Secret Field Marshal v.Reichenau Order Concerning Conduct of Troops in the Eastern

Territories, 10 October 1941 (original) (raw)

Translation of Document UK-81. Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression. Volume VIII. USGPO, Washington, 1946/pp.572-582

Secret Field Marshal v.Reichenau Order Concerning Conduct of Troops in the Eastern Territories. Dated 10 October, 1941

SECRET

12th Infantry Division, Int. Sec. No. 607/ 41 Secret

Int 54/ 816/ 41 Secret
Received 27th November, 1941.
Div. H. Q. 26th Nov. 1941

Subject: Protection of troops against Partisans and Sabotage.
To: The General Command of H. Q. 2nd Army Corps-Ic.

Enclosed the divisional intelligence section sends a secret order dated 17th November, 1941 concerning combatting of partisans. For information.

For Div. H. Q.

Chief of the General Staff
(Signed) WEISER [ ?]
Adj.

1 enclosure.

SECRET

12th Infantry Division, Section Ic/ Ia/ Adj. No. 607/ 41 sch.
Div. H. Q. 17th Nov., 1941

Subject: Protection of Troops against Partisans and Sabotage.
_Reference:_C.-i-C. Army-Gen. Staff of the Army. "Ausb." section (Ia) No. 1900/ 41 dated 25th October, 1941.

I. The conduct of the troops in the Eastern territories (see enclosure: secret order by Field Marshal .v. Reichenau, dated 10th October, 1941)

II. Herewith enclosure 1**,** a blueprint of a captured map l: l00,000 Sheet no. 0-36-XI (West) Demjansk (the original was not sent to H. Q. 2nd Army Corps)

This print contains the defense areas allotted to regiments and independent detachments of the Division.

The Commanders of the units in question are _responsible_for the carrying and of the cleaning up of partisans in these areas and their permanent control. They regulate the employment of troops at their disposal in the area. In case of the appearance of partisans, Ic and _neighbour_will be notified. The antitank company in Igoghewo and 12 Detachment of the field military police --excluding the squad attached to the Adjutant will be at the disposal of Quartermaster Section in their area.

2. The surrounding area of Villages, paths and roads will be kept under control also at night by patrols and occasional snap controls.

3. The Commanders will consider the employment of local commanders in the occupied villages and will submit their names to the division.

In all places of their defense area even when not occupied, after scrutinizing the local conditions, village elders [natschalniks] will be installed, if this has not yet been done. The notifications handed out by the Ic Section of the division will be hung up even in places which are not occupied. The exhibition of these notifications must be constantly checked.

4. The village-elders will be directed to compile lists of the population in which all strangers-with the date of their arrival -will be shown particularly. The houses of every place are to he numbered in an easily visible manner, and the number of their inhabitants to be listed with special columns for men, women and children. Check through snap roll calls. _Strangers_will be reported to the competent Command by the village elders. Collective punitive measures will be carried out immediately for non-compliance with these orders (in serious cases the shooting of the responsible inhabitants, in lighter cases their arrest and the confiscation of foodstuff, etc.) For this the order of a Commander (CO. BN) is necessary.

5. The traveling of Russians-men, women or children-on roads will be stopped. The leaving of villages is allowed only in exceptional cases (of economic nature) with the written ap-proval of the Garrison Commander. Such permits must bear the date of the day, the route to be covered and place to be visited. The validity of the pass will on principle be not longer than one day. A record of issued permits is to be kept. The permits will be returned on the day of expiration. Threat of penalties for the non-returning of permits. All persons found on the high roads without a permit will be arrested. Every soldier has the duty of arresting civilians. Caution when approaching. Every suspected civilian in the battle area will be ruthlessly shot.

6. Civilians living in dug-outs in the woods will. be accommodated in inhabited localities or in certain cases in dugouts in the immediate vicinity of inhabited localities.

7. The following will be shot as partisans: Russian soldiers in uniform and mufti who did not report to the nearest garrison command or to the military authorities by 20.11. and those civilians who are found on the high roads without a permit and who do not belong to the nearest village. Apart from that, those civilians found in possession of arms of any kind or explosives.

8. The population is to be encouraged to cooperate-by rewards. (See special orders concerning supplies No. 60 dated 30 August 1941.)

9. The shooting or hanging of partisans and such elements who support partisans and who are in possession of arms will take place in the locality where they have been encountered. If possible, persons concerned should be interrogated first-about their organization and leaders. Special distribution 39.

Appendix to 12 Inf. Div. I. c/ Adj. No, 607/ 41 Secret date 17.11. 1941.

Copy of a Copy

High Command of the Army Gen. Staff of the Army/ Quarter Master General Branch Admin.
(Qu. 4/ B) II. 7498/ 41 g.

H. Qu. High Command of the Army
28.10.41.

SECRET !

Subject: Conduct of Troops in the Eastern Territories

By order of the C. in. C. Army, an enclosed copy of an order by GOC 6th Army on the conduct of the Troops in eastern terri- tories which has been described by the Fuehrer as excellent, is being forwarded with the request to issue corresponding instruc- tions on the same lines if this has not already been done.

By order.

(Signed) Wagner

SECRET !

Army H. Q., 10.10.41

Army Command 6., Sec. Ia-A. 7
Subject: Conduct of Troops in Eastern Territories.

Regarding the conduct of troops towards the bolshevistic sys-tem, vague ideas are still prevalent in many cases. The most essential aim of war against the Jewish-bolshevistic system is a complete destruction of their means of power and the elimina- tion of asiatic influence from the European culture. In this connection the troops are facing tasks which exceed the onesided routine of soldiering. The soldier in the eastern territories is not merely a fighter according to the rules of the art of war but also a bearer of ruthless national ideology and the avenger of bestialities which have been inflicted upon German and racially related nations.

Therefore the soldier must have full understanding for the necessity of a severe but just revenge on subhuman Jewry. The Army has to aim at another purpose, i. e., the annihilation of revolts in hinterland which, as experience proves, have always been caused by Jews.

The combating of the enemy behind the front line is still not being taken seriously enough. Treacherous, cruel partisans and unnatural women are still being made prisoners of war and guerilla fighters dressed partly in uniforms or plain clothes and vagabonds are stiil being treated as proper soldiers, and sent to prisoner of war camps. In fact, captured Russian officers talk even mockingly about Soviet agents moving openly about the roads/ and very often eating at German field kitchens. Such an attitude of the troops can only be explained by complete thought-lessness, so it is now high time for the commanders to clarify the meaning of the present struggle.

The feeding of the natives and of prisoners of war who are not working for the Armed Forces from Army kitchens is an equally misunderstood humanitarian act as is the giving of cigarettes and bread. Things which the people at home can spare under great sacrifices and things which are being brought by the Command to the front under great difficulties, should not be given to the enemy by the soldier not even if they originate from booty. It is an important part of our supply.

When retreating the Soviets have often set buildings on fire. The troops should be interested in extinguishing of fires only as far as it is necessary to secure sufficient numbers of billets. Otherwise the disappearance of symbols of the former bolshevistic rule evenin the form of buildings is part of the struggle of destruction. Neither historic nor artistic considerations are of any importance in the eastern territories. The command issues the necessary directives for the securing of raw materials and plants, essential for war economy. The complete disarming of the civil population in the rear of the fighting troops is imperative considering the long and vulnerable lines of communications. Where possible, captured weapons and ammunition should be stored and guarded. Should this be impossible because of the situation of the battle so the weapons and ammunition will be rendered useless. If isolated partisans are found using firearm in the rear of the army drastic measures are to be taken. These measures will be extended to that part of the male population who were in a position to hinder or report the attacks. The indifference of numerous apparently anti-soviet elements which originates from a "wait and see" attitude, must give way to a clear decision for active collaboration. If not, no one can com-plain about being judged and treated a member of the Soviet System.

The fear of the German counter-measures must be stronger than the threats of the wandering bolshevistic remnants. Being far from all political considerations of the future the soldier has to fulfill two tasks:

1. Complete annihilation of the false bolshevistic doctrine of the Soviet State and its armed forces.

2. The pitiless extermination of foreign treachery and cruelty and thus the protection of the lives of military personnel in Russia**.**

This is the only way to fulfil our historic task to liberate the German people once forever from the Asiatic-Jewish danger.

Commander in Chief
(Signed) von Reichenau
Field Marshal.

Certified Copy :
[signature illegible]
Captain.