Nazi conspiracy and aggression, Volume 04 (of 11)

Chapter XIII: Section L: , 6-9 Copies (1)

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UNV, 10th Copy

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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1544-PS

File Memorandum

on my parting visit with the Chancellor

After an exchange of irrelevant courtesies, the conversation turned to the speech of the Chancellor [Bundeskanzler]. I said to him that though he had used very cordial expressions on the German mission of Austria his dramatic advocacy of her independence which he apparently considered threatened had drowned out this testimony to a large extent, to say nothing about some unnecessary pinpricks against Germany. To his assertion that he had reestablished his authority in the country by this speech I added that this speech also had provoked a debate yesterday in the French Chamber. In my opinion it was greatly to be regretted that the Austrian question had again become the center of European discussions. For Germany an Austrian independence supported by French and Czech crutches was intolerable, for it would lead to arguments which might easily endanger the peace concluded recently.

The Chancellor admitted this without qualifications and requested me to inform the Reich Foreign Minister as soon as possible that neither he nor any other political agency in Austria had instigated this debate in the French Chamber, and that he shared my opinion on its extraordinarily disrupting effects. On my request he stated his willingness to publish Sunday morning an article in the official paper “Wiener Zeitung” (Viennese Newspaper) in which he would clearly detach the problem of Austrian independence from French interests. And he had instructed the Austrian press to carry only meagre excerpts of the debate in the Chamber.

I then introduced into the conversation the widespread opinion that he had acted under “brutal pressure” in Berchtesgaden. I myself had been present and been able to state that he had always and at every point had complete freedom of decision. The Chancellor replied he had actually been under considerable moral pressure, he could not deny that. He had made notes on the talk which bore that out. I reminded him that despite this talk he had not seen his way clear to make any concessions, and I asked him whether without the pressure he would have been ready to make the concessions he made late in the evening. He answered: “To be honest, no!” It appears to me of importance to record this statement.

In parting I asked the Chancellor never to deceive himself that Austria could ever maintain her status with the help of Non-German, European combinations. This question would be decided only according to the interests of the German people. He asserted that he held the same conviction and would act accordingly.

Vienna, 26 Feb 1938

/s/ Papen

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1546-PS

N. THE OCCUPATION OF NORWAY ON 9 APRIL 1940.

[RAEDER MEMORANDUM]

In the beginning of October 1939, I had a discussion on the Norwegian question with the Commander of Naval Group East, Admiral Carls, with whose opinions I completely agreed. After that I gave the Fuehrer an oral report on the dangers of an occupation of Norwegian bases by the British and on the possibilities to forestall such a move. The Fuehrer to whom I submitted a short memorandum promised to think it over. About at the beginning of December, the Fuehrer received reports on the activity of the National Samling movement in Norway under the leadership of Quisling and its successes. The incorporation of Norway into a Germanic empire under German leadership and with elimination of English influence was the aim of this movement. These matters were obviously carried to the Fuehrer by Rosenberg. Around the 12 Dec. 1939 the Fuehrer commanded the OKW to effect the preparations for the occupation of Norwegian bases in the coming spring. As it was a question of an operation of _all three branches of the Armed Forces_ it had to be worked out by the Armed Forces High Command in which the special Naval adviser took the chief part and took the lead in working it out in accordance with a memorandum prepared by the Sea Warfare Command and in close cooperation with the Sea Warfare Command.

I had left the _Danish Question_ open in my report to the Fuehrer supposing that after the occupation of the Norwegian coast the English influence in Denmark could be completely eliminated in such wise that the intelligence service there could not cause any more harm and the Danish Government would comply with the demands of the German High Command without function. However, the Fuehrer decided to occupy Denmark at the same time.

The Navy made the decision to transport the _first group_ of the occupation troops with their equipment on warships and to land them under their immediate protection. Even though the combat-readiness of the warships was impaired by loading them with troops, by this method the possibility of a punctual landing at the ordered time was best provided for. Further groups with munition and supplies were to be loaded on steamships which were to arrive simultaneously or soon after the warships. The difficulty was that at that time the divisions of the army still demanded to be transported with all equipment and “rear echelon service” while a considerable limitation of their equipment would have been necessary and possible. Considerable demands of transport space were made by the Air Forces for their ground organization for which no experience existed at all up till then. The Navy had already in peacetime an organization of “Naval Service Offices” in all large German ports which worked in close touch with the Merchant Marine and were at all times exactly informed of the location and the readiness for sailing of the German merchant ships of their area. Material for the rebuilding of these ships for transport purposes was at their disposal, plans for such rebuilding were ready in their hands. In January these offices received directives to have the necessary transport space ready in spring. A transport in a westerly direction was given as the reason for camouflage purposes. The Air Force did not join this organization that also was very favourable for secrecy, but gave the order for their extensive transports to a certain firm with which it had already cooperated at the time of the transports to Spain. This included certain dangers for secrecy and eliminated the experience of the Navy. Moreover, the command of the Air Force did not approach with particular enthusiasm this task in the work of which not the Air Force, but the not so well liked Navy, had the leading part. In the Navy the impression existed that some things could have been better done with regard to the reconnaissance of airfields in Norway and to the preparations for the improvement and the building of airfields.

The preparations for the enterprise were rendered more difficult by the long and very cold winter of 1939/40 which delayed quite a bit the bringing up of the steamers involved in the transport from the eastern part of the Baltic Sea and their loading. With all the effort to forestall the English in the occupation--their unneutral action against the German supply ship in Flekkefjord in 1940 made the apprehension of the German Command appear only too well founded--the date for the landing was fixed by the Fuehrer not earlier than on April 9, 1940 in which regard it could not be helped that according to the latest information received the English planned an enterprise in Norwegian waters for April 8--it remained open whether mine-laying on occupation of air bases. My request to fix the landing on April 7 was unfortunately not granted by the Fuehrer.

The general order for the execution of the landing was signed by the Fuehrer; detailed directives valid for all armed forces were given by the High Command in which, as already mentioned, the special Navy adviser took the lead. The ports of embarkation were distributed from Wesermmende to Stettin-Swinenmende along the coast. The transportation of the troops to the ports was undertaken only in the last hours before departure without their knowing where they were being transported. It was particularly difficult for the keeping of the secret that for the enterprise in Northern Norway some units of Southern German mountain troops were destined whose appearance in Northern Germany was already conscious enough by itself. But we succeeded in keeping them uncertain about the destination until to their complete surprise, they were embarked on the destroyers in Wesermmende in the night of April 7. The number of the Army and air units I cannot state anymore from memory at present. Also, the composition of the landing troops I can give only in general terms.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1551-PS

1936 REICHS MINISTERIALBLATT i.V., PAGES 946-948

Assignment and Channels of the Chief of German Police within the
Ministry of the Interior of 26 June 1936

(1) For your information, I publish in the enclosures my edicts, concerning the appointment of a chief of regular police and that of a chief of security police (enclosure (1)), and concerning the administrative divisions within the realm of the German police (enclosure (2)), effective today.

(2) Official communications in regards to police matters with Reich and Prussian Ministry of the Interior are to be handled as follows:

(_a_) Letters and communications for me personally, as well as letters and communications of fundamental importance, are to be addressed:

To the

Reichsleiter SS and Chief of German Police in the Reich Ministry of
the Interior

Berlin SW 11
Prinz-Albrecht Str. 8

(_b_) Letters and communications, which refer to matters to be handled by the headquarters of the regular police according to my edict about the administrative divisions within the realm of the Chief of German Police, are to be addressed:

To the

Reichsleiter SS and the Chief of German Police in the Reich Ministry
of the Interior (Chief of Regular Police)

Berlin NW 7
Unter den Linden 74

(_c_) Letters and communications, which refer to matters to be handled by the headquarters of the Security Police according to my edict about the administrative divisions within the realm of the Chief of German Police, are to be addressed:

To the

Reichsleiter SS and the Chief of German Police in the Reich Ministry
of the Interior (Chief of Security Police)

Berlin SW 11
Prinz-Albrecht Str. 8

Phone # Chief of German Police: A2 (Flora) 0040

Phone # Chief of Regular Police: A2 (Flora) 0034

Phone # Chief of Security Police: A2 (Flora) 0040

To the lower agencies, the communities and community organizations as well as bodies of public law.

To the highest Reich officials, the Prussian Prime Minister, the Prussian Minister of Finance, the General Manager of the German Railroad, the Directorate of the Reichsbank by copy.

# # # # #

Berlin, 26 June 1936

Inclosure #1

The Reichleiter SS and Chief of the German Police in the Reich
Ministry of the Interior

Appointment of a Chief of Regular Police and a Chief of Security Police

(1) On the basis of the execution edict of the Reich Minister of the Interior to the edict of the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor, in reference to the appointment of a Chief of German Police, I herewith appoint General of Police Kurt Daluege as chief of the regular police and SS Gruppenfuehrer Reinhard Heydrich as Chief of the Security Police.

(2) From the entire police force [Vollzugspolizei] the following come under:

The Chief of Regular Police:
Safety Police [Schutzpolizei]
Rural Police [Gendarmerie]
Local Police [Gemeindepolizei]

The Chief of Security Police:
The Political Police
The Criminal Police

(3) The authority over fields of action of the Chief of German Police, not mentioned here, is explained in the plan of administrative division (Inclosure #2)

To the (a) General of Police Daluege, (b) SS Gruppenfuehrer Heydrich.

# # # # #

Inclosure #2 Berlin 26 June 1936

The Reichleiter SS and Chief of the German Police in the Reich Ministry of the Interior O/S No 2/36

Administrative division within the realm of the Chief of German Police

On the basis of #1 of the edict of the Reich and Prussian Minister of the Interior of 25 June 1936 (not published), for the execution of the edict of the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor regarding the appointment of a Chief of German Police, I therefore order (with permission of the Reich- and Prussian Minister of the Interior):

1. The functioning of the branches, under the jurisdiction of the Chief of German Police, will be handled by two (2) headquarters:

_a._ The regular police, which will include the following branches:

Household, pay, welfare, economy and police law.

General administrative affairs of the state police, as far as they
concern the regular police.

Safety police.

Traffic police.

Rural police [Gendarmerie], local police [Gemeindepolizei], civil
service legal affairs.

Medical and veterinary affairs.

National defense and army matters, as far as they have been put under
the jurisdiction of the regular police. Personnel affairs of
officials of the regular police.

(The security police is to participate in all actions, which affect the security police).

The headquarters “Regular Police” is entrusted with the functioning of the following branches in conjunction with the headquarters “security police” if the latter are concerned:

Administrative police; and

Personnel affairs of police presidents and police directors.

_b._ The security police, which will include the following branches:

Political police,

Lodge affairs, freemasonry, fraternity affairs, criminal police,

Disciplinary affairs within the criminal police,

General administrative affairs of the state police, as far as the
security police is concerned,

Press law,

Weapons law and traffic with arms,

Passports affairs:
General cases.
Special cases.

Agreements with foreign states about the free passage of the border
[kleinen Grenzverkehr].

Foreign legionnaires (passport matters).

Immigration of Jews from the East.

National defense and army matters, as far as they have been put under the jurisdiction of the security police.

Alien affairs:
General cases.
Police regulations for foreigners.
Special cases.
Fugitives [refractaere], deserters.
Deportations.
Reimbursement.
Foreign workers.
Border disputes.
Extradition of foreigners.
Registration of foreigners.
Statistics of foreigners.

Border disputes; Foreign Legion.

Personnel affairs of all officials of the security police.

Personnel affairs of all officials of the political and criminal
police.

(The regular police is to participate in all actions, which affect the regular police).

2. I confer the leadership of the headquarters Regular Police upon General of Police Daluege. I confer the leadership of the headquarters Security Police upon SS Gruppenfuehrer Heydrich.

3. The chiefs of the headquarters Regular Police and Security Police will sign:

For the Chief of the German Police
“acting for”

For the Reich and Prussian Minister of the Interior
“by order”

The chiefs of the headquarters Regular Police and Security Police in their offices, in which cases their department heads and assistants are to sign:

“by order”

* * * * * * *

To _a._ General of Police Daluege

_b._ SS Gruppenfuehrer Heydrich

Communication to ______________________

Report on Sterilization in Germany and occupied countries to be sent to the members of Committee I Submitted by Dr. B. Ecer ANNEX B

Detailed Statement on the murdering of ill and aged people in Germany

1. The murdering can be traced back to a secret law which was released sometime in Summer 1940.

2. Besides the Chief Physician of the Reich Dr. L. Conti, the Reichsfuehrer SS Himmler, the Reichs Minister of the Interior Dr. Frick as well as other men, the following participate on the introduction of this secret law:

_a._ The Councillor of the Ministry Dr. Herbert Linden of the Reich’s Ministry of the Interior.

_b._ Dr. Staehle-Nagold, the Chief Physician of Wuerttemberg.

_c._ Councillor of Medicine /Obermedizinalrat/ Dr. Hermann Pfannmueller, Director of the Sanatorium and Nursing Institution Eglfing-Haar near Munich.

_d._ Professor Dr. Werner Heyde, Director of the Psychiatric and Neurological Clinic in Wuerzburg.

* * * * * * *

3. As I have already stated, there were / after careful calculation / at least 200,000 mainly mentally deficient, imbeciles, besides neurological cases and medically unfit people /these were not only incurable cases/, and at least 75,000 aged people.

4. The murders were mainly accomplished in Muensingen/Wuerttemberg and Linz o/Danube; several gas-chambers with cremation chambers directly attached were constructed there. As the gas-chambers are next to the training grounds of the troops in Muensingen, it is believed that the mentally deficient who were murdered there, were used for experimenting with new poison-gases.

5. The transport from the institutions to the gas-chambers is carried out by SS Kommandos. These call themselves “Gemeinnuetzige Transport A. G., Berlin, Luetzowufer.” This Limited Company also stores the individual medical case histories of the murdered inmates of the institutions.

6. The inmates of the many smaller and middle-sized institutions were murdered almost without exception. The larger institutions are partly--to keep up the pretence to the outside world--still at hand, but they now only have a fraction of the original number of their inmates; for example there are now only some 500 inmates instead of 2500 in Berlin-Buch; in Stadtroda/Thueringen only about 150 instead of 600; in Kaufbeuren/Bayern only 200 instead of 1000, etc. Of the larger Sanatoriums and Nursing Institutions the following were already closed down completely some time ago; Illenau/Baden 800 inmates; Berlin/Herzberge 2500 inmates, Kreutzburg/Oberschlesien 1500 inmates; Sonnenstein/Sachsen 800 inmates; Werneck/Unterfranken-Bayern 111 inmates; Steinhof/Wien 3000 inmates, and others, most probably now also Schleswig with 1000 beds. Guenzburg with 400 etc. etc.

* * * * * * *

Written in December 1941,
/sgd/ Dr. T. Lang

This is to certify, that the above report by Dr. T. Lang dated Dec. 1941 is part of the original report of the Czechoslovak War Crimes Commission.

Nurnberg 8. Dec. 1945 for Col. Dr. Ecer

Capt. Dr. Hochwald

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1573-PS

SECRET

Copy

The chief of the Security Police and the Security Service. IV D 3-3
B/41 g.Rs.-

Berlin, 18 Jun. 1941

TOP SECRET

Express letter

To all state police Administrative office

(To the State Police, attention SS Stubaf. RR. Nosske or
representative at Aachen)

_Subject_: Measures to be taken against Emigrants and civilian
workers who came from the great Russian areas and against
Foreign workers.

_Reference_: None

To prevent the unauthorized and arbitrary return of Russian, Ukrainian, White Ruthenians, Cossack and Caucasian emigrants and civilian workers from the territory of the Reich to the East and to prevent attempts at disorder by foreign workers in the German production, I decide as follows:

1. The managers of the branch offices [Stuetzpunkt] of the Russian, Ukrainian, White Ruthenian and Caucasians trustee office [Vertrauensstellen] as well as the relief committee and the leading members of the Russian, Ukrainian, White Ruthenian, Cossack and Caucasian emigration organisations are to be notified immediately that they are not allowed to leave their domicile without permission of the security police until further notice. Also they are to be told to apply the same measures to the members who are under their care. Their attention is to be called to the fact that they will be arrested because of unauthorized leaving of the place of work and domicile. I request you to have a check up of the attendance of branch office leaders if possible by daily requests in these concerns.

2. Emigrants and foreign workers are to be arrested if it seems necessary in the situation if there is no doubt of their guilt and if they are under the suspicion of having been active for the U.S.S.R. in transmitting news. The measure is to be in readiness, however, it should not be executed before the pass word “Fremdvoelker” has been transmitted by means of Urgent telegram.

3. In case of refusals to work or in making propaganda for the enemy or suspicion of sabotage among all foreign laborers arrests and protective custody should be applied most strictly.

4. Persons who violate issued decrees or who try to provoke disturbances in factories or meetings by inflammatory speeches to the emigrants or foreign workers are also to be arrested.

5. It is an absolute necessity for the maintenance of German production to its capacity that emigrants and foreign workers remain at their places of work. In case, conditions in certain communities require that special measures be taken to reach this objective. I ask for appropriate action and report.

The RSHA to be kept posted how these measures are carried out. The decree also is to be applied to emigrants who came from the Baltic states--Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians.

By order

/s/ MUELLER
Certified correct: /s/ Signature
(L.S.) Chancellery clerk.

# # # # #

Aachen, 3 July 1941

_Note_: The original decree can be found under IIIc under File No.
20/41 top secret

Koernert
Krim-Assistent

SECRET

Secret State Police, State Police Bldg.-Aachen
II E br.-No. 6/41 top Secret

Aachen, 22 Jan. 1942

1. The written record of these proceedings was worked out and sent through as a secret matter under II E under No. 303/41.

2. R II deliver taken care of 22. Jan.

3. To the Top Secret File

By order

[illegible] Koer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1574-PS

SECRET STATE POLICE [Gestapo]

Secret Police Office, Reich Security Head Office. IV C 2--5719/
4540/43 g

Berlin SW 11 Prinz Albrecht Strasse 8. 19 January 1944 Warrant for
“Protective Custody”

Christian Name & Surname: _James_, Cook Steele.
Date and Place of birth: 29.20.1918 at Malseta, S. Rhodesia
Occupation: Warrant Officer
M or S: Married
Nationality: British Subject
Race (to be stated in case of non-Aryans)
Address: Gresham Farm Marandellas, S. Rhodesia

is being taken in protective custody.

Reasons

It has been established by the State Police that he/she endangers the existence and the security of the people and the state by his/her conduct, in that he/she has been proved to be guilty of activities to the detriment of the German Reich and there is reason to suspect that he would, if released, commit acts prejudicial to the interests of the Reich.

received 23.1.44. 1400 hrs

[initials]

(Sgd) Dr. Kaltenbrunner
Certified correct: (sgd) Kriminalrat

Steele should not know of the existence of this warrant [written in
pencil; illegible initials follow].

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1582-PS

Bra/V
SS-Untersturmfuehrer Dr. med. Sigmund RASCHER
MUNICH, Trogerstr. 56

Dear Dr. Rascher:

Shortly before flying to Oslo, the Reichsfuehrer SS gave me your letter of 15 May, 1941, for partial reply.

I can inform you that prisoners will of course be gladly made available for the high-flight researches. I have informed the Chief of the Security Police of this agreement of the Reichsfuehrer SS, and requested that the competent official be instructed to get in touch with you.

I want to use the opportunity to extend my cordial wishes to you on the birth of your son.

I shall refer as soon as possible to the second part of your letter.

Heil Hitler

By order [initials] R Br
SS-Sturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1583-PS

SECRET

Reichsfuehrer SS.
RG/V

Field Command Post 16 November 1942

Personal Headquarters, Reichsfuehrer SS

1. To SS Lt. Gen OHL, BERLIN

Dear OHL,

The following struck me during my visit to Dachau on the 13 Nov 1942 regarding the experiments conducted there for the saving of people whose lives are endangered through exposure [Unterkuhlung] in ice, snow or water and who are to be saved by the employment of every method or means:

I had ordered that suitable women are to be set aside from the Concentration Camp for these experiments for the warming of those who were exposed. Four girls were set aside who were in the Concentration Camp due to loose living, and being prostitutes, they formulate a danger of contagion. Among those four was a 21 year old girl named Ursula Kraus, who naturally was not to be set aside for this. Kraus was a person under the care of the State [Fuersorgezoegling] and has already been sick twice with venereal disease. Nevertheless she belongs to that type of girl upon whom the attempt must be made in order to save her for the German people and for her own later life.

In addition, I found during this opportunity that some madmen in the women’s Concentration Camp had told the feminine prisoners at the time of selection of prostitutes for the Camp brothel, that those who volunteered would be released after a half year.

I order:

1. Only such prostitutes are to be selected for the Camp brothel who from the beginning can be taken for granted as not being able to be saved for a later regulated life, judging from their previous living and bearing. Also, that we are not guilty of spoiling a person who could still be saved for the German people. Such women can only be released from the Concentration Camp if they according to their age, do not constitute a destruction to the youth, to health (by contagion), or to the public welfare and security. The money which they earn in the camp brothel shall be an old-age security for them.

2. Fundamentally, all youths who can still be saved are to be segregated from the older prostitutes in living quarters and work. A difference must be made between those who cannot be reformed,--who must remain isolated in the camps, and those who came into the camp to be reformed and can eventually be saved. The best and most ideologically inclined custodians are to be employed for the latter.

In addition, I refer to the fact that the whipping penalty as a whole but especially for women, is to be the last measure, it is only to be used

_a._ if all other punishment such as arrest, solitary confinement, diet of bread and water, hard labor, were of no avail.

_b._ in individual cases of desertion or in actual attacks, which must be inflicted for intimidating and especially exemplary reasons. The whipping penalty is no instrument for responsible commanders or supervising custodians who are too lazy or incompetent to reeducate. In all cases in which food was stolen, the guilty one is to be placed on bread and water from 3 to 5 days as punishment for first offense. The whipping penalty is only then to be inflicted upon repeated offenses.

I ask you to personally check the conditions in the women’s concentration camps. Otherwise we must feel guilty since girls who could still be saved will be ruined for always through false treatment and repeated bad company in which we placed them (exactly as is the case in the prisons and reform schools of the law).

Heil Hitler!
Your
(signed) H. Himmler

2. Inspector of the Concentration Camps, Oranienburg

Carbon copy with request for acknowledgment.

SS Lt. Col.

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1584-I-PS

Teletype Goering to Himmler, dated 14 February 1944

TOP SECRET

CHIEF REICH SECURITY OFFICE

Teletype Section

URGENT

Transmitted by [Initials]

Received

-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------------
Hour | Day | Month | Year | from | by
240 | 15 | 2 | 44 | E2 | [Initials]
-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------------

FS--No. 24411

t-KR-RM Asien Nr. 0170 14/2 2030--QEM--GKDOL--to Reichsfuehrer-SS Reichs Minister Himmler, Berlin SW 11-Reference: Letter Journal No. 72/44.-

Subject: Formation of the 7th Airforce group squadron for special purposes 7 (Z.B.V.7)

I received your request to form another squadron of airforce group for special purposes 7 (Z.B.V.7) and ordered examination by the air force operational staff [Luftwaffenfuehrungsstab]. At the same time I ask you to put at my disposal as great a number of Concentration Camp [K Z] convicts as possible for air armament, as this kind of manpower proved to be very useful according to previous experience. The situation of the air war makes subterranean transfer of industry necessary. For work of this kind Concentration Camp [KZ] convicts can be especially well concentrated at work and in the camp. Such installations are necessary in order to secure production of the now fully developed most modern airplanes. The Fuehrer upon his visit in Insterbrug has attached great value to these airplanes. Intermediate negotiations have already been held between my and your departments. I would be especially grateful for your support in carrying out this task.

Heil Hitler--Yours Goering, Reich Marshal of Greater Germany. ADF 391/44 GKDOS.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1584-III-PS

TOP SECRET

The Reichsfuehrer-SS Field Command Post.
Personal Staff 10 March 1944
Diary No.
_Subject_: Use of Prisoners in the air craft industry-M.
To the SS-Brigadefuehrer FEGELEIN
_Fuehrer Headquarters_

Dear Hermann!

Enclosed I am sending you copy of a letter for your information. It was given to the Reich marshal on 9 March 1944 by the Reichsfuehrer-SS.

Heil Hitler!
(initialled) DR

1 enclosure

# # # # #

9 March 1944
1879/44 secret Field-command office
Subject: Employment of prisoners in the aviation industry.
Reference: Teletype of 14 February 1944.
Top Reich Secret

Most honored Reichsmarshal

Following my teletype letter of the 18 Feb. 44 I herewith transmit a survey on the employment of prisoners in the aviation industry.

This survey indicates that at the present time about _36000 prisoners_ are employed for the purposes of the air force. An increase to a total of _90,000 prisoners_ is contemplated.

The production is being discussed, established and executed between the Reich ministry of aviation and the chief of my economic-administrative main office, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of the Waffen-SS, Pohl respectively.

We assist with all forces at our disposal.

The task of my economic-administrative main office, however, is not solely fulfilled with the delivery of the prisoners to the aviation industry as SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl and his assistants take care of the required working speed thru constant control and supervision of the workgroups [Kommandos] and therefore have some influence on the results of production. In this respect I may suggest consideration of the fact that in enlarging our responsibility thru a speeding up of the total work, better results can definitely be expected.

We also have for some time adjusted our own stone-quarries to production for the airforce. For instance in Flossenbuerg near Weiden the prisoners employed previously in the quarry are working now in the fighter plane program for the Messerschmitt corporation, Regensburg, which saw in the availability of our stone-mason shops and labor forces after the attack on Regensburg at that time a favorable opportunity for the immediate partial transfer of their production. Altogether 4000 prisoners will work there after the expansion. We produce now with 2000 men 900 sets of engine cowlings and radiator covers as well as 120,000 single parts of various kinds for the fighter ME 109.

In Oranienburg we are employing 6000 prisoners at the Heinkel works now for construction of the HE 177. With that we have supplied 60% of the total crew of the plant.

The prisoners are working without fault. Up till now 200 suggestions regarding the improvement of work have been handed in at Heinkel from the ranks of the prisoners, which were used and were rewarded with premiums. We are increasing this employment to 8000 prisoners.

We also have employed female prisoners in the aviation industry. For instance at the mechanical workshops in Neubrandenburg 2500 women are working now in the manufacture of devices for dropping bombs and rudder control. The plant has adjusted the total serial production to employ prisoners. In the month of January 30,000 devices as well as 500 rudder controls and altitude regulators have been manufactured. We are increasing employment to 4000 women. The performance of the women is excellent.

In our own plant in Butschowitz near Bruenn [Brno] we produce also for the air force, there however with civilian workers. This plant supplies 14,000 wooden-built rear control apparatus for ME 109 to the Messerschmitt corporation, Augsburg.

The movement of manufacturing plants of the aviation industry to subterranean locations requires _further_ employment of about 100,000 prisoners. The plans for this employment on the basis of your letter of 14 Feb 1944 are already under way.

I shall keep you, most honored Reichsmarshal, currently informed on this subject.

Heil Hitler
(initialed) HH

Use of Prisoners for the Aircraft Industry.

The Chief of the
SS Economics Administration Main Office
Berlin, 21 February 1944 (signed) Pohl I. [?]
SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of Armed Forces SS.

The Reich Minister for Armament and War Production

TAE-No. 475/44 top secret

(Signed) Pohl

[Initialled] HH

Berlin, Pariser Platz 3, 17 April 1944.

Phone: 11 00 52

Pohl

TOP SECRET

Fighter staff, attention: Field Marshal MILCH

Fighter staff, attention: Chief of office SWR

_For Information_

Reichsfuehrer-SS and chief of the German Police, Reichleader HIMMLER

Head of armament office Lt Gen Dr Ing. h. c. Waeger

Plenipotentiary-General for Construction, Director Stobbe-Dethleffsen

1. Using tables and drawings as an illustration I have in conjunction with Field Marshal Milch informed the Fuehrer on the work of the fighter staff in pointing to the extraordinarily pleasing and successful cooperation of the newly created organization with all offices and works. He is cognizant of the fact that the greatest part of the transfer has been fixed according to plan and that as the first step the decentralization above the ground can be concluded by approximately August and that the second step aiming at the total subterranean security of the most sensitive works will be concluded by the end of the year.

2. Field Marshal Milch has reported as a result of the meeting on construction of the “central planning” to the Fuehrer, that of the amount of construction demanded, because of the extraordinary aggravation of the all-over situation, only the most important part of the construction work could be accomplished. The Fuehrer demands that in spite of that both the large plants, each of at least 600,000 qm, which he demanded should be constructed with all energy. He consents that one of these works will not be built in concrete but in accordance with the proposal as an enlargement and in the immediate vicinity of the present central works as the so-called central construction and will come under the management of the Junkers works.

The Fuehrer agrees to the suggestion that the second large building project will, because of lack in labor and material, not be carried out on German territory, but on suitable ground (first of all gravel foundation and possibilities for transportation) in the immediate proximity of the border, on French, Belgian or Dutch territory, as long as the plant is constructed behind a fortified zone. The suggestion to build on French territory is favored by the fact that it will then be much easier to make the necessary labor available. In spite of that the Fuehrer asks to try, to construct this second works in an essentially secure territory, namely in the Protectorate. If the labor can not be supplied there either, the Fuehrer wants to get in touch in person with the Reichsfuehrer SS and will cause him to provide the approximately 100,000 men required, thru the securing of corresponding Jewish contingents from Hungary. The Fuehrer demands that a meeting take place with him shortly in order to discuss the details in the presence of the men concerned.

3. An immediate task for the central construction besides assuring the supply of the bottleneck products of the Junkers works which is to be executed step by step, is the planning and securing of ME 262 at the rate of 1000 a month and of an additional fighter plane at the rate of 2000 a month.

Heil Hitler

signed: SPEER

Certified: Capt. Stein

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1590-PS

[several illegible notations]

Re: Taking of hostages

OKH received: 1 Oct. 1941

5 copies--copy

OKH/Gen. Qn.

(W. Bfh. Suedost)

Military Commander, South-East

Attacks on members of the Armed Forces lately committed in the occupied territories gave reason to point out that it is advisable that military commanders always have at their disposal a number of hostages of different political tendencies, namely:

1. nationalist

2. democratic-bourgeois, and

3. communist

It is important that among them shall be well-known leading personalities or members of their families, whose names are to be made public.

Depending on the membership of the culprit, hostages of the corresponding group are to be shot in case of attacks.

It is asked that commanders be accordingly instructed.

[partly illegible notation]

Chief of the Armed Forces High Command

(signed) Keitel.

Complied with in France and Belgium.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1600-PS

The State-Picture Gallery in Dresden

The Director. Dresden-Al, 1 June 1940.

To: Ministerialrat Dr. Hanssen

Berlin W 8, Wilhelmstr. 64

Dear Ministerialrat!

Permit me to express my thanks for having sent me the copy of the letter of the State Secretary Dr. Landfried.

I herewith enclose a copy of my letter of 16 March 1940 to Reichsleiter Bormann, referring mainly to the _confiscated property of the convents in the Ostmark_. In accordance with the Fuehrer’s decree on Jewish property, a generally applicable procedure may be recommended in this case, too; the Fuehrer should have the final word in the distribution to the individual consumers, rather the first option on any purchase. This regulation should be made to be retroactive as of the time of the assumption of power if possible.

Heil Hitler!

Yours faithfully

H. Posse.

1 enclosure.

# # # # #

At the Fuehrer’s present HQ, 16 Jan 41 Bo/Fu

R.L.M.B.

1. Director Dr. Posse, _Dresden-Hellerau_

_Personal!_

_Registered!_

Tunnigtweg 14

Dear Dr. Posse!

Enclosed herewith I am sending you the pictures of the altar from the convent in Hohenfurth near Kruman. The convent and its entire property shall be confiscated in the immediate future because of the attitude, hostile towards the State, of its inhabitants.

It shall be up to you to decide whether the pictures shall remain in the convent at Hohenfurth or be transferred to the museum in Linz after the latter shall be completed.

I await your decision in the matter.

Heil Hitler!

Faithfully yours,
[initialed by Bormann]

Enclosures

2. Presented again: 3 May 1941.

# # # # #

Dresden-Al, 16 May 1941

The State-Picture Gallery in Dresden.

The Director.

The Reichsleiter Martin Bormann,

Berlin W 8, Wilhelmstr. 64

_Personal!_

Dear Reichsleiter!

I report that I have returned today from a weeks trip to Oberdonau and Vienna. Besides checking on the confiscated convents and monasteries, the main reason for my trip to Linz and Oberdonau was to find out _whether any of the confiscated convents offered facilities suitable for temporarily storing the collections acquired by the Fuehrer_.

After having seen the convents at Hohenfurth, St. Florian, Krenesmunster, Schloegel, Wilhering etc., and after having discussed the matter with Gauleiter Eigruber and his deputies, I found that the _convent in Krenesmunster is extremely suited for this purpose_. There are in this convent 50-60 rooms that can be locked; the various new acquisitions can be stored there temporarily. There is also the “Emperor’s Stall” there, 25 m long, and a flight of 7 rooms in good shape, at present the picture-gallery of the convent, not very valuable, is on exposition. From time to time, the newly acquired collections may be presented to the Fuehrer there.

Krenesmunster is situated in the woods, far away from industrial area; therefore, a threat from the air hardly exists.

In case the Fuehrer should agree with the proposal to have Krenesmunster as a depot for Linz, it is suggested that the Germans from Bessarabia who are at present living in the convent, be moved into another convent, in order to safeguard the stocks, particularly against fire.

Therefore, I beg to have the Fuehrer state his intentions regarding their proposal which is also supported by Gauleiter Eigruber not only is the collection Lanz in Amsterdam, packed in the meantime, awaiting, also several other collections of paintings for which there’d hardly be space enough in Munich, are ready, and so is Dr. Topfer’s library which was bought in Switzerland. Also very rich stocks, already packed and stored in Vienna, confiscated from Jewish owners, and many new acquisitions from Vienna could be brought to Krenesmunster. This way, room could be made in Vienna and what remains of confiscated art-treasures could be distributed.

Heil Hitler!

Yours faithfully
H. Posse.

# # # # #

Report on the trip, undertaken on orders to Cracow and Warsaw, so as to
ascertain the kind and the amount of confiscated art-treasures.

It was impossible to carry out the order as such, as well as that part of it which drafting of a plan as to how to dispose of the confiscated art treasures, since most of them were still packed away in cases and were either stored in Cracow, or in other places, particularly in Warsaw ready for shipment to Cracow.

Since 6 October, under the direction of Understate secretary Dr. Muhlmann, as the special deputy of General Field Marshall Goering and as the Director of the Department of Science and Training, the storing of all the valuable Art treasures has been in full swing with assistance of suitable experts from Berlin, Vienna, and Breslau, and, so far as I could determine it has been almost completely carried out.

Works of art and culture, mainly from Warsaw were saved, particularly from the badly damaged chateau of the Kings whose furniture and interior decorations were salvaged to a large extent. In Cracow, box-cars containing the works of art secured from public, clerical and private ownership arrived almost daily. The Art treasures are being collected in the particularly suitable building of the Jagellonic Library in Cracow and are being set up there properly, a task which may be finished by February 1940. As soon as the task of collecting shall be finished and an inventory is made so that a complete survey of the entire valuable Polish Art-treasure can be made, I shall again travel to Cracow so as to carry out the order given me.

The official pictorial service is photographing all important works of art little by little. The governor general shall present these pictures in the form of a photo-Album to the Fuehrer.

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Nazi conspiracy and aggression, Volume 04 (of 11)Chapter XIII: Section L: , 6-9 Copies (1)

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