Chapter 40

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr—16 07 Journal No. 629/43 secret.Re: Ghetto large-scale Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr—16 07 Journal No. 629/43 secret.

Re: Ghetto large-scale Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 11 May 1943, start 0930 hours.

The scouting parties sent out last night again reported that there must still be some Jews within the dug-outs, since some Jews were seen in the ruined streets. The scouting parties shot 12 Jews. On the basis of these reports, today I again formed raiding parties who in combing-out operations discovered, captured, and destroyed a total of 47 dug-outs. Today again we caught some Jews who had taken refuge in ruins which were still protected by a roof. The Jews and bandits are still seeking this new refuge, because staying in the dug-outs has become unbearable. One dug-out was discovered which contained about 12 rooms equipped with plumbing, running water, and separate bathrooms for men and women. Considerable amounts of food were captured or secured, in order to make it more and more difficult for them to get necessary food.

A total of 931 Jews and bandits were caught. 53 bandits were shot. More of them perished when dug-outs were blown up and when a small block of buildings was destroyed by fire. The total of Jews caught up to date has risen to 53,667. We captured several pistols, hand grenades, and ammunition.

We have not been able to smoke out the sewers systematically once more, since we are short of smoke-candles. "OFK" is ready to provide new smoke-candles.

Our losses: 1 SS man wounded.

Total of losses up to date: 71 wounded, 12 dead.

Termination of today's operation: 2145 hours, will be continued on 12 May 1943, 0930 hours.

The SS and Police Fuehrer in theDistrict of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS-Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, 12 May 1943.

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr—16 07—Journal No. 637/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr—16 07—Journal No. 637/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 12 May 1943, start 0930 hours.

When the raiding parties combed out the area for remaining dug-outs in which Jews were hiding, they succeeded in discovering 30 dug-outs. 663 Jews were pulled out of them and 133 Jews were shot. The sum total of Jews caught has arisen to 54,463.

Furthermore today the units cordoning off the miniature Ghetto were reinforced and destroyed by fire. Probably a considerable number of Jews perished in the flames, no accurate information in this regard could be obtained since the fire was still burning when darkness set in. One concrete building in the Prosta, from which Jews had been removed, was heavily damaged by blowing-up operations in order to make it impossible for the bandits to use it as a base later.

It is noteworthy that the Poles, without having been warned, took appropriate measures for protecting their window-panes, etc., before the blowing-up started.

The transports of Jews leaving here will be directed to T.II beginning today.

Our losses: 1 Waffen SS man wounded.

Termination of today's operation: 2100 hours, will be continued on 13 May 1943, 1000 hours.

The SS and Police Fuehrerin the District of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, 13 May, 1943.

Ref. No.: I ab/ St/Gr 16 07 Journal No. 641/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab/ St/Gr 16 07 Journal No. 641/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 13 May 1943, start 1000 hours.

In combing out the Ghetto and the miniature Ghetto (Prosta) today we found 234 Jews. 155 Jews were shot in battle. Today it became clear that the Jews and bandits whom we are catching now belong to the so-called battle groups. All of them are young fellows and females between 18 and 25 years of age. When we captured one, a real skirmish took place, in which the Jews not only fired from 08 pistols and Polish Vis pistols, but also threw Polish "pineapple" hand grenades at the Waffen-SS men. After part of the inmates of the dug-out had been caught and were about to be searched, one of the females as quick as lightning put her hand under her shirt, as many others had done, and fetched from her bloomers a "pineapple" hand grenade, drew the safety-catch, threw the grenade among the men who were searching her, and jumped quickly to cover. It is only thanks to the presence of mind of the men that no casualties ensued.

The few Jews and criminals still staying in the Ghetto have for the last few days been using the hideouts they can still find among the ruins, retiring at night into the dug-outs whose location is known to them, to eat and get provisions for the next day. Lately we have been unable to extract information on the whereabouts of further dug-outs from the captured Jews. The remainder of the inmates of that dug-out where the skirmish took place were destroyed by using heavier explosive charges. From a Wehrmacht concern we evacuated 327 Jews today. The Jews we catch now are sent to T.II.

The total of Jews caught has risen to 55,179.

Our losses: 2 Waffen SS dead3 Waffen SS wounded1 Policeman wounded.

The 2 Waffen SS men lost their lives in the air attack against the Ghetto.

33 dug-outs were discovered and destroyed. Booty: 6 pistols, 2 hand grenades, and some explosive charges.

Termination of today's operation: 2100 hours, will be continued on 14 May 1943, 1000 hours.

My intention is to terminate the large-scale operation on 16 May 1943 and to turn all further measures over to Police battalion III/23. Unless ordered otherwise, I am going to submit to the conference of SS and Policefuehrers a detailed report of the operation, including an appendix containing photos.

The SS and Police Fuehrerin the District of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, 14 May 1943.

Ref. No.I ab/St/G 16 07 Journal No. 646/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.I ab/St/G 16 07 Journal No. 646/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 14 May 1943, start 1000 hours.

The raiding parties formed today went to work within the areas allotted to each of them under orders to force open further dwelling dug-outs and to catch the Jews. In this way a considerable number of bandits and Jews were caught, especially as some traces had been discovered during the night which were now followed up with good results. The night patrols clashed with armed bandits several times. These bandits fired a machine gun and small arms. In this operation we had four casualties—3 Waffen-SS men and 1 Policeman. Repeatedly, shots were fired from the Aryan part against the external barricade. In the skirmishes about 30 bandits were shot and 9 Jews and bandits, members of an armed gang, were captured. One dug-out was taken during the night, the Jews captured, and some pistols, among them one of 12-mm caliber, were captured. In one dug-out inhabited by 100 persons, we were able to capture 2 rifles, 16 pistols, some hand grenades and incendiary appliances. Of the bandits who resisted, some again wore German military uniform, German steel helmets and "knobeloecher." Apart from the carbines, we captured 60 rounds of German rifle ammunition. One raiding party had a skirmish with a gang, 10 to 14 strong, on the roofs of a block of buildings at the border of the Ghetto (Aryan part). The bandits were destroyed; we suffered no losses.

The captured bandits repeatedly testify that still not all persons in the Ghetto have been caught. They confidently expect that the action will soon be over, and that they will then be able to continue to live in the Ghetto. Several bandits stated that they had long been in a position to kill off the leader of the action, the "General," as they call him, but that they would not do so, since they had orders to that effect to avoid the risk of a further intensification of the anti-Jewish measures.

Today again some concrete buildings in which the bandits find refuge time and again were blown up by the engineers.

In order to force the bandits in the sewers to come to the surface, 183 sewer entrances were opened at 1500 hours, and smoke-candles were lowered into them at an ordered x-time, thereupon the bandits, seeking escape from what they supposed to be poison gas, crowded together in the center of the former Ghetto, and we were able to pull them out of the sewer entrances there.

I shall come to a decision after tomorrow's operations regarding termination of the action.

Today SS-Gruppenfuehrer and Lieutenant General of Waffen-SS von Horff was present during the operations.

Our losses: 5 wounded, 4 Waffen SS, 1 Police

A total of 398 Jews were caught today, furthermore 154 Jews and bandits were shot in battle. The total of the Jews caught has risen to 55,731.

Booty: rifles, pistols, and ammunition. Further, a number of incendiary bottles (Molotov cocktails).

Termination of action: 2155 hours, will be continued on 15 May 1943 0900 hours.

The SS and Police Fuehrerin the District of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS-Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, May 15th 1943.

Ref. No.: I ab/St/Gr 16 07 Journal No. 648/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab/St/Gr 16 07 Journal No. 648/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 15 April 1943. Start 0900 hours.

The 5 scouting parties who patrolled the Ghetto last night reported that they encountered Jews only sporadically. In contrast to the preceding nights, they were able to shoot 6 or 7 Jews. The combing-out actions today also had little result. 29 more dug-outs were discovered, but part of them were no longer inhabited. A total of 87 Jews were caught today and 67 bandits and Jews were shot in battle. In a skirmish which developed around noon, and in which the bandits again resisted by using Molotov cocktails, pistols, and home-made hand grenades, the gang was destroyed; but subsequently a policeman was wounded by a shot through the right thigh. A special unit once more searched the last block of buildings which was still intact in the Ghetto, and subsequently destroyed it. In the evening the chapel, mortuary, and all other buildings on the Jewish cemetery were blown up or destroyed by fire.

The sum total of Jews caught has risen to 55,885.

Our losses: 1 Policeman wounded.

We captured 4 pistols of larger calibers, 1 infernal machine with fuse, 10 kilograms of explosives, and a considerable amount of ammunition. Termination of operation: 2130 hours. Will be continued on 16 May 1943, 1000 hours.

I will terminate the large-scale operation on 16 May 1943 at dusk, by blowing up the Synagogue, which we did not succeed in accomplishing today, and will subsequently charge Police Battalion III/23 with continuing and completing the measures which are still necessary.

The SS and Police Fuehrerin the District of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS-Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, May 16th, 1943.

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr 16 07 Journal Nr. 652/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr 16 07 Journal Nr. 652/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

Progress of large-scale operation on 16 May 1943, start 1000 hours.

180 Jews, bandits, and subhumans were destroyed. The former Jewish quarter of Warsaw is no longer in existence. The large-scale action was terminated at 2015 hours by blowing up the Warsaw Synagogue.

The measures to be taken with regard to the established banned areas were handed over to the commander of police battalion III/23, whom I instructed carefully.

Total number of Jews dealt with 56,065, including both Jews caught and Jews whose extermination can be proved.

No losses today.

I will submit a final report to the Conference of SS Police Fuehrer on 18 May 1943.

The SS and Police Fuehrer in theDistrict of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS-Brigade Fuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

CopyTeletype messageFrom: The SS and Police Fuehrer in the District of WarsawWarsaw, 24 May 1943.

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr 16 07 Journal Nr. 663/43 secret.Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.Ref: Your teletype message Nr. 946 of 21 May 1943.To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.Cracow

Ref. No.: I ab-St/Gr 16 07 Journal Nr. 663/43 secret.

Re: Large-scale Ghetto Operation.

Ref: Your teletype message Nr. 946 of 21 May 1943.

To: The Higher SS and Police Fuehrer East, SS-Obergruppenfuehrer and General of PoliceKrueger—or deputy.

Cracow

I beg to reply to the above teletype message:

No. 1:

Of the total of 56,065 caught, about 7,000 were destroyed in the former Ghetto during large-scale operation. 6,929 Jews were destroyed by transporting them to T.II; the sum total of Jews destroyed is therefore 13,929. Beyond the number of 56,065 an estimated number of 5 to 6,000 Jews were destroyed by being blown up or by perishing in the flames.

No. 2:

A total of 631 dug-outs were destroyed.

No. 3(booty):

7 Polish rifles, 1 Russian rifle, 1 German rifle.59 pistols of various calibers.Several 100 hand grenades, including Polish and home-made ones.A few 100 incendiary bottles.Home-made explosive charges.Infernal machines with fuses.Large amounts of explosives, ammunition for all calibers, including machine-gun ammunition.

7 Polish rifles, 1 Russian rifle, 1 German rifle.

59 pistols of various calibers.

Several 100 hand grenades, including Polish and home-made ones.

A few 100 incendiary bottles.

Home-made explosive charges.

Infernal machines with fuses.

Large amounts of explosives, ammunition for all calibers, including machine-gun ammunition.

With regard to the bag of arms one must take into consideration that in most cases we were not able to capture the arms themselves, since the Jews and bandits before they were captured threw them away into hideouts and holes which we could not discover or find. The smoke which we had developed in the dug-outs also prevented our men from discovering and capturing the arms. Since we had to blow up the dug-outs at once we were not in a position to search for the arms later on.

The hand grenades, explosive charges, and incendiary bottles captured were used at once against the bandits.

Furthermore, we captured:

1,240 used uniform tunics (partly equipped with medal ribbons, Iron Cross, and East Medal).600 pairs of used trousers.Pieces of equipment, and German steel helmets.103 horses, 4 of them in the former Ghetto (hearse).

1,240 used uniform tunics (partly equipped with medal ribbons, Iron Cross, and East Medal).

600 pairs of used trousers.

Pieces of equipment, and German steel helmets.

103 horses, 4 of them in the former Ghetto (hearse).

We counted up to 23 May 1943:

4.4 million Zloty. We captured moreover about 5 to 6 million Zloty, not yet counted, a considerable amount of foreign currency, including—$14,300 in paper.$9,200 in gold.Large amounts of valuables (rings, chains, watches etc.)

4.4 million Zloty. We captured moreover about 5 to 6 million Zloty, not yet counted, a considerable amount of foreign currency, including—

$14,300 in paper.$9,200 in gold.

Large amounts of valuables (rings, chains, watches etc.)

No. 4:

With the exception of 8 buildings (police barracks, hospital and accommodations for working parties) the former Ghetto has been completely destroyed. Where blowing-up was not carried out, only partition walls are still standing. But the ruins still contain enormous amounts of bricks and scrap material which could be used.

The SS and Police Fuehrer in theDistrict of Warsaw.Signed: StroopSS-Brigadefuehrer and Majorgeneral of Police.Certified copy:SS-Sturmbannfuehrer.

Pictorial report[Translator's note: captions of photos follow in order]

1. The building of the former Jewish Council.2. Out of the factories.3. Discussion of the evacuation of a factory.4. The Jewish section chiefs of the armament factory Brauer.5. Brauer Company!6. Column marching to the railway station.7. On the way to the transhipping place.8. Search and interrogation.9. Jewish Rabbis.10. Jewish Rabbis.11. A patrol.12. Dregs of humanity.13. Forcibly pulled out of dug-outs.14. Just pulled out of a dug-out.15. Just pulled out of a dug-out.16. These bandits resisted by force of arms.17. Bandits destroyed in battle.18. A dug-out is opened.19. Jewish traitors.20. Bandits!21. Smoking-out of the Jews and bandits.22. A place which had been prepared for escape and jumping down.23. Destruction of a block of buildings [2 photos].24. Destruction of a block of buildings.25. [no caption]26. On the way to the transhipping place.27. Jews are marched away.28. On the way to the transhipping place.29. Photos showing parts of so-called dwelling dug-outs.30-33. [no caption]34. Measures for covering a street.35. They were found in underground dug-outs.36. (1) These bandits are avoiding arrest by jumping down.(2) Bandits after having jumped down.37. The radio car of the command post.38. Ascaris who were used in the operation.39. The C.O. of the large-scale action.40. This is how the former Ghetto looks after having been destroyed.41-48. [no caption]

1. The building of the former Jewish Council.

2. Out of the factories.

3. Discussion of the evacuation of a factory.

4. The Jewish section chiefs of the armament factory Brauer.

5. Brauer Company!

6. Column marching to the railway station.

7. On the way to the transhipping place.

8. Search and interrogation.

9. Jewish Rabbis.

10. Jewish Rabbis.

11. A patrol.

12. Dregs of humanity.

13. Forcibly pulled out of dug-outs.

14. Just pulled out of a dug-out.

15. Just pulled out of a dug-out.

16. These bandits resisted by force of arms.

17. Bandits destroyed in battle.

18. A dug-out is opened.

19. Jewish traitors.

20. Bandits!

21. Smoking-out of the Jews and bandits.

22. A place which had been prepared for escape and jumping down.

23. Destruction of a block of buildings [2 photos].

24. Destruction of a block of buildings.

25. [no caption]

26. On the way to the transhipping place.

27. Jews are marched away.

28. On the way to the transhipping place.

29. Photos showing parts of so-called dwelling dug-outs.

30-33. [no caption]

34. Measures for covering a street.

35. They were found in underground dug-outs.

36. (1) These bandits are avoiding arrest by jumping down.

(2) Bandits after having jumped down.

37. The radio car of the command post.

38. Ascaris who were used in the operation.

39. The C.O. of the large-scale action.

40. This is how the former Ghetto looks after having been destroyed.

41-48. [no caption]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1063-A-PS

SECRET

Berlin 2 Jan 1941The Chief of the Security Police and the Security ServiceState Police Headquarters, Duesseldorf15 Jan 1941IV C2 general Nr. 4685/40 g[rubber stamp]To:

a. Reichs security headquarters (Distributor B).b. All State police headquarters.c. All commandants of the security police and security service.

a. Reichs security headquarters (Distributor B).

b. All State police headquarters.

c. All commandants of the security police and security service.

For the information of:

d. All inspectors of the security police and security service.e. The inspectors of the concentration camps (with 15 copies for the camp commandants).f. The commanders of the security police and security service in Krakow and Prague.

d. All inspectors of the security police and security service.

e. The inspectors of the concentration camps (with 15 copies for the camp commandants).

f. The commanders of the security police and security service in Krakow and Prague.

Subject: Classification of the concentration camps.

The Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German police has given his approval to classify the concentration camps into various categories which take into account the personality of the prisoner as well as the degree of his danger to the State. Accordingly, the concentration camps will be classified into the following categories:

Category I: For all prisoners with only little accusation and definitely qualified for correction, also for special cases and solitary confinement, the camps:

DachauSachsenhausenAuschwitz I

(The latter also applies in part to category II)

Category Ia: For all old prisoners and conditionally qualified for work, who can still be used in the medicinal herb gardens, the camp:

Dachau

Category II: For prisoners with heavy accusations, but still qualified for reeducation and correction, the camps:

Buchenwald

Flossenbuerg

Auschwitz II

Category III: For the heavily accused prisoners, at the same time also for those who have been previously convicted for criminal offences, for social prisoners that is to say, those who can hardly be corrected, the camp: Mauthausen.

Not to be included in category Ia are old prisoners not qualified for work and in need of medical treatment. They are therefore to remain in the specifically provided sections for this purpose of the respective concentration camp. More serious cases are to be transferred to the hospital section of the concentration camp Sachsenhausen.

A regrouping of the prisoners within the camps according to the new classification cannot be undertaken right now in view of the current measures for the execution of the prisoner commitment. New dispositions will be made, however, in accordance with the classification.

I ask therefore, that in the future, with the arrest warrant and the transfer to a concentration camp, suggestions be made as to the category of the prisoner with regard to his personality as well as the degree of his danger to the State.

I therefore order that a complete record of the political life, previous convictions for criminal offences and conduct of the prisoner since the taking over of the power be established, and that request for assignment into category III be specifically and carefully motivated.

This decree does not apply to the district and local police authorities.

[seal of the secret state police]/s/ HEYDRICHcertified correct/s/ BLEECK

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1063-B-PS

Headquarters of the Reichs Security ServiceII C 3 Nr 5028/43-273-2 (General)Berlin 26 July 1943

To the higher SS and Police Chiefs

the commanders of the security police and the security servicethe inspectors of the security police and the security servicethe deputy of the chiefs of the secret police and the security service within the territory of the military commander in Belgium and northern France in Brusselsthe chiefs of the Einsatzgruppe B and D

the commanders of the security police and the security service

the inspectors of the security police and the security service

the deputy of the chiefs of the secret police and the security service within the territory of the military commander in Belgium and northern France in Brussels

the chiefs of the Einsatzgruppe B and D

For the information of:

the state police headquartersthe commandants of the security police and the security serviceReich's security main office—office IV

the state police headquarters

the commandants of the security police and the security service

Reich's security main office—office IV

[seal]State Police Hq Duesseldorf16 Aug 1943Subject: Organization of labor reformatory camps

The Reichsfuehrer SS has given his consent that besides concentration camps, which come under the jurisdiction of the SS economical administration main office, further labor reformatory camps may be created for which the security police alone is competent. These labor reformatory camps are dependent on the authorization of the Reichs security main office, which can only be granted in case of emergency (great number of foreign workers, etc.).

At the same time, the Reichsfuehrer SS has forbidden that prison camps of all sorts (among others, enlarged police prisons, labor reformatory camps, transient camps) be placed under the immediate jurisdiction of the higher SS and police chiefs or the commanders and inspectors of the security police and of the security service. He has ordered that those camps come for administration and command under the jurisdiction of the state police headquarters, commandants of the security police and the security service or the immigration and transient agencies. Thus the general supervision of the superior offices remains undisturbed by this affiliation.

The decrees of 28.5.1941 and 12.12.1941 concerning the organization of labor reformatory camps remain also in effect. For the General Government and the occupied territories, reference is made to the decree from 29.3.1943 II c 3 Nr. 5028/43273-2.

[seal of the Reichsleiter]SS and chief /s/ Dr KALTENBRUNNERof the German police Certified correctin the Reichministry /s/ Riemerof the Interior

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1063-D-PS

SECRET

The Chief of the Security Police and the Security ServiceB. Nr. IV* 656/42 SECRETBerlin 17 Dec 1942

Secret To:

All commanders of the security police and the security serviceAll inspectors of the security police and the security serviceAll commandants of the security police and the security serviceAll chiefs of the State police headquarters

All commanders of the security police and the security service

All inspectors of the security police and the security service

All commandants of the security police and the security service

All chiefs of the State police headquarters

For the information of:

The chief of the SS economic and administration headquarters, SS Lt Gen PohlAll higher SS and police chiefsThe inspectors of the concentration camps

The chief of the SS economic and administration headquarters, SS Lt Gen Pohl

All higher SS and police chiefs

The inspectors of the concentration camps

For reasons of war necessity not to be discussed further here, the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police on 14 December 1942, has ordered that until the end of January 1943, at least 35,000 prisoners qualified for work, are to be sent to the concentration camps.

In order to reach this number, the following measures are required:

1. As of now (so far until 1 Feb. 1943) all eastern workers or such foreign workers who have been fugitives, or who have broken contracts, and who do not belong to allied, friendly or neutral States are to be brought by the quickest means to the nearest concentration camps. For this, the most necessary formalities, as listed under N. 3 must be observed.

In order to eliminate and to avoid complaints, each and every one of these measures in the individual cases must be presented to third authorities, by giving careful reasons, as being irremissible security police measures.

2. The commanders and the commandants of the security police and the security service, and the chiefs of the State police headquarters will check immediately on the basis of a close and strict ruling.

a.the prisons.

b.the labor reformatory camps.

All prisoners qualified for work, if it is essentially and humanly possible, will be committed at once to the nearest concentration camp, according to the following instructions, for instance also if penal procedures were to be established in the near future. Only such prisoners who in the interest of investigation procedures are to remain absolutely in solitary confinement can be left there.

Every single laborer counts!

The checking must be taken up at once. All withholding of prisoners qualified for work is prohibited. My approval is required for exceptions.

3. The prisoners who are committed to concentration camps till the 1 Feb 1943 will be seized under reference to this decree, solely according to a list (present number, first and second name, place of birth and date, residence, reason for arrest with short commentary). One list will be sent to the Reichs security headquarters as a collective request for both protective custody as well as for commitment to a concentration camp, for which the confirmation can be assumed.

In regards to eastern workers, that is to say for such workers who have to wear the insignia "EAST", it is sufficient to give the total number of the arrested.

One copy goes with the transport to the commander of the concentration camp, and another copy remains with the authorities who are making the commitment.

In order to facilitate the necessary exploitation, the lists are to be made up on single pages and in such a way that enough space be left between the data of the individual prisoners, so that the lists can be cut out.

The lists are to be sent to the Reichs security headquarters, Referat IV c 2.

By direction

signed: MUELLERcertified correct[seal of the secret state police]signed: HILLMUTHChief Secretary of Police

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1063-E-PS

The Chief of the Security Police and the Security Service (SD)IV-C-2 General No. 656/42 g[Initials] B.R.[Stamp] Bureau of State Police, DuesseldorfBerlin, 25 June 1943

TO:

a.All commanders of the security police and the security serviceb.All inspectorsc.All commandantsd.All chiefs of the directing office of the state policee.All groups and sub-divisions [Referate] of Bureau IV of the Reichs Central Office of Security

a.All commanders of the security police and the security service

b.All inspectors

c.All commandants

d.All chiefs of the directing office of the state police

e.All groups and sub-divisions [Referate] of Bureau IV of the Reichs Central Office of Security

For information purposes to:

f.The chief of the SS central administrative office of economy, SS Obergruppenfuehrer (Lt Gen) POHLg.All higher SS and police chiefsh.SS central administrative office of economy, office group D—Concentration Camp—in Oraninburg (with 30 copies for the camps)i.Referate II C3

f.The chief of the SS central administrative office of economy, SS Obergruppenfuehrer (Lt Gen) POHL

g.All higher SS and police chiefs

h.SS central administrative office of economy, office group D—Concentration Camp—in Oraninburg (with 30 copies for the camps)

i.Referate II C3

Subject: Increased shipments to concentration camps.Reference: My decrees of 17 Dec 1942—IV 656/42 g and of 23 March 1943—IV C 2, Gen No 656/42 g

Subject: Increased shipments to concentration camps.

Reference: My decrees of 17 Dec 1942—IV 656/42 g and of 23 March 1943—IV C 2, Gen No 656/42 g

The regulations for exceptions contained in the above mentioned decrees, which achieved their intended goal, are hereby revoked immediately.

The given directives have not been observed everywhere during the execution of those shipments to concentration camps. Subjects of allied, friendly or neutral states, as well as minors, have, for instance in several cases, been committed to concentration camps in spite of the strictest orders to the contrary. Their re-transfer will lead to difficulties and cause an unnecessary, supplemental effort.

In order to prevent justified complaints, especially of a diplomatic nature, I request tocheckthe shipments which have been carried outimmediately. Commitments contrary to the regulations must immediately be reported, since the cases have already been classified according to the general rules of protective custody, in every single case, and the release or other dispositions of such prisoners effectuated as quickly as possible.

This decree does not concern district and local police authorities.

By direction

signed: MUELLERStamp: Reichsfuehrer SS andChief of the German Police.The Reichs Ministry of theInterior[Pencil note:] DuesseldorfCertified:signed: BLEECK [?]Employee of the Chancellery

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1099-PS

The Commissar General for White RutheniaMinsk, 29 September 1941

To: The Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories, Reichsleiter Rosenberg

Berlin W 35Rauchstrasse 17/18PersonalMy dear Party Comrade Reichsleiter Rosenberg!

Only today, after extensive investigations, was I able to locate the rest of the art treasures in Minsk and store them away in a safe place. Minsk had a large, in part very valuable, collection of art treasures and paintings which were removed almost in their entirety. On an order of the Reichsfuehrer SS, Reichsleiter Heinrich Himmler, most of the paintings, some still during my term of office, were packed by the SS and shipped to the Reich. They are worth several millions of marks and were all taken from the general district of White Ruthenia. The paintings were supposedly sent to Linz and to Koenigsberg in East Prussia. I beg to have these valuable collections, insofar as they are not needed in the Reich, again placed at the disposal of the general district of White Ruthenia, in any case, however, to have the money value secured for the Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories.

According to the report made by a Major of the 707th Division who today handed the remaining treasures over to me, the SS has left the rest of the paintings and works of art to the Wehrmacht for further pillaging, including very valuable paintings and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, vases, marble objects, clocks, etc. General Stubenrauch has taken a valuable part from Minsk with him up to the front. "Sonderfuehrer" whose names have not yet been reported to me, have carried away furniture, paintings and art objects * * * in 3 trucks, without giving a receipt. I shall ascertain which unit it was, in order to carry out the punishment of those who have made themselves guilty of looting. From the material that was left, local authorities of the Wehrmacht and of the SS took away more art treasures and paintings without my permission; those, however, may still be found in Minsk.

I request that the national socialist painter, Willi Springer, Berlin SW 29, Hasenheide 94, be sent here to restore those paintings which were in part thoughtlessly damaged by knife slashings, so that under his supervision whatever can still be salvaged, should be salvaged. Unfortunately, many valuable vases, china, cupboards, and period furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries were also badly damaged or destroyed. Altogether it is a question of irreplaceable valuables worth millions of marks. I request that for the future the Ministry for Eastern Affairs take action with the competent authorities of the Wehrmacht so that such vandalism be stopped and that those responsible to be threatened with the heaviest possible punishment and that such punishment be inflicted if necessary.

The prehistoric museum also is in a completely devastated state. Valuable precious and semiprecious stones were stolen from the geological section. At the university, instruments worth hundreds of thousands of marks were thoughtlessly destroyed or stolen. May I suggest, my dear Reichsleiter, that you report these events to the Fuehrer? White Ruthenia, already rather poor, has suffered a heavy loss through these actions. I hope that specialists will be employed in Leningrad, and in Moscow, as well as in the old cultural cities in the Ukraine, to prevent occurrences of this kind; otherwise the civilian administration shall find everywhere the same devastation as was found here.

Heil Hitler!Yours faithfully,(signed) Wilhelm KUBECommissar General for White Ruthenia

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1104-PS

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