legislative authority to individuals in Germany has led to the condition of many states within the state, thus the condition of parallelism and divergence [Nebeneinander und Gegeneinander] of numerous state and party agencies has absolutely a disastrous effect on the financing possibility of armament. If in this field, no concentration and no unified control is introduced finally, one must fear the worst for the solution of the almost impossible task of financing of armament.
Thus the following tasks result:
1. A commissioner must at first determine all sources and incomes, which are derived from Reich, State and Party funds, as well as from profits of public or party enterprises.
2. Then, a commission, appointed by the Fuehrer must investigate how these funds were used up to now, and how much can be taken from these funds in the future from their present purpose, and made available to the financing of armament.
3. The same commission has to examine the assets of all public and official party organizations, how the assets have been invested, and to what extent these assets can be utilized for the financing of armament.
4. The Reichministry of Finance is to be commissioned to investigate the possibilities of an increased tax income by the introduction of new taxes or the increase of existing tax rates.
The financing of armament previously by the Reich Bank was a necessity under the existing political conditions, and the political success has proved the correctness of this action. However, now other methods of financing of armament must be attempted under all conditions. With that, all not absolutely necessary expenses in other fields must be refrained from, and the entire, actually small, financial power of Germany must be concentrated on this one goal, the financing of armament. Whether the financial problem will succeed with this method of approach is as yet doubtful, but without such concentration it will fail with certainty.
Memorandum 9.III.1936 on the supply situation in the field of fuels and its effect on the Wehrmacht.
The simultaneous throttling and blocking of foreign sources of liquid fuel has caused an increasingly critical situation of supply of the German market since the beginning of the year 1936.
This situation calls for a description of the serious effects on the preparedness for action of the Wehrmacht and of the extraordinary measures which necessitate a decision in this matter.
The supply of the Wehrmacht is based on the home production, the reserves which can be made available in case of mobilization and the foreign imports which still for some time must fill the present gaps of supply.
I. _The German production._
The anticipating measures taken during the last 2 years by the Reich Cabinet to increase the home production of fuel, will not bring about an essential improvement of the supply situation during the current year because of the time required for factory construction and the uninterrupted increase of demand, but cannot bring an appreciable relief until the year 1938. The list in enclosure 1 of the requirements in case of mobilization and of the supply of these requirements by production, as well as the graphs added to the other enclosures, show the influence to be expected from the German production on the entire supply.
The expanding German production favors mainly light fuels, especially fuel for airplanes, and in addition, oil for airplane engines. As to the other kinds required by the Wehrmacht in case of war, we cannot expect any improvement for the time being; as to heating oils it may be anticipated that the situation will deteriorate. The developments of new processes (Uhde and Pott), the extent of which will shortly permit an opinion, offers certain possibilities of auxiliary supply which do not appear on the graphs, because the extent of the production possible until 1938 cannot yet be foreseen.
The inadequacy of the supply on the basis of home production is a fact which cannot be eliminated during the next 2-3 years, even with the greatest efforts and in spite of the planning started for additional expansion of production.
II. _Reserves._
To assure the requirements of the Wehrmacht it becomes necessary to bridge the supply gaps by reserves. For the first period of mobilization the Wehrmacht relies on the reserves of business, especially of great importing corporations, which also in peace time consider stored reserves for about 3 months as indispensable for smooth distribution. The Wehrmacht ought to be enabled to count on the amount of these reserves remaining constant.
Beyond that the Wehrmacht accumulates its own reserves in large storage houses so that considerable national reserves will be available as buffers in case of supply difficulties.
III. _Dependency of the overall supply on imports._
The obstacle to importing encountered to a large extent during the last weeks, and which have been brought about by an accumulation of economic-political events in foreign trade, endanger not only the maintenance of industrial reserves but also the continuation of the storage policy of the Wehrmacht. They shake the very foundations of the motorization program of industry and consequently also of Wehrmacht mobilization of mechanized vehicles to the extent planned for in case of war.
In particular large gaps have been opened:
1. due to the Russian prohibition of exporting petroleum, by which the benzol-association supplying about 20% of the German market got into considerable difficulties.
2. due to suddenly considerably increased demands of the Rumanians, who offer fuel only in exchange for foreign bills proper [Bardevisen] and/or at greatly increased prices in marks. The contribution of Rumanian imports to the supply of German requirements was 40% during the last year. The firm Olex which contributes 11% to the German market has already been forced, due to the obstruction of Rumanian deliveries, to decrease its business considerably, and will face a close-down of its market supply if relief is not procured before June 1936. Due to this reduction of imports similar stoppages are to be expected by the other great organizations of distribution during the same period.
IV. _Means to secure the supply._
In considering how to meet the situation the following devices are _unbearable_ for the Wehrmacht:
1. Reduction of mechanized traffic because this would, in addition to precarious economic and psychological effects, bring about a throttling of German motorization, which in view of the requirements of the Wehrmacht in case of war, would be a shock to mobility and supply of replacements.
2. Just as undesirable is to be considered the diminishing of reserves. The industrial reserves constitute the basis for mobilization, which has to rely on firm figures which remain about constant. As a decrease of reserves has already started, the further development in this direction is to be counteracted immediately. Aid from the reserves of the Wehrmacht cannot be granted because these modest quantities being ultimate reserves cannot be diminished under any circumstances.
Consequently, only the following means are to be considered:
1. Conceding to the Rumanian demands of paying imports in marks on a considerably raised price-basis.
2. Additional payments in foreign bills proper [Bardevisen] of imports from Anglo-Saxon countries.
3. Investigation to what extent an improvement can be achieved by accelerating or expanding the facilities for German production.
The first course has been followed by the authorization to negotiate new contracts on the basis of the Rumanian demands. Adequate and punctual delivery to the market, however, is not yet assured hereby.
Re. 2. Foreign bills [Devisen] for the minimum of the indispensable import requirements can probably be obtained only by reduction of import of other necessities. The narrow limits of the presently assured raw materials for armament do not allow for a decrease of such imports which are indispensable for the Wehrmacht. In particular we cannot do without the necessary quantities of metals required by the Wehrmacht for current procurements.
Re. 3. As a result of investigations made, essential changes cannot be expected at a date within sight.
V. _Uniform management of the petroleum industry._
During the last few months the Wehrmacht has repeatedly emphasized the unavoidable call for a uniform and planned steering of the entire German petroleum industry. The present dangerous situation of the German fuel industry puts this necessity again into the spotlight. The lack of stern guidance in the present moment must lead to severest damages to the public and the defense of the country. The duty of a management according to plans of the petroleum industry must be in the first line to avert the permanent threat to mechanized traffic and the preparedness of the Wehrmacht for action lying in the extensive dependency on forces outside of the German sphere of control.
* * * * *
_Enclosure 1_ to "memorandum on the supply situation in the field of fuels and its effect on the Wehrmacht" of 9 March 36.
-----------------------------+--------------------+---------------------- | |Supply of requirements |Mob. requirements | by production -----------------------------+---------+----------+------------+--------- | 1936 | 1938 | 1936 | 1938 | t/Jahr | t/Jahr | % | % | | | | Light fuels for car | | | | engines | 900 000 | 1 530 000| 43 | 60.5 | | | | Light fuels for airplane | | | | engines | 460 000 | 600 000| 39 | 61.5 | | | | (illegible), Fuel oil | 650 000 | 1 280 000| 11.6 | 22 | | | | Heating oil | 800 000 | 1 200 000| 30.6 | 22 | | | | Lubricating oil for car | | | | engines | 80 000 | 150 000| 22.5 | 23 | | | | Lubricating oil for airplane | | | | engines | 35 000 | 55 000| - | 22 -----------------------------+---------+----------+------------+---------
IIa Needed raw materials 4/28/1936 with consideration of the program for the supply of ammunition, amounting to 200 million marks [Mil. RM.] (for the months of April 1936 to March 1937=12 months)
_Supply needed, submitted to R.Wi.Min._ (letter of 1/1336.) Copper 5400 t/month (without plate VIII) lead 2300 t/month (without plate VIII) zinc 3100 t/month (without plate VIII) _Supply needed, considering the 200 Mill-plan._ Copper 5850 t/month (without plate VIII) lead 3350 t/month (without plate VIII) zinc 4020 t/month (without plate VIII) Therefore the _additional_ need amounts to Copper 450 t/month lead 1050 t/month zinc 920 t/month
_Raw materials needed by parts of the Armed Forces_ (for the months of April 1936 to March 1937) copper 4830 670 175 175 5850 lead 2750 280 300 20 3350 zinc 2420 160 260 1180 4020
* * * * *
SECRET
_Raw materials needed by the armed forces during the years 1935 and 1936_
---------------------------------------+-----------+------------- _Raw materials_ |_need 1936_| _t/month 1935_ ---------------------------------------+-----------+------------- _Iron and steel_ | | | | Iron ore Fe | 130,000 | 80,000 | | Manganese ore Mn | 7,000 | 4,000 | | Chromium 0,5 C | 220 | 88 | | 0,5 C | 160 | 86 | | Wolfram | 80 | 15 | | Molybdenum | 40 | 8 | | Vanadium | 3 | 1 | | Tantalum | 2 | 0.5 | | Silicon | 400 | 250 | | _Non-iron metals_ | | | | Copper | 7,500(1)| 4,670 | | Lead | 6,500(2)| 3,520 | | Nickel | 275 | 174 | | Tin | 150 | 89 | | Zinc | 3,100(3)| 1,830 | | Aluminum | 2,720 | 1,900 | | Antimone | 55 | 25 | | Cadmium | 10 | 0.62 | | Mercury | 20 | 12 | | Cobalt | 10 | 3 | | _Leather goods (economy)_ | | | | skins and pelts | 1 300 | 1 400 | | natural tanning matter | 800 | 860 | | _Wood_ | | | | special foreign timber | 170 | 150 | | _Grain, fodder and further | | agricultural products_ | | | | linseed | 1 500 | 1 900 | | _Coal and Salt_ | | | | oil coke and Pitch coke--of these 1500 | | t/month to produce the aluminum | | needed by the armed forces. | 1 700 | 1 300 | | _Various goods_ | | | | diamonds, amounting to a value of | RM. 15 000| 11 000RM | /month | | | cane | 200 | 160 | | mica | 18 | 15 | | magnesite | 1 200 | 1 000 | | _Rubber and asbestos_ | | | | rubber | 280 | 150 | | asbestos [spinasbest] | 100 | 70 | | _Fat for industrial purposes_ | | | | glycerine | 165 | 120 | | _Petroleum oils_ | | | | gas for plane engines | 7 000 | 4 000 | | light fuel f. motor vehicles | 3 000 | 1 500 | | lubrication oil f. plane engines | 700 | 200 | | lubrication oil f. motor vehicles | 500 | 150 | | gas-oil, (diesel) | 7 500 | 1 200 | | heating oil | 15 000 | 6 000 ---------------------------------------+-----------+-------------
Note: 1. for cables 2100 t/months; starting on 1 Apr. 36 possibly only 6000 t/month, including 2100 t/ for cables;
Note: 2. for cables 4200 t/months; starting 1 Apr. 36 7800 t/months which means 5500 t/month for cables;
Note: 3. from this amount: sheet-zinc in the limits of the quota of the association of zinc-rolling-mills 340 t/month; starting 1 Apr. 36 possibly only 2700 t/month including sheet-zinc.
Situation re fuel
---------------------+----------------------+-----------------------+ | Fuel for motorized | Fuel for airplanes | | vehicles | | |----------+-----------+----------+------------+ | Peace 36 | Case of | Peace 36 | Case of | | | mobil. 38 | | mobil. 38 | ---------------------+----------+-----------+----------+------------+ Total need of | | | armed forces | | | and economy | | | t/year | 2,000,000 1,650,000 | 80,000 600,000 | | | | Production in entire | | | Reich-territory | | | t/year | 900,000 | 80,000 | | | | Missing quantity | | | t/year | 1,100,000 750,000 | - 520,000 | | | | New planning | 700,000 | 300,000 | ---------------------+----------------------+-----------------------+ +----------------------+ ----------------------+ | Gas-Oil | | | Diesel | Heating fuel | |---------+------------+----------+------------+ |Peace 36 | Case of | Peace 36 | Case of | | | mobil. 38 | | mobil. 38 | ---------------------+---------+------------+----------+------------+ Total need of | | | armed forces | | | and economy | | | t/year |800,000 1,300,000 | 500,000 1,200,000 | | | | Production in entire | | | Reich-territory | | | t/year | 280,000 | 270,000 | | | | Missing quantity | | | t/year |520,000 1,020,000 | 230,000 930,000 | | | | New planning | 200,000 | ? | ---------------------+----------------------+-----------------------+ ---------------------+----------------------+--------------------- | Oil for motor | Oil for airplane | vehicles | engines |----------+-----------+----------+---------- | Peace 36 | Case of | Peace 36 | Case of | | mobil. 38 | | mobil. 38 --------------------+----------+-----------+----------+---------- Total need of | | armed forces | | and economy | | t/year | 75,000 150,000 | 5,000 55,000 | | Production in entire | | Reich-territory | | t/year | 20,000 | - | | Missing quantity | | t/year | 55,000 130,000 | 5,000 55,000 | | New planning | 20,000 | 15,000 ---------------------+----------------------+---------------------
Copy Berlin, 15 May 1936 Prime minister General Goering Raw material and Foreign exchange staff
Top Secret To the Reichminister of war Generaldfeldmarschall von Blomberg
Enclosed, a record of the conference of the council of ministers of 12 May 1936 in the afternoon is forwarded.
By order
/s/ Loeb Lt. Col. in the General Staff
* * * * *
Top Secret
_Record of the council of ministers on 12 May 1936 1700 hours_
Chairman: Prime minister General Goering.
Reichminister of War Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg.
Reichsbank President and acting Reich and Prussian minister for Economy Dr. Schacht
Reichminister of Finance Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
Prussian minister of Finance Prof. Dr. Popitz as the recording secretary Lt. Col. in the General Staff Loeb
_Minister Schacht_: shows the development up to now when two years ago, the decision for rearmament was made, it was decided to carry out the financing mainly outside the means of the Reichministry of Finance. This meant the commitment of the last reserve from the very beginning. A decision which did not seem without hazards. The memorandum of 3 May 1936 says the same thing.
In the course of the last two years, the program was increased more and more in its extent and speed. Thus the requirements to the Reichsbank were increased steadily.
It would be necessary to create, as basis for financing, a steady, prosperous economy, and therefore renounce the execution of other,
## partially irrational ideas and aims of the party. The psychological
prerequisite was not disturbed by the party as such, but by many individual groups of the party, again and again; personal attacks against Dr. Schacht and thus against the economy followed. Dr. Schacht has emphasized again and again, that one must follow a cultural and legal policy, which will leave economy alone. However one must not describe it as greedy and selfish from the beginning.
Also money theories of the most variable kind have been published repeatedly, thus causing anxiety for the economy; to counteract this was practically impossible, as the propaganda machine of the party did not permit this.
Despite all this, Dr. Schacht continued to work, because he stands with unswerving loyalty to the Fuehrer, because he fully recognizes the basic idea of national socialism and because at the end, the disturbances, compared to the great task, can be considered irrelevant. Previously, approximately 11 billion marks besides the budget have been raised for rearmament and re-employment without shaking the rates of exchange and currency; the rate of interest could be lowered.
The Fuehrer has repeatedly emphasized in personal talks and cabinet meetings, that the speed of rearmament must be kept up until the spring of 1936. This was agreed to and carried out.
_Prime Minister Goering_: has never heard about this time limitation.
_Minister Schacht_: The main question for the further execution of the program is, how much money can be gotten out of business. Some 2 billion can be consolidated annually by long term loans, 8 to 9 billion cannot be asked for; the possibility of making available depends on the development of the money market. Full concentration of the money market through the Reichsbank is necessary.
If the Reichsbank should have to issue more notes than could be born by the currency, one must reach back to other factors.
Dr. Schacht will never be part to an inflation; the Fuehrer also has decided in this sense. The danger of such a development is imminent. If a road is to be taken, which contains this danger, Dr. Schacht would like to drop out on time, so that he does not disturb the new course.
Dr. Schacht considers it impossible, that prices can be fixed by the state, if the same money policy is continued.
_Prime Minister Goering_: What is the basis of currency with the Reichsbank?
_Minister Schacht_: This question has nothing to do with the gold standard. It is a question of something imponderable, to recognize the time of which must be left up to fine sensitivity. If by a surplus of money, the danger of devaluation of the mark exists, the state can and must take action from the financial side by taxes, etc. Considering the material factor, it must be determined, that we are dependent for numerous goods on foreign countries. Even small percentages as a whole have considerable effect. In many cases, the necessity for import is caused by trade political relations; therefore the raw-material situation may not only be viewed and attacked from the production within Germany. The foreign relations must be decreased all of a sudden. For instance the negotiations with Standard and Shell were carried out on this basis.
_Prime Minister Goering_: When substitutes [ersatzstoffe] are sufficient in quantity, we shall no longer need the import, which presents us such difficulties.
_Minister Schacht_: In a series of cases, to be able to carry out the import, work from within Germany was utilized for compensation, for instance tankers for oil import corporations.
However it is especially required that nothing be said about intentions and measures of this field in public, so as not to aggravate the importers.
_Prime Minister Goering_: If the Fuehrer has expressed himself in this direction, he did it to counteract the increasing pessimism in the country in respect to this field.
_Minister Schacht_: In any case, all anxiety must be prevented. Foreign exporters have already shown less readiness to deliver against certificate of foreign exchange, since they apparently have no confidence in the cashing of these certificates.
_Prime Minister Goering_: Our raw material situation is generally known to the world. The article published in the papers on 28 April 1936 did not contain anything secret. Actually the confidence abroad should have been increased by this publication, because generally the opinion was held abroad that Dr. Schacht was protected by the Prime Minister against the party.
_Minister Schacht_: The situation at present is thus:
Some 64 million marks are already claimed by reimbursement.
We must buy especially crude rubber and textiles; we have practically no crude rubber. Cellulose wool is not an adequate substitute, especially not for export goods.
The necessity for the closing down of manufacturing plants will soon result from this accordingly.
It must be decided whether the available gold should be all spent at the present speed or whether it should already be slowed down.
Swedish ores are still available for about 3 months. The export to Sweden becomes more difficult, and thus the import possibilities decrease.
_Prime Minister Goering_: is of the opinion that our export to Sweden continues, so that one can further count on import.
_Minister Schacht_: The raw material supply of Germany amounted at the beginning of the war to a value of about 7 to 8 billions; now it is less than 1 billion.
_Prime Minister Goering_: has heard repeatedly, that export business was refused by the Reichminister for Economy. In the future, the departments will be caused by him to re-examine such occurrences; perhaps then it will work differently than until now.
_Minister Schacht_: Increase of our export appears improbable in the near future. Further obligations arise through the Foreign Office, the Reichsbank, Post Office, Party and other agencies; soon the consular service cannot be paid any more.
The time will come, when we will have no longer any reserves of either raw materials or foreign exchange at our disposal.
_Prime Minister Goering_: If we have war to-morrow, we must help ourselves by substitutes. Then money will not play any role at all. If that is the case, then we must be ready to create the prerequisites for that in peace. The account just described could have also been presented, in his opinion, in the meeting this morning.
_Minister Schacht_: Publication is recommended for only the smallest circle.
_Prime Minister Goering_: It is necessary to inform the people required for the execution.
_Minister Schacht_: In his opinion only the ministers, not the state secretaries. In addition, each department must be called in individually.
_Prime Minister Goering_: The psychological prerequisites for the correct approach to the work must be created everywhere. The actual work is done by the state-secretaries and the experts. In the future one must go much more into detail; confidence in the persons employed in this is absolute necessity.
_Prime Minister Goering_: summarizes the explanation by Minister Schacht: In short, demands on the Reichsbank can no longer be covered; only 64 million marks are still available.
_Minister Schacht_: declares that besides these 64 million Reichsmarks in the private banks, there are another 72 million gold with the Reichsbank.
_Prime Minister Goering_: continues with the summary: The shortage of raw material is known in its extent. A considerable increase is no longer possible, in the opinion of Minister Schacht.
_Minister Schacht_: The production of raw materials within Germany finds its limitation there, when an increase of prices of export goods is created by it.
_Prime Minister Goering_: One can separate requirements within Germany and export. Even the smallest details are important. The following appears necessary.
1. Increase of export despite all difficulties.
2. The raw material coverage within Germany.
3. The possibly necessary resettlement of workers and food-fundamentals for the execution of all measures.
These problems all affect each other, so that the participation of all departments is necessary.
Appropriate example: Position of the farmer, who does not utilize the available possibility of intensifying of fertilizing, because the capital lost is not bearable for him in case of bad harvests. In such a case, the risk lying with the weather must be partially taken from the farmer by a special organization.
The Reichministry of Finance must also be consulted greatly in reference to the regular budget. Re-awakening of thriftiness in all fields belongs to this program.
_Minister Popitz_: The final conclusions made by Dr. Schacht are clear and convincing, under the condition that the bases for these conclusions are correct. That must be examined. It must be determined again, whether the principles, according to which the present raw material and foreign currency policy has been carried out with such a big success, are unalterable and correct.
The time when perhaps an inflation is feared is unclear; actually it is already here, even if it has a bearable extent.
An increase of export cannot be expected with the present system. However it is to be examined, whether there is not a better system. The basis of the present economic policy is deflationary. However it appears impossible to integrate the deflation into an actually existing inflation. It must be discussed, whether forced economy of export is to be continued.
It is to be examined further, whether the money for rearmament can be drawn out from the remaining economy. In no case may the condition arise, that the Reichminister for Finance and the Reichminister for Economy push the responsibility for the providing of funds to each other.
The difference between 2 billion Reichsmarks, which the Reichsbank believes to be able to raise on a long term basis, and the 8 to 9 billion Reichsmarks required for armament, cannot be covered by taxes. Therefore the following suggestion:
1. The raw material question, which can be solved comparatively simply, must be attended to at once by a special committee.
2. Illuminate critically the export question, so to say, in a scientific manner.
_Minister von Krosigk_: Economy of foreign exchange in detail is necessary. In that, small things also play a part. Equal saving is necessary in spending money within Germany. In contrast to Minister Popitz, he is of the opinion that expenses for armament must be taken over more and more by the regular budget. Expenses above this budget are to be covered
a. by long term consolidation of annually some 2 billion marks.
b. by short term bills of exchange and similarly.
The financing has succeeded up to now by these two means.
However the danger exists, the short-term bills of exchange can no longer be negotiated, so that flooding of the Reichsbank with MEFO bills would have an increased printing of banknotes as consequence.
_Minister Popitz_: In this case, printing of bank notes is only necessary if the money is absolutely necessary for payment of wages among other unavoidable things.
_Minister von Krosigk_: The decisive question for that is, whether inflation would actually happen by printing of banknotes to this extent. He does not believe so. The increase of prices observed so far was not caused by monetary reasons, but can be derived from increase of prices for raw materials and agricultural products. Thus one cannot speak of an inflation.
_Prime Minister Goering_: does not believe that an inflation would happen from the monetary angle.
Measures which in a state with a parliamentary government would probably bring about inflation, do not have to have the same results in a totalitarian state.
Important for this is the application of an appropriate propaganda, so that the co-operation of the propaganda ministry, promised by the Fuehrer, is of great importance.
_Minister Schacht_: gives a summary of the holdings of bills of exchange in the Reichsbank at present:
4,353,000,000.--RM bills of exchange
3,731,000,000.--RM of which are in MEFO bills of exchange
2,200,000.--MEFO bills of exchange are deposited in clearing accounts.
More than 5 billions in bills of exchange are deposited thus, that they can be presented immediately in case of disturbances of the money market, caused by any measure. Therefore any disturbance must be prevented under all conditions.
_Prime Minister Goering_: agrees to be the "shield" for the measure of financial nature, so that no disturbances would happen.
The regular budget is to take over the current upkeep of the armed forces, but not the costs of the reconstruction.
_Minister Popitz_: It is to be examined whether the regular budget cannot be relieved from interests and amortization quotas of advance drawings. Even the observing of the international bank law cannot prevent the using of these recognized necessary measures in this direction.
If the economy is started by increased export, naturally the circulation of money will increase and with that the possibility of further financing.
If the money, which had to be put into circulation, is only used for payment of wages, no inflation can take place.
_Prime Minister Goering_: orders:
1. Determination as rapidly as possible of the basis of payment.
2. Beginning of the execution work in the realm of raw material production within Germany.
3. Examination of the question of the export system.
In the next conference, contemplated for Friday afternoon, the examination of the export system is to take place.
First under his chairmanship (Goering's) the ministers Dr. Schacht, Graf Schwerin von Krosigk and Prof. Dr. Popitz will consult each other. Then, immediately thereafter, the suggestions voiced there are to be discussed by a board of experts. The following were named for this board:
By Minister Schacht: Reichsbank Director Brinkman Reichsbank Director Blessing Ministerialdirektor Dr. Sarnow
By Minister von Blomberg: Dr. Trendelenburg
By Minister Popitz: Dr. Springorum Dr. Sogemeier
Further Reg. Burgermeister Kroogmann Prof. Wayemann and others, who will be appointed by the Prime Minister.
_Prime Minister Goering_: states that he can expect and demand discipline from the party, so that the protection of the individual auditor, called, is guaranteed.
Close of the conference; 1910.
Summary of the raw material situation 2 May
----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | Iron ores | Aluminum | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ Total requirement for | peace | case of | peace | case of | the armed forces | 1936 |mobil. 1938| 1936 |mobil. 1938| and the industry | | | | | (estimated) | | | | | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | 9.5 | 11 | 105,000 | 160,000 | | million | million | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ Production entire | | | Reich industry | 1.8 million | 96,000 | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ Deficit | 7.7 | 9.2 | 9,000 | 64,000 | | million | million | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ Excess | -- | -- | -- | -- | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ Tentative plans for | 1.2 million | -- | expansion of own | proposal Keppler | | production | | | ----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ ----------------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+ | Crude Rubber | Cellulose wool | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------+-----------+ Total requirement for | peace | case of | peace | case of | the armed forces | 1936 |mobil. 1938| 1936 |mobil. 1938| and the industry | | | | | (estimated) | | | | | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------+-----------+ | 75,000 | 85,000 | 12,000- |depending | | | | 70,000 |on import | | | | |of natural | | | | |fiber | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------+-----------+ Production entire | | | Reich industry | 1000 | 12,000-70,000 | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------+ Deficit | 74,000 | 84,000 |any increase in | | | |production would be | | | |taken up by the | | | |market | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------+ Excess | -- | -- | | ----------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------+ Tentative plans for | 2400 | first increase until | expansion of own | | end of 1936 70,000 t | production | | | ----------------------+-----------------------+-------------------------+ Berlin, 30 May 1936 Behrenstrasse 68-70 Telephone A 2 0048 Prime Minister General Goering Raw Material and Foreign Exchange Staff Journal No. * * * /36 [initial] BG th 2/6 [initial] Rubber Stamp Top Secret
To the Reichminister of War Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg
Berlin
Enclosed, a report of the conference of the council of ministers of 27 May 1936, is forwarded.
By Order
Loeb Lt. Col. in the General Staff 1 Inclosure:
* * * * *
Top Secret
Copy of meeting of Minister on 27 May 36, at 1130 o'clock.
Chairman: Ministerpraesident Generaloberst Goering
Reichskriegsminister Generalfeldmarschall von Blomberg
Reischsbankpraesident und kommissarischer Reichs- und Preussischer Wirtschaftsminister Dr. Schacht
Reichsfinanzminister Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
Preussischer Finanzminister Prof. Dr. Popitz
Recording Secretary: Lt. Col in the General Staff Loeb
_Prime Minister Goering_: The two sessions of the board of experts held so far have brought forth interesting discussions. Naturally, opinions frequently disagree. The experts are invited to state their concepts in writing.
Today, discussion concerning the question of substitute-material. What objections are made to the production of war-raw materials within the Reich?
_Minister Schacht_: Principly there is nothing to object; a solution of the raw material problem by self-producing is absolutely necessary and agreed with, theoretically.
Difficulties are encountered with regard to:
1. serious monetary strain because of investments. Providing money by taxing capital is impossible. Circulation of money can not be increased beyond a certain amount. Previous measures executed correctly and without danger to monetary value. Further increase seems precarious; matter of confidence. This point of view alone, however, not determining; possible that funds could be drawn from industrial profits.
2. special scruples, regarding the cases where prices for substitute [Ersatz] material are far beyond world-market prices, and therefore the products cannot compete (for example: tires made from Buna). Adjustment would further increase the excise tax on exports. Inflation cannot be chosen, as this would immediately upset the state's budget.
It must be attempted to produce those raw materials within Germany which are economically favorable; _for other raw materials ready reserves for the case of mobilization_ [_Mobfall_]. Especially clear is the situation of flax; the complete covering of the requirement is possible; however not with hemp.
_Certain raw materials for war must be stocked._
These viewpoints are recognized and followed by the Reich ministry for Economy. The execution is mainly dependent on the question of funds. Therefore, necessity to save in all fields, to make saved funds available for investment.
_Prime Minister Goering_: All measures are to be considered from the standpoint of an assured waging of war.
Ready reserves must ordinarily be accumulated already in peace in certain amounts.
It is to be attempted to use cheap imported raw materials for export purposes, expensive raw materials from within Germany. In cases where the price differences are small, probably creation of a settlement is preferred.
_Minister Schacht_: This settlement can be carried out either by compulsory mixing or by a price settlement by the state of the expensive raw materials.
_In any case, price supervision must be introduced again._
_Minister Popitz_: Placing of the burden of increased prices on the consumer is possible when the difference is only small.
The other possible method is sales monopoly or wholesale monopoly of certain goods.
_Minister Schacht_: It is recommendable not to influence individual, large fields, for instance textiles, by prices; but to concentrate funds for the monetary subsidation of other fields of raw materials.
_Minister von Krosigk_: The question cannot generally be judged theoretically, but only practically with the use of individual examples.
_Prime Minister Goering_: At first, the specially urgent petroleum question is to be treated.
General agreement to that.
_Minister von Krosigk_: Present experience is that the beginning of new methods of sale or price guarantee by the Reich results thus, that soon new and cheaper production methods are found. This recommends a not too sudden expansion of production.
_Prime Minister Goering_: Waiting for new methods is no longer appropriate. Plan of the Reich forestry office for the utilization of wood is ready. Import of timber must be cut down in any case; strongest demands on German forests to be preferred at present and can be advocated.
It is to be decided, whether at the beginning, a risk bonus over 6% profit is to be granted.
_Minister Schacht_: turns against higher profits than 6%. Guarantee of interest-bearing is to be preferred, and must be sufficient.
_Minister von Krosigk_: discusses the advantages of the amortization program.
_Minister von Popitz_: In contracts many times rapid cancellation is contemplated.
_Minister Schacht_: At the beginning more consideration is recommended, later stronger concentration, with profit sharing by the Reich.
_Minister Popitz_: requests that the cancellation periods be re-examined by a special committee.
_Prime Minister Goering_: The summary is to be prepared for the next committee meeting about:
1. Inventory of German Raw Material possibilities.
2. Form of the present decrease.
3. Mobilization requirement.
4. How shall raw materials be handled? Especially clarifications whether production within Germany is to start already in peace or whether the stocking or reserves is more important.
Subject of petroleum also can be considered concluded, therefore is to be handled immediately.
In the next council of Ministers, discussion of the agricultural question, then Minister Darré and State secretary Backe present.
_Minister von Blomberg_: In the fuel industry it is to be decided whether conversion to solid fuels should already be carried out in peace, or whether, as in France, it is to be prepared for the mobilization case. If possible and recommendable, increased use of tar coke [Schwelkok], no diesel oil for railroads.
_Prime Minister Goering_: Economy also absolutely necessary and to be insisted on in other fields of raw materials.
_Minister von Blomberg_: Examine as an example substitution of heavy metal by light metal (for instance cans of aluminum): general increase of the use of glass, especially for aerial bombs, maybe also for grenades; use of plastics for wide fields, even as far as transmissions. Certain hopes can be set on China. Therefore prevent political estrangement. Careful advances in the approaching of Japan necessary, at present the recognition of Manchukuo would be disastrous for Mr. Klein's current plans in China.
_Prime Minister Goering_: Common front of China with Japan against Soviet Russia can probably be produced.
[in green pencil] I did _not_ express myself so specifically BL/
_Minister von Blomberg_: Japan is doubtful as a factor of military power.
_Prime Minister Goering_: Furthermore, the danger of Japan's turnabout always exists.
Results of the China affair cannot be viewed clearly because of the unclear inner political situation.
_Minister Schacht_: always has supported the attempts of Mr. Klein, because he especially hopes for food, raw materials from China.
_Minister von Blomberg_: recommends further collaboration with the Kaiser Wilhelm Gesellschaft, with whom the Reichministry of War had very good experiences. At its head is the scientific authority; other imminent changes for solution proposed by the party unbearable.
_Minister Popitz_: Nomination of Geheimrat Bosch is possible for this post, when his resignation from the IG is possible.
_Minister Schacht_: General complaints about the deterioration of German science; this is also harmful for export, since the missing replacement limits the execution of German engineering missions abroad and thus German orders from abroad.
_Minister Popitz_: Seconds these complaints. Actions by the party which remove the most important people is unbearable. Explanation by examples.
In the liberal arts, the consequences are not being felt immediately, all the more so in the natural sciences. If service etc., should be limited to the first two semesters of study, then full time and freedom for scientific activity.
_Prime Minister Goering_: In Prussia then, difficulties are partially removed. Influence of the liaison staff not always fortunate. Role of Professor Wagner.
Puts to discussion a taking over of a Spanish tin source, which is being offered from the Swedish side.
_Minister Schacht_: Basically in agreement, particularly when in a partnership enterprise German achievements will result by deliveries of machines.
_Prime Minister Goering_: asks Minister Schacht to conduct negotiations in this spirit during his visit in Belgrade relative to Jugoslavia in the near future.
_Minister Schacht_: The copper mining in Jugoslavia must take place by excluding the French, who sell copper for foreign exchange only.
_Prime Minister Goering_: During the next ministerial session, the investigation of the problems in the agricultural sector has to be conducted in such a way that direct statements of Minister Schacht/Minister Darré should be made about the single problematic issues.
End of the session 13 o'clock.
Fuel-supply situation (1st draft of a plan for solution) 27 May 1936
--------------------------------+------------------+----------------------+ |Light vehicle fuel| Airplane fuel | +--------+---------+----------+-----------+ | Peace | case of| Peace | case of | | 36 | mobil. | 36 | mobil. | | | 38 | | 38 | --------------------------------+--------+---------+----------+-----------+ Total requirement Armed | | | Forces and Industry tons/years|2,000,000 1,650,00| 80,000 600,000 | | | | Production in the entire | | | Reich industry tons/years | 1,300,000 | | | | | Deficit from requirements | | | of mobilization tons/years | 950,000 | | | | | To be covered by conversion | | | (substitute fuel) | | | | | | Necessary new plans 950,000 | | | | | | Proposal for a solution | 3 Fischer plants of 320,000 tons | | each by the end of 1937 | | | | | Costs | 380 million RM | --------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
+----------------------+ | Gas oil | |----------+-----------+ | Peace | case of | | 36 | mobil. | | | 38 | ---------------------------------+----------+-----------+ Total requirement Armed | | Forces and Industry tons/years | 800,000 1,300,000 | | | Production in the entire | | Reich industry tons/years | 220,000 | | | Deficit from requirements | | of mobilization tons/years | 1,080,000 | | | To be covered by conversion | | (substitute fuel) | 200,000 | | | Necessary new plans 950,000 | 880,000 | | | Proposal for a solution |4 IG-Pott plants of | |220,000 tons/year each| | by end of 1937 | | | Costs | 400 million RM | ---------------------------------+----------------------+ ---------------------------------+----------------------+ | Heating oil | |----------+-----------+ | Peace | case of | | 36 | mobil. | | | 38 | ---------------------------------+----------+-----------+ Total requirement Armed | | Forces and Industry tons/years |500,000 1,200,000 | | | Production in the entire | 270,000 | Reich industry tons/years | | | | Deficit from requirements | 930,000 | of mobilization tons/years | | | | To be covered by conversion | | (substitute fuel) | | | | Necessary new plans 950,000 | 930,000 | |3 Fischer whole-Pott | Proposal for a solution |or distilling plants | |of 310,000 tons/year | |each | | | Costs | 370 million RM | ---------------------------------+----------------------+
Copy of draft Top Secret 31 August 1936
The War Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces No. 2001/36 Top Secret WH
4 copies-- 1st copy--draft 2nd copy--Reich Air Ministry 3rd copy--Reich Ministry for Finances 4th copy--President of the Reichsbank
1. To the Reich Minister of Air and the Supreme Commander of the Air Forces General Goering
Berlin W 8 Dear General Goering!
The negotiations conducted until now in the commission for foreign exchange and raw materials which is under your leadership, have already shown the necessity of dealing also with the financing of the armed forces there also. I believe the time has now arrived that the commission should take up the treatment of this problem.
As a preparation of such a discussion I suggest the following:
I. _Overstepping of the 1936 budget._
It has been proven, particularly from the decree issued 7 March 1936, that the sum of about 10 billions of RM which was provided for the Wehrmacht for 1936 is not sufficient.
1. Additional expenses in the _army_ are needed in first place for
a. the remilitarizing of the Rhineland
b. the fortification of the Rhineland
c. the setting up of all the 36 divisions already by 1 Oct 1936
d. the speeding-up of motorization, particularly the establishment of 4 fully motorized Infantry divisions.
e. the necessity of markedly increasing the reserve ammunition because of the increased number of divisions.
f. industrial preparations in a great variety of fields.
2. In the _navy_ the required faster increase of personnel, the building of a 4th entry to Wilhelmshaven and the refortification of Helgoland cause additional expenses.
3. _Air Force_
a. According to an order of the Fuehrer, the setting up of all air force units has to be completed on 1 April 1937. Therefore considerable expenditures have to be made in 1936 which at the time when the budget for 1936 was made, were planned for later years only. Special additional expenses are caused by the creation of sufficient ground force personnel.
b. In the air force the first introduction of new types has to take place in 1937. Therefore the required industrial preparations have to begin in 1936.
It follows that an additional sum of at least 3.6 billions of RM will be needed by the Wehrmacht for 1936.
Of this about 1 billion RM is allotted to Army and Navy together. In the case of the Army and Navy, the execution of the orders and, in consequence, the dead-lines for the payments of the deliveries lagged quite considerably behind the placing of the orders. Therefore it can be assumed that these 1 billion RM will not be needed _in cash_ before 1 Apr 1937. However, the orders for these 1 billion RM have been placed and in the fiscal year 1937 these 1 billion RM will also be needed in cash.
In the air force the additional expenditures amount to 2600 millions RM. Here the execution of the orders from the budget funds of 1936 as well as of the orders for the additional requirements is in full progress. The 2600 millions RM for the air force have to be made available in the fiscal year 1936.
As yet it cannot be ultimately settled whether the introduction of the two years' service will lead to further additional expenses.
II. _Requirements for 1937_
The preparatory works for the budget of 1937 have not been concluded. At present the requirements for 1937 are estimated to be for:
1. the army 6.5 billions RM 2. the navy 1.2 billions RM 3. the air force 6.0 billions RM ---------------- Total 13.7 billions RM
Besides these 13.7 billions RM about 500 millions RM will be needed for the Reich defense requirements of the civilian departments.
III. _Permanent requirements_
According to a recently conducted survey, the component of the armed forces will have the following permanent requirement after the rearming is completed:
1. Army 3.6 billions RM 2. Navy 0.73 billions RM 3. Air Force 2.507 billions RM ------------------ Total 6.837 billions RM
At present it is hardly possible to make an accurate estimate of the permanent requirements. In the case of the Army it is very likely that the amount for the permanent requirement will be considerably raised.
Later I will submit further material, particularly a statement about the requirements for the years until the completion of the rearming, as soon as the necessary inquiries are concluded.
I submitted copies of this letter to the Reich Minister for Finance, and to the President of the Reichsbank.
Heil Hitler! Yours, [unsigned]
2. To the Reich Minister for Finances _Berlin W 8_
3. To the President of the Reichsbank Dr. Schacht _Berlin SW 111_
Copy (of 1) for your kind information
4. WV
_Chief WA Chief WH_ signed P _Remark_:
1. Major v. Wolff has given the letter addressed to General Goering to Lt. Col. Bodenschatz on 31 Aug.
2. I have personally handed the letters 2 and 3 to the President of the Reichsbank, Dr. Schacht, and to the Reich Minister of Finance, Count Schwerin von Krosigk, on Aug 31.
signed P Copy authenticated Hollender Ministerial Councillor 30 Sept 36.
* * * * *
Note
[initialed] B [Blomberg?] [initialed] K 2/9 [Keitel]
President Schacht called me to him today at 1300 and requested me to forward the following to the Minister of War:
Schacht returned from the Fuehrer with the greatest anxiety, since he could not agree to the economic program planned by the Fuehrer.
The Fuehrer wants to speak at the party convention [Parteitag] about economic policy, and wants to emphasize there that we now want to get free with all our energy from foreign countries by production in Germany.
Schacht requests urgently that the Reichminister of War warn the Fuehrer from this step.
If the Fuehrer emphasizes in front of the masses in Nurnberg, he will receive a great amount of applause from the audience, but with it he will bring failure to the entire commercial policy. There is only one thing in our needy position: _the promotion of export_. _Every threat against foreign countries_ however, will show contrary results.
We have reverses in the field of fuels until the middle of next year, there will not be large amounts in the field of rubber. The Renn-process in the field of ores is having great difficulties.
If we now shout out our decision abroad to make ourselves economically independent, then we cut our own throats, because we can no longer survive the necessary transitory period.
Also, it must always be pointed out that German materials are at present much too expensive to be used for export, and export alone makes further armament possible.
If the food-basis of the people is not to be endangered, the Fuehrer must refrain from his plan.
President Schacht concluded that he again requests urgently to listen to this warning, and that he forwards it to the minister of war, as he will not participate in to-morrow's conference.
Thomas 2/9 [in blue pencil]
[Translator's note: the following is written in pencil in the original:]
_THOMAS in his memorandum:_
The missing million in cash must be saved, since there is no more possibility to obtain it by increase of export.
English armament-ore! Our own procurement is a _must_.
_4 Year Plan without_ antagonizing foreign countries.
Card file? Speed of armament? Yes--
Extent of armament not sufficient. Backing by foreign exchange and raw materials is absolutely necessary.
* * * * *
Top Secret [rubber stamp] 1st copy 5 Sept 1936 Wi II File No 66 b 9910 II z-a
_Minutes on a Conference in the Reichministry for Economy on 3 Sept 1936_
} Reichministry Chairman: Ministerialdirektor Sarnow } for Economy Present: Ministerialdirektor Dr. Landwehr } and the competent Ministerialdirigent Dr. Spitta } experts of Oberregierungsrat Dr. Michals } the Reichministry } for Economy } and the supervisory } agencies Major Czimatis Commander Griebel } Reichministry Regierungsbaurat Wissman } of War, W.A. Intendanturrat Nierhoff Reichministry of War, V.A. Lt.Col. Ploch } Reichministry for Air and Col. Witting } Supreme Commander of the Dipl.ing. Bresser } Air Force Gen.Direktor Schirner, } combined alum. plants } Dr. Westrick, combined } Only during the conference alum. plants } on aluminum Dir. Byer, Alum. Sales } Corp. }
_Subject_:
I. Possibilities of allotment of foreign exchange to the armed forces and economy.
II. Aluminum supply.
I. After extensive study of the connected disadvantages, the Reichministry for economy has dropped the principle that one could desist from exporting all products with more than 40% foreign raw materials. Therefore an additional need for foreign exchange results for the upkeep of the export of 2 million marks with the supervisory board for base metals. Furthermore the allotment of cash foreign exchange to the supervisory board for bast fibres must be increased from 10 million marks to 17 million marks.
Intendanturrat Nierhoff made reports on the need of the Armed Forces of textiles and leather in the year 1937, which has increased considerably from the requirements of the year 1936 (see inclosure). To fulfill these Armed Forces requirements, cash foreign exchange is necessary in the following amounts:
------------------------------+------------------------------------- | Additional Armed Forces requirements Group of goods | of cash foreign exchange in millions | of marks ------------------------------+------------------------------------- 1. Wool | 24 shredded wool [Reisswolle] | 3 mohair wool | 0.75 | 2. silk | 0.55 | 3. bast fibres | 0.25 | 4. cotton | 4 | 5. leather | 22.5 | ----- Total | 55.00 ------------------------------+-------------------------------------
Accordingly, the following overall picture results:
Amount of cash foreign exchange necessary previously for the upkeep of economy and for the covering of requirements of the Armed Forces. _146.8 million marks_
Amount of cash foreign necessary for the upkeep of export. _248 million marks_
Additional requirement of cash foreign exchange necessary for the Armed Forces. _146.8 million marks_
Available amount of cash foreign exchange _140 million marks_.
II. Aluminum
Report on the requirements of aluminum for the Armed Forces are contained in the summary given to the Reichministry for Economy on 29 Aug.
Major Czimatis explained that the Reichministry of War did not renounce the limitations of the allotments of aluminum to the general industry, as it was said in the letter of the Reichministry for Economy of 21 Aug 1936, but that the demands for full delivery to the Armed forces for the programatic rearmament, especially for the Air Force, will be kept up.
The Reichministry for Economy considers the full delivery to industry urgently necessary also in the interest of the Armed Forces, since by a "strangulation" installations important to the Armed Forces (power issues) would also be affected immediately, and one could therefore count on an increased requirement of copper and thus of foreign exchange.
The administration of aluminum by the supervisory board for base metals is being absolutely refused by the Reichministry for Economy.
Generaldirektor Schirner reports that the negotiations for the import of 1000 tons of aluminum from Switzerland against delivery of German clay and pitch-coke are favorable. Also, the payment of processing wages is to be done with clay. However, the import of these 1000 tons is distributed over 6 to 7 months.
1000 tons more can be obtained in a comparatively short time from the Aluminum Ltd. from Canada. The negotiations for this are still in process.
Schirner reported that the stocks of aluminum in the plants is so high that he, in case the Reichministry for Air should agree to a temporary decrease of the stocks, could guarantee full delivery for both the Armed Forces and Industry until the opening of the new plants in Toging and Bitterfeld.
Lt. Col. Ploch consents that the stocks be decreased temporarily.
The Reichministry for Economy orders that the supervisory board for base metals first determine by revision the exact size of the stocks of aluminum for the Duren Metal works and the combined Light Metal works [Vereinigten leicht Metall Werke].
However, if difficulties should arise in the delivery to the Armed Forces with aluminum, then the Reichministry for Economy is ready to take up negotiations again.
MW [initials in pencil]
* * * * *
Inclosure
Textile and Leather Requirements of the Armed Forces
------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+------------- | | |Required | | |additional |Requirement|Requirement|cash foreign Raw materials |in the year|in the year|exchange |1936 in |1937 in |requirements |tons |tons |in millions | | |of marks ------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+------------- Sheared wool | 7 200| 18 152| 24 | | | Wool scrap [Reisswolle] | 1 040| 4 900| 3 | | | Combings | 11| 42| - | | | Mohair wool | -| 260| 0.75 | | | Wool from tanned hides | | | [Gerberwolle] | 761| 1 236| - | | | Silk | 23| 72| 0.5 | | | Cocoons[4] | 72| 72| - | | | Silk yarns[4] | 48| 48| - | | | Cotton of which quality cotton | 8 600| 16 200| Portiers and shelter halves (Egypt) | |about 4 000| 4 | | | Cotton scraps | 560| 835| - | | | Artificial silk | 310| 670| - | | | Cellulose wool | 1 080| 3 130| - | | | Cleaned flax [Schwingflachs] | 3 600| 4 800| - | | | Flax scrap | 7 070| 10 500| - | | | Jute | 2 100| 2 100| - | | | Soft hemp and hard fibers | 1 100| 1 635| 0.25[5] of which hard fiber | | about 200 | | | | Sleek leather | 11 000| 24 000| | | | Skins for uppers | 7 100| 13 900| | | | Tanned leather | | 4 100| ---- | | | Leather for soles | | 9 500| 22.5[6] | | | | | | Total 55.00 ------------------------------------+-----------+-----------+-------------
[Footnote 4: figures by Reichministry for air]
[Footnote 5: for 400 tons soft hemp and 200 tons Manila and Sisal]
[Footnote 6: for 22 500 tons hides corresponding to 11 200 tons leather]
It must be considered in the calculation of the foreign exchange requirements for the upkeep of the export of woolen goods, that the wool industry cannot stand more than a 10% decrease of the present amount, if it is to retain its export capability. Instead of Australian wool, one must reach back to about 50% of the available South-African wool for exports. The wool available through the limitations of value of the clearing agreement is entirely used for export. The calculated amount of foreign exchange and the most urgent requirement within Germany of 12 million marks only applies under the condition that there are until the end of September still 2 million marks in cash foreign exchange available.
One can count for the requirement of the Armed Forces on an amount of 10,000 tons raw wool, based on existing agreement. 24 million marks in cash foreign exchange are required for the additional amount of 8,152 tons with the price basis of 3,000-marks per ton.
Intendanturrat Nierhoff explained: that a decrease of the demands for quality for the Armed Forces is no longer bearable. Already 20% cellulose wool is being earmarked for uniform cloths, and a mixing of 30% scrap wool for over-coats.
The amount of foreign exchange of 4 million marks for quality cotton is therefore necessary, because one cannot count any more on the hitherto existing compensating transactions--especially with Egypt after circular 237.
The amount of foreign exchange estimated for export of 17 million marks for the supervisory board for bast fibres is distributed as follows:
10 million marks for jute 6 million marks for Sisal 1 million marks for Manila
The production of hides in Germany is reported as 140,000 tons per year. Even with the basis that the consumption of leather within Germany is decreased to a minimum, the 22,500 ton hides, corresponding to 11,200 tons leather for the Armed Forces, can only be procured with cash foreign exchange (22.5 million marks).
The raw hide requirement has been determined individually with consideration for the time required to tan the individual types of leather.
* * * * *
[in pencil] Top Secret!
Conference at General Field Marshal Goering's at 1000, 14 Oct. 38, in the Reich Air Ministry
[in pencil] attention H.G.
General Field Marshal Goering opened the session by declaring that he intended to give directives about the work for the next months. Everybody knows from the press what the world situation looks like and therefore the Fuehrer has issued an order to him to carry out a gigantic program compared to which previous achievements are insignificant. There are difficulties in the way which he will overcome with utmost energy and ruthlessness.
The amount of foreign exchange has completely dwindled on account of the preparation for the Czech enterprise, and this makes it necessary that it should be strongly increased immediately. Furthermore, the foreign credits have been greatly over-drawn and thus the strongest export activity--stronger than up to now--is in the foreground. For the next weeks an increased export was first priority in order to improve the foreign exchange situation. The Reich Ministry for Economy _should make_ a plan about raising the export activity by pushing aside the current difficulties which prevent export.
These gains made through the export are to be used for increased armament. The armament should not be curtailed by the export activity. He received the order from the Fuehrer to increase the armament to an abnormal extent, the air force having first priority. Within the shortest time the air force is to be increased five fold, also the navy should get armed more rapidly and the army should procure large amounts of offensive weapons at a faster rate, particularly heavy artillery pieces and heavy tanks. Along with this manufactured armaments must go; especially fuel, powder and explosives are moved into the foreground. It should be coupled with the accelerated construction of highways, canals, and particularly of the railroads.
To this comes the Four Years' Plan which is to be reorganized according to 2 points of view.
In the Four Years' Plan in 1st place all the constructions which are in the service of armament are to be promoted and in 2nd place all the installations are to be created which really spare foreign exchange.
The substitutes produced by the Four Years' Plan are to be brought rapidly into circulation. The Reich Ministry for Economy and the other agencies should make suggestions by the beginning of November for rapidly increasing the introduction of the substitutes. The import of materials for which we have substitutes has to be drastically curtailed.
General Field Marshal Goering enlarged then upon the main problem of the session: how can these requirements be fulfilled.
He is faced with unheard difficulties. The treasury is empty, the industrial capacity is crammed with orders for many years. In spite of these difficulties he is going to change the situation under all circumstances. Memoranda were of no help, he desires only positive proposals. If necessary, he is going to convert the economy with brutal methods in order to achieve his aim. The time has come when private enterprise can show whether it has a right for continued existence. If it fails, he is going over to state enterprise without any regard. He is going to make barbaric use of his plenipotentiary power which was given to him by the Fuehrer.
All the wishes and plans of the state, party and other agencies which are not entirely in this line have to be rejected without pity. Also the ideological problems cannot be solved now, there will be time for them later. He urgently cautions against making promises to the workers which can not be kept by him. The wishes of the labor front recede entirely into the background. Industry has to be fully converted. An immediate investigation of all productive plants is to be initiated in order to determine whether they can be converted for armament and export or whether they are to be closed down. The problem of the machine industry has the first consideration in this respect. There is no place for printing and laundry machines and other machines of that kind, they all have to produce machine tools. In the field of machine tools the priorities of the orders are to be investigated, and wherever possible, increase in productive capacity is to be introduced. It follows without saying that work has to be conducted in 3 shifts.
It remains now to decide who is going to carry out this task; the state of the self-administrative industry. He requested a proposal from General Director Zangen for the methods to realize these plans. He warns all agencies, particularly the labor front, price controller, etc., from interfering with these proposals in any way. He is going to proceed ruthlessly against every interference on the part of the Labor Front. The Labor Front would not receive raw materials and workers for its tasks any more. Similarly all other party requirements have to be set aside without consideration. Foreign workers can continue being employed except in the particularly secret sections of the enterprise. At the present time the plants should not be burdened with unnecessary demands, such as athletic fields, casinos or similar desires of the Labor Front. Measures proposed by the Labor Front have to be submitted to him for approval.
Raw materials and power are to be subjected to accurate management. Similarly the distribution of men has to be organized in an entirely different way than it has been done until now. The retraining did not function; all agencies failed. The recommitment of the youth into the industry will be organized by him on a very large scale. Large state apprenticeships are to be created; besides, the plants will be obliged to hire a certain number of apprentices. A retraining of hundreds of thousands of people will have to take place. Much more work will have to be performed by women than until now. Above all, the young women have to be employed much more. Work periods of eight hours do not exist any more; wherever necessary, overtime is to be performed, double and triple shifts are a matter of course. Where the workers will protest, as in Austria, for example, General Field Marshal Goering will proceed with forced labor; he will create camps for forced labor. The Labor Front should not carry false social ideas among the workers. It is a fact that one generation has driven the cart into the mud through the mutiny of the workers and by being guilty of not having shot these workers on the spot. Therefore, we had to put the thing in order again.
Much is to be done at once in the field of transportation. The Ministry for Transportation should submit a request about the construction of rolling stock and about other requirements. The branch-canal near the Hermann Goering Works is particularly important. It cannot continue that the Armed Forces interfere with the car park. If that will continue, he will make a decision, because it is impossible that the people should starve on account of it.
In the agriculture it is of importance to employ foreign workers. Similarly the problem of the agricultural machine has to be promoted. Of particular importance is the erection of store-houses.
The Sudeten land has to be exploited with all the means. General Field Marshal Goering counts upon a complete industrial assimilation of Slovakia. Czechia and Slovakia would become German dominions. Everything possible must be taken out. The Oder-Danube Canal has to be speeded up. Searches for oil and ore have to be conducted in Slovakia, notably by State Secretary Keppler.
In the second part of his discussion General Field Marshal Goering took up the Jewish problem. The Jewish problem had to be tackled now with all methods, because they have to get out of the economy. However, the wild bustle of commissars as it developed in Austria has to be prevented under all circumstances. These wild actions have to cease and the settling of the Jewish problem should not be regarded as a system of providing for inefficient party members. Thereupon Ministry Councillor Fischboeck was allowed to speak. He revealed that in the beginning there were 25,000 commissars in Austria. Today there are still 3,500 who are useless almost without exception. In Austria the party is of the opinion that Aryanization is a duty of the party and that it is connected with the recompensation of the old party members.
In Austria there is still a total of 2 billions of Jewish property. The large enterprises are being bought up by the Control Bank; it is difficult to oust the Jews from the small industrial enterprises.
General Field Marshal Goering took a strong stand against the opinion that the Aryanization is the duty of the party. It is the duty of the State alone. However, he could not release foreign exchange for shipping away the Jews. In an emergency situation ghettos should be erected in the individual large cities.
State Councillor Schmeer cautioned against more lenient methods in the fight against the Jews; Jewish labor units should be established, then the people would emigrate of their own accord. State Councillor Neumann warned and expressed the opinion that one should use more precaution in this matter, particularly in Austria.
Thereupon the meeting was quite surprisingly closed by General Field Marshal Goering without recording the minutes of the meeting or making decisions.
HG.
* * * * *
Material for the Conference with Goering on 25 Nov 1938 (General Keitel, Brig. Gen. Thomas)
27 Oct 1938 W.Wi Id.
For the consideration of the assignment of tasks to people, state and the Armed Forces, judging of the requirements of raw materials, especially steel, appears necessary.
This is shown as follows, as far as it can be judged from here. The inclosed summary shows that one must count, according to the Fuehrer's directives, on a steel requirement for armament production, which amounts to 1.08 million tons monthly from 1 Jan 1939 on, that is, it must be increased by about 48% of the present contingent. Added to this requirement are the increased demands of the Four Years' Plan, the demands of export and the amount necessary for the upkeep of the production machine of German economy in the amount of 1.83 million tons monthly from 1 Jan 1939 on; thus this results in a total requirement of 2.9 million tons monthly from 1 Jan 1939 on, against which there is only a monthly production of at present 1.8 million tons monthly.
Furthermore, it must be pointed out, that with the increased use of steel, an increased use of the already scarce non-ferrous metals is necessarily coupled; the latter also are closely associated with the procurement of foreign exchange.
The increased rearmament of the armed forces must further affect deeply the supply requirements of the armed forces, especially munitions and fuels. Therefore, it must be expected that the future requirements of the armed forces will exceed the present plans (accelerated program for powder and explosives, fuel program), which will have an increase of the steel requirements not yet planned as result.
* * * * *
Secret
Summary of the Iron and Steel Requirements of the Armed Forces and Industry tons per month
---------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------- | | | |in contrast to | Contingent | Contingent |Requirement |the contingent |of the IVth | of the 1st | from 1 Jan | of 1st |quarter 1938|quarter 1939| 1939 on | quarter 1939 ---------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------- | | | | I. Armed Forces | 584,333 | 573,133 | 1,088,300 | --515,167 | | | | II. War economical | | | | organization of | | | | German industry | 306,600 | 306,600 | 613,500 | --306,900 | | | | III. Export in case | | | | it is possible to | | | | reach the stage of | | | | beginning of 1938 | 380,000 | 380,000 | 550,000 | --170,000 | | | | IV. Upkeep of the | | | | production machine | | | | of the German | 582,800 | 582,800 | 582,800 | ---- industry | | | | | | | | V. Other requirements| 83,500 | 83,500 | 83,500 | ---- | | | | Total | 1,937,233 | 1,926,033 | 2,918,100 | --992,067 ---------------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------
Summary on the Iron and Steel Requirement of the Armed Forces (tons per months)
---------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------- | | | |in contrast to | Contingent | Contingent |Requirement |the contingent |of the IVth |of the 1st |from 1 Jan |of 1st |quarter 1938|quarter 1939| 1939 on |quarter 1939 ---------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------- Army | 300 367 | 266 000 | 525 000 | --259 000 (For fortifications) | (86 667) | (85 000) | (165 000) | (--80 000) | | | | Navy | 78 000 | 74 000 | 140 500 | --66 500 (For "Gruenewiese") | (- - -) | ( - ) | (35 000) | (--35 000) | | | | Air Force | 166 400 | 191 133 | 247 300 | --56 187 (For fortifications) | (13 333) | (15 000) | (15 000) | ( - ) | | | | Reich communication | | | | measures | 39 566 | 42 000 | 175 500 | --133 500 [RV-Massnahmen] | | | | | | | | (For increased | | | | extension of the | | | | Reich railroad) | | | | | (- - -) | ( - ) | 130 000 | (--130 000) | | | | Armed Forces | | | | Total | 584 333 | 573 133 | 1 088 300 | --515 167 -------------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------
Chief OKW _58a 40 38 top secret_ 1157/38 top secret 7 Dec 1938 Top Secret 7 copies 7th copy [in pencil] To the State Secretary Neumann Received copy without receipt K. 12 Dec 38 Documents for the conference at Field Marshal Goering's on 13 Dec 1938 with Supreme Commanders General Keitel, Neumann, Koerner, Gen. Thomas.
To the Supreme Commander of the Army } the Supreme Commander of the Navy } the Reichs Marshal of the Air Force and } one copy each Supreme Commander of the Air Force }
The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces authorized me to inform the Supreme Commander of the following:
The strained financial situation of the Reich makes it necessary that for the rest of the current fiscal year 38/39 the expenses of the Armed Forces, which in the last months under the strain of extraordinary circumstances have undergone a very considerable increase, should be lowered again to a level which would be tolerable for some time.
It will be at the discretion of the Supreme Commander to decide what measures should be taken for this purpose according to the priorities in the armament program. According to the Fuehrer's request.
ARMY
The equipping with arms will have first priority, the providing of ammunition and the building of fortifications for the army will be considered in second place only.
NAVY
The building of ships, of ports and docks will have first priority over all other requirements, also over that of providing ammunition.
AIR FORCE
The equipping with arms will have first priority, the providing of ammunition will have to be considered in second place only.
If necessary, the initiation of new enterprises will have to be delayed, the execution of current enterprises and orders will have to be distributed over a longer period of time. The allotted quota of raw materials which will be decreased starting 1 Jan 39, will also compel us to a certain extent to do this. It has to be achieved that
in the _Army_ in the _Navy_ in the _Air Force_
during the period from 1 November 1938 to 31 March 1939 (end of the fiscal year) not more than
(_Army_): 3.7 billion RM (used until now 4.9) (_Navy_): 650 million RM (_Air Force_): 2.5 billion RM
should be expended in the form of cash and delivery treasury scrips.
It is not yet definitely established how much can be allotted for the next fiscal year 1939/40 in the form of cash and delivery scrips. At present, the branches of the Armed Forces cannot expect greater quotas than the following:
5.2 billion RM for the Army 1.4 billion RM for the Navy 4.9 billion RM for the Air Force
signed: Keitel
* * * * *
W H _58 a 40 38 g K_ 1157/38 g K Top Secret Copy for information [illegible signature] to the Chief of the Air Force the Chief of the W Stb Chief of the War Industry Staff Adjutant 1 March 1939 Draft To the adjutant's office of General Field Marshal Goering.
On behalf of Brig. Gen. Thomas I request an appointment for a conference for the general before the departure of the General Field Marshal on following urgent subjects:
1. The branches of the Armed Forces--particularly the Navy--submitted requests for additional amounts of non-ferrous metals and of steel. General Thomas requests instructions what attitude he should take in regard to this question during the absence of the General Field Marshal.
2. The General Field Marshal has to make decisions in 2 matters concerning foreign policy.
[signature illegible] Captain.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1316-PS
Working Committee Oldenburg B.Nr. 15/41 g.Kdos. 21.3.41 _2 copies_ 1st. copy.
TOP SECRET _Note for Files._
Regarding the discussion held on the 21.3.41. at 11 o'clock with the head of the department.
Top Secret
Present: General Thomas, Colonel Huenermann, Lt. Col. Luther, Major v. Gusevius.
From the Quartermaster General: Major v. Altenstadt, Min. Dir. Sarnow.
_Major v. a._ develops the idea of the Quartermaster General regarding the employment of his organization. The Fuehrer had laid down that he would appoint his three commissioners in about four weeks time. Only then would he lay down the directives for their activities.
The Quartermaster General thinks it necessary to create a modest economic organization in the operational area as well, so as to be able to supply the needs of the fighting forces. This organization would later be replaced by the office of the industrial armaments organization. This was to a certain extent a measure of self-help by the Quartermaster General. He would also employ field-commands, which would be manned by individual officials. As soon as the operational area has moved on, the handing over of large areas has been planned. At this time the Quartermaster General's organizations will be withdrawn and their tasks will be taken over by the industrial armaments organization.
Regarding the present organization of the areas he mentioned the following:
_Operational Area_: Army area Rear area of the Army _Political Area_: in which the Wehrmacht commanders operate.
In the rear area of the army, the Reichsleader of the SS is first of all responsible for the entire control, except for the economic field. The Wehrmacht commanders are made responsible for the exploitation of the country's industry. According to the general interpretation, this only means a utilization "for purposes of the Wehrmacht". Quartermaster General makes the following proposal:
The department IV-Wi at Army Commands will be enlarged, so that they are able to direct industry in the operational area. For this purpose the V.O. are to be strengthened by suitable personnel who can be employed in the spheres of banking, customs and finance.
OKW/industrial armaments department will put its demands to Quartermaster General. Quartermaster General will pass these demands in the form of an order to the V.O. at Army Commands. The IV Wi will of course receive the technical instructions from Industrial Armaments through the official channels, just as Industrial Armaments is also providing the organization in the form of IV Wi.
The proposal meets with general approval.
With regard to basic directives the representative of the Quartermaster General mentions:
Each army is followed by a security division. For reasons of expediency the industrial armaments commands in the beginning will be attached to these security divisions. As soon as operations have made further progress, the industrial armaments commands will come under the Wehrmacht commanders.
The Quartermaster General thinks it expedient, that the industrial armament Staff should be near to or actually with the Quartermaster General whilst operations are in progress. Only thus can it be guaranteed that the Industrial Armament Staff is kept informed of the progress of the operations as a whole, and of the intentions of the leadership. As soon as operations cease, the Industrial Armaments Staff will join the Industrial Armaments Department, as the inspectorates (with the Reich Commissioners) will then be operating as their economic department. The main activity of the Industrial Armaments Staff will then be properly in Berlin.
The Quartermaster General does not intend to create a Quartermaster General organization for the East. He will attach a General Staff Officer as representative to each Army Group. The Quartermaster General intends to go forward in person.
_Min. Dir. Sarnow_ mentions that there is in existence an agricultural atlas of Russia which contains the latest information about all tractor stations. This atlas is in the possession of Secretary of State Backe. Acquaintance with this atlas is of the greatest importance for the V.O. and the industrial armaments commands. General Thomas orders that this atlas be obtained. On the basis of this publication the Quartermaster General is to receive information on how to supply the fighting forces with circulars containing detailed instructions regarding the armaments department to provide the Quartermaster General with the contributions required for compiling these circulars for the fighting forces. The Quartermaster General's representative mentions that it is intended to attach suitable individuals for the securing of these tractor stations to the armoured divisions.
In these circulars the primary demand made on the fighting forces will be:
a. Securing of all supplies found.
b. Safeguarding of all tractors and fuel in stock.
_Quartermaster General_ states that Admiral Canaris has drawn up a list of reliable people with detailed knowledge of the locality and industry, who are to be employed immediately on entry. For the occupation of East-Galicia, special oil-detachments are to be provided, where possible from the present West-Galicia, to take over supervision of the oil installations in the district of Lemberg immediately.
_The Chief of the department_ sums up:
1. The most urgent task is the strengthening of IV Wi. The staff of the industrial armaments command takes over the responsibility for this.
2. In the rear of the army area it is the intention to appoint a commanding general in the area of each Army Command, under whose command the security divisions will also be placed. Here in the industrial armaments commands are to be introduced and attached to the security divisions. As soon as this rear army area passes into the political area, the armament commands, or the industrial armament inspectorates, will come under the command of the Wehrmacht Commander.
3. The Reich Commissioners take over political administration in the so-called political area.
4. The inspectorates and industrial armaments commands furthest to the rear (western) must be the first to be employed, i.e., must be in front. They are the first to reach their final areas.
_Distribution_: _1st. copy_ _2nd. copy_ Staff of the Industrial Armaments Department Working Committee Oldenburg.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1317-PS
Rue Ic Berlin, March 1, 1941 [stamp] TOP SECRET 5 copies, 1st copy _Re_: _Oldenburg_ Memorandum
_Conference at Office Chief, General of the Infantry Thomas on February 28, 1941_
_Present_: General of the Infantry Thomas Colonel Becht Lt. Col. Luther Lt. Col. Matzky Major von Gusevius Major von Payr Major Huch Captain Emmerich Captain Dr. Hamann
The general ordered that a broader plan of organization be drafted for the Reich Marshal.
Essential Points:
1. The whole organization to be subordinate to the Reich Marshal. _Purpose_: Support and extension of the measures of the four-year plan.
2. The organization must include everything concerning war economy, excepting only food, which is said to be made already a special mission of State Secretary Backe.
3. Clear statement that _the organization is to be independent of the military or civil administration_. Close cooperation, but instructions direct from the central office in Berlin.
4. Scope of activities to be divided in two steps:
a. Accompanying the advancing troops directly behind the front lines, in order to avoid the destruction of supplies and to secure the removal of important goods.
b. Administration of the occupied industrial districts and exploitation of economically complimentary districts.
5. In view of the extended field of activity, the term _war economy_ inspection is to be used preferably, instead of armament inspection.
6. In view of the great field of activity, the organization must be generously equipped and personnel must be correspondingly numerous.
_The main mission of the organization_ will consist of _seizing raw materials_ and _taking over all important concerns_. For the latter mission reliable persons from German concerns will be interposed suitably from the beginning, since successful operation from the beginning can only be performed by the aid of their experiences (for example, lignite, ore, chemistry, petroleum).
After the discussion of further details, Lt. Col. Luther was instructed to make an initial draft of such an organization within one week.
Close cooperation with the individual sections in the building is essential. An Officer must still be appointed for Wi. and Ro, with whom the operational staff can remain in constant contact. Wi is to give each section chief and Lt. Col. Luther a copy of the new plan regarding Russia.
Major General Schubert is to be asked to be in Berlin the second half of next week. Also, the 4 officers who are ordered to draw up the individual armament inspections are to report to the Office Chief at the end of next week.
(signed) Hamann _Distribution_: Staff 1st Copy Rue 2nd Copy Lt. Col. Luther 3rd Copy Planning 4th Copy Supply 5th Copy
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1337-PS
_Decree setting up Secret Cabinet Council 4 February 1938_
Reichsgesetzblatt, 1938, Part I, page 112.
For my guidance in the conduct of Foreign Policy, I am creating a Secret Cabinet Council.
I nominate as President of the Secret Cabinet Council:
Reichsminister Freiherr von Neurath.
I appoint as members of the Secret Cabinet;
The Foreign Minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop,
The President of Prussia, Minister for Air and the Air Force, Field Marshal Herman Goering,
The Deputy of the Fuehrer, Rudolf Hess,
The Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda, Dr. Joseph Goebbels,
The Minister and Head of the Reich Chancellory, Dr. Hans Heinrich Lammers,
The Supreme Commander of the Army, Col. Gen. Walther v Brauchitsch,
The Supreme Commander of the Navy, Admiral Dr. L.C. Erich Raeder,
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General of the Artillery, Wilhelm Keitel,
The Reichsminister and Head of the Reichschancellery will conduct the current business of the Secret Cabinet Council.
Berlin, 4th February 1938. Fuehrer and Reichchancellor, ADOLF HITLER. Reichsminister and Head of Reichschancellery Dr. LAMMERS.
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1347-PS
The Reich Minister for Nutrition and Agriculture Berlin W 8, Wilhelmstr. 72. 18 September 1942.
To the State Governments [Landesregierungen] (State Nutrition offices) the Prussian Provincial Presidents (provincial nutrition offices) with the exception of the Eastern territories not incorporated into Upper Silesia.
For information of the district presidents [Regierungspraesidenten] and respective authorities
Re: food supply for Jews.
* * * * *
2. Rations.
Jews will no longer receive the following foods, beginning with the 42nd distribution period (19 October 1942): meat, meat products, eggs, wheat products (cake, white bread, wheat rolls, wheat flour, etc) whole milk, fresh skimmed milk, as well as such foods are distributed not on food ration cards issued uniformly throughout the Reich but on local supply certificates or by special announcement of the nutrition offices on extra coupons of the food cards. Jewish children and young people over 10 years of age will receive the bread ration of the normal consumer. Jewish children and young people over 6 years of age will receive the fat ration of the normal consumer, no honey substitute and no cocoa powder, and they will not receive the supplement of marmalade accorded the age classes of 6 to 14 years. Jewish children up to 6 years receive 1/2 liter of fresh skimmed milk daily.
Accordingly no meat, egg or milk cards and no local supply certificates shall be issued to Jews. Jewish children and young people over 10 years of age will receive the bread cards and those over 6 years of age the fat cards of the normal consumer. The bread cards issued to Jews will entitle them to rye flour products only. Jewish children under 6 years of age shall be issued the supply certificate for fresh skimmed milk. "Good for 1/2 liter daily" shall be noted on it.
Jews cannot be self-providers in the sense of any decrees.
3. Regulation for sick persons, etc.
The regulations for sick and infirm persons, expectant and nursing mothers and women in childbed do not apply to Jews.
The regulations of this decree apply also to Jewish inmates of hospitals.
4. Special allotments.
Jews are excluded from special allotments.
5. Exchange of food cards for travel and restaurant coupons.
The exchange of food cards for travel and restaurant coupons may be allowed to Jews only in urgent exceptional cases.
6. Ration-free food.
For the purchase of non-rationed food the Jews are not subject to restrictions as long as these products are available to the Aryan population in sufficient quantities. Ration-free foods which are distributed only from time to time and in limited quantities, such as vegetable and herring salad, fish paste, etc., are not to be given to Jews. The nutrition offices are authorized to permit Jews to purchase turnips, plain kind of cabbage etc.
7. Marking of ration cards.
Ration cards issued to Jews shall be printed over diagonally (i.e. over all individual coupons) with the repeated over-print "Jew". A color in contrast to the basic color of the cards shall be chosen for this. Cards and coupons overprinted "Jew" do not entitle the bearer to special allotments. Cancellation of these coupons before issue of the cards is therefore not necessary.
8. Special shopping time for Jews.
In order to avoid inconveniences in the supply of the Aryan population, it is recommended that the nutrition authorities establish special shopping times for Jews.
9. Food gift parcels for Jews.
The nutrition offices have to charge in full against the rations of the received all gift food parcels from abroad addressed to Jews. Should it be products which are rationed but not regularly distributed (such as coffee, cocoa, tea, etc.) the entire shipment or in case of a delayed report on the receipt of the package, the still unused part--will be made available to big consumers, such as hospitals and will be charged against their rations.
In the decree of 29 April 1941, of which a copy is enclosed, the Reich Minister of Finance instructed the Customs Offices to report weekly to the competent nutrition offices all gift packages, regardless of the quantity of the incoming merchandise, when it is known or can suspect that the receiver is a Jew. In case the report of the Customs Office to the nutrition office is delayed until the food received in the gift package is consumed, it can still be charged against their rations.
Insofar as the State Police Offices are informed of these food parcels from abroad addressed to Jews, they will secure the packages and put them at the disposal of the nutrition offices [Ernaehrungs-Aemter].
For the Secretary of State Reicke
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1352-PS
COPY
The Leader of the Central Landoffice for the Reichfuehrer SS
Reich Commissioner for the Strengthening of German Nationalism
Berlin NW7, May 29, 1940 Friedrichstrasse 110-112 Tel. 42 38 62 _Az. K Al_
Subject: Report on the confiscations in the Bielitz District of May 22, 1940
Ref: Your letter of May 22, 1940, Br./Schl. to the Silesian Land Office
_Kattowitz_ Bernhardstrasse 49
I have repeatedly pointed out to you that the Land Office is to concern itself exclusively with the tasks outlined in the Service Directive of Feb. 1, 1940. In accordance with this, the Land Office, in the case under discussion, is also to restrict itself to the seizure and proposal for confiscation of Polish or Jewish private agriculture enterprises that are needed in consequence of the construction of the concentration camp. I forbid you any participation in measures going beyond this and their preparation, such as, more or less, the evacuation, management or reoccupation of the enterprises concerned as well as the accommodation elsewhere of the Polish farm owners. In the same way, the Land Office is to do nothing further regarding the Bielitz district villages named in the report than to undertake the seizure of the Polish and Jewish agriculture enterprises and to propose their confiscation to the State Police. Arrangements which according to the Land Office report have been found too sweeping are in every case to be revoked immediately, in consideration of their invalidity I again point out that as against the other Land Offices, the Silesian Land Office has the poorest results to show in connection with seizures.
Signed: W Baron von Holzschuher, SS Group Leader Certified a true copy Signed: signature Administrative Leader. (L.S.)
* * * * *
Ku/Ni Kattowitz, May 22, 1940 SECRET
_Report on Details of the confiscation in the Bielitz country_
Some days ago the commandant of the concentration camp being built at Auschwitz spoke at Staff Leader Mueller's and we requested support for the carrying out of his assignments. He said that it was absolutely necessary to confiscate the agriculture enterprises within a certain area around the concentration camp, since not only the fields but also the farm houses of these border directly on the concentration camp. A local inspection held on the 21st of this month revealed the following: There is no room for doubt that the agriculture enterprises bordering on the concentration camp must be confiscated at once. Further than this, the camp commandant requests that further plots of farm land be placed at his disposal, so that he can keep the prisoners busy. This too can be done without further delay since enough land can be made available for the purpose. The owners of the plots are all Poles.
The following agreements have been reached by me with the Camp Commandant and the proper measures prepared. The Director of the Branch agency in Bielitz will immediately determine the names of the Polish farmers and will also divide the land to be confiscated into zones.
Zone 1. Enterprises whose plots border directly on the camp.
Zone 2. Agricultural plots with enterprises which are placed at the disposal of the camp for the employment of the prisoners, namely for about 2000 prisoners for the time being.
Zone 3. As in zone 2, with the only difference, that the number of prisoners has increased considerably. Zones 4 and 5 follow them. In the last case it must be determined to what extent it is possible to put that kind of terrain at the disposal of the camp. The result for Zone I must be known within a few days, in order to enable the Land office in Kattowitz to start the confiscation procedures. It will be necessary to state the size of the families whose enterprises have been confiscated, even giving age and sex.
I had the following discussion with the head of the labor-office in Bielitz.
The lack of agricultural laborers still exists in the old Reich. The transfer of the previous owners of the confiscated enterprises, together with their entire families, to the Reich is possible without any further consideration. It is only necessary for the labor office to receive the lists of the persons in time, in order to enable it to take the necessary steps (collection of transportation, distribution over the various regions in need of such labor). Furniture cannot be taken along under any circumstances in the course of the confiscation, the only things left to the Poles, were, anyway, only the most vital items, like bedding, ample food, clothes and other such things.
If the confiscation takes place the Poles will be billeted by the labor office in barracks, put at its disposal by the camp commandant, until their deportation. The deportation of the Poles of further zones will follow along the same lines.
This matter has already been discussed in its outlines with the agricultural management (Ruppert). A farmer will be appointed by the Association of Agricultural Management, who will supervise the agricultural labor of the prisoners at the agricultural enterprises and who, naturally, will carry the sole responsibility for the agricultural measures, which he alone determines.
As soon as the preparatory measures are finished, a meeting will be called on the spot, next week, with the participation of the agricultural management, in order to clear up and determine completely everything that might be necessary. The chief of the Branch Agency Bielitz has been ordered to report on Thursday the 23rd of this month to this office, in order to receive the necessary instructions.
Moreover, I have reached the following agreement with the camp commandant: As there are a number of villages in the district of Bielitz, which contain racial-German [Volksdeutsche] farmers, the existing Poles must be sheltered in those villages in the very near future as quickly as possible, in order to realize a quick consolidation of German folkdom [Volkstume]. The Poles of the confiscated enterprises are taken by the concentration camps then, but not as prisoners [Haeftlinge], rather until the Labor Office Bielitz has turned them over to the Reich as farm laborers.
The following villages are to be considered for the time being: Alzen, Ernstdorf, Batzdorf, Lomnitz.
I have already spoken with the mayor of Alzen, and he will collect all the Poles who possess agricultural property by Saturday, 25th of this month, and submit the list to the Branch Agency Bielitz. The Chief of the Branch Agency Bielitz is requested to get that list personally.
The confiscation of those Polish enterprises in Alzen will also be carried out within the next few days. The Commandant of the Concentration camp will furnish SS-men and a truck for the execution of the action. Should it not yet be possible to take the Poles from Alzen to Auschwitz, they should be transferred to the empty castle at Zator.
The liberated Polish property is to be given to the needy racial-German farmers for their use. The Chief of the Branch Agency must therefore on Saturday determine, in cooperation with the local authorities, the Germans who can be taken into consideration for that purpose.
The list of the Poles to be turned over to the Reich for agricultural labor is to be handed over to the labor office Bielitz, as quickly as possible. Care is to be taken that the size of the family, etc, is also indicated. The Poles in the other German villages of the district Bielitz, are to be determined in the same manner, in cooperation with the various mayors, in order to enable the office here to prepare the confiscation as quickly as possible. The execution of these measures naturally takes place simultaneously with those at Auschwitz. A discussion with the district-leader, the district head-farmers of the association of agricultural management for Eastern Germany [Kreislandwirt der Ostdeutschen landbewirtschaftungs-Gesellschaft] must of course, take place, before those measures are carried out.
signed: KUSCHE
* * * * *
Ku/Ni CONFIDENTIAL
_Report Re_: Achievement of confiscations of Polish agricultural enterprises with the purpose to transfer the Poles to the Old Reich and to employ them as agricultural workers.
In the Old Reich again and again the complaint can be heard that a shortage of agricultural workers exists, and that it cannot be remedied by any means though Polish farm-workers have been placed at disposal. The employment offices have informed farmers and owners of estates who are looking for workers that it was difficult to get any workers at all from Poland, that the recruiting in the Government-General and also in the Eastern territory was initiated and the Poles who had applied were placed.
A few days ago, the Country Farmers Leader from Neutitschein called on our Office and told us that in his district many lands were still not yet tilled because there is a lack of any workers. The Reich Food Estate has decreed that everyone can procure himself Polish workers in the Eastern territory or in the Government General.
This appears preposterous if one knows that the office of the Higher SS and Police leader as deputy of the Reich commissar for the strengthening of German nationality, Land Office Silesia, cannot perform the confiscations of small and even very small agricultural enterprises for the reason that we do not know where to put the former Polish owners. Until now the work regarding the confiscation of Polish small farms has been limited to racial-German villages. I have already reported on this matter for the county of Blachownia as well as for the county of Bielitz-Biala, in connection with the institution of a concentration camp in Auschwitz.
I have made an arrangement with the Chief of an employment agency to transfer at once for employment into the Old Reich such Poles as agricultural workers who are designated by us.
It is possible without difficulty to accomplish the confiscation of small agricultural enterprises in the villages in which larger agricultural enterprises have been already confiscated and are under the management of the East German Corporation for Agricultural Development. For it is by no means difficult for the larger agricultural estate to manage a few hundred acres, of course consistent with its own character without any particular additional expenses. It is a matter of course that above all Polish arable lands adjacent to the land of the estate should be confiscated and added to the estate for exploitation. Agricultural-technical or other difficulties by no means can occur. _The former owners of Polish farms together with their families will be transferred to the Old Reich by the employment agencies for employment as farm-workers._
In this way many hundred Polish agricultural workers can be placed at the disposal of agriculture in the Old Reich in the shortest and simplest manner. This way the most pressing shortage is removed that is now in a very disagreeable manner felt especially in the root-crop districts.
Besides, the settlers who are still working in the confiscated and formerly settled enterprises and who are superfluous are to be removed into the Old Reich, for until now they were only a burden for the respective enterprise if they are too numerous. In this way, Polish agricultural workers can be made free for the Old Reich.
The confiscations of small enterprises already achieved together with the following transfer of the farmer owners as agricultural workers to the larger estates already in operation have not only brought experience but have proved unequivocably that no difficulties are to be expected. The measures themselves are only a matter of organization, and the success of the measures as proposed by me is based on the good will of cooperation of the other authorities with the office of the Reich Fuehrer-SS as Reich Commissioner for the strengthening of German folkdom. Means of transportation to the railroad can be provided
1. by the enterprises of the East-German Corporation of Agricultural Development
2. by the SS NCO school in Lublinitz and the Concentration Camp of Auschwitz.
These two latter places will also detail the necessary SS-men for the day of the confiscation etc. In case that a place of assembly is necessary for the Polish land-workers who are to be transported into the Reich, for there too sufficient rooms and lodgings can be provided (Kaminiek, Zator Castle, barracks in Auschwitz).
I have already reported on the accomplishment of confiscations in Bielitz county and initiated the necessary measures.
For the purpose of accomplishing further measures proposed by me which envision particularly the supplying of the farms in the Reich with Polish agricultural workers, ask that I be given your consent and the necessary full authority.
(signed) Kusche 5/22/40.
* * * * *
Kattowitz, 16 May 1940. Ku/Ni. CONFIDENTIAL
Report on the accomplishment of confiscations of agricultural enterprises in Blachownia County.
With the scope of responsibility of the Higher SS--and Police leaders as the deputy of the Reichs Commissar for the strengthening of German nationality, Land officer Silesia, a survey was made in Blachownia County since the beginning of April as to how far confiscations of agricultural enterprises in Polish ownership could be accomplished.
Before the outbreak of the war the present county of Blachownia was a part of Czestachowa County (before 1941 this territory belonged to Russian Poland). Only recently, it was decided to incorporate the present county area of Blachownia County into the district of Oppeln. Blachownia is a rather big market-place which in Polish times was even called a Spa.
As the necessary preparations can be considered closed in the following a short survey on the general conditions shall be given as far as they are at present of interest and importance.
At first, contact was made by the Chief of the local agency of the Land Office in Lublinitz, with the local authorities of the Party, the State such as the East German Corporation for Agricultural Development and the Secret State Police, and after a thorough exposition of the aims of the Land Office, excellent state of agreement was reached. Before this the Land Office of Kattowitz had discussions in the same direction regarding the Blachownia County with the higher authorities of the Party and the State District Governor [Regierungspresident], Provincial Governor [Oberpresident], Gauleitung.
The chief of the local agency at Lublinitz had found out that a number of villages exist in Blachownia County the inhabitants of which belong for the greatest part to the German nationality and that particularly in recent years the Polish nationality strongly penetrated into these small ethnic German islands.
Blachownia County comprises about 133,000 inhabitants. Of these, 2,000 can be considered without further ado as ethnic Germans. The number of Jews is estimated at 6,000. 260 villages are combined in 15 greater communities. In 3 of such greater communities to which also the German villages belong, racial German mayors are in office.
1. The greater community Lipie: Mayor Mueller, comprising the racial-German villages of Haukow, Lindow, Natalin and Rosalin,
2. The greater community Scharny-Las: Mayor Lorenz, comprising the racial-German villages of Schwarzwald,
3. The greater community Wrozosowa: Mayor Neugebauer, comprising the racial-German village of Alt-Hutau.
The rest of the communities are Polish throughout and have still an almost pure Polish administration.
To 1. In greater Lipie 20 of the 23 villages are destroyed up to 80%. The ethnic-German families are living in the most primitive conditions, closely compressed into the few dwelling-houses still remaining or into other poorly prepared shelters consisting of destroyed houses even in holes in the ground. The German villages mentioned were founded about 80 years ago by Germans who came mostly from Middle-Silesia (Strehlen, district of Breslau). By hard work they have cleared the woods and created farms.
To 2. The Germans of this village immigrated about 100 years ago from the region of Frankfort on Main and have built up by their own work their economic basis of life.
To 3. In Alt-Hutau, it is a question above all, of Sudeten German-weavers, who immigrated in 1812 from Maehrisch-Truebau. Because of shortage of raw materials for several months the looms have been idle, so that, on account of the cessation of this so necessary opportunity for additional income, the economic situation of these ethnic-Germans is endangered.
In course of time, of course, the Poles also have intruded into these German settlements with the purpose at first to weaken Germanism in its economic existence and finally to drive it out. The agricultural enterprises of the racial-Germans have sizes from 1-1/2 to 5 hectares. In all probability the enterprises have become so small due to
## partitioning and above all to economic pressure from the former Polish
masters.
By the quick advance of the German troops a terrible massacre of the ethnic Germans by the Poles of the Polish soldiery has been prevented. Before the outbreak of the war, the Poles in these German settlements behaved very aggressively against the German nationality and everything was made ready for its destruction during the disorders of war. Even if at the present moment the Poles have become a little more quiet it appears that it concerns only outward appearances. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to bring about a strengthening of the German nationality in the small far advanced German linguistic islands. These ethnic-Germans make the best impressions. For whole decades they have not abandoned their German national culture despite terror and so on, but have confessed firmly and resolutely. Thus for example, the present Mayor Mueller of Natalin has given to German children during the Polish times lessons in reading and writing on Saturday and Sunday because a school for the German minority did not exist. The ethnic-Germans and above all the youth know the German language not only orally but even by the written word.
In order to break down the Polish nationality most quickly in the German villages, the Polish agricultural enterprises were confiscated. Therewith it has to be remarked further that also Polish enterprises were destroyed by warfare and the Poles too are partly in a situation which gives grounds for fear in so far that theft of German property and other encroachments on the part of the Poles may occur. The confiscation was done in accordance with the directives of Reich Fuehrer-SS as Reich Commissioner for the strengthening of German nationality, on 9 May in the villages of Natalin and Rosalin. As the Polish enterprises were from 2 to about 8 hectares in size and the arable land and the farm-buildings are dispersed within the area. The County agronomist [Kreislandwirt] of the East-German Agricultural Development Corporation thought that a centralized management of the confiscated farms by appointment of a manager was impractical. He resolved therefore to give the arable land, livestock and other property to the trusteeship of needy racial-Germans. The agronomist who was present at the performance of the confiscation accomplished this at once on the spot. However he thought it necessary to take the former Polish owners as farm-workers to an estate in Blachownia County which is also managed by the East-German Agricultural Development Corporation, in order to enable the racial-Germans installed to run the Polish enterprises without friction. Today in fact farm-workers are lacking here, for the former workers were Jews and are useless for such work and moreover, they would endanger an orderly management. However, if the Poles would remain on their former farms the danger of the worst sort of sabotage to the agricultural property now at the disposal of the German Reich would exist. The Poles are paid for their work. The execution of the confiscation as well as the transfer of the Polish farm-workers to the estate of the East-German Corporation for Agriculture Management was accomplished quite quietly and without friction.
In the same way as it was done until now the break-up of Polish Nationality will be shortly accomplished in the other racial-German villages as well.
Because of the extremely good cooperation with the authorities, the party offices and the East German Corporation for Agricultural Development, and above all with the Secret State Police the confiscations etc. will be accomplished absolutely without friction in the future, as well especially as preparations of greatest minuteness will secure the success from the outset.
Before the end of June the soil in the ethnic-German villages of Blachownia County will be taken entirely from Polish hands and be confiscated for the German Reich at the disposal of Reich Fuehrer-SS as Reich Commissioner for the strengthening of German Nationality.
(signed) Kusche
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1366-PS
[Secret Decree of Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery Lammers of 29 August 1943, RK. 99 MD]
BUDGET OF THE REICH PROTECTOR FOR THE YEAR 1944
Introduction
* * *
The Fuehrer has modified the position, duties and authorities of the Reich Protector in Bohemia and Moravia upon the appointment of the new Reich Protector. The Reich Protector is the representative of the Fuehrer in his capacity as Chief of State ... It is his function to confirm the members of the government of the Protectorate, to appoint, dismiss and retire the German civil servants. He exercises the power to grant pardons and to quash legal proceedings except in cases before the Military and SS Police Courts.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1375-PS
Castle Krakow 25 Jan. 1940
Minister President Field Marshal Goering Deputy for the Four-Year Plan
The Commissioner General for the General-gouvernement Poland
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
_S B 1/40_
I To the Director of the Service Agency for the Four-Year Plan Major General Buehrmann or representative in _Krakow_ Lenartovicza 13
For the execution of the task of systematically placing the economic strength of the General-gouvernement, within the framework of the Four-Year Plan, in the service of the German defense industry, I give the following
_Directives_
1. In view of the present requirements of the Reich for the defense industry, it is at present fundamentally impossible to carry on a long-term economic policy in the General gouvernement. Rather, it is necessary so to steer the economy of the General gouvernement that it will, in the shortest possible time, accomplish results representing the maximum that can be gotten out of the economic strength of the General gouvernement for the immediate strengthening of our capacity for defense.
2. In particular the following performances are expected of the total economy of the General gouvernement:
a. Intensification of agricultural production esp. in the larger farms (above 100 ha.) and a planned distribution of the food-stuffs to be requisitioned in order to fill the requirements of the troops, units, and service agencies as well as of the native population, which are not yet fully covered by the present production.
b. Fullest exploitation of the forests, in temporary disregard of forest conservation principles, so as to deliver to the Reich approx. 1 million fm sawmill lumber, 1. 2 million fm of mine timbers and up to 0.4 million rm of fiber wood.
c. Stepping-up of the raw material production in the industrial sector, in particular: in the extraction of iron ores and pyrites in order to cover the local needs of the smelting plants operated in the General gouvernement; in petroleum extraction; in order to cover the militarily most important requirements of the General gouvernement and to export the greatest possible quantities to the Reich; in the chemical industry (nitrogen, phosphate) to provide for the fertilizer requirements of agriculture in so far as they can be covered in the General gouvernement;
d. Exploitation, if necessary also partial expansion, of the industrial capacity existing in the General gouvernement, in order to execute as rapidly as possible the Wehrmacht orders to be placed by the Reich in the General gouvernement while maintaining production of those products which are absolutely vital for the running of the economic machinery in the General gouvernement even if the strictest standards are applied;
e. Maintenance of the productive capacity of those plants to which Wehrmacht orders have not yet been assigned but which are chosen as replacement plants for militarily vital factories which have been or will be evacuated in the Reich;
f. Stripping and scrapping of those plants which have neither been made into armament plants nor declared to be replacement plants, as well as of destroyed buildings;
g. Supply and transportation of at least 1 million male and female agricultural and industrial workers to the Reich--among them at least 7500 000 [sic] agricultural workers of which at least 50% must be women--in order to guarantee agricultural production in the Reich and as a replacement for industrial workers lacking in the Reich.
3. In order to attain the expected performances, provision is to be made:
a. that the organizational measures for increasing agricultural production and for the building up of the live stock, extraordinarily depleted by the war, are implemented by the insurance of the seed and fertilizer supply--if necessary by imports from the Reich--; by sufficient supplies of agricultural machinery from local production in the General gouvernement; by a planned development of the water economy which should be simultaneously designed for the requirements of the waterways and of the power supply;
b. that all uneconomic consumption of wood be avoided and that the shipment of the quantities to be delivered to the Reich is insured;
c. that within the framework of the stepping-up of the industrial raw material production the following are guaranteed: financing through the most extensive possible utilization of the credit system existing in the General gouvernement; procurement of the necessary mining and drilling equipment, the supplying of the workers with the food and articles of clothing absolutely essential for the maintenance of their full efficiency; the shipment, especially of mineral oil, to the Reich;
d. that in engaging the industrial capacity of the General gouvernement with armament orders from the Reich the following be coordinated:
nature and volume of the orders
location and capacity of the plants
raw material requirements and coverage the latter as far as possible out of raw material stocks existing in the General gouvernement--
requirements and provisioning of workers means of transport for delivery of materials and dispatch of finished products;
pre-financing of wages in the General gouvernement and transfer of the proceeds from the Reich;
e. that exact investigations be made in order to determine the plants which are either required for filling the armament orders or continue to work for the supplying of the General gouvernement with absolutely vital goods, or are being maintained as replacement plants, or are to be stripped and scrapped; and that the putting into operation or continued operation of the plants be uniformly regulated and made subject to permit;
f. that in order to insure the necessary supply of Polish workers in the Reich the labor offices harmonize the recruiting with the labor requirements in the General gouvernement; that the shipment will take place early enough to be completed in the course of April; that the transfer of savings of these workers be regulated who came to the Reich merely as migratory workers.
4. For the uniform orientation of the total economy of the General gouvernement towards the tasks now to be accomplished the following additional measures are to be taken:
a. In the food supply of the population it must under all circumstances be seen to it that the persons working in plants vital to life and armaments will maintain their efficiency while the rest of the population will have to remain restricted to a minimum ration as long as the food shortage lasts.
b. Any production which, on the basis of raw materials important for armament, is directed towards objects which in the framework of the present plan are not vital, is to be ruthlessly discontinued in so far as it will not be possible to switch it over to sufficiently abundant Ersatz materials and other materials (e.g. by producing wooden shoes while simultaneously prohibiting the production of leather shoes and boots for the native population). For the rest, all raw material saving decrees prohibitions of production and shipment and orders valid in the Reich are to be carried through in the Generalgouvernement at least to the same degree as is done in the Reich.
c. The shipment of raw materials to the Reich is to be limited to those amounts not absolutely needed in the Generalgouvernement to guarantee militarily vital production. The right of disposing of the stocks of raw materials, half-finished and finished goods in the Generalgouvernement is reserved to your service agency. For the better regulation of supply small amounts of valuable raw materials will be brought into collection depots from scrapped plants and from smaller depots.
d. The supplying of militarily vital plants with coal and the filling of the most urgent coal requirements of the population are to be guaranteed by agreements with the proper Reich agencies.
e. The collection of leather and old material [Erfassung] and the gathering of scrap are to be pushed forward according to plan. In view of the especial conditions in the Generalgouvernement, Jewish dealers who can be freed for this purpose from forced service etc., may also be engaged.
f. A transport plan will be drawn up in agreement with the transportation authorities with the object of bringing transport desires into line with transport possibilities and to arrive at priority scale which will then be made the basis of all further planning.
g. Price and wage regulations, currency protection and credit policy will be harmonized in closest accord between the agencies concerned with the object of creating stable conditions as an indispensable prerequisite for any economic planning.
h. In order to gain a conception of the presumable shape of the payment transactions between the Reich and the General-gouvernement, a payment balance sheet is to be drawn up as soon as it is possible to see to what extent armament orders from the Reich can be filled in the General gouvernement.
5. I reserve the right to issue further basic instructions.
Copy of the present is being sent to the subordinate service agencies as well as to the Commander in Chief East, the Chief of the Armament Inspectorate Upper-East, the Military Commander in Krakow and the Bank Director of the Emission Bank in Poland with the request that the service agency for the Four-Year Plan be supported in every possible way in the execution of its tasks.
(signed) Dr. Frank Certified
(signed) Ministerialkanzleiobersekretaer als Kanzleivorsteher
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1376-PS
1940 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 778 20 May 1940 Nr 87
Decree of the Fuehrer of 18 May 1940 on the Execution of Power by the Government in the Lowlands
In order to secure public order and public life in the Dutch territories taken under the protection of German troops, I decree:
Paragraph 1
The occupied Dutch territories will be subordinated to the "Reichs Commissioner for the Occupied Dutch territories." His seat will be The Hague. The Reichs Commissioner is protector of the interests of the Reich and will represent the supreme power of the government within the civil sphere. He will be directly subordinated to me and will receive directives and orders from me.
Paragraph 2
The General military commander in the Netherlands will exercise military sovereign rights, his demands within the civilian sphere will be carried out by the Reichs Commissioner. He has the right to order the measures which are necessary for the execution of his military mission and for military security. The same right belongs to the supreme commanders of the branches of the armed forces.
Paragraph 3
The Reich Commissioner may use German Police forces to carry out his orders. The German Police forces are at the disposal of the German military commander insofar as the military necessities require this and if the missions of the Reichs Commissioner permit it.
Paragraph 4
For the execution of his orders and the functioning of the administration the Reichs Commissioner may make use of the Dutch authorities.
Paragraph 5
1. The law which was formerly valid remains in force, in as much as it is compatible with the occupation.
2. The Reichs Commissioner may enforce law by decree. The ordinances will be proclaimed in the "Ordinance for the occupied Dutch territories."
Paragraph 6
I appoint Reichs Minister Dr. Arthur Seyss-Inquart to be Reich Commissioner for the occupied Dutch territories.
Paragraph 7
Regulations for the execution and completion of this decree will be issued according to my directives for the civilian sphere by the Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellory and for the military sphere by the Chief of the supreme command of the armed forces.
Paragraph 8
This decree will be enforced as soon as and insofar as I shall cancel the order given to the Supreme Commander of the Army for the exercise of the complete power.
Fuehrer's Hqs. 18 May 1940
The Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler
The President of the Cabinet Counsel for the defense of the Reich, Goering, Field Marshal
The Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery, Dr. Lammers
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, Keitel
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, von Ribbentrop
The Reich Minister of the Interior, Frick.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1377-PS
1938 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 111
5th February 1938 Decree concerning the leadership of the Armed Forces--
4th February 1938
From now on I take over directly the command of the whole Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Office with its functions as Supreme Command of the Armed Forces, hitherto within the Reichs War Ministry, will come directly under my command and as my military staff.
At the head of the staff of the supreme command of the Armed Forces is the former Chief of the Armed Forces department as "Chief of the supreme command of the Armed Forces". He is equal in rank to a Reichs Minister.
At the same time, the supreme command takes the responsibility for the affairs of the Reichs Ministry of War, and by my order the chief of the supreme command of the Armed Forces exercises the authority formerly belonging to the Reichs Minister.
It is the supreme command of the Armed Forces' duty to carry out in peace time, in accordance with my instructions, the preparation of the defense system of the Reich.
Berlin, 4 February 1938.
The Fuehrer and Reichs Chancellor ADOLF HITLER
The Reichs Minister and Chief of the Reichs Chancellery
DR. LAMMERS
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
KEITEL
* * * * *
REICHSGESETZBLATT, 5th February 1938
Decree concerning the setting up of a secret cabinet council of 4th February 1938.
To advise me in conducting the foreign policy I am setting up a secret cabinet council.
As president of the secret cabinet council, I nominate: Reichsminister Freiherr-Von Neurath
As members of the secret cabinet council, I nominate:
Reichsminister of the Exterior Joachim von Ribbentrop
Prussian Prime Minister, Reichsminister of the Air, Supreme Commander of the Air Forces, General Field Marshal Hermann Goering
The Fuehrer's Deputy, Reichsminister Rudolf Hess
Reichsminister for the enlightenment of the people and of propaganda, Dr. Joseph Goebbels
Reichsminister and Chief of the Reichs Chancellery Dr. Hans-Heinrich Lammers
The Supreme Commander of the Army, General Walter von Brauchitsch
The Supreme Commander of the Navy, Grand Admiral Dr. (honorary) Erich Raeder
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Keitel
The current affairs of the secret cabinet council are handled by the Reichsminister and Chief of the Reichs Chancellery.
Berlin, 4 February 1938.
of the Reichs Chancellery
ADOLF HITLER
The Reichsminister and Chief of the Reichs Chancellory
DR. LAMMERS
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1381-PS
The Representative of the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories with the Headquarters of Army Group North
December 1942 SECRET [Rubber Stamp]
_Political and Economic Problems of the Military and Civil Administration of the Occupied Eastern Territories._
_Introduction_: The author of this report as representative of the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories with the Headquarters of Army Group North had the possibility to become acquainted with all questions of administration and economy in the Eastern area. An information trip also brought him to the
Army Area B (Donetz) Army Area Don Army Area Crimea Army Area A (Caucasus) into the General Commissariat Dniepropstrovsk into several District Commissariats.
Conferences took place with all commanders of these army areas, the chiefs of staff, the chiefs of the departments VII, the chiefs and experts of the economic inspectorates and numerous economic teams and with field and local commanders.
In the field of civil administration, conversations were held with the competent experts as well.
_Result: Necessity for our Present Eastern Policy._
_Reasons_: 1. The military results of the fighting of this year in the Eastern area is the fact that the fighting power of the Bolshevist army has not been broken yet. One must count on a prolonged duration of the war.
2. The size of the occupied territory results in a noticeable lack of security troops as well as fighting troops. The necessity of the military commitment of the Slav becomes apparent more and more, whether it be for the combatting of partisans and in the police service, or whether it is for use at the front even as will be necessitated by future developments.
3. The war economic importance of the Occupied Eastern Territories increases with the duration of the war. The last inhabitant of the country, able to work, must be utilized in agriculture or in war economic factories. His existence must be assured. Losses of a large number mean damage for the front which cannot be repaired.
4. As in all great wars of all times, one must also reckon with military reverses in the East. In retaining our present Eastern policy, we stand before the danger that one day the dissatisfaction of the population will find an outlet in a general uprising, whereby the supply for the front would be endangered most seriously.
5. It is the opinion of all military commanders as well as of the leaders of the civil administrative areas, to whom the reporter was able to talk, that the present Eastern policy must undergo a fundamental change in its basic points.
The following are the most important problems:
I. _The Food Problem_
The food rations granted to the Russian rural population do not constitute the assurance of their existence, but only a vegetating for a limited duration. One can never expect the necessary _cooperation_ for the Armed Forces from a population who does not know whether it will still be alive tomorrow, who thus must expect death by starvation and who lived in the Bolshevist period--with the exception of the year 1933, with its bad harvest--better than today. The military dangers described at the beginning increase with the deterioration of the food basis; the tendency to support the partisans increases; the desire to experience again the former Bolshevist conditions comes to the foreground even in those who refute the system ideologically.
The rations allotted at present, which in practice are for the most part not issued complete, are as follows:
(Appendix A 3a)
_City and Country_: The following food situation prevails: The rural populations, although it has to hand over more today than in Bolshevist times, still goes rarely hungry. No matter whether it was in the time of the Mongol rule, or in Tsarist or Bolshevist times, they were always exploited, and they know methods of secreting food items, which guarantee them food despite of all controls. Today they are even able to deliver at least the most necessary things to the urban population through the black market. The German administration will never be able to develop a system which will enable a 100% seizure of products on Russian territory. The territory is too large for this, and the number of the appointed agricultural leaders is too small.
However, should one of the periodical bad harvests occur in Southern Russia within the next years, as last in the year 1933, then the present lack of reserves would result in a catastrophe in the Eastern territory, the effects of which would be unpredictable for the food situation in the rest of Europe.
The food question in the Eastern territory today is an _urban problem_. As already explained in the beginning, we must free ourselves completely from the attitude which we maintained at the time, that there were too many people in the territory, and that their extermination would mean a blessing to Germans! The German Armed Forces in the East live on the work performance of the cities there. Complaints about the lack of workers after the execution of the Sauckel
## action are common.
If we continue to maintain our present attitude, it will be the combat soldier who will pay with his blood for this mistake.
Generally there is no famine yet in the cities at present. The reporter was even able to establish in a city like Kharkov, which had been embattled to the finish, that the food situation is better than in the past year. This condition can be traced back to the fact that the urban population, which for the most part has been living in cities of industrial areas for only one or two generations, has relatives in the country by whom it is supplied with food items in exchange for consumer goods.
_Nutrition--Nomadic Movement--Utilization of Labor._
He who flies over or rides through the occupied Eastern area today will notice crowds of people moving along the roads; there are hundreds of thousands of them, and according to the estimate of experts, their number often may reach a million. These crowds are on the move, either to look for food, or vice versa, to bring food to the cities in order to sell it.
The exchange of food items/consumer goods, which thereby is reached between city and country, is vital in the cities in view of the food supply which is insufficiently controlled by the German administration. Suggestions to suppress this self-support of the urban population radically are unbearable, because this would result in starvation of the urban population, causing decreased work performance and finally a revolutionary attitude.
_Loss of Working Power_
On the other hand, however, a tremendous amount of valuable working power is being lost for a certain time to the utilization of labor through the nomadic movement.
The conclusion therefore is: _First_ securing of livelihood for the important war economically urban population and their relatives, and _only then_ suppression of this self-support. But not vice versa.
Because of reasons of the utilization of labor therefore, all preparatory measures must be taken without delay in order to guarantee sufficient supplies for the urban population of the occupied Eastern territory which is important to the war economy.
_The Family Problem_
This must also include members of the family, because the male Slav worker like the female Slav worker will starve or practically give up the food to which they are entitled or even the cooked food which is being furnished in the factory mess halls, in order to save their children, parents, or other relatives from starvation.
The claim, that there are not sufficient food items on hand for this subsistence is countered by the fact that by way of the nomadic movement into the rural areas and the black market in the cities, food is supplied which until now has prevented specific signs of starvation on a larger scale.
_The Occupied Eastern Area no Surplus Territory._
Despite this the realization that contrary to propagandistic claims the Ukraine as well as the areas of the Caucasus and the remaining Eastern area _are not yet surplus areas at present_, from which Germany and the rest of Europe could already be fed tomorrow. The truth is that the additional subsistence of Western Europe today can only result in the risk that the Eastern territory will become refractory tomorrow as a result of its present delivery quota, which has been increased considerably in comparison to the Bolshevist period and that simultaneously part of the urban population, which is indispensable for the war economic tasks will approach a slow ebbing of strength, if not even death of starvation.
_Ukraine Industrial Area without Agricultural Surplus_
The large number of publications, which are being distributed at present in Germany about the Eastern territory, are copies of obsolete or uncontrolled figures from Tsarist or Bolshevist times, which lack any knowledge of fact. As every expert will have to realize, the truth in the Ukraine is that a situation has been created by the Bolshevist industrialization and by the accumulation of giant urban populations in the Don- and Donetz areas, which consumed the agricultural surpluses, which were at hand during the Tsarist period for the overwhelming part in their own territory.
_Exchange Trade A Regulator_
A part of the food of the cities is being procured through the black market, which for the most part is barter trade. First of all it is a regulating factor. In the Bolshevist era the urban population was better supplied with consumer goods because of relatively higher wages at the expense of the Sochos- and Kolchos peasants. Today these consumer goods are wandering to the country as barter goods for food.
_Dangers of the Black Market Prohibition._
The black market has been completely outlawed in individual area as in the Army Area North [XVIII.AOK], in Pleskau and, as the commander of Army Area Don has informed the reporter, in Transnistria, which had been ceded by Rumania.
All these prohibitions had a completely negative result. The goods disappeared from the markets, trading was continued in uncontrollable backyards, and the urban population lacked the most important food items. With a readmission of the markets, these dangerous symptoms vanished.
_Black Market Prices_
Following are some examples of black market prices in the occupied Eastern territories:
_In Areas of the Caucasus_ 1 Egg RM 1.-- 1 lb. Butter RM 15.-- - 20.-- 1 ltr milk RM 2.60 - 3.40 100 gr. tea RM 20.-- - 40.-- 1 apple RM 1.-- 1 chicken RM 9.-- - 10.-- 1 lb. meat RM 5.-- 1 winter overcoat RM 600.-- 1 pr. shoes RM 200.-- - 300.-- _In the city of Kharkov_: 1 ltr milk RM 3.-- - 4.-- 1 kg tea RM 1000.-- 1 piece wartime soap RM 7.-- - 8.-- 1 ltr Vodka RM 70.-- 1 cigarette RM -.30 1 pr shoes RM 400.-- - 500.--
In regard to all these prices, however, it must not be forgotten that the majority of the scales being executed by means of barter.
_The Armed Forces And Increases in Prices_
Besides the lack of consumer goods, the German soldier is also responsible for the outrageous prices, because by uncontrollable means he is obtaining funds from home besides his pay, which in army of a million men add up to an imposing sum. Every expert of the conditions knows that the doughboy will today pay any price, because the additional food items are more import to him than money. The suggestion, made to the reporter by various economic inspectorates, that the soldier in future should receive no _Reichskreditkassenscheine_, but shall receive a type of _substitute money_ for purchasing in post exchange [Marketendereien], can only then be carried out, if the post exchanges can offer to the soldier additional food items, which he would otherwise obtain in the black market.
The opportunity for the combat soldier to acquire additional food items or to purchase them for the homefront must not be hampered, it must not be forgotten, that this combat soldier decides the war.
_The Combat Soldiers as the Bearer of Useful Barter._
It is therefore regrettable, that town commanders often punish the soldier severely, who exchanges tobacco goods or minor items of consumer goods which he receives from home, for food items with the local population. It has to be considered that the consumer goods in question are in most cases rubbish of the German household, items which can be foregone by the homefront, but which such as needles, twine, pocket knives, nails, combs, etc., are necessary in the eastern territory and bring good will. The combat soldier, who carried out this barter, procures additional food for the front and/or to the homefront, and at the same time supplies to the East the most necessary consumer goods, which cannot be supplied in general today by German authorities.
For these reasons, the market activity in Russian towns must be retained despite all mentioned disadvantages.
_Price Ceiling in the Black Market._
In order not to let the prices rise beyond all limits it is recommended to have a certain control, a price ceiling which equals the present average price; however an experiment which was executed in various towns, is not recommended for imitation, whereby merchandise which was not sold on the market by evening, is confiscated and sold at the local average price.
_Establishment of a Central Food Administration._
Despite all this, market dealing can not be a solution. The food supply must be assured by the German administration. Two ways constitute the solution.
1. Further expansion of the factory kitchens
2. Mass introduction of community kitchens.
This system was built up during the Bolshevist period in a form, which an unbiased reporter must describe as exemplary. For instance, there was in the town of Simferropol, in the Crimea, during the Bolshevist period a food trust which supplied 23 mess halls and 15 factory kitchens, by which 50,000 of the town's 140,000 inhabitants were fed. Breakfast, lunch and supper were served and could be eaten right there and then, or were taken home. The appearance of the population and its physical condition at the time of conquest of the territory proved that the food was sufficient. A system of feeding to the population was carried out here, which is also going into effect in Germany in numerous labor camps, and factory canteens, etc., but in its present stage does not yet approach the Bolshevist system.
_The Example Simferopol_
A Kriegsveraltungsrat, who came from the Arbeitsfront took over these institutions in the town of Simferopol to a certain extent and operated them according to the necessities and conditions of the present. This organization appears to be so successful that its general introduction into the towns of the occupied East must be thought over in manner and extent.
At first, this system is marked that only a _single_ German administrative official can be in charge of the entire system without any further German help.
A Main Food Administration was established for the whole Crimea. The native town administrations supplied the collaborators of this organization, which, in Simferopol alone, runs today 12 mess halls and 49 factory kitchens, in which you can eat lunch or take it to your home. Those working for the German Armed Forces and also some of their relatives, a total of approximately 30,000 persons of the 70,000 inhabitants of the town, are fed. There is mostly soup, vegetables, sometimes fish and meat from deceased animals.
However the distribution of the allocated bread coupons frequently runs up against difficulties, since the bread supply is especially difficult in the Crimea. On the other hand an information service of the Food Administration itself is excellently organized; it consists of native residents, who immediately report, if spoiled, but still edible food from army stores, in the case of small truck farm vegetables etc. can be procured. Furthermore each deceased horse or cow within the territory of the town or its vicinity is reported immediately and examined for suitability.
A special control section of the Food Administration inspects the mess halls, doctors make spot checks of the quality of the food offered. In this case also, native help is used. Further sections of the Main Food Administration are the mill sections, which is in charge of the processing of grain. The section for the issuing of bread and food coupons, the bread baking and trading section etc. A procurement section which has to secure the release coupons from the competent German authorities and must look further for food, and call for it with its own vehicles, is in charge of the procurement of merchandise. All big consumers, such as hospitals, schools etc., have to submit monthly reports of supply requirements. Procurement takes place according to a common plan, so that the German agricultural leadership is not hampered by numerous individual requests.
This example must be imitated in its magnitude. In the field of food, the organizing capabilities of the Eastern population must be used, thus relieving simultaneously the German administrative apparatus.
The example Simferopol proves that we have to use the Slav in the huge Eastern territories for the organization of food, since he is always in the position to discover possibilities of procurement which we cannot do because of insufficient help. Self administration, which goes as far as possible, in the field of food for the urban population is necessary.
_No Schematic All-inclusive Ruling of Fundamental Directives._
On account of the gigantic delivery quota of corn, meat, poultry, eggs, oil, to the German Reich, it is obviously not possible in the near future to guarantee to the urban population in the East a 100% supply of food. In addition, as already explained, there is still a great deal of food in the hands of the farmers and of some urban residents which is beyond our control. Thus schematic ruling would therefore lead to the result that the Russian towns would receive food which could be spared in an emergency at the expense of the German and/or the Western European territories. Thus the final conclusion can only be this that at the moment, a general systematic ruling which guarantees the minimum subsistence level of the entire population cannot be carried out in the occupied Eastern territories. On the other hand, the responsible leaders of the occupied territories must immediately receive the authority through directives from competent authority, that they can take immediate measures there, where serious dangers arise in the food situation of those natives employed in the war economy with freedom of decision and responsibility to exceed the presently authorized rations, which secure the minimum subsistence level and prevent the described dangers (loss of Man Power, Anti-German, and Pro-Bolshevist attitude). This system, which gives to the responsible administrative employee freedom of action and which has primarily been developed and tried by the English administration, based on hundred years of experience must be introduced more and more in the German work in the Eastern area. Basic decisions from central authorities, which can be of unforeseen consequence, should only be decided upon then, if the measures have proved themselves by experiments in a partial sector of the area.
II. The Position Agricultural
The food political situation which may become important during the coming year, even for the Reich and the whole of Europe, is opposite to the demand to procure sufficient food for people working in town in essential industry.
The following spot checks of the various Eastern territories give an approximate picture of the situation:
_Caucasus_
Economic Inspectorates established generally a surplus of farm products for the Reich can not be expected from the Caucasian area. At best, some cattle, sunflower seeds, wool and cowhides could be delivered.
As far as grain is concerned, it must be expected that there will not be enough in many cases for the supply of the local population until the next harvest. For example, details from the District Voroschilovsk (Stavropol): the territory covers approximately 540,000 hectars, 60,000 hectars of which are steppe.
The total area, growing wheat was 70,000 hectars, 10,000 hectars of which were destroyed by the Bolshevists. Of the total area growing oats, approximately 50% of 8000 hectars are destroyed and full of weeds. Of 17,000 hectars of barley, 4,000 hectars are destroyed. 8,000 hectar of meadow could not be mowed. The total cultivated area amounts to only 50-60% to that of 1940. Reason: lack of fuel and labor.
In the District Patigorsk, the conditions are still less favorable.
The example of the development of the Sovchos Semlianskaia near Voroschilovsk is also informative. According to this, there were the following during the Bolshevist time at this Sovchos:
104 horses presently 41 104 cows presently 60 32,000 sheep presently 8,899
5,561 double hundredweights of barley and fodder are required to keep the present livestock, 650 double hundredweights are available. Reason: 180 hectars of 750 hectars of wheat were destroyed by the Bolshevists. 360 of 475 hectars of barley are lost, since it could not be cut in time because of lack of gasoline, tractors, scythes, and man power; 20 hectars of oats are completely lost. 5 of 18 tractors are still on hand. 5,000 of the 8,899 sheep mentioned above must be surrendered to the Armed Forces in the near future.
_Crimea_
The result of the harvest is 191,969 tons of grain. 109,620 tons are needed for seed grain, 55,739 tons for fodder and 129,503 for food. Accordingly, there is a deficit 81,126 tons of grain in the Crimea. Added to this is a poor harvest of potatoes.
_Territory Kharkov_
In the territory of Kharkov (Army B) the delivery of cattle to the front has been so large, that only young cattle is still on hand. Thousands of hectars of the best soil could not be cultivated because there were no draft animals.
_Ukraine_
The total result of the harvest is worse than last year. In detail, the delivery quota calls for: 600 ltr. milk from each dairy cow at a price of 7 Pfg. per liter (during the Bolshevist period it was 90 ltr. at price of 15 Kopeken). Every liter delivered voluntarily exceeding this was paid with 3 Rbl. Because of the high delivery quota of more than 3 million tons of grain from the whole Ukraine it looks as follows in some of the districts of the country.
Rural District Wynica: The harvest gave winter wheat:
82 982 double hundredweights ------ 55 900 double hundredweights must be surrendered 25 906 double hundredweights are required for feed grain.
This leaves 11,176 double hundredweights for feeding the population, which are by no means sufficient.
In the General Commissariat Shitomir about 28% of the livestock has to be consigned. Normally it would be 18%.
_General Commissariat Dniepropetrovsk._
The presumed consignment of grain amounts to a total of 490,000 tons of the total crop of 820,000 tons. Thereby the population receives only 65 kg. per capita of which 30 kg. already were distributed.
26% of the total arable land is used for winter grains. Of that, 30% are good, 30% are spotted, and _40% did not come up at all_.
The difficulties of cultivation are very great because of the shortage of tractors, fuel, and labor. Thus for 100 hectars 23-25 laborers are regularly required, but today only 13-14 are available. There are only 4-6 horses to 100 hectars. But the cow teams requires a greater number of laborers.
The consignment of live stock amounts to 50% of the stock. There are numerous cases where the farmer has to deliver his dairy cow, his only real property from the Bolshevik period.
III. The Agrarian Reform
The agrarian reform up to now has been carried out in a different manner in the various occupied territories. While the "Kalchos" were divided and the land given to the farmers for cultivation in the north and the center, not much was changed in the Bolshevistic conditions as such in the South, especially the Ukraine. The creation of agricultural cooperatives up to volume of 10% of the total agricultural area can not be considered as a basic change of the system.
It must be admitted that in the south with its strongly industrialized giant estates a slower pace is advisable in the division of the estate. The danger of a decrease in production in cases of a quick division would be present.
_Conception of the Cossacks-Atamane._
In addition, another fact has to be taken into consideration, which is that old "Atamanen" have found in the Cossack areas for instance that only old Cossacks were capable of managing an individual farm. The young generation is partially so used to industrial agriculture that before all a certain re-education is necessary.
Also in carrying out of the new agricultural reform a general solution, as already mentioned, must not be striven for from the beginning; rather the return to individual farming must be carried out with consideration of economic and political points of view resulting from the particular situation in a particular region of the tremendous Eastern Area.
_Special Arrangements in the Agrarian Reform._
The efficient German administrative expert must have the possibility of experimentation and his successes and his failures must become the basis for final decision of the central office.
The discussion, which the reporter was able to have with the specialists concerned in the entire eastern areas, resulted in the following proposed solution:
The Russian farmer is without exception land hungry and an opponent of the "Kalchos system." He desires private property of land, even though of limited extent. In contrast to the worker and intellectual he is the most honest opponent of the Bolshevik system. If tomorrow he is denied his property, then we shall lose the east economic and political power with which we could build up the Eastern Area.
_Land Distribution According to Merit._
The demand to immediately allot to all farmers, land as private property, is in spite of these political points of view, of course unfeasible for the present.
First of all those farmers respectively their families, who themselves or whose sons have earned special merit in war economy in the fight against partisans, or today or tomorrow at the front, must receive self-sufficient individual farms.
Although later the distribution of land must be carried out in a generous manner without the qualifying clauses used today.
The greatest part of the agricultural region in the East must, because of the political reasons mentioned, as time goes on, become the property of farmer families in order to create a stratum of satisfied farmers as sure counter-weight against possible revolutionary ambitions of labor and intelligentsia in this manner.
_State Farms and Farmer's Land_
Besides these farmers' lands, a great number of state farms should be created by the taking over of the Sovchosen and/or the creation of new estates whose production would have to deliver the excess of agricultural products necessary for Europe.
IV. The Slav as Worker
_Necessity of Realistic Policy_
As initially pictured, every member of the rural population less means a weakening of the labor power as well as fighting power of the Reich. All occurrences of the recent past prove that there is no room for ideologies at this time. Where this demand is not heeded because of ideological reasons, for the sake of future problems, where the law of the best utilization of man-power is violated, the objection of the soldiers as well as that of responsible civil servants arises with justification. Thus we hear again and again from leading Germans in the East, the regret expressed that we learn too little from the English, who--under the cover of long term policy--act on the basis of the needs of the hour, while we antagonize people in the East and cause the greatest difficulties in reconstruction only in order to proclaim distant aims, whose accomplishment is in no way certain, but which come about on its own accord after a victory.
He who just like the reporter, has gone through English schooling and knows the English manner of treating foreign peoples, can only confirm that the greatest mistake of our entire Eastern policy is to be found in this field. First of all we have to win the war. Having won it, we can shape the area as we see fit. Every proclamation of an aim that repulses those who are of the most use for us in the Eastern area today, which makes them resent the German leadership, is, from a soldier's point of view, a mistake which has to be continually rectified by the commitment of German blood.
Thus the Project Sauckel as earned out in the Eastern area has caused unrest and dissatisfaction which is the equivalent of a lost battle, though without doubt it was the final means to cover the requirements for workers of the German economy.
_Dangerous Excesses._
But the executing agencies have committed errors which should have been avoided: De-lousing of Russian girls by men, taking of nude photographs in forced positions, locking female doctors in cars in order to make them available to the transport leaders, transporting of shackled girls in shirts through Russian localities to the railroad, etc.... (The complete material has been channeled through the proper army regions to the OKH.)
_Important Imponderables._
It is of course correct to consider these things without sentimentality. In spite of that the results of such errors must not be overlooked. Before everything, the treatment of the Eastern workers in the Reich is decisive. According to all previous reports the results in household and in agriculture are good; in industry bad. The fact that male and female workers housed in camps have no leave, that exercise of religion etc., in contrast to conditions in the Russian territories, is prohibited, leads the population of the occupied Eastern territories to the conclusion that the Slav is treated and utilized as a slave. The result is that when today a commission for the hiring of labor for the Reich appears in a region, everybody, as far as possible, flees into the woods.
Our propaganda, which attempts to influence the East by an expenditure of millions of Marks and irreplaceable paper, and also by the employment of valuable manpower, which is lost to the Armed Forces, must evaporate into thin air under these circumstances.
_Attitude of the Eastern Peoples Important._
The Slav will formulate his opinion and attitude on the basis of his experiences in the Reich. Here comes the decision, whether millions of Slavs will reconstruct under German domination and leadership willingly or whether they, filled with hate, will seek every opportunity to destroy this domination, since their conditions make a worthwhile existence impossible.
The attitude, still present today occasionally in some places, to treat the Slav as a slave, whereby beatings are the best means of education, must be corrected by immediate orientation, and that the maltreatment concerned must be stopped at once by the severest threat of punishment.
Despite all terror during the Bolshevist period, the social aid measures for the Russian worker and his family were considerably better than is assumed in Germany--as has been proven in the meantime by unbiased investigations. In addition a purposeful meaning of his work in the realm of the community is given to him by unrelenting and refined propaganda. One must have much understanding for this, and it is by no means easy to win this people for us. Whoever represents the opinion that the attitude of this people is unimportant, sins against the German armed power in the face of the war economic and also future military indespensability of the Eastern peoples and calls for the danger that most valuable, forever irreplaceable German blood must be sacrificed in addition.
_Methods of the Utilization of Labor._
The utilization of labor of the Slavic workers can be carried out best in similarity to the Bolshevist example, as various experiments which the reporter could observe, prove.
_The Successes in Dniepropetrovsk._
Model successes have been achieved by _Commissioner General Selzner in Dniepropetrovsk_. The Russian worker, who practically has been primarily an armament worker for years, works according to the _group piecework system_. Not the individual performance, but that of the group was decisive. This system, the advantages of which are apparent, must be retained and introduced generally. Furthermore, the punitive system for contract violators or workers who violate the work discipline is ideal. At first, a reprimand is given or a monetary fine imposed. In case of repeated violations, additional duty [Dienstverpflichtung] with exact orientation about further punitive measures is another disciplinary procedure.
_Educational Work Camps._
The severest punishment is confinement in a educational work camp. The maximum length of punishment here is 6 months. Such camps are in all District Commissariats, sometimes installed as mobile camps and made available to the Organization TODT. In the camps, all _beatings_ and all corporal punishment are _forbidden_ altogether, out of principle.
_Coordination of Utilization of Labor and Food._
The work is carried out in groups, as in the group piecework. In case of full work performance, the convicts receive Armed Forces rations, diluted three times. If the group of ten men produce in their work performance only 50% of the quota, their food is diluted six times, and they receive 50% less bread. The results are marvelous. The amount of punishment decreases constantly, work performance increases, the morale of the workers is good, considering the circumstances.
_Bonus System._
The Bonus system proves itself in case of the Eastern workers, industrial workers as well as farmers. Thus in the District Dniepropetrovsk, especially good results were achieved in the delivery of sunflowers, when 1 kg oil was made available to the farmer for every 100 kg of seeds delivered.
An especially attractive bonus is the _distribution of tobacco_. In several districts, the tobacco, allocated to certain armament and/or war economic plants, is distributed equally up to 90% to the workers, whereas the remaining 10% * * *
V. Salary, Money, Market--Price Problem
The salaries which are being paid at the present time in the Eastern area are so low, in comparison to the general market prices, that they are of absolutely no value: Actually, in the entire section, there exists _no salary problem at all, but merely a food problem_. It is impossible to raise the salaries in order to thereby make it possible for the workers to purchase the most essential consumer goods. There is enough money. The reporter experienced repeatedly that for example, porters, unskilled laborers, etc., were in possession of such amounts of money as no German General possessed. A raise of salaries would only constitute a swelling of the circulation of a medium of exchange and a further price increase.
_Comparison with the Japanese Experience in China._
In the entire Eastern Area, prices are being paid today for food and consumer goods which are actually inflationary. The reporter, who before the war, in 1939 had the assignment to conduct the same investigations on the Chinese-Japanese battle front, today in the Eastern area can only determine that the German administration is repeating the same mistakes which Japan had previously exercised in the occupied Chinese territory.
_Combining the Reichs-kreditmark with the Ruble._
The greatest financial mistake which we could have made was to combine the Reichsmark, respectively the Reichskreditmark with the Ruble, similarly as Japan had done with its leveling, in connection with the Chinese dollar, until after severe set-back, it was at last recognized that this had been the greatest mistake which could have been made at all by the Japanese financial policy.
The Reichskreditmark, which, not only in the Eastern, but also in other occupied territories, is the medium of exchange which the combat soldier accepts as standard salary, is today actually of inflationary value. Her fate depends on the Ruble, which is entirely beyond our control. Today there is no German office which could determine in which amounts the Ruble is circulating, which amounts, thru robbing of the inhabitants, have come into additional circulation at the Finance Offices and which amounts are brought in by the Bolshevists through the Front, into the occupied territory.
We therefore made the same mistake with the same repercussion. Just as Japan, after several years of the Chinese-Japanese war, decided to withdraw from the former use of enemy currency, we too shall have to take that step. The quicker this happens, the better it will be.
_The Karbovanetz Experiment._
The introduction of the Karbovanetz in the Ukraine, put through as an attempted solution, must be recognized as such, although it, as local experts of the Reichscommissariat themselves confirm, was a useless attempt. It is so because a partial solution is senseless in the huge Eastern Area and the Karbovanetz is meaningless as long as the other immense territories retain the Ruble.
The attempt was also doomed to failure because currency problems can only be solved together with the consumer goods problem. One can determine and control mediums of exchange; nothing is changed in the price fixing, as long as not even a half way satisfactory consumers goods offer opposes the continuous flow of mediums of exchange to the working country--and city inhabitants.
The currency political experiment, taken as a whole, must therefore be considered as a failure in the Ukraine. It has only brought unrest to the people. Above all, the fact that large banknotes are not redeemable in Karbovanetz, has resulted in the transport of money into the other sections, where the notes are changed into small coins.
_Central Solution of Currency Problem_.
This case proves particularly well that such efforts towards solution should be conducted only centrally, never locally. This example is further proof that, as all the General officers of the Army sector and Army groups had informed the reporter the greatest danger in the Eastern area was the lack of a central leadership in the Civilian Administration.
VI. Care of the sick--Self Aid Service
With a view to the aim, that is to say, the maintenance of the able-bodied person, the most important beside the sustenance, is the care of the sick and the safeguarding of those people who through lengthy illness have become unfit for work.
In some Army sectors, in the meanwhile, precautions for the care of the sick have been taken, and it is true, not only in the interest of the country inhabitants working for the German Armed Forces, but above all, in recognition of the Russian Psyche, for their families as well. The measures, carried out in this sense in the various Army sectors, must be taken over in general.
The lack of medicinal items, in the entire Eastern Area, is
## particularly catastrophic. The number of hospitals, doctors and medical
personnel is fairly adequate, despite the abductions during the retreat of the Bolshevists. In order to uphold the standard of the people, for the purpose of war economic and military utilization, you must however work primarily for the accumulation of medicines for the entire Eastern territory.
_Exemplary Solution in the Northern and Central Army Sector_
Of particular importance is the so-called _Self Aid Service_, which represents a special measure of the first order for the entire Russian area and which expects to lift the social calibre of the peasantry in the Northern and Central Army Sector. It is necessary to spread this organization to all other occupied territories.
As the reporter was able to determine, on the basis of intensive investigations, particularly in this field, measures were taken during the Bolshevistic period, which on the average, correspond to the German conditions. The partially carried out and proposed emergency measures for further accomplishments correspond of course in no way to the former Bolshevistic and other accomplishments as customary in Germany today. They have in fact the exclusive aim to keep the most important portions of the Eastern Nations alive and capable of working for the German Armed Forces and the sustenance of the German people.
VII. The School System
The viewpoint represented up to now by numerous German offices in the Eastern area, that the Slavic person should be kept in a condition which could not be primitive enough, cannot practically be carried out. All Military posts, all Civilian Administrative offices, with which the reporter spoke on this problem took the viewpoint that the front, like the German war economy, was in need of a worker's replacement, which could not be supplied by 3rd or 4th grade primary schools.
_No Breeding of Superfluous Intelligentsia._
Without exception, the viewpoint is taken, of course, that it would be wrong to heed a Russian intelligentsia, which without possibility of commitment, dissatisfied and without work, tomorrow would have to become the bearer of National, Revolutionary and Panslavic ideas. It is here important to keep a proper plan in mind. To point here to India, to England's faulty policy, is premature. The reporter had the opportunity to study the English colonial policy in India. It is true that the English, out of consideration for later working possibilities, make it possible for every Hindu to study at any desired school or college. In this manner, a Hindu proletarian intelligentsia was created. However--on the other side of every propaganda--one must admit today that, as the result of this English policy, today, in the darkest home of the Empire, one cannot speak of serious uprisings in India and that the Indian economy is working one hundred percent for the British war.
_The British Experiences._
It is, however, not decisive as was sometimes believed, if a young native inhabitant in a subordinate section has a college education or is illiterate, but decisive is the fact whether this person is satisfied with the extensive utilization of labor and thereby actually is the best collaborator of the ruling people, or if he, regardless of what educational class he belongs to, dreams only of the downfall of this ruling class. The fact that England, as the third people after the Greek and Roman Empire has succeeded on the basis of a century-long experience of her colonial statesmen to gain supporters for herself among the best of the conquered peoples is the basis of the rule of the British Isle.
_The German Language in the East_.
If we are prohibiting today the learning of the German language in the occupied Eastern territories, then this is considered only a sign of weakness, not that of strength. Military detachments told the reporter that they were in many instances asked by the natives why their children were not allowed to study the German language. The Russians concluded from this that the Germans intended to leave the Eastern territory in the shortest possible period of time. Throughout the existence of world history, the conquered have learned the languages of the ruling peoples. This law of nature cannot be changed.
Today it is actually so, that--contrary to the order of the Ministry for the East-German is being learned and taught everywhere. Especially exemplary is the settlement at Selzner in the General Commissariat Dniepropetrovsk, where in the professional schools all professional and technical expressions are taught to the apprentices right away in the German language.
_Replacement [Nachwuchs] of Specialists_.
Aside from the general school education the question of _specialist training_ for industrial use plays the decisive part at present. Here also the way and manner is exemplary in which the solution is being executed in the General Commissariat Dniepropetrovsk with an inclination toward Bolshevist examples.
This concerns handicraft schools with attached retraining shops, which are connected with practical work in the factory.
The youths between the ages of 14-16 years, who have left school, attend a training course in industrial preparatory school, which lasts two months, after having taken a capability examination with the employment office. Then follows practical work in a factory; duration 6 month. This is followed by another training course of 2 month. After every attendance of a semester the youth advances into the next higher wage class. Altogether 12-16 months of training are given.
The system turns out useful specialists within the shortest period of time, even though they are not painstaking craftsmen. The continuation of this method is to be urgently recommended in view of the mobilization of labor, and if possible it should be executed by a _central order for the remaining occupied Eastern territories_.
In Dniepropetrovsk itself especially good participants of the training courses are finally taken over after the Germans example into an apprenticeship of three years' length, where their final training takes place under German supervision.
_Retraining in Critical Professions._
With the same system the unskilled workers who were left behind by the Bolshevists are being retrained in the critical professions: metal craftsmen, construction craftsmen, carpenters, and stone cutters. Further schools for car mechanics, tractor drivers, etc., have been established and schools for other professions are being planned.
_Medical and Legal Replacement Necessary_.
Besides this special training for industrial use a thorough training of the young generation also in the medical, veterinary, and legal fields is necessary. Because we need the Slav as a peasant and worker and tomorrow as a fighting soldier, in order to maintain ourselves against the whole world, it is necessary that especially in the medical field the required education for the maintenance of the population, whose life and work is necessary for our front. The impetus is the greater, because already today the time has arrived, when Ukrainian and/or Russian doctors are working in the Reich itself as assistant doctors in German hospitals because of the lack of doctors and thereby represent to the leading doctors a more valuable help than the inexperienced young German generation.
_The Rising Generation of Farmers._
Just as important is the rising generation of farmers. In reality, in the East, the Specialist Officers [Sonderfuehrer] who cultivated at home 10 Mozgen, does not manage half a dozen communal farms [Sovchose] and state farms [Kolchose] with a total of a hundred thousand hectars, but the problems of such agricultural installations are mastered by the Bolshevist agronomist subordinate to the former, who has received a preliminary training during the Bolshevist period in order to manage huge industrialized agricultural installations.
_Basic Meaning of the School Problem._
However, the question of schools, apart from all practical aspects of the rising generation of workers is urgent for us, also for propagandistic considerations. All efforts of the reporter to determine which apart from the practical social measures of Bolshevism, of the number of Moscow's ideological propaganda slogans has developed actually the strongest public appeal, yield the following unmistakable picture:
The entire population of the Soviet Union, even as far back as the most remote village--despite all terrors--had the conviction that each and every one carries the marshal's baton in his knapsack. Every farmer's son, every worker's child actually had every opportunity for advancement in the countless schools of the Soviets. There was no village in which one or more farmer families could not state proudly that their daughter or their son is an engineer or a doctor or chief agronomist or Commander of the Red Army, etc. _There was an unusually broad middle strata of Soviet intelligentsia_, whose highest aspiration was the continuation of education, the breaking into the scientific world.
As a sole sample taken at random the Sovchos Semlianskaia near Voreschilovsk is mentioned. The following comprise the administration of this State property; a director with a monthly salary of 1000 Rubles, his deputy 600 Rubles, another agronomist for special assignments with 600 Rubles, two agronomists for sheep with 450 Rubles each, the chief animal agronomist with 850 Rubles, two animal specialists with 450 Rubles each, the veterinary with 750 Rubles, two assistants with 450 Rubles each, the chief shepherd with 350 Rubles, the bookkeeper with 750 Rubles, his deputy with 500 Rubles, three more bookkeepers with 350 Rubles each.
Such a staff of "these of the intelligentsia" [Intelligenzlern] administred 20,000 hectars with 605 workers, including the members of the family.
The crass transition from the Bolshevist propaganda of the "ascent" [Aufstieg] into the intelligentsia to our method of closing all schools is perhaps the very measure which is the most dangerous for our domination in the East.
_Theater and Film_
In the same connection the theater and film question is important. The incident in Kiev is well known, where, after the presentation of a revue under German stage-direction with nude girls, etc., although subdued but completely unmistakable protest reactions by the native inhabitants were the result. The Russian and the people of the East area influenced by him, still considered the theater as an educational institution. They expect either education or a political tendency in the sense of training. In the serious theater, every activity of amusement appears to them as a sacrilege and consequently our revues and soldier shows as a barbaric action against culture.
It is similar with the motion pictures. After the appearance of the first German entertainment films, for a long time the native public vainly racked its brains over their tendency. All German offices, all interpreters, all native inhabitants who were linguists were overwhelmed with pertinent questions. Apparently the peasants agreed on the solution that all German films, which, as is known, take place in an atmosphere of luxury essentially have a marked tendency to glorify capitalism and its outward forms.
Accordingly, it is vital to exercise the greatest caution and tact in the selection of films for the Eastern area. It is best to exhibit cultural films, which are received with the greatest elucidation.
VIII. The Judicial Problem
_Collegiate Courts or Single Judges_
In various army areas, as well as in the Reich Commissariat Ukraine, a legal code have been created for the arbitration of civil court disagreements. As for details, the opinions differ. In the Army Area North and in Army Area Center, collegiate courts have been set up. In the Ukraine, the point of view is taken that the single judges are better, because the Slav has the tendency to evade the responsibility. There were endless proceedings in the collegiate court without the possibility of arriving at a clear-cut judgment, but the single judge is forced to pronounce a sentence on his own responsibility. This shortens the proceedings and is more favorable in its consequences.
_Trained Jurists_
The experience and conclusion that only trained jurists are fit for this judicial office is general and unmistakable. This conclusion is general. It was explained especially clearly in the General Commissariat, Dniepropetrowsk by the highest judge, who is continually traveling in the country and is professionally best equipped to judge the situation. This example also proves that the 3 year elementary school [Grundschule] in the Eastern area is unfeasible.
In the necessary clarification of the legal code the inheritance law (testaments) and marital law in particular are very urgent.
IX. Unified Leadership.
The complaint of all military offices as well as numerous civil administration offices is that today the Ministry for the East is not uniformly decisive in the Eastern area, but that a half dozen other offices act independently. In the appendix a chart of the structure of Army Group A is included which shows how many and what offices work on their own responsibility, outside of the proper military administration in its sphere.
Of course, this independence of individual offices gives them an extraordinary striking power, but in the long run this division of authority cannot be kept up. Even if the mentioned offices retain their general independence in the future, it must by all means, be achieved that the commander of the army areas are given the authority to delegate to all these offices the tasks designated for the individual commitments after previous consultation. Every military and civil leader with final responsibility in the Eastern area is weakened in his authority and thus also in view to the achieving of his aims by the fact that there are today, a half dozen officers which act independently in his sphere without having to subordinate their own interests to the overall interest of the particular sector. This division of jurisdiction is the same over-bureaucratization which we justly criticize in our enemies and which the Fuehrer has often enough branded as the cause of the weakening of our effort.
It will have to come that the highest leadership issues directives which are decisive for the civil as well as military administrative districts, whereby a basic law, according to an English model, has to be considered always: first of all experiments are made, and only then, after examination of the experiences, will the final decisive orders be given by the central office. This knowledge of leadership from century old experience, as possessed by the British Empire must finally be taken over by the proper central administrative authorities in Berlin.
X. Administrative Experiment Areas.
The Army Area, respectively Army Group A (Caucasus) have organized experimental areas of the administrative type, and namely one in the territory of the Cuban-Cossacks around Unmanskaia, which includes six regions with a population of about 150,000 each, the other one in the area of the Karatschaier.
The two closed settlement groups of the Karatschaier are led by a committee of the eldest, each consisting of 8 of the noblest persons of the tribe, who are directly subordinated to the local commander in an advisory capacity.
The cooperative [Kolchos] land is divided up, and given to the farmers as their property. The old farmland from the Bolshevist period is tax-free, taxes are levied for the new.
In the experimental area of the Cuban-Cossacks, the role of the local commander is changed. Six regions are concentrated under one field commandant. The District Ataman is subordinated to the field commandant in an advisory capacity.
Furthermore, a special economic liaison staff has been created which is directly subordinated to the economic inspectorate Caucasus. The county Agricultural Supervisor [Kreislandwirt] must turn to him. The regional agronomist is also subordinate directly to the liaison staff.
The attempts to carry out a certain amount of self administration deserve the highest attention in the framework of the reconstruction policy in the East. We must learn from experiments. Whatever proves itself here must be exercised again tomorrow in the best suited areas, perhaps in the Ukraine, then again in parts of districts.
XI. Realist-Political Leadership of the Peoples in the Eastern Area.
An ideological goal must be given to the peoples of the Eastern area, where already today and tomorrow even more the last inhabitant is used for essential agricultural or war economic task, above that where his use in military combat, whether it is against partisan or directly on the front has already begun. As long as no such goal is in front of the eyes of the Slav, we must expect that all forces, organized in the meantime, will turn against the German leadership in case of a military reverse, with which a far sighted policy always must count upon.
Never in world history was there such a condition, whereby a large people respectively several large peoples gave their entire working power and their blood in military commitments without knowing what results they can achieve by this for themselves, their children and their children's children. The fact that we do not recognize this thesis of experience of history will cost us tomorrow the blood of hundreds of thousands of German soldiers. There is no General of the German Armed Forces today who has any understanding that we believe to be able to dominate the Slavs without consideration of this fact.
_Self Administration_
This impression of the Eastern peoples that their work and military utilization in the German service is meaningful, can only be achieved by giving them self administration in a national-political respect as a goal. Secret slogans can actually never be kept secret, that is known. Today, the conviction is at large all through the Eastern area that Germany has the intention to put the Slav on the same level as the Negro; that the Slav must be biologically exterminated at the first possible moment, that at best he would be all to seek his livelihood beyond the Ural mountains.
This knowledge constitutes the greatest danger for the German leader who wants to organize the Russian area. Already the fact that the marked conviction in the Eastern area is generally known and widespread today, means a weakening of the war economic and soldierly potential of the Slav, such as no partisan propaganda could achieve to such an extent.
_Primacy of War Necessities_
All of these projects exist beyond any ideological attitude. The military and war economic necessities are the only guides. If we forsake them, then the German soldier at the front will have to pay for our political errors in disposition with his blood.
We must build, by taking only those measures, beyond all ideology, which may be suitable after a victorious peace, which are useful in furthering the working and soldierly commitment of the Slav in our interest and thereby conserve German working power and German blood, and bring German victory closer.
* * * * *
Appendix A Daily Food Rations in the Occupied Eastern Territories. (in grams)
-------------------------+--------+-------+------+----------+---------- | | | | Prepared | Consumer Class | Bread | Meat | Fat | Foods | Potatoes -------------------------+--------+-------+------+----------+---------- _In the Towns of Army | | | | | Area A (Caucasus)_ | | | | | | | | | | Normal Consumer | 215 | -- | -- | -- | -- | | | | | Worker for the German | | | | | Armed Forces | 345 | 28.5 | 10 | -- | -- | | | | | Very Heavy Worker for | | | | | the German Armed | | | | | Forces | 428 | 43 | 14.3 | -- | --
In some villages potatoes and vegetables are missing altogether.
-------------------------+--------+-------+------+----------+---------- _In the Ukraine_ (without| | | | | legal claim) | | | | | | | | | | Unemployed | 215 | 14.3 | -- | -- | 286 | | | | | Families of those working| | | | | for German interests | 215 | 14.3 | -- | 71,5 | 286 | | | | | Workers for the German | | | | | Armed Forces | 286 | 28.6 | -- | 71,5 | 355 | | | | | Very Heavy Workers for | | | | | the German Armed | | | | | Forces | 355 | 42.8 | -- | 355(?) | 355
These rations were issued hardly anywhere until now; especially the first two groups mentioned have not received these rations in most cases.
-------------------------+--------+-------+------+----------+---------- _In the Towns of the | | | | | Crimea_ | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | | | | | Workers for the German | | | | | Armed Forces | 300 | -- | -- | 71,3 | -- | | | | | Families | 200 | -- | -- | -- | -- | | | | | Children under 14 | 100 | -- | -- | -- | -- | | | | |
According to the importance of the factory, 3-5 grams of sunflower oil is distributed daily.
Appendix A--Continued
----------------------------+-------+------+------+----------+--------- | | | | Prepared | Consumer Class | Bread | Meat | Fat | Foods | Potatoes ----------------------------+-------+------+------+----------+--------- _In the Towns of the General| | | | | Commissariat | | | | | Dniepropetrovsk_ | -- | -- | -- | | -- | | | | | | | | (Oil)| | | | | | | Normal Worker | 250 | -- | 6 | 50 | -- | | | | | Heavy Worker for the | | | | | German Armed Forces | 300 | -- | 6 | 50 | -- | | | | | Very Heavy Workers for | | | | | the German Armed | | | | | Forces | 400 | -- | 15 | 50 | -- | | | | | Miners | 700 | -- | 20 | 100 | -- | | | | | Women and Children | 250 | -- | -- | -- | -- ----------------------------+-------+------+------+----------+---------
* * * * *
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1383-PS
Excerpt from Transcription of a Stenographic Report of Discussion of the Current Military Situation--dated 12 December 1942--[Pages 65 and 66.]
Jodl: The Military Commander of France reports: The number of those French workers who were deported into the Reich since 1 June has now passed 220,000. There are, in round figures, 110,000 specialists in Berlin. An agreement has been successfully concluded with the French Government about cession of an oil refinery with a capacity of 1/2 million tons. More than that, the French Government has agreed to furnish other installations if need be.
(Reading)
There is nothing else to report from France. The sending away of the 121st and 304th was good. One already more than 50 trains, the other about 46 trains.
Down there in the Balkans a clean-up campaign is under way in Jajce. Where the opponent has retreated, he is being pushed. Those mountains here are quiet. At * * * across the demarcation line, have thrown back the enemy. Here he has attacked very hard, left 37 dead. People are continuously being arrested in Belgrade. One can say that every day between 15 and 30 Mihailovic followers are being shot.
Up here where the Italians have started to withdraw, the pressure has already become somewhat livelier. Here are concentrations,--here is where once in a while the railways are being destroyed, and also in this area where the pressure of the enemy against this contemplated Italian line is increasing.
Down here another clearing action by the Italians is now in swing.
In Finland everything is quiet, also after these fake attacks day before yesterday.
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1384-PS
Conference of the Fuehrer with General Field Marshal Keitel and General Zeitzler on 8 June 1943 at the Berghof-- Extract from stenographic notes.
[Page 6] The Fuehrer: * * * I can only say: we will never build up a Russian army, that is a phantom of the first order. Before we will do so, it will be much simpler if I get the Russians as workers in Germany; that is much more decisive. I don't need a Russian army which I have to strengthen with German corset stays through and through. It serves my purpose if I get Russian workers instead. Then I can release the Germans and reeducate the Russians. For us the most successful thing lies in the production of the Russian workers who are employed in Germany; of course, we have to feed them in a different way if we thrust a maximum amount of work upon them.
* * * * *
[Page 12] He said: Here, I lose 500,000 Jews. I must take them away, because the Jews are the element of revolt. But in my area, actually, the Jews were the only tradesmen. Now they want to set up high schools and grammar schools, thereby building here, a national Ukrainian state, that should in the future, fight against Russia. I am not even in a position to have the worker, who must work here, have his boots repaired. I can't do that because the tradesmen are no longer here. The Jews are all gone. What is more important, that I train the Ukrainians how to mend boots, or that I send them high schools so that they can build up the Ukrainian state?
* * * * *
[Page 25] Keitel: Now about the employment of people from deserters camps.
Fuehrer: I am of the opinion that they should be transferred to Germany and used there. They are prisoners of war. If I only could transfer 30, 40 or 50,000 men to the commissioner for coal production! But then they will have to be treated really in a decent way.
Zeitzler: I have set as my goal that they should become decent workers in Germany. We can't do much with deserters at the front. I can commit a few of them as volunteers for replacements. But the majority should go to Germany as workers in order to release Germans.
Fuehrer: I can only say: if we do not straighten out our coal affairs, the moment will arrive when I shall not be able to produce either ammunition or explosives anymore, nor will we be able to build submarines. This will happen in 100 other fields too. It is idiotic. But the moment will arrive. It is already tragic when the Italians come and ask us why do we not deliver this or that. I have to deliver it. We cannot, because we haven't got enough coal. That is sloppy, of course.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1386-PS
1936 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, 378 Law concerning the granting of amnesty of 23 April 1936
The Reich government has decided to enact the following law, which is announced hereby.
Par. 1
1. Amnesty is granted for punishable acts which the perpetrator has committed in his eagerness to fight for the National Socialist ideal. Excluded are intentional offences through which death of a human being has resulted; excluded also are acts, the motives and nature of which show base intentions of the perpetrator.
2. Sentences which through the punishable acts described in Par. 1, are recognized to be legal and are not yet carried out when this law goes into effect, will be remitted. Pending prosecution will be put off if the act has been committed before 20 April 1936; new prosecutions will not be established.
Par. 2
Amnesty is also granted for other punishable acts, under the provisions of the following regulations:
1. When this law goes into effect, sentences recognized as valid, but not yet carried out, will be remitted, if they consist of not more than one month imprisonment and/or a fine (the latter may be changed into one month imprisonment). If on account of several separate actions, a total fine is imposed, amnesty is only valid if the fine does not go over the limit described in section 1; when this law goes into effect, the same rule applies when several legal convictions are combined into one.
2. Pending prosecutions for offences, committed before 20 April 1936, will be put off if no higher punishment or combined punishment, of one month and a fine, can be expected. New prosecutions will not be established.
Par. 3
1. In addition to #1 and #2, when this law goes into effect, fines and imprisonment not exceeding 6 months either separately or both together recognized to be valid but not yet carried out, or which are still imposed for acts committed before 20 April 1936, will be remitted conditionally if they apply to:
1. Punishable acts against the law concerning treacherous attacks against the State and Party and for the protection of the party uniforms of 20 Dec. 1934 (Reichsgesetzblatt I, page 1269) with exception of offences against section 3 and section 5, chapter 1--as well as punishable acts against section 134 a and b and section 130 of the penal code.
2. Insults against the Fuehrer and Reichs Chancellor and other leading personalities of the state or the NSDAP, as well as other insults or physical injuries resulting from political arguments (sections 223, 223a of the penal code), and punishable remarks of dissatisfaction according to section 360 No. 11 of the penal code.
2. The same applies to punishable acts against section 330a of the penal code dealing with punishable acts as described in section 1 No. 1 and 2.
3. The fine will be remitted under the condition that the perpetrator does not commit a crime or a deliberate offence for a period of 3 years following the granting of the conditional amnesty.
Par. 4
The Reichsminister of Justice will issue the necessary regulations for the execution of this law.
Par. 5
The law goes into effect on the day following the publication. Berlin 23 April 1936
The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. Guertner
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1388-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 479
Law concerning confiscation of Property subversive to People and State of 14 July 1933
The Reich Government has enacted the following law which is hereby promulgated:
The provisions of the Law confiscating Communist Property of 26 May 1933 (RGBl I, 293) are applicable to assets and interests of the Social Democratic Party of Germany and their welfare and affiliated organizations and also to assets and interests which are used or destined to promote Marxist or other activities found by the Reich Minister of the Interior to be subversive to people and state.
Berlin, 14 July 1933 The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1388-A-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 479 Law Against the New Establishment of Parties July 14, 1933
The German Government has enacted the following law, which is herewith promulgated:
Art. 1
The National Socialist German Worker's Party [Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei] constitutes the only political party in Germany.
Art. 2
Whoever undertakes to maintain the organizational structure of another political party or to form a new political party will be punished with penal servitude up to three years or with imprisonment of from six months to three years, if the deed is not subject to a greater penalty according to other regulations.
Berlin, den 14 Juli, 1933. The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. Guertner
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1389-PS
1935 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 769 Law creating Reich Labor Service of 26 June 1935
The Reich Government has decided to enact the following law which is hereby made public:
## Chapter I
_Labor Service of the Reich_
Article 1
1. The Reich Labor Service is a service of honor for the German people.
2. It is the duty of all young Germans of both sexes to serve their nation within the Reich Labor Service.
3. It is the task of the Reich Labor Service to educate the German youth in the spirit of National Socialism for the community of the nation and the true conception of labor, particularly to inspire them with the necessary respect for manual labor.
4. The purpose of the Reich Labor Service is the execution of work for the common benefit.
Article 2
1. The Reich Labor Service is subordinated to the Reich Ministry of the Interior. The Reich Labor leader rules under its jurisdiction over the Reich Labor Service.
2. The Reich Labor leader is at the head of the Reichsleitung of the Labor Service. He dictates its organization, decides about the mobilization of labor and directs training and education.
## Chapter II
The Labor Service Duty of the Male Youth
Article 3
1. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor determines the number of the eligible recruits for every year and decides about the length of service.
2. The service starts at the minimum completed age of 18 and ends with the maximum completed age of 25.
3. As a rule, the eligible recruits will be called for labor duty in the year of completion of their 19th year.
4. Voluntary admission at an earlier age is possible.
5. Prison terms of more than 30 days will have to be made up for by the recruits and volunteers of the Reich Labor Service, if their offense does not make necessary their dismissal from the Reich Labor Service, according to Article 16.
Article 4
The eligible recruits for labor will be conscripted by the "Ersatzdienststellen of the Reich Labor Service."
Article 5
1. The following are excluded from the Reich Labor Service:
a. ex-convicts,
b. who is not in possession of the civic rights,
c. who comes under the regulations of security and correction according to Article 42a of the penal code,
d. who has been expelled from the National Socialist Party because of dishonorable activities,
e. who has been condemned by the court because of activities against the State.
2. The Reich Minister of the Interior can make exceptions concerning
## Part 1, letters c and e.
3. Labor Service recruits who have been declared unworthy to occupy public offices can only be called, after the time of the loss of that honor, determined by the verdict, has elapsed.
Article 6
1. Persons who are completely unfit for labor service will not be conscripted for same.
2. Labor Service recruits residing abroad or intending to go abroad can be exempted from the fulfillment of labor service for up to two years, in exceptional cases even permanently, but in any case only as long as they stay abroad.
Article 7
1. Not eligible for labor service are persons of non-aryan descent or who are married to a person of non-aryan descent. The ruling of the Reich Minister of the Interior as in Article 1, part 3 of the Reich Law for Civil Servants, dated 8 August 1933 (RGBl I, 575), determines who is to be considered of non-aryan descent.
2. Non-aryans who have been declared worthy for armed service [wehrwuerdig] according to Article 15, part 2 of the Armed Service Law [Wehrgesetz] can also be accepted for labor service. They cannot occupy superior positions in the labor service, though.
Article 8
Eligible labor recruits can be deferred from labor service for up to 2 years, in the case of vital professional reasons up to 5 years.
## Chapter III
_The Labor Service Duties of the Female Youth_
Article 9
The rules concerning the labor service of the female youth will be a matter of special legislation.
## Chapter IV
_Duties and Privileges of the Members of the Reich Labor Service_
Article 10
1. The following are members of the Reich labor service:
a. The cadre,
b. The conscripted recruits,
c. The labor service volunteers,
2. People can be hired by contract for certain functions of the interior service.
Article 11
1. The cadre consist of the leaders and office holders according to plan (T.O.) as well as the candidates for these offices. The regular leaders and office holders work for the Reich Labor Service on a professional basis.
2. The leader candidate has to sign up for at least ten years of continuous service and must prove his aryan descent, before he can be promoted to a regular leader [Truppfuehrer-sergeant]. He must also have accomplished his military service.
3. Regular leaders and office holders must absolutely resign at a certain age limit.
4. Civil servants of other administrations who are transferred to the Reich Labor Service retain their claim concerning their financial privileges which they acquired prior to their transfer.
5. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor nominates and dismisses the members of the Reich Labor Service from the rank of major [Arbeitsfuehrer] and up. The other members of the Reich Labor Service are nominated and dismissed by the Reich Minister of the Interior on the proposal of the Reich Labor Leader [Reichsarbeitsfuehrer]. He can confer this authority onto the Reichsarbeitsfuehrer.
Article 12
1. A regular Fuehrer or office holder can be dismissed from the service in any of these instances:
a. in justified cases on his own request,
b. if he does not possess any more the necessary physical and mental capacities to carry on in his job, and if the recovery of these capacities cannot be expected within a year, according to a certificate of a doctor of the labor service.
c. if his superior decides that he does not possess the necessary qualifications any more to carry on in his office.
2. Subsequent discovery of reasons for inadmissibility to the Reich Labor Service according to Articles 5 and 7 will result in immediate dismissal.
3. The intention of dismissal is, in the cases of part 1, letters b and c, to be made known 3 months in advance to the members of the cadre with more than 5 years of service and 1 month for the other members, with the motivation of dismissal. No previous notification of dismissals are necessary in all other cases.
Article 13
The membership of the Reich Labor Service lasts from the day of admission or conscription [Gestellungstag] until the end of the day of discharge.
Article 14
Membership of the Reich Labor Service does not constitute a work and service relationship in the sense of labor rights and social security as put down in Article 11.
Article 15
The members of the Reich Labor Service come under the penal regulations of the Reich Labor Service.
Article 16
1. Labor service recruits and volunteers can be released before the end of their term in the following cases:
a. on their request, if a reason for deferment, according to Article 8 came into existence after induction.
b. if they are no longer in the possession of the physical or mental capacities necessary for the performance of the service.
2. A premature dismissal of labor service recruits and volunteers must be ordered in the case of subsequent discovery of reasons for inadmissibility to the Reich Labor Service according to Articles 5 or 7.
Article 17
1. Members of the Reich Labor Service who belong to the National Socialist Party, cannot participate in the activities of the Party or its sub-divisions.
2. In order to acquire and to exercise membership of any kind of organization as well as in order to form any kind of organization within or without the Reich Labor Service, the members of the Reich Labor Service must first obtain the authorization of the Reich Labor Service. The acquisition of membership of the National Socialist Party does not necessitate an authorization.
Article 18
The members of the Reich Labor Service must obtain an authorization in order to get married.
Article 19
The members of the Reich Labor Service must obtain an authorization in order to carry on a trade, for themselves and the members of their household, as well as in order to accept a paid, supplementary occupation.
Article 20
1. The members of the Reich Labor Service can refuse the position of a guardian, trustee, foster-father and supporter as well as any honorary occupation in the service of the Reich, country, community or the party.
2. An authorization is necessary for the acceptance of such a function. It can only be refused in vital cases.
Article 21
Members of the Reich Labor Service are entitled to free medical treatment and care in the case of sickness and accidents, according to special regulations.
Article 22
The salaries of the members of the Reich Labor Service are handled by the wage regulations of the Reich Labor Service.
Article 23
1. Financial claims resulting from the participation in the Reich Labor Service come under the regulations applicable to civil servants of the Reich. The highest authority in the spirit of these regulations is the Reich Labor Leader.
2. The decisions of the Reich Labor Service concerning the induction (Articles 5, 6, 7), deferment (Article 8) and dismissal (Articles 12 and 16) are binding for the courts. The same applies to decisions about temporary relief of duty.
Article 24
The protection of the incapacitated in performance of the service and the personnel release after at least ten years of service and their survivors is regulated by the Reich Labor Protection Law [Reichsarbeitsdienstversorgungsgesetz].
Article 25
1. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor or his appointed representative office can authorize the departing members of the Reich Labor Service to wear the Reich Labor Service uniform until further notice.
2. This privilege is ordinarily only granted after at least 10 years of honorable service.
## Chapter V
Final Instructions
Article 26
The legal and administrative regulations necessary for the execution and completion of this law will be issued by the Reich Minister of the Interior.
Article 27
1. This law becomes effective the day of its publication.
2. The Reich Minister of the Interior is authorized to determine at a later date for the effectiveness of various regulations of this law.
Berlin, 26 June 1935 The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1390-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 83
Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State of 28 February 1933
In virtue of Section 48 (2) of the German constitution, the following is decreed as a defensive measure against Communist acts of violence, endangering the state:
Article 1
Sections 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124, and 153 of the Constitution of the German Reich are suspended until further notice. Thus, restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press, on the right of assembly and the right of association, and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic, and telephonic communications, and warrants for house-searches, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed.
Article 2
If in a state the measures necessary for the restoration of public security and order are not taken, the Reich Government may temporarily take over the powers of the highest state authority.
Article 3
According to orders decreed on the basis of Article 2, by the Reich Government, the authorities of states and provinces [Gemeindeverbaende], if concerned, have to abide thereby.
Article 4
Whoever provokes, or appeals for or incites to the disobedience of the orders given out by the supreme state authorities or the authorities subject to them for the execution of this decree, or the orders given by the Reich Government according to Article 2, is punishable--insofar as the deed is not covered by other decrees with more severe punishments--with imprisonment of not less than one month, or with a fine from 150 up to 15,000 Reichsmarks.
Whoever endangers human life by violating Article 1, is to be punished by sentence to a penitentiary, under mitigating circumstances with imprisonment of not less than six months and, when violation causes the death of a person, with death, under mitigating circumstances with a penitentiary sentence of not less than two years. In addition the sentence may include confiscation of property.
Whoever provokes or incites to an act contrary to public welfare is to be punished with a penitentiary sentence, under mitigating circumstances, with imprisonment of not less than three months.
Article 5
The crimes which under the Criminal Code are punishable with penitentiary for life are to be punished with death: i.e., in Sections 81 (high treason), 229 (poisoning), 306 (arson), 311 (properties), 324 (general poisoning).
Insofar as a more severe punishment has not been previously provided for, the following are punishable with death or with life imprisonment or with imprisonment not to exceed 15 years:
1. Anyone who undertakes to kill the Reich President or a member or a commissioner of the Reich Government or of a state government, or provokes to such a killing, or agrees to commit it, or accepts such an offer, or conspires with another for such a murder;
2. Anyone who under Section 115 (2) of the Criminal Code (serious rioting) or of Section 125 (2) of the Criminal Code (serious disturbance of the peace) commits the act with arms or cooperates consciously and intentionally with an armed person;
3. Anyone who commits a kidnapping under Section 239 of the Criminal Code with the intention of making use of the kidnapped person as a hostage in the political struggle.
Article 6
This decree enters in force on the day of its promulgation. Berlin, 28 February 1933.
The Reich President von Hindenburg
The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. Guertner
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1391-PS
1934 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PAGES 605-607, 12 July 1934.
Statute of the Academy for German law.
Par. 1
It is the task of the Academy for German Law to further the rejuvenation of the Law in Germany. Closely connected with the agencies competent for legislation, it shall further the realization of the National Socialist Program in the realm of the Law. This task shall be carried out through well-fixed scientific methods.
The academy's task shall cover primarily:
1. The composition, the initiation, judging and preparing of drafts of law.
2. The collaboration in rejuvenating and unifying the training in jurisprudence and political science.
3. The editing and supporting of scientific publications.
4. The financial assistance for research and work in specific fields of Law and Political Economy.
5. The organization of scientific meetings and the organization of courses.
6. The cultivation of connections to similar institutions in foreign countries.
Par. 2
For the execution of its task, the Academy may set up special committees handling particular cases. These committees shall have as members outstanding specialists in jurisprudence and practice of the Law as well as experts in Economic Affairs. As a rule, a respectable member of the Academy, shall be the chairman of Committees. The President of the academy shall receive reports on the results of the work done by the committees.
Par. 3
The organs of the Academy are:
1. The President,
2. The Board of Directors.
Par. 4
In addition to the responsibilities fixed by the Law, the President shall have to carry out the following duties.
1. The internal control of the Academy particularly the fixing and distribution of the various duties and the forming of committees and the appointment of the chairman and members of the committees.
2. The draft of the budget of the Academy, the rendering of the account and the administration of the property.
3. The nomination and the dismissal of members.
4. The appointment of his deputy, of the members of the Board of Directors and of the Treasurer--all from among the members of the Academy.
5. The changing of the statutes.
In case the President is unable to carry out his duties, they will be carried out by his deputy.
A change of the statutes and the nomination of the President's deputy requires the confirmation of the competent Ministers of the Reich. As for the draft of the budget, and the rendering of the account, the provisions contained in Art. 9 to 12 shall be applied.
Par. 5
The Board of Directors shall support and advise the President; it shall discuss the budget and make a preliminary examination of the rendering of the account.
Par. 6
The academy consists of:
1. ordinary,
2. extraordinary,
3. supporting,
4. corresponding members.
Par. 7
Members are nominated for a term of 4 years. The number of ordinary members is not to exceed 300.
The ordinary members are compelled to participate in the meetings of the Academy and, according to rules set forth by the President, to cooperate in accomplishing the goal of the Academy.
Par. 8
The financial administration of the Academy will be handled by the treasurer. Current administrative matters will be handled by a director who will have a contract with the Academy.
Par. 9
It shall be up to the President to plan the budget before the beginning of each fiscal year [Rechnungsjahr]. This draft shall show and adjust all receipts and expenditures to be expected during the fiscal year--separated according to purpose and valuation. Only those expenditures are authorized which, after careful verification, are necessary for the completion of the tasks which the Academy is to fulfill according to Law or Statute.
Before being put into effect, the budget-plan shall be discussed by the Board of Directors.
Par. 10
The consent of the competent Ministers of the Reich is required for the budget plan. The Reich Minister of Justice shall receive it at a date set forth by him but not later than one month before the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Par. 11
The President shall have to account for all receipts and expenditures at the end of the fiscal year. This account shall be checked by the Board of Directors and passed on by it, with adequate comments, to the Reich Minister of Justice.
Par. 12
As for the drafting and execution of the budget, for financial administration and for bookkeeping as well as for the accounting, auditing and certification of accounting, the regulations of the Reich budget apply.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1392-PS
1936 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 933
Law on the Hitler Youth 1 December 1936
The future of the German Nation depends on its youth, and the German youth shall have to be prepared for its future duties.
Therefore the Government of the Reich has prepared the following law which is being published herewith:
Art. 1
All of the German youth in the Reich is organized within the Hitler-Youth.
Art. 2
The German Youth besides being reared within the family and school, shall be educated physically, intellectually, and morally in the spirit of National Socialism to serve the people and community, through the Hitler Youth.
Art. 3
The task of educating the German Youth through the Hitler Youth is being entrusted to the Reichs-Leader of German Youth in the NSDAP. He is the "Youth Leader of the German Reich". The position of his office is that of a higher governmental Agency with its seat in Berlin, and is directly responsible to the Fuehrer and Chancellor of the Reich.
Art. 4
All regulations necessary for the executions and completion of this law will be issued by the Fuehrer Chancellor of the Reich.
Berlin, 1 December 1936
The Fuehrer and Chancellor of the Reich Adolph Hitler The Secretary of State and Chief of the Reichchancellery Dr. Lammers
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1393-PS
1934 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 1269
Law on treacherous Acts against State and Party, and for The Protection of Party Uniforms of 20 December 1934
The Government of the Reich has decided to enact the following law, which is published herewith:
## Chapter I
Article 1
1. Unless heavier punishment is sanctioned under the authority of a law previously established, imprisonment not to exceed two years shall be imposed upon anybody deliberately making false or grievous statements, fit to injure the welfare or the prestige of the government of the Reich, the National Socialist Workers Party or its agencies. If such statements are made or circulated in public, imprisonment for not less than 3 months shall be imposed.
2. Anyone committing the offense insolently and carelessly shall be punished with imprisonment not to exceed 3 months or with a fine.
3. If the offense is directed solely against the prestige of the NSDAP or its affiliated agencies, the offender shall be prosecuted only with the consent of the Fuehrer's deputy or of agencies authorized by him to initiate the prosecution.
Article 2
1. Anyone who makes or circulates statements proving a malicious, baiting or low-minded attitude towards leading personalities of the State or the NSDAP, or towards orders issued by them or towards institutions created by them--fit to undermine the confidence of the people in its political leadership--shall be punished with imprisonment.
2. Statements of this kind which are not made in public shall warrant the same punishment--provided the offender figures on his statements being eventually circulated in public.
3. The offender shall be prosecuted only by the order of the Reich Minister for Justice; in case the offense was committed against a leading personality of the NSDAP, the Reich Minister for Justice shall issue the order in agreement with the Fuehrer's Deputy.
4. The Reich Minister for Justice in agreement with the Fuehrer's Deputy shall determine who is to be regarded as a leading personality as specified in (1).
Article 3
1. Anyone who commits or threatens to commit a punishable act, or who is wearing the uniform or an insignia of the NSDAP, or carries it on his person without being a member of the NSDAP or its affiliated agencies and therefore being entitled to do so, will be punished with forced labor or in minor instances with imprisonment not to exceed 6 months.
2. Anyone who commits the offense with the intention to stir up unrest or to sow fear or terror in the population, or to create difficulties for the German Reich with a foreign power, shall be punished with forced labor not to exceed 3 years or with forced labor for life or in
## particularly grave cases with death.
3. According to this law, a German national may be punished also if he has committed the offense in a foreign country.
Article 4
1. Anyone who for the sake of a material advantage or for political ends poses as a member of the NSDAP or its agencies, shall be punished with imprisonment not to exceed 1 year plus a fine or either one.
2. The offender shall be prosecuted only in agreement with the Fuehrer or with those authorized by him.
Article 5
1. Anyone who manufactures, holds in stock, sells or otherwise brings on the market Party uniforms, parts of Party uniforms, textiles, flags or insignias of the NSDAP, its affiliated agencies or organizations, without the permission of the treasurer of the Reich, shall be punished with imprisonment not to exceed 2 years.
2. Anyone who has in his possession Party uniforms and insignias without being a member of the NSDAP or its affiliated organizations, or without being entitled to possess them for any other reason, shall be punished with imprisonment not to exceed 1 year. Anyone who wears any of the above mentioned items, shall be punished with imprisonment not to exceed 1 month.
3. To be put on a par with Party uniforms, parts of Party uniforms and insignia are those uniforms, parts of uniforms and insignias which can easily be confused with them.
4. The uniforms, parts of uniforms, textiles, flags or insignias in question shall be confiscated. In case no particular person can be prosecuted or condemned, the confiscation shall take place all the same--provided conditions justify it.
5. The confiscated items shall be turned over to the Reich Treasurer of the NSDAP or to those agencies appointed by him, for future use.
6. The prosecution of the offense and the confiscation (#4, section 2) can only be undertaken in agreement with the Fuehrer's Deputy or agencies authorized by him to handle this matter.
Article 6
According to the rules set forth in this law, anyone who has obtained membership of the Party through false pretenses is not a member of the NSDAP, its affiliated agencies or organizations.
Article 7
The Fuehrer's Deputy, in agreement with the Reich Minister for Justice and of the Interior, shall issue the necessary regulations for the execution and completion of Articles 1 to 6.
## Chapter II
Article 8
1. The regulations set forth in this law, with the exception of Article 5 (1) apply accordingly to the "Reichsluftschutzbund", the "Deutschen Luftportverband", in agreement with the Reich Minister for Air, and by the Minister of the Interior for the Voluntary Labor Service and the "Technische Nothilfe".
## Chapter III
Article 9
Article 5 (1) will become valid on 1 February 1935. The other rules set forth in this law will become valid one day after their publication; the law on treacherous acts against the Government of the National Revolution from 21 March 1933 (RGBl I, page 135) as well as article 4 of the law on the "Reichsluftfahrtverwaltung" from 15 December 1933 (RGBl I, page 1077) are obsolete.
Berlin, 20 December 1934
The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reich Minister for Justice Dr. Guertner
The Fuehrer's Deputy and Minister without portfolio R. Hess
The Minister of the Interior Frick
also for the Reich Minister for Air
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1394-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PAGE 723, Art. 1-3, 13 October 1933
Law to guarantee Public Peace
The Reich Government passed the following law, which is published herewith:
Art. 1
1. With death or, as far as a more severe punishment is not provided, with a life-term in the house of correction or with up to fifteen years in the house of correction will be punished:
1. Whoever undertakes to kill a judge or a public prosecutor or an official, entrusted with tasks of the political, criminal, railroad, forest-custom-protective or security police, or a member of the Armed Forces or of the Storm columns (inclusive Stahlhelm) or of the Schutzstaffeln of the NSDAP, a (trustee) agent of the NSDAP, or a member of the German Air-Sport organization, out of political motives or on account of their official activity, or whoever incites to such a killing, whoever volunteers or accepts such an offer, or whoever agrees on such a killing with another person;
2. Whoever undertakes to kill a magistrate or juryman on account of his activity as magistrate or juryman, or a witness or an expert on account of testimony given in fulfillment of his duty as witness or expert, or whoever invites to such a killing, whoever volunteers, accepts such an offer, or whoever agrees on such a killing with another;
3. Whoever produces, circulates or for the purpose of circulation holds in readiness abroad printed matter in which the facts of high treason are substantiated (Art. 81 to 86 Criminal Code), or otherwise commits the crime of High-treason;
4. Whoever undertakes to import printed matter, as mentioned in No. 3, knowing of its high treasonable contents, for distribution at home, or who distributes such printed matter, after its import; or who furthers at home a crime of high treason, committed abroad.
2. The regulations in Art. 86a Criminal Code about confiscation and rendering useless will be employed accordingly.
Art. 2
With house of correction up to five years will be punished whoever undertakes to import printed matter with intention of distributing it for purposes endangering the country, in which are substantiated the facts:
1. of a punishable crime in accordance with the law forbidding the (new) organization of parties of 14 July 1933 (Reich Law-Publication I, page 479) or
2. of a punishable invitation or provocation according to Art. 110 to 112 Criminal Code or
3. of a punishable untrue report, in accordance with Art. 3 of the Reich President's decree to prevent treacherous attacks against the government of the national revolution of 21 March 1933 (RGBl. I, page 135).
Art. 3
For the crimes mentioned in Art. 1 and 2, the special courts, established according to the decree of the Reich government of 1 March 1933 (RGBL I, p. 136) are competent; insofar as the competence of the Supreme Court Reich court and the court of appeals [Oberlandesgericht] is not proven.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1395-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 1016, 1 Dec. 1933
Law to secure the unity of Party and State, 1 Dec. 1933
The Reich government has decided on the following law which is announced herewith:
Par. 1
1. After the victory of the National Socialist revolution, the National Socialist German Labor Party is the bearer of the concept of the German State and is inseparable from the state.
2. It is a corporation in public law. Its organization will be determined by the Fuehrer.
Par. 2
The deputy of the Fuehrer and the Chief of Staff of the SA will become members of the Reich government in order to insure close cooperation of the offices of the party and SA with the public authorities.
Par. 3
The members of the National Socialistic German Labor Party and the SA (including their subordinate organizations), as the leading and driving force of the National Socialist State will bear greater responsibility toward Fuehrer, people and state.
2. In case they violate these duties, they will be subject to special jurisdiction by party and state.
3. The Fuehrer may extend these regulations in order to include members of other organizations.
Par. 4
Every action or neglect on the part of members of the SA (including their subordinate organization) attacking or endangering the existence, organization, activity or reputation of the National Socialistic German Labor Party, in particular any infraction against discipline and order, will be regarded as a violation of duty.
Par. 5
Custody and arrest may be inflicted in addition to the usual penalties.
Par. 6
The public authorities have to grant legal and administrative assistance to the officers of the Party and the SA which are entrusted with the execution of the jurisdiction of the Party and SA.
Par. 7
The law regarding the authority to inflict penalties on members of the SA and SS, of the 28 April 1933 (RGBl p. 230) will be invalidated.
Art. 8
The Reich Chancellor, as Fuehrer of the National Socialistic German Labor Party and as the supreme commander of SA will issue the regulation necessary for the execution and augmentation of this law,
## particularly with respect to the organization and procedure of the
jurisdiction of the Party and SA. He will determine the time at which the regulations concerning this jurisdiction will be effective.
Berlin, 1 Dec. 1933
Reichs Chancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reichs Minister of the Interior Frick
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1396-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 293
Law concerning the confiscation of Communist property of 26 May 1933
In order to prevent for all times property in the service of communist
## activities to be used subversively to the State, the Reich Government
has enacted the following law, which is hereby promulgated.
Section 1
1. The highest provincial authorities [obersten Landesbehoerden] or offices designated by them may confiscate on behalf of the province, assets and interests of the Communist Party of Germany and their welfare and affiliated organizations [Hilfs- und Ersatzorganisationen] and also assets and interests used or destined for the promotion of communistic activities.
2. The Reich Minister of the Interior may request the highest provincial authorities to take measures under (1).
Section 2
Section 1 is not applicable to assets which have been rented or delivered under reservation of ownership rights, unless the lessor or the deliverer intended to promote communistic activity by the surrender of property.
Section 3
Interests in confiscated assets shall become extinct. However, existing rights in land are not affected by the confiscation of real property; the confiscating authorities may declare such right extinct, where the payment of proceeds can be considered as an intention to promote communistic activities.
Section 4
In order to prevent hardships, creditors affected by the confiscation may be satisfied from proceeds of the confiscated assets.
Section 5
Where measures, according to the spirit of Sections 1 and 3 were taken, prior to the effective date of this law, they may be ratified by the authorized office under Section 1, pursuant to the provision of this law.
Section 6
Measures under Sections 1, 3 and 5 become effective upon delivery of the order to the affected party upon the promulgation of the order.
Section 7
No compensation is granted for measures taken under Sections 1, 3 and 5.
Section 8
The Reichs Minister of the Interior is authorized to issue legal and administrative regulations for the administration and enforcement of this law.
Berlin 26 May 1933
The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1397-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PAGE 175, Art 1-18, 7 April 1933.
Law for the Reestablishment of the Professional Civil Service 7 April 1933
The Reichsgovernment has enacted the following law, which is hereby proclaimed:
Art. 1
1. For the reestablishment of a national professional civil service and for the simplification of administration, officials may be discharged from office according to the following regulations, even when the necessary conditions according to the appropriate law do not exist.
2. Officials, as used in this law, means immediate [unmittelbare] and mediate [mittlebare] officials of the Reich, immediate and mediate officials of the federal states [Laender], officials of communes [Gemeinde] and communal associations, officials of public legal corporations as well as institutions and undertakings placed upon the same status as these public legal corporations (Third decree of the Reichspresident for the safeguarding of business and finance of 6 October 1931-RGBl. I P. 537, 3rd part, Chapter V, Section I, Art. 15, subparagraph 1). The stipulations apply also to employees of agencies supplying social insurance, who have the rights and duties of officials.
3. Officials as used in this law also includes officials in temporary retirement.
4. The Reichsbank and the German State Railway Co. are empowered to make corresponding regulations.
Art. 2
1. Officials who since 9 November 1918 have attained the status of officials without possessing the required or usual preparation or other qualifications are to be dismissed from service. Their former salaries will be accorded them for a period of 3 months after their dismissal.
2. A right to waiting allowances, pensions, or survivors pension and to the continuance of the official designation, the title, the official uniform and the official insignia is not possessed by them.
3. In case of need a pension, revocable at any time, equivalent to a third of the usual base pay of the last position held by them may be granted them, especially when they are caring for dependent relatives; reinsurance according to the provisions of the Reich's social insurance law will not take place.
4. The stipulations of Section 2 and 3 will receive corresponding application in the case of persons of the type designated in Sec. 1, who already before this law became effective had been retired.
Art. 3
1. Officials, who are of non-aryan descent, are to be retired; insofar as honorary officials are concerned, they are to be removed from official status.
2. Section 1 is not in effect for officials who were already officials since 1 August 1914, or who fought during the World War at the front for the German Reichs or who fought for its allies or whose fathers or sons were killed in the World War. The Reichsminister of the Interior can permit further exceptions in understanding with the appropriate special minister or the highest authorities of the federal states in the case of officials abroad.
Art. 4
Officials, whose former political activity does not offer a guarantee that they at all times without reservation act in the interest of the national state can be dismissed from service. For a period of 3 months after dismissal they are accorded their former salary. From this time on they receive 3/4 of their pension and corresponding survivor's benefits.
Art. 5
1. Every official must allow himself to be transferred to another office of the same or equivalent career, even into such a one having less rank or regular salary--reimbursement for the prescribed costs of transfer taking place, if the needs of the service require it. In case of transferment to an office of lower rank and regular salary the official retains his previous official title and the official income of his former position.
2. The official can, in place of transfer to an office of lesser rank and regular income (section 11) demand to be retired.
Art. 6
For the simplification of administration officials can be retired, even if they are not yet unfit for service. If officials are retired for this reason, their places may not be filled again.
Art. 7
1. Dismissal from office, transfer to another office and retirement will be ordered by the highest Reichs or federal state agency which will render final decision without right of appeal.
2. The dispositions according to Art 2 to 6 must be made known at the latest by 30 Sept 1933 to those affected. The time can be shortened by agreement with the Reichsminister of the Interior, if the appropriate Reichs or federal state agency declares that the measures authorized in this law have been carried out.
Art. 8
A pension will not be granted to the officials dismissed or retired in accordance with Art 3 and 4, if they have not completed a term of service of at least 10 years; this applies also in the cases in which according to the existing stipulation a pension is already accorded after a shorter term of service. Articles 36, 47 and 49 of the Reichs officials' law, the law of 4 July 1921 on increased computation of time in service accomplished during the war (RGBl p. 825) and the corresponding provisions of federal state laws remained unchanged.
Art. 9
1. In the calculation of length of service valid for pension purposes, excepting time of service accrued in their last employment, only a term served in the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service according to the existing regulations may be credited to officials dismissed or retired according to Articles 3 and 4. Also accrediting of this length of service is only permissible, if it bears some relationship in preparation or career to the position last held; such a relationship of lower career to a higher one is to be regarded as an orderly promotion. If the official would have obtained a higher pension by the addition of later years of service to time served in an earlier position regularly obtained by qualifications and preparation, the ruling more favorable to him takes precedence.
2. The implementative regulations govern the calculation of time served with public corporations and with institutions and undertakings placed upon the same basis as these public corporations.
3. Accreditation and certification of time served valid for pension purposes, which conflict with the carrying out of the provisions of Section 1, are nullified.
4. In the case of officials of the Reich and of public corporations, institutions, and agencies under the supervision of the Reich, the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance can mitigate hardships; the highest federal state authorities can do the same in the case of other officials.
5. Sections 1 to 4 as well as Article 8 will also be applied to such officials who already, before this law came into effect, were retired either permanently or temporarily upon whom Articles 2 to 4 would have been applied if the officials had been still in service at the time this law came into effect. The new accrediting of time of service valid in the calculation of pensions and the accrediting of pensions and of waiting allowances must, at the latest, take place on 30 Sept 1933 with effect as of 1 Oct 1933.
Art. 10
1. Guiding principles, which are established for the amount of pay for officials will be based upon the calculation of service remunerations and pension. In case decisions by the competent authorities on the applying of the guiding principles do not yet exist, they are to be issued without delay.
2. After decisions by the competent authorities concerning the application of the guiding principle have been made, if officials are found to have received higher remunerations than are due them according to the decisions, they then have to reimburse the surplus amounts received since 1 April 1932 at the pay office where the payments were given out. The argument of no longer existing enrichment (Articles 812vBGB and subs) is excluded.
3. Subsections 1 and 2 are valid also for persons who have been retired inside of one year before this law became effective.
Art. 11.
1. If, in the accrediting of pay-seniority of officials who leave the service on account of Articles 3 and 4, employment outside of the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service has been calculated, then the pay-seniority is to be newly calculated. Therein only an employment in the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service, or according to the implementative regulations, in the service of public corporations and institutions and undertakings equivalent to the former may be accredited. Exceptions can be permitted by the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance for Reichs officials; for other officials, by the highest federal state authorities.
2. If a new accrediting of pay-seniority according to Section 1 comes into consideration, then in the case of officials retired or dismissed according to Articles 3 and 4, the new determination of pay-seniority will be carried out in conjunction with the determination of the pension amount.
3. The same is valid for the persons named in Article 9, Section 5.
Art. 12.
1. The salaries of Reichsministers appointed since 9 Nov 1918, which are not calculated according to the provisions of Articles 16 to 24 of the Reichsminister law of 27 March 1930 (RGBl I P. 96) are to be newly calculated. In the new calculation, the above-mentioned provisions of the Reichsminister law are to be applied as if they had been already in effect at the time of the Reichsminister's dismissal from office. According to this law, excess payments received since 1 April 1933 are to be paid back. The argument of no longer existing enrichment (Article 812 and subs BGB) is inadmissible.
2. Section 1 will receive application upon the members of the federal state government appointed since 9 Nov 1918 with the provision that in place of the Reichsminister law the corresponding provisions of the federal state law will be in effect; however, payments may only be made to the amount which results from the application of the fundamental principles of Articles 16 to 24 of the Reichsminister law.
3. The new calculation of payments must take place before 31 December 1933.
4. Retroactive payments will not take place.
Art. 13.
The survivors payments will be calculated with corresponding application of Articles 8 to 12.
Art. 14.
1. Against the officials who have been dismissed or transferred upon the authority of this law, the institution of civil service punishment proceedings on account of misdemeanors committed while in office with the object of cancellation of pension, survivors benefits, designation of office, title, official uniform and insignia. The institution of the proceedings must take place on 31 December 1933 at the latest.
2. Section 1 is also valid for persons who within one year of the date that this law becomes effective have been retired and upon whom the Articles 2 and 4 would have been applied, if these persons had still been in service when this law came into effect.
Art. 15.
The provisions concerning officials will be applied in an appropriate manner to employees and workers. The implementative regulations govern detailed application.
Art. 16.
If unreasonable hardships occur in the carrying out of this law, then higher payments or transition money may be granted in accordance with the general regulations. The decisions in this matter will be made by the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance in the case of Reichs officials, in other cases by the highest federal state authorities.
Art. 17.
1. The Reichsminister of the interior will issue in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance, the necessary regulations for the execution and carrying through of this law and the general administrative provisions.
2. If necessary the highest federal state authorities will issue supplementary regulations. In this matter they must confine themselves to the framework of the Reichs regulations.
Art. 18.
With the expiration of the periods established in this law, the general provisions valid for the professional civil services will be again completely valid, without prejudice to the measures taken on the basis of this law.
Berlin, 7 April 1933
The Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reichsminister of the Interior Frick
The Reichsminister of Finance Count Schwerin von Krosigk
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1398-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 433
Law to Supplement the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service of 20 July 1933
The Reich government has enacted the following law, which is hereby promulgated:
The Law for the Restoration of Civil Service from 7 April 1933 (RGBl I, page 175) is supplemented as follows:
1. The following is added to Article 2:
Article 2a
1. Officials, who have belonged to the communist party or to communistic auxiliary or collateral organizations, or otherwise have been active in furthering the aims of Communism, are to be discharged. Discharge is not necessary for (a) officials, who before 30 January 1933 joined a party or an organization, which has placed itself behind the government of the national revolution, and (b) officials, who have distinguished themselves exceptionally in the national movement.
2. Officials, who in the future are active for Marxism (Communism or Social-Democracy) are to be discharged.
3. The following are the bases on which officials are discharged: Sec. 1,--Sec. 2,--Art. 2, Sec. 1, sentence 2--Secs. 2 and 3.
Berchtesgaden, 20 July 1933
The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler
For the Minister of the Interior: The Reich Minister of Finance Count Schwerin von Krosigk
The Reich Minister of Finance Count Schwerin von Krosigk
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1400-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 433
Law Changing the Regulations in regard to Public Officers, June 30, 1933
## Chapter 2
Article 1a
1. Only such persons may be appointed Reich officials who possess for their career the prescribed education or customary training or who have special qualifications for the office about to be given, and who guarantee that they will support the Reich at all times without reservation.
2. Women may only be appointed Reich officials for life when they have completed the 35th year.
3. Anyone of non-Aryan descent, or married to a person of non-Aryan descent, may not be appointed a Reich official. Reich officials of Aryan descent who marry a person of non-Aryan descent are to be discharged. The question of who is of non-Aryan descent is to be decided by regulations decreed by the Reich Minister of the Interior.
4. If urgent requirements of the administration so necessitate, the highest Reich officials may make exceptions in individual cases--exceptions from the provisions of (2) with the approval of the Reich Minister of Finance, exceptions from the provisions of (3) with the approval of the Reich Minister of the Interior.
* * * * *
Article 6
1. The provisions are also to be applied to the civil service regulations of the states, local communities, and of the other bodies, institutions, and foundations of public law * * *.
2. The German State Railways, the Reichsbank, the public-legal religious societies, and the confederations are empowered to issue similar regulations.
## Chapter 3
* * * * *
Article 7
2. When the economic status of a female official appears to be permanently secured because of a family income, the officials * * * may order a dismissal. The conditions for dismissal are always present when the husband is a permanent official not subject to dismissal.
## Chapter 8
* * * * *
Article 40
1. The states and the bodies of public law not supervised by the states are empowered and compelled to lower the incomes of their officials insofar as they are higher than the incomes of Reich officials of equal rank. The Reich ministers and the Reich chancellor are to be considered as Reich officials within the scope of this chapter. Sentence 1 is not applicable to university teachers; for them the special rules of Section 44 apply. Similarly, the Reich Government or the state governments may make different rules in other cases in which the scholarly or artistic significance of an office requires a special evaluation.
2. The local communes, and the other bodies of public law which are under the supervision of the state officials are empowered and obligated to reduce the salaries of their officials, insofar as they are higher than the salaries of state officials, of corresponding rank.
* * * * *
Article 44
1. The state governments are empowered to alter or annul the assurances given to university professors before this chapter became effective. They are not bound hereby to agreements, compromises, legal judgments or arbitration decisions.
* * * * *
## Chapter 13
* * * * *
Article 77
1. Insofar as the execution of the provisions of this law requires it, deviations from the Reich constitution and from the state constitutions are permissible.
Berlin, 30 June 1933
The Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reichsminister for Finance Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
The Reichsminister of the Interior Frick
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1401-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 188
Law Regarding Admission to the Bar, 7 April 1933
The Reich Government has enacted the following law that is promulgated herewith:
Art. 1. The admission of lawyers who, according to the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, of April 7, 1933 (RGBl, I 175), are of non-Aryan descent, may be cancelled till September 30, 1933.
The provision of clause 1 does not apply to lawyers already admitted before August 1, 1914, or, who, during the World War fought at the front for Germany, or her allies, or who lost their fathers or sons in the World War.
Art. 2. Persons who, according to the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service of April 7, 1933 (RGBl. I, p. 175) are of non-Aryan descent, may be refused permission to practice law, even if there exists none of the reasons enumerated in the Regulations for Lawyers. The same rule applies in cases, as where a lawyer described in Section 1, clause 2, wishes to be admitted to another court.
Art. 3. Persons, who were active in the communistic sense are excluded from the admission to the Bar. Admissions already given have to be revoked.
Art. 4. The Justice-Administration can issue an injunction against a lawyer until it is decided, if use will be made of the right to revoke the admission in accordance with Art 1/1, or Art 3. The prescriptions of Art 9/b/2-4 of the Bar regulation (Reichs-Law-Publication 1933, I, page 120) apply accordingly to the injunction against representation.
Against lawyers of that type as described in Art. 1/2 the injunction against representation is only then permissible when the use of Art. 3 is concerned.
Art. 5. To revoke the admission to the Bar is considered an important reason for the cancelling of employment contracts, which were concluded by the lawyer as employer.
Art. 6. In case the admission of a lawyer is revoked in accordance with this law, then for the cancelling of leases of rooms, which were rented by the lawyer for himself or his family, the regulations of the law about the cancelling right of persons concerned by the law for the renovation of professional bureaucracy, 7 April 1933, (RGBl. Part I, page 187) will accordingly be used. The same will apply to employees of lawyers, who lost their job owing to the fact that the admission of the lawyer was revoked or an injunction against representation against him was issued in conformity with Art. 4.
Berlin, 7 April 1933
The Reichs-Chancellor Adolf Hitler
The Reichs-Minister for Justice Dr. Guertner
## PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1402-PS
1933 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 685
The Homestead Law, Sept. 29, 1933
The Reich Government desires to maintain the peasantry as the well-spring of the German people by securing the German tradition of ancestral rights.
The Reich Government, therefore, has enacted the following law. The basic thoughts of the law are:
* * * * *
The owner of an hereditary manor is called a peasant.
Only a respectable person who is a German citizen and has German or cognate blood may be a peasant.
* * * * *
Section 12
Only a German citizen can be a peasant.
Section 13
Requirement of German or cognate blood.
(1) Only a person of German or cognate blood may be a peasant.
(2) A person is not considered German or as having cognate blood, if his paternal or maternal ancestors have Jewish or colored blood in their veins.
(3) The first of January, 1800, is the day that decides whether the premises of Section I obtain. In case of doubt whether the premises of Section I obtain, the inheritance court decides on a motion of the owner or of the district leader of the peasants.
Berlin 29 Sept 1933.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1403-PS
1937 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 1333
Law on the Granting of Indemnities in Case of Confiscation or Transfer of Property, 9 December 1937
The Reich government has decided to proclaim the following law:
## Chapter 1. Property of Communists, Enemies of the People and the State
Article 1
If objects and rights have been seized in favor of a state on the basis of the law on the confiscation of communist property of 26 May 33 (RGBl I, page 293) or of the law on the confiscation of property of enemies of the people and the state of 14 July 1933 (RGBl I, page 479) before the law became effective, the state shall not be responsible for the claims which have arisen against the former owner of the seized property or rights.
Article 2
1. Rights, which are still existing at the time this law becomes effective and apply to confiscated objects, are deemed expired with the seizure. The same is true in the case of guarantees on property which has been confiscated.
2. Section 1 is not being applied if the seized objects have already been sold by the state before this law became effective.
Article 3
1. Corporations are not responsible for liabilities from the time before the confiscation, if all the shares have been transferred by confiscation to the property of a state, unless the liabilities were recovered by the sequestration decreed for the preparation of the seizure.
2. The existing rights of third persons in the property of such corporations will be considered as expired.
Article 4
Legal personalities, corporations, or legally incompetent associations, whose property has been confiscated, are considered as dissolved by the seizure. A liquidation does not take place.
Article 5
Claims against the owners of property mentioned in Article 4 shall be deemed expired through confiscation of the property. The same applies to individual members or partners of associations. The affidavits and other liabilities existing in order to insure the safeguarding and guarantees of such claims are also deemed expired.
Article 6
1. If someone suffered financial loss through sequestration or seizure of objects and rights on account of the laws mentioned in Article 1, or through their effect, an indemnification from the means of the state in whose favor the confiscation or seizure took place can be granted. In the sense of this regulation, no one has suffered loss who was affected by the sequestration or seizure directly.
2. A person shall not be granted compensation on the basis and with the acquisition of this right, which expired with this law, if he has intentionally or carelessly promoted:
1. Communist aspirations.
2. Marxist or other movements which have been declared as hostile to the people and state by the Minister of the Interior.
It is not an intentional promotion of aspirations as designated in No. 2, if the victim stood under the control or direction of the state.
3. An indemnification can also be granted in the cases of (2) No. 2, i.e. if the victim is needy in the sense of Article 13(2) or if the predominant viewpoints of the public interest speak for the granting of indemnification.
Article 7
1. Indemnification will only be granted if the victim makes a petition before 31 March 1938.
2. The petition has to be. sent in writing to the competent authority (Article 9), with reference to the cause of the offense.
Article 8
1. The determination of the indemnification takes place in a determination procedure and before determining authorities.
2. The Reich Minister of the Interior can decree that no determining procedures shall take place for certain properties or in certain districts. If such a regulation is issued by the Reich Minister of the Interior, the regulations of this section with the exception of Articles 1, 4 and 5 are not to be applied for the property of the district.
Article 9
1. The determining authority in Prussia and Bavaria is the president of the government (in Berlin the police president), in Saxony the Kreishauptmann, and in the other states the highest authority of the state.
2. The Reich Minister of the Interior may decide that a common determining authority will be formed for several administrative districts.
Article 10
1. The determining authority for the district in which the sequestered or seized property, whose indemnification has been proposed, used to be, is locally responsible.
2. The highest authority of the state or the Reich Minister of the Interior appoints the determining authority, if the property was located in the district of several determining authorities and if several determining authorities of the same state are involved.
3. The Reich Minister of the Interior is entitled to appoint exclusively one or more determining authorities for certain kinds of confiscated or seized objects and rights.
Article 11
1. The petition to grant indemnification shall be refused, if it has not been made within the time determined in Article 7, section 1. The determining authority is obliged to admit the petition, if the victim proves that he himself or his legal representative or his proxy failed to make the petition within the appointed period through no fault of their own and inasmuch as it will be repeated within two months after clearing the obstacle. Petitions cannot be made any more after 31 March 1939.
2. If the petition to grant indemnification is received by a determining authority, which is locally not responsible (Article 10), it will fall within the appointed time.
Article 12
1. The total amount of indemnifications, which shall be granted because of sequestration or seizure of property of a certain owner of property, is limited by the extent of this property. Each economic unit will be considered property in the sense of the first sentence, if the confiscated property of a person includes several economic units of the kind designated in Article 2 of the Reichsbewertunsgesetz [Law for the evaluation of property] of 16 Oct 1934 (RGBl I, page 1035). For the classification according to economic units, a determined purpose in the period before the confiscation is of no importance.
2. In order to estimate the extent of property according to Section 1, its selling value is decisive.
Article 13
1. In determining the indemnifications, the creditors should be treated in the succession as is provided for their satisfaction in the bankruptcy order.
2. This principle is to be disregarded, if reasons of fairness require to do so; particularly these victims are to get privileged treatment whose livelihood or economic progress is endangered or require an indemnification in order to fulfill their duties of livelihood on the basis of the law.
Article 14
1. The determining authority fixes the amount of money to be paid as indemnification. It can determine installments and the time of payments. Inasmuch as there is no other clause in the decision of the determining authority, the amount of money is payable to him within one month after the decision has been delivered to the victim.
2. The determining authority may rule that an indemnification will be effected by Reich or state-owned mortgage-deeds or by transferring an object, or that claim of indemnification due to the victim on account of the decision of the determining authority will be secured by arranging a lien on land.
3. The state can propose, until the decision of the determining authority has been relayed to the victim, what, in the amount of the indemnification which is being granted for an expired lien on land (Article 2, 6), a new lien on land will be entered into the land-register in its place. The determining authority has to respect such a move except in the case that this would be particularly unfair toward the victim. The new lien on land has to be entered into the land-register under the same conditions as the expired one insofar as the determining authority does not issue different instructions; the rate of interest may be reduced by the determining authority to five percent.
Article 15
1. The victim is entitled to appeal to the determining authority of the Reich against the decision of the determining authority. (Article 16)
2. The appeal must be delivered in writing to the determining authority or to the determining authority of the Reich, within two weeks after the decision has been forwarded and it must be substantiated. Article 11, Section 1 will be applied respectively.
3. The determining authority may submit its decision to the determining authority of the Reich for scrutiny. Its presentation to the determining authority of the Reich has the effect of an appeal.
Article 16
1. The determining authority of the Reich will be linked to the Reich Minister of the Interior.
2. The determining authority of the Reich consists of chambers. Each chamber is composed of five members including the chairman, three of whom must have the ability to perform the functions of the judge or of higher administrative offices, two members will be suggested by the Deputy of the Fuehrer.
3. The chairman and the members will be appointed by the Reich Minister of the Interior.
Article 17
1. The decisions of the determining authorities are to be delivered to the victim.
2. The decision of the determining authority of the Reich is final.
## Chapter 2. Property forfeited to the Reich
Article 18
If the property of a person deprived of his citizenship (law on the recall of naturalizations and the deprivation of the German citizenship of 14 July 1933--RGBl I, page 480) has been confiscated, or has been declared forfeited to the Reich, previous to this law, the Reich is not responsible for claims against the person deprived of his citizenship.
Article 19
1. Rights on objects of such properties, which have been declared as forfeited to the Reich, are deemed expired with the declaration of forfeiture. The same applies to objects on which property rights have been secured.
2. Section 1 will not be applied, if the objects have already been sold by the Reich before effectiveness of this law.
Article 20
If someone has suffered a loss of property through sequestration or the declaration of forfeiture (Article 18) or through the effect of this law, he may be granted an indemnification from the funds of the Reich. The victim in the sense of this regulation is not he who was directly affected by the sequestration or declaration of forfeiture.
Article 21
The regulations of Articles 6 to 17 will be applied respectively according to Articles 22 and 23.
Article 22
The determining authority of the Reich will decide on the petition.
Article 23
An indemnification will also not be granted (Article 6(2)), if the victim has knowingly supported the person deprived of his citizenship in hurting German interests.
## Chapter 3. Property of Former Associations of Employers and Employees
Article 24
1. The property administration of the DAF [German labor front], Ltd., Berlin (hereafter called "property administration of the German labor front") as trustee of the German labor front, will be put in possession of the former associations of employers and employees including the auxiliary and replacement organizations, property administrations, pension disbursing agencies and other special properties, upon entrance into effect of this law.
2. In the case that only former associations of employers and employees have interests in a legal personality, the property administration of the German labor front will be put in possession of both the shares of property of the former associations of employees and employers and the property of the legal personality. However, if the legal personality represents a corporation, a limited liability corporation, or company, the property administration of the German labor front will only be put in possession of the shares or business shares; the company continues its existence with rights and obligations. Sentence 2 is not effective if the exclusive purpose of the company was the administration of houses of labor unions or if a property administration or trustee company of a former association of employers and employees is involved, the property of which will be put in possession of the property administration of the German labor front as provided in (1). The property administration of the German labor front (DAF) will in these cases take possession of both the shares and business shares, and also of the property of the company.
3. Inasmuch as the property of a former association of employers and employees has already been disposed of through an orderly liquidation or agreement, it will be left as it is. Pending liquidations and settlements will not be continued.
4. The Reich Minister of the Interior will announce, in agreement with the Deputy of the Fuehrer, the Reich Minister of Economy and the Reich Minister for Labor, the owners of property, possession of which has been transferred to the property administration of the German labor front according to (1), (2) first sentence and (2) third sentence. These regulations will be announced in the Deutscher Reichsanzeiger and Preussischer Staatsanzeiger (official publications) until the 30 June 1938. They are binding for courts and administrative authorities.
5. The owners of property to be made public as provided in (4), are, inasmuch as they represent legal personalities or collective personalities, dissolved with the effectiveness of this law. A liquidation does not take place.
6. The leader of the German labor front Dr. Ley will be the guardian entitled to dispose of the properties confiscated by the general public prosecutor of the Country Court I Berlin from the time of confiscation of the properties up to the effectiveness of this law and will be verified with the authority to take action compatible with the purpose of the sequestration and according to his judgment conformable to duty; in particular to give and receive declarations of will for the owners of the confiscated property.
Article 25
1. The German labor front and the property administration are responsible for claims against those owners of property, which has been transferred to the latter, only in the case, if the claims arose after a day which the Reich Minister of the Interior will determine in cooperation with the Deputy of the Fuehrer, the Reich Minister of Economy and the Reich Minister for Labor at the announcement of the owners of property (Article 24(4)).
2. The German labor front and the property administration of the German labor front are responsible for claims resulting from service or work status with the owners of property mentioned in Article 24 or the German labor front only, if the service or work status has been extended by the German labor front beyond the 30 Sept 1933.
Article 26
1. Rights on objects, which the property administration of the German labor front acquires according to Article 24, are expiring. The same applies to property rights secured in such objects.
2. Section (1) will not be applied, if the objects have been already liquidated at the effectiveness of this law or if the rights or the secured property have been established after the day to be determined according to Article 25 (1).
Article 27
If the victim suffered a loss in property on account of the regulations of Articles 25 and 26, he can be granted an indemnification from the funds of the German labor front and the property administration of the German labor front.
Article 28
The regulations of Articles 5 to 17 will be applied on the basis of Articles 29 and 30 respectively.
Article 29
The petition to grant an indemnification has to be made in writing by 30 Sept 38 to the determining authority (Article 30) by stating the cause of the offense.
Article 30
1. The determining authority of the Reich will decide on the motion (Article 16). The chambers will judge the case in a composition of three members including the chairman of whom one member will be suggested by the Deputy of the Fuehrer, another one by the Reich Minister of Economy in conjunction with the Reich Minister for Labor. The chairman and the members will be appointed by the Reich Minister of the Interior.
2. Before the decision a representative to be named by the German labor front has to be heard.
Article 31
Inasmuch as economic associations of employers and their institutions have been incorporated or joined or dissolved within the framework of the legislation on the preliminary erection of the Reich food estate, the regulations of this part will not be applied.
## Chapter 4. Final Regulations
Article 32
1. Indemnification will not be granted on the basis of other laws in those cases affected by this law. Existing claims expire.
2. If a party proves by litigation that the pending claim comes under this law, the court has to discontinue the procedure and to defer temporarily the distraint resulting from an executory decision already enacted. The court may also issue these regulations under the authority of the law if it views the pending claim as falling under this law. In both cases the court has to inform the proper determining authority by presenting the records. The rules of the court cannot be contested.
3. The determining authority may admit the further prosecution of the claim by regular legal steps or present the records to the determining authority of the Reich for a decision.
4. If the determining authority or the determining authority of the Reich permits the further prosecution of the claim by regular legal steps, the court has to lift on request the regulation on the discontinuance of the legal dispute or the temporary suspension of the distraint.
5. The decision of the determining authority of the Reich to deal with the claim in a determining procedure does not permit its further prosecution by legal steps and the distraint of the claim.
Article 33
If there exists already an executory title on claims which are affected by this law, the regulations of Article 32 will be applied respectively.
Article 34
Inasmuch as a legal dispute is being settled by this law, the court costs will be cancelled and the extrajudicial costs balanced against each other.
Article 35
1. The granting of an indemnification by arbitration will not be excluded by the regulations of this law. The determining authority has to verify the agreement.
2. If an agreement on the claims and rights affected by this law had already been concluded at the time this law became effective, it will be left as it is.
Article 36
1. If the Reich or a state has transferred confiscated properties as a whole or in part to another natural or legal personality, the determining authority may impose upon the one who takes possession of the property, the duty to give total or partial indemnification to the entitled persons. In case the Reich or a state will be declared liable of indemnification, it must at the same time be determined whether and in what amount the one who takes possession has to pay compensation to the Reich or State. The person taking possession of the property has the right to appeal against the decision of the determining authority to the determining authority of the Reich.
2. Resulting from the valid decisions of the determining authorities, by which according to (1) obligations will be imposed on the one who takes possession, the distraint will be executed.
Article 37
The decisions of the determining authorities are binding for the regular courts and other places of judgment.
Article 38
Articles 3, 4 and 7 of the law on the confiscation of communist property of 26 May 1933 (RGBl I, p. 293) are no longer valid.
Article 39
1. If objects and rights are seized on the basis of the laws designated in Article 1, the State is responsible for claims against the former owner of the confiscated objects only with the rights and objects fallen to it by the confiscation. Rights on objects of seized property continue to exist.
2. In case of excessive debts, bankruptcy proceedings against the property will be enacted through motion of a state or creditor, according to regulations. The referee in bankruptcy has to be appointed in agreement with the central administration board responsible for the district of the bankruptcy court and has to be recalled on its request.
3. The same applies if the property of a person deprived of citizenship (Article 18) has been declared to fall to the Reich after this law had become effective.
Article 40
The Reich Minister of the Interior will be authorized to issue in agreement with the other responsible ministers the legal and administrative instruments required in order to execute and supplement this law.
Berlin, 9 December 1937
The Fuehrer and Chancellor of the Reich Adolf Hitler
The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
The Deputy of the Fuehrer R. Hess (Reich Minister without Portfolio)
The Reich Minister of Finance Count Schwerin von Krosigk
The Reich Minister of Economy authorized to manage affairs: Goering (Prussian Premier)
The Reich Minister for Labor Franz Seldte
The Reich Minister for Justice Dr Guertner
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1406-PS
1938 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 414
Decree for the Reporting of Jewish Owned Property of 26 April 1938
On the basis of the Decree for the Execution of the Four Year Plan of 18 October 1936 (RGBl I, 887) the following is hereby decreed:
Article 1
1. Every Jew (Article 5 of the First Regulation under the Reich Citizenship Law of 14 November 1935 (RGBl I, 1333)) shall report and evaluate in accordance with the following instructions his entire domestic and foreign property and estate on the day when this decree goes into force. Jews of foreign citizenship shall report and evaluate only their domestic property.
2. The duty to report holds likewise for the non-Jewish marital partner of a Jew.
3. Every reporting person's property must be given separately.
Article 2
1. Property in the sense of this law includes the total property of the person required to report, irrespective of whether it is exempt from any form of taxation or not.
2. It does not include movable objects used by the individual or house furnishings as far as the latter are not classed as luxury objects.
Article 3
1. Every part of the property shall be valued according to the usual value it has on the effective date of this regulation.
2. No report is necessary when the total worth of the property to be reported does not exceed 5000 marks.
Article 4
The report is to be presented on an official form by 30 June 1938, to the administrative official responsible at the place of residence of the reporting individual. When such a report is not possible by this date the responsible office can extend the period. In such case, however, an estimate is to be presented by 30 June 1938, together with a statement of the grounds of delay.
Article 5
1. The reporting individual must report, after this decree goes into force, to the responsible office, every change of said individual's total property as far as it exceeds a proper standard of living or normal business transactions.
2. The reporting requirement applies also to those Jews who were not required to report on the effective date of this regulation, but who have acquired property exceeding 5000 Reichsmarks in value, after this date. Article 1 (1) clause 2, shall apply respectively.
Article 6
1. The administrative offices responsible under this regulation are in Prussia--Highest Administrative Officer [Regierungspraesident] (in Berlin the Police President); Bavaria--Highest Administrative Officer [Regierungspraesident]; Saxony--The District Head [Kreishauptmann]; Wurtemberg--The Minister of the Interior; Baden--The Minister of the Interior; Thueringen--Reich Governor [Reichsstatthalter]; Hessen--Reich Governor; Hamburg--Reich Governor; Mecklenburg--Ministry of the State, Interior Department; Oldenburg-Minister of Interior; Braunschweig--Ministry of Interior; Bremen--Senator for Administration of Interior; Anhalt--Ministry of State Interior Department; Lippe--Reich Governor (Land Government); Schaumburg-Lippe--Land Government; Saarland--The Reich Commissioner for the Saar.
2. Austria--The Reich Governor has jurisdiction. He may transfer his authority to another board.
Article 7
The Deputy for the Four Year Plan is empowered to take such necessary measures as may be necessary to guarantee the use of the reported property in accord with the necessities of German economy.
Article 8
1. Whoever wilfully or negligently fails to comply with this reporting requirement, either by omitting it, or making it incorrectly, or not within the time specified, or whoever acts contrary to any instruction issued pursuant to Article 7 by the Deputy of the Four Year Plan shall be punishable by imprisonment and by a fine or by both of these penalties, in particularly flagrant cases of wilful violation the offender may be condemned to hard labor up to ten years. The offender is punishable notwithstanding that the action was in a foreign country.
2. Any attempt to commit such actions is punishable.
3. In addition to the imposition of the penalties under (1), the property may be confiscated, insofar as it was involved in the criminal
## action. In addition to hard labor confiscation may be made. Where no
specific individual can be prosecuted or convicted, confiscation may be decreed independently, where the prerequisites for confiscation warrant it.
Berlin, 26 April 1938
The Deputy for the Four Year Plan Goering General Field Marshal
The Reich Minister of the Interior Frick
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1946-693256