Chapter 41

The Personal Reviewer of the Permanent Deputy of the Minister of the Reich

Berlin, 21 November 1941Bi/T Nr 58 A/41 SecretTo Dr. Marquart

Enclosed herewith I transmit to you the copy of an incident regarding the measures against the Jews in the general-district of Minsk, with the request to submit the same to the Minister of the Reich.

On order of the Gauleiter I have sent one copy to Lieutenant General of the SS, Heydrich, with the request for investigation of the incident.

signed: BIGENWALD3 enclosures

Copy /TThe Commissioner General for White RutheniaDept Gauleiter/KaMinsk, 1 November 1941

To the Reich Commissioner for the Eastern Territories, Gauleiter Hinrich Lohse, Riga

Today, money, valuables and other objects were deposited at the cashier of my office against receipt, in the presence of Government Councillor Dr. Idelberger of the Police Battalion 11. These matters were from Sluzk and other regions which the Police Battalion 11 had included in its action without my order and without my knowledge. All objects and the money have been safely deposited by officials of Commissariat General with the Reich Credit Institute [Reichskreditanstalt] and are held at the disposal of the Reich Commissioner. Reserve officer 1st Lieutenant of the Police Brodeck attempted in the course of this incident to purchase gold for private purposes in order to use it for a personal affair, as witnessed by Government Councillor Dr. Idelberger, my adjutant, SS-2nd Lt Wildenstein and myself.

I have immediately reported the case to the responsible field command post at Minsk and requested the arrest of the police officer. 1st Lt Brodeck was immediately set free by the investigating court martial officer as the court martial officer did not find any basis for charges in this incident. This is contrary to the legal conception of my office. Any private dealing in gold is prohibited in the German Reich. Aggravating in this case is furthermore the fact that an officer of the same unit is involved which has effected the liquidation of the former possessors of gold.

The Commissioner General for White Rutheniasigned: KUBE

SECRETCopy / TThe Commissioner General for White RutheniaDept Gauleiter/KaMinsk, 1 November 1941Personal

To the Reich Commissioner for the Eastern Territories Gauleiter Hinrich LOHSE Riga

Enclosed I submit a report of the Commissioner for the territory of Sluzk, party member Carl, with the request not to let this matter rest. Herewith I propose to prosecute the guilty officers commencing with the battalion commander of the security police to the last lieutenant.

For about the last three weeks, I have discussed the Sluzk action against the Jews with the responsible SS-Brigadier General and Brigadier-General of the Protection Police, Zenner, Member of the Reichstag, and I have pointed out that the tradesmen should be spared by all means and that the commissioner responsible for the territory should be contacted prior to the action. Above all, any act lowering the prestige of the German Reich and its organizations in the eyes of the White Ruthenian population should be avoided.

The police battalion No 11 from Kauen has as a unit, directly subordinate to the armed forces, taken independent action without informing me, the SS-Brigadier-General or any other office of the Commissariat General, thereby impairing most seriously the prestige of the German nation. I request to have the commissioner of the territory Carl and all his officials and collaborators from Riga questioned under oath and to record the hearing. Then, in order to set an example, I request to grant my motion to prosecute the entire staff of officers of the police battalion 11.

I am submitting this report in duplicate so that one copy may be forwarded to the Reich Minister. Peace and order cannot be maintained in White Ruthenia with methods of that sort. To bury seriously wounded people alive who worked their way out of their graves again, is such a base and filthy act that this incident as such should be reported to the Fuehrer and Reich Marshal. The civil administration of White Ruthenia makes very strenuous efforts to win the population over to Germany in accordance with the instructions of the Fuehrer. These efforts cannot be brought in harmony with the methods described herein.

The Commissioner Generalfor White Rutheniasigned: KUBEEnclosures

Riga 11 November 1941

Originalwith two enclosures to the Reich minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories Berlin with the request for consideration. It is deemed necessary that higher authority take immediate steps.

By order of

The Reich Commissioner forthe Eastern Territoriessigned: WICHMANN

Copy/T of the copyThe Commissioner of the Territory of SluzkSluzk, 30 October 1941SECRETTo the Commissioner General MinskSubject: Action against Jews

Referring to the report made by phone on 27 October 1941 I now beg to inform you in writing of the following:

On 27 October in the morning at about 8 o'clock a first lieutenant of the police battalion No 11 from Kauen (Lithuania) appeared and introduced himself as the adjutant of the battalion commander of the security police. The first lieutenant explained that the police battalion had received the assignment to effect the liquidation of all Jews here in the town of Sluzk, within two days. The battalion commander with his battalion in strength of four companies, two of which were made up of Lithuanian partisans, was on the march here and the action would have to begin instantly. I replied to the first lieutenant that I had to discuss the action in any case first with the commander. About half an hour later the police battalion arrived in Sluzk. Immediately after the arrival the conference with the battalion commander took place according to my request. I first explained to the commander that it would not very well be possible to effect the action without previous preparation, because everybody had been sent to work and that it would lead to terrible confusion. At least it would have been his duty to inform me a day ahead of time. Then I requested him to postpone the action one day. However, he rejected this with the remark that he had to carry out this action everywhere and in all towns and that only two days were allotted for Sluzk. Within these two days, the town of Sluzk had to be cleared of Jews by all means. I immediately protested violently against it, pointing out that a liquidation of Jews must not be allowed to take place in an arbitrary manner. I explained that a large part of the Jews still living in the towns were tradesmen and families of tradesmen respectively. But these Jewish tradesmen were not simply expendable because they were indispensable for maintaining the economic life. Furthermore, I pointed out that White Ruthenian tradesmen are so to say non-existent, that therefore all vital plants had to be shut down all at once, if all Jews would be liquidated. At the end of our conference, I mentioned that all tradesmen and specialists, inasmuch as they were indispensable, had papers of identification and that these should not be pulled out of the factories. Furthermore, it was agreed that all Jews still living in the town should first be brought into the ghetto in order to segregate them, especially with regard to the families of tradesmen which I did not want to have liquidated either. Two of my officials should be assigned to segregate them. The commander did not in any way contradict my idea and I had therefore the firm belief that the action would be carried out accordingly. However, a few hours after the beginning of the action the greatest difficulties already developed. I noticed that the commander had not at all abided by our agreement. All Jews without exception were taken out of the factories and shops and deported in spite of our agreement. It is true that part of the Jews was moved by way of the ghetto where many of them were processed and still segregated by me, but a large part was loaded directly on trucks and liquidated without further delay outside of the town. Shortly after noon complaints came already from all sides that the factories could not function any more because all Jewish tradesmen had been removed. As the commander had proceeded on his way to Baranowitschi I got in touch with the deputy commander, a captain, after searching a long time, and demanded to stop the action immediately because my instructions had been disregarded and the damage done so far with respect to the economic life could not be repaired any more. The captain was greatly surprised at my idea and stated that he had received orders from the commander to clear the whole town of Jews without exception in the same manner as they had done in other towns. This mopping up had to be executed on political considerations and economic reasons had never played a role anywhere. However, due to my energetic intervention, he finally halted the action toward evening.

For the rest, as regards the execution of the action, I must point out to my deepest regret that the latter bordered already on sadism. The town itself offered a picture of horror during the action. With indescribable brutality on the part of both the German police officers and particularly the Lithuanian partisans, the Jewish people, but also among them White Ruthenians, were taken out of their dwellings and herded together. Everywhere in the town shots were to be heard and in different streets the corpses of shot Jews accumulated. The White Ruthenians were in greatest distress to free themselves from the encirclement. Regardless of the fact that the Jewish people, among whom were also tradesmen, were mistreated in a terribly barbarous way in the face of the White Ruthenian people, the White Ruthenians themselves were also worked over with rubber clubs and rifle butts. There was no question of an action against the Jews any more. It rather looked like a revolution. I myself with all my officials have been in it without interruption all day long in order to save what could yet be saved. In several instances I literally had to expel with drawn pistol the German police officials as well as the Lithuanian partisans from the shops. My own police was employed for the same mission but had often to leave the streets on account of the wild shooting in order to avoid being shot themselves. The whole picture was generally more than ghastly. In the afternoon a great number of abandoned Panje carriages with horses were standing in the streets so that I had to instruct the municipal administration to take care of the vehicles immediately. Afterwards it was ascertained that they were Jewish vehicles ordered by the armed forces to move ammunition. The drivers had simply been taken off the carriages and led away, and nobody had worried in the least about the vehicles.

I was not present at the shooting before the town. Therefore I cannot make a statement on its brutality. But it should suffice, if I point out that persons shot have worked themselves out of their graves some time after they had been covered. Regarding the economic damage I want to state that the tannery has been affected worst of all. 26 experts worked there. Of them, fifteen of the best specialists alone have been shot. Four more jumped from the truck during the transport and escaped, while seven others were not apprehended after they fled. The plant barely continues to operate today. Five wheelwrights worked in the wheelwright shop. Four of them have been shot and the shop has to keep going now with one wheelwright. Additional tradesmen such as carpenters, blacksmiths, etc. are still missing. Up till now it was impossible for me to obtain an exact survey. I have mentioned already in the beginning, that the families of tradesmen should be spared too. But now it seems that almost in all families some persons are missing. Reports come in from all over, making it clear that in one family the tradesman himself, in another family the wife and in the next one again the children are missing. In that way, almost all families have been broken up. It seems to be very doubtful whether under these circumstances the remaining tradesmen will show any interest in their work and produce accordingly, particularly as even today they are running around with bloody and bruised faces due to the brutality. The White Ruthenian people who had full confidence in us, are dumbfounded. Though they are intimidated and don't dare to utter their free opinion, one has already heard that they take the viewpoint that this day does not add to the glory of Germany and that it will not be forgotten. I am of the opinion that much has been destroyed through this action which we have achieved during the last months and that it will take a long time until we shall regain the confidence of the population which we have lost.

In conclusion I find myself obliged to point out that the police battalion has looted in an unheard of manner during the action, and that not only in Jewish houses but just the same in those of the White Ruthenians. Anything of use such as boots, leather, cloth, gold and other valuables, has been taken away. On the basis of statements of members of the armed forces, watches were torn off the arms of Jews in public, on the street, and rings were pulled off the fingers in the most brutal manner. A major of the finance department reported that a Jewish girl was asked by the police to obtain immediately 5,000 rubles to have her father released. This girl is said to have actually gone everywhere in order to obtain the money.

Also within the ghetto, the different barracks which had been nailed up by the civil administration and were furnished with Jewish furniture, have been broken open and robbed. Even from the barracks in which the unit was quartered, window frames and doors have been forcibly removed and used for campfires. Although I had a discussion with the adjutant of the commander on Tuesday morning concerning the looting and he promised in the course of the discussion that none of the policemen would enter the town any more, yet I was forced several hours later to arrest two fully armed Lithuanian partisans because they were apprehended looting. During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday the battalion left the town in the direction of Baranowitschi. Evidently, the people were only too glad when this report circulated in the town.

So far the report. I shall come to Minsk in the immediate future, in order to discuss the affair personally once again. At the present time, I am not in a position to continue with the action against the Jews. First, order has to be established again. I hope that I shall be able to restore order as soon as possible and also to revive the economic life despite the difficulties. Only, I beg you to grant me one request: "In the future, keep this police battalion away from me by all means."

signed: CARL

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1107-PS

SECRETThe Leader of Directorate Group, Cultural MissionsP / 551a/44gExpert: GoepelBerlin, 17 May 1944.

To the Chief of Operational Staff Politic [Fuehrungestabes Politik] Inter-office Memorandum.Subject: Bringing of Museum Objects and Works of Art from the Occupied Eastern Territories into the Reich.

To the Chief of Operational Staff Politic [Fuehrungestabes Politik] Inter-office Memorandum.

Subject: Bringing of Museum Objects and Works of Art from the Occupied Eastern Territories into the Reich.

Information received concerning the bringing back of museum objects and other works of art now public property in the occupied Eastern Territories into the Reich has shown that the interests of the ministry of the East, i.e., of the Reich in this matter are not being presented with sufficient stress. There is no reason for leaving these museum stocks, some of which are extremely valuable, in the hands of various offices and authorities without establishing unmistakably the claim of possession, i.e., the right of disposal of the Reich. The atrocity propaganda of the enemy side has taken up this question at large and has retained with it evident success in the incitement against Germany in this and foreign countries.

Besides the department of archives in the Reich Ministry, the following have brought back works of art from the occupied Eastern Districts (place of deposit Troppau):

Reich Commissioner for Ukraine.(East and West European Museum—place of deposit Kiew in the district Reichau (Wehlau)).(Museum Charkow—place of deposit Wildenhof near Zinten. Various museums of the Ukraine—place of deposit—Troppau)Reich Commissioner for the East.(Stock of Museum Minsk—place of deposit Koenigsberg and Castle Hochstedt/Donau)Einsatzstab Rosenberg.(Museum objects from the Ukraine—place of deposit Krakau)Armed forces from various places.(places of deposit unknown)

Reich Commissioner for Ukraine.

(East and West European Museum—place of deposit Kiew in the district Reichau (Wehlau)).(Museum Charkow—place of deposit Wildenhof near Zinten. Various museums of the Ukraine—place of deposit—Troppau)

(East and West European Museum—place of deposit Kiew in the district Reichau (Wehlau)).

(Museum Charkow—place of deposit Wildenhof near Zinten. Various museums of the Ukraine—place of deposit—Troppau)

Reich Commissioner for the East.

(Stock of Museum Minsk—place of deposit Koenigsberg and Castle Hochstedt/Donau)

Einsatzstab Rosenberg.

(Museum objects from the Ukraine—place of deposit Krakau)

Armed forces from various places.

(places of deposit unknown)

For political reasons I consider it important that the rights of possession of the evacuated museums be kept up fully, respectively in all cases where no owner is known, the right of possession of the Reich is to be clarified. I, therefore, ask for approval of the following measures:

1. A decree is to go to all offices involved according to which all works of art of public property which have been brought back should be put under direct control of the ministry of the East.

2. Action should be taken to inventory all returned objects of art and have their art and material values determined.

3. The places of deposit of these objects of art seized in this way are to be examined by experts and, if necessary the required measures taken to secure these objects from air damage or other destruction. A checking at regular intervals of the conditions and intactness of the stocks should be made as is done at the places of deposit of the German museums.

MS 18/5[v.d. Milwe-Schroeden]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1109-PS

Draft CopyZ.f.O.Berlin, 17 June 1944.SECRET

Notefor the Director of Operational Group [Fuehrungsgruppe] P-4, Herrn v.d. Milwe-Schroeden, in the buildingConcerning: Bolshevic Atrocity Propaganda. Case: Memoranda of the Special Staff RR dated 15 April 1944.

Notefor the Director of Operational Group [Fuehrungsgruppe] P-4, Herrn v.d. Milwe-Schroeden, in the building

Concerning: Bolshevic Atrocity Propaganda. Case: Memoranda of the Special Staff RR dated 15 April 1944.

1.Evacuation of the Population.The undersigned was in Kiev during the whole of October 1943 until the beginning of November, shortly before the occupation of the city by Soviet Russia. At the beginning of October a part of the population had been evacuated especially in the parts of the town by the Dnieper and the areas in question were declared "battle zones". During October the population of the city was further evacuated quarter by quarter. This evacuation took place by order of the military authorities; it was, however, carried out by the civil administration [Stadtkommandantur]. The trolley line and the railway trains had already been put in readiness by the German civil administration. Nonetheless, the greater proportion of the inhabitants listened to the Soviet counter-propaganda, with the result that they did not wish to abandon the city; they sought accommodation in quarters still untouched by the evacuation or went off on foot to the neighboring areas of the city. There was an uninterrupted stream of homeless people wandering through the streets, with a few belongings. Hardship was unavoidable as a result of the evacuation, but it was still further increased by the passive resistance of the population. Protection could not be set up in the evacuated sections of the city, so there were very soon no locked doors. It was probably mainly members of the local bands dressed in field gray, who are to be held responsible for the plundering of empty dwellings, etc. At this time much property belonging to museums and institutions was destroyed.

2.The Removal of Cultural Property.A great deal of material from museums, archives, institutions and other cultural institutions was taken out of and away from Kiev in the autumn of 1943, in the proper way. These actions to safeguard the material were carried out by the Special Purpose Staff RR as well as by the individual institute directors etc. at the instigation of the Reich Commissar. At the beginning a great deal of the evacuated property was taken only to the rear areas; later on this material was forwarded to the Reich. When the undersigned, towards the end of September, received the mission from the cultural division of the Reich Commissar to take out of Kiev the remaining cultural effects, the most worthwhile materials from the cultural point of view had already been removed. During October some 40 carloads of cultural effects were sent to the Reich. In this case it was chiefly a question of valuables which belonged to the research institutions of the national Research Centre of the Ukraine. These institutions are continuing their work at the present time in the Reich and are being directed in such a manner that at a given moment they can be brought back into the Ukraine. The cultural valuables which could not be promptly safeguarded, were plundered. In this case, it was always a question, however, of less valuable material, as the principal valuables were taken away in accordance with orders.

In October 1943 factory, workshop etc. plants were taken out of Kiev by order of the Reich Commissar. To what place they were removed I do not know. At the time of the entry of Soviet Russia there was nothing valuable in this respect left in the city.

[Signature] Dr. Ulmann

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1113-PS

Higher SS- and Police Leader for the East2000/42 g11 Jacobstr, Riga, November 6, 1942SECRET

Final Report "Marshfever"

9.Miciajewicze (p. 2479)

9 Feb—9 Mar 1942

By motorized Gendarmery—patrols and a company from the 15th Latvian Police Battalion. Seventy bandits shot. By carrying out these actions the following successes were obtained:

a.—49 bandit camps, pill-boxes and strong points, as well as several villages in the swamp-areas which were used as hideouts were smoked out and destroyed.

b.—389 armed bandits shot in combat.

1274 suspicious persons sentenced and shot.8350 Jews executed.

1274 suspicious persons sentenced and shot.

8350 Jews executed.

c.—1217 persons evacuated.

d.—3 anti-tank guns,

2 heavy machine guns,3 light machine guns,

2 heavy machine guns,

3 light machine guns,

1 radio set (sender and receiver),some radio equipment, rifles and small arms,large amount of explosives and ammunition, hand grenades, Teller mines, pieces of equipment and other material, as well as1 truck, 1 passenger car,80 panji-carts (peasant carts),42 bicycles,62 horses,5 cows as well as food supplies have been captured.

1 radio set (sender and receiver),

some radio equipment, rifles and small arms,

large amount of explosives and ammunition, hand grenades, Teller mines, pieces of equipment and other material, as well as

1 truck, 1 passenger car,

80 panji-carts (peasant carts),

42 bicycles,

62 horses,

5 cows as well as food supplies have been captured.

Besides the above stated objects the enclosed 14 sketches were found during actions against bands in the territory of Smolewicze north-eastward of Minsk in a camp abandoned shortly before the two bandits whose portraits are enclosed were recognized by comparison with captured bandits and shot. One of them is the leader of the bandits, a Bolshevist commissar.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1117-PS

The Reichs Marshal of the Greater German ReichHeadquarters, 1, May 1941

The battle against Jews, Freemasons and other affiliated forces of opposite "Weltanschauung" is a foremost task of National Socialism during the war.

I therefore welcome the decision of Reichsleiter Rosenberg to form staffs in all occupied territories for the purpose of safeguarding all research material and cultural goods of the above-mentioned groups, and transporting them to Germany.

All party, State and Wehrmacht Services are therefore requested to give all possible support and assistance to the Chief of Staff of Reichsleiter Rosenberg's staffs, Reichshauptstellenleiter Party Comrade Utikal, and his deputy DRK-Feldfuehrer Party Comrade von Beer, in the discharge of their duties. The above-mentioned persons are requested to report to us on their work, particularly on any difficulties that might arise.

signed: GOERING.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1118-PS

To the Reich Marshal of the Greater German ReichBerlin W 8, Leipziger Str. 318 June 1942U/Sz 1073/42 iDear Reich Marshal:

From your letter of 30 May 1942, I see that Oberfeldfuehrer von Behr of the German Red Cross informed you of certain matters on which he has not been able to report to me yet. I am pleased by the appreciation which you express for my Einsatzstab for the occupied territories. It is, for me, self-evident that the members of my Einsatzstab will continue to be at your disposal as much as is at all possible.

Since the new M-action to secure Jewish house furnishings for the establishment of the administration in the East, which is purely a state measure, has been added to the former tasks of my Einsatzstab, it has been necessary to undertake an organizational separation of duty fields according to my party and state bureaus. In order that the interests of the Einsatzstab may be protected within the framework of the M-action, I have appointed Oberfeldfuehrer von Behr of the German Red Cross, head of the bureau West of the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories, while the party bureau of the Einsatzstab Paris will be restaffed.

In consideration of the importance of the work of the Einsatzstab in history and in order to relieve my fellow workers, I have directed that in the interest of a correct documentary grasp of the securing of art objects hitherto undertaken, all evidence on this subject will be checked. This work is at present in progress.

Since in certain circles, as you write, the conjecture was expressed that one of my bureaus would deal in art objects, I have ordered this check. I have entrusted it to the head of my office for plastic art, Bereichsleiter Scholz, and Abschnittsleiter von Ingram who wears the Knight's Cross. Furthermore some time ago I explicitly approved the measures of the chief of staff of my Einsatzstab, Stabsfuehrer party member Utikal, that party member Dr. Lohse of the office of formative art is at your disposal for your personal wishes. This will be managed in the same way in the future. I should like to emphasize explicitly that the new arrangement made in my bureaus in the West will in no way prejudice your wishes, but that the gentlemen of my Einsatzstab are at your disposal in the same way as before. I may ask you however, to continue to further the work of my Einsatzstab in the same way as you have done hitherto, which is so worthy of thanks. I ask you especially to continue to give the chief of staff of my Einsatzstab, Reich office leader [Reichsamtsleiter] Utikal, the opportunity to report to you in especially important cases on the total work of the Einsatzstab. I have instructed party member Utikal to give you a report on the difficulties which have arisen in connection with the Fuehrer edict of 1 March 1942. It is so grotesque that difficulties should arise for my Einsatzstab from this liberal Fuehrer edict, you should know about it for curiosity's sake alone. If you could intercede for my Einsatzstab in this connection, I would be very grateful to you in the interest of the cause.

Since you have already deposited sums in a special account for the art objects which you have acquired, I would be grateful for information as to what use you had intended for the funds of this account. Please do not take this question amiss or misinterpret it. I believe, however, that we agree that the tasks of my Einsatzstab could and can be carried out only on the basis of the fight of the NSDAP. Moreover, the Reich Treasurer has liberally made available the means for carrying out these tasks. Therefore I believe that we also agree that the art objects secured from Jewish possessions must be considered sequestered for the benefit of the NSDAP. In regard to the research material the Fuehrer has already decided that the supply secured by the Einsatzstab be dedicated to the Hohe Schule. It would be no more than right for the great values of the secured art treasures to be transferred to the NSDAP some day. Of course it remains up to the Fuehrer himself to dispose of this matter. Since the NSDAP has financed the 20 year battle against Jewry, however, such a settlement would no doubt be admissible.

I would be grateful to you if you could let me know your opinion on this question some time, so that the corresponding suggestions can be made to the Fuehrer at the proper time. Since the Reich Treasurer is continually making considerable means available for my Einsatzstab, you can understand that I am interested in clearing up this question.

As I have been informed there are good working connections with various offices of your jurisdiction, especially in the work of the Einsatzstab in the East. In the future I shall continue to see to it that everything of importance for your field of activity reaches you.

I am enclosing a document from the work of my Einsatzstab in the East, which may interest you, the personally written biography of the Russian parachutist K. Kaitanow.

Heil Hitler[no signature]

The Reich Marshal of the Greater German ReichBerlin W8, Leipziger Str. 3, 30 May 1942[stamped] Ministerial Office, received4 June 1942, No 01141[partly illegible notation] * * * 4 June * * *GR (2?) Utikal * * *Dear party member Rosenberg:

Your Einsatzstab for the seizure of cultural goods in Paris has, I believe, received the false repute of dealing in art goods itself. I know the work of the Einsatzstab very well and must say that there is no bureau which I can praise so unreservedly for its continued work and initiative as this bureau with all its staff. I presumably gave occasion for the repute of dealing in art goods, because I asked several gentlemen who are especially well versed in the field, if during their stay in Paris or France they should hear anywhere that pictures or other art objects are to be put on the market by art dealers or private individuals, to look at these things and let me know whether there is anything of interest for me among them. Since the latter has often been the case, I then asked the gentlemen to do me a favor and acquire the things for me, for which purpose I placed a warehouse at their disposal. Therefore, if some gentlemen were eager to establish contact with art dealers, it was exclusively a personal favor which was being done for me and which benefits the expansion of my collection. Since many would-be purchasers are looking for art objects in the occupied territory, I can imagine that they, perhaps in ignorance of the situation, or perhaps out of jealousy, falsely suspected the gentlemen of your Einsatzstab.

I feel obligated to offer you this explanation and to ask you that this procedure may continue. On the other hand, I do support the work of your Einsatzstab personally, wherever I can, and the fact that I was able to aid the Einsatzstab through my agencies is responsible for a large part of the seized cultural goods.

Greetings and Heil Hitler,Your[signed]: HERMANN GOERING

To the Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich,Prime Minister Hermann GoeringBerlin W9, Leipziger Platz 711 January 1943Charlottenburg 2Bismarckstrasse 1Dear Party member Goering:

My most cordial congratulations on your 50th birthday.

On this occasion I think back to the first fighting years of our movement, when I met you as a German officer at Adolf Hitler's. I think of your unqualified efforts for the Fuehrer and the long years of battle, which finally led our movement to victory. Please be assured how well I believe I understand what you have accomplished for the people and the Fuehrer, and I wish you further determined, unbroken strength to hold on to the victorious conclusion of this decisive battle for the Reich for the coming years.

I take the liberty of giving you, as a friend of the plastic art, a Dutch painting as a little remembrance for your museum. It was painted by Jacob Adriaensz Bellevois, comes from the 17th century, and is called "Seascape".

Tomorrow I shall offer you my personal congratulations on your anniversary.

Heil Hitler,Yours respectfully,[No signature]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1130-PS

Col. i.G. v. AltenstadtOKH/Gen Qu Department War AdministrationII/2120/43 secret11 April 1943Main Department ITgb No. I 784/43 secret Received 6 May 1943 Encl. 1Dear Mr. Braeutigam:

Enclosed I am sending you for your personal information a report of a speech which Gauleiter Reichkommissar Koch made in Kiev on 5 March 1943. May I ask you to regard this report as solely meant for yourself.

With best regards,

Heil Hitler!Sincerely yours,Altenstadt [signature]N.R.Obergruppenfuehrer Dr. Kinkelein [initialed] 8 MayThe speech is known, isn't it? Yes.[initials illegible]1 enclosure.File Koch.

CopyHigh Command Army, Group BO.Qu./VII (Mil. Govt.) B.B.Nr.83/43 secret.Headquarters, 1 April 1943SECRET

To the OKH/Gen Staff Army/Gen Qu Dept. War Administration (Admin.)Subject: Treatment of the civilian population in the Ukraine.Reference: OKW/Gen St d H/Gen Qu Obt.Kr.Verw(Qu 4) Nr. II/1736/43 secret of 23 March 1943.

To the OKH/Gen Staff Army/Gen Qu Dept. War Administration (Admin.)

Subject: Treatment of the civilian population in the Ukraine.

Reference: OKW/Gen St d H/Gen Qu Obt.Kr.Verw(Qu 4) Nr. II/1736/43 secret of 23 March 1943.

Oberkriegsverwaltungsrat Dr. Claassen participated in the meeting of the NSDAP in Kiev on March 5, 1943 and gave a verbal report on the contents of the Reich Commissar's speech. Other documents on the contents of the speech are not available here.

I. On thetreatment of the populationthe Reich Commissar remarked in the course of his speech in several places as follows:

1. We are the master race and must govern hard but just * * *

2. I will draw the very last out of this country. I did not come to spread bliss, I have come to help the Fuehrer. The population must work, work, and work again * * * for some people are getting excited, that the population may not get enough to eat. The population cannot demand that. One has only to remember what our heroes were deprived of in Stalingrad * * * We definitely did not come here to give out manna, we have come here to create the basis for victory.

3. We are a master race, which must remember that the lowliest German worker is racially and biologically a thousand times more valuable than the population here * * *

II. Furthermore, the speech was primarily an appeal to all party members stationed in the Reich Commissariat of the Ukraine, to conduct themselves perfectly in every respect and in any situation. In this connection the Reich Commissar said the following among other things:

1. * * * In the days of the crisis, one could differentiate between three groups of people:

1. The group of those, that went about asking where one might be able to buy another suitcase;2. The group of slogan manufacturers with the main slogan: "One has to wait and see."3. The group of real National Socialists, who said: "Now of all times we will not move an inch from here!"

1. The group of those, that went about asking where one might be able to buy another suitcase;

2. The group of slogan manufacturers with the main slogan: "One has to wait and see."

3. The group of real National Socialists, who said: "Now of all times we will not move an inch from here!"

With this third group we say: Whoever wallows in defeatism, who gripes, will have trouble with this National Socialist community, gathered here; he will get a slap in the face * * * We owe such conduct to the front, which we would prefer to join if the Fuehrer would give us permission * * * There is not a single place at the front, at which the Russians could have forced us to retreat. The Russian has not been able to force his will upon us * * *

2. * * * Nowdays, one often hears: "Had we," or "Were we." I only tell these people one thing: Had one had more faith in Adolf Hitler and had one taken a firmer grip at the sword, everything would have been different * * *

3. * * * We have brought you, my fellow party members to the Ukraine as personalities but not for the purpose that you should write your papers as in a paper war. I have no objection if you want to get yourselves a rubber stamp, say "Not important for the war." This stamp you can then apply to those files which you consider superfluous or unnecessary for these times. If your superiors do not understand this, tell them so. It is not the question to build up staffs, but to decrease them. I have reduced mine in Rowno from 800 to 250 staff members.

For the High Command of the Army Group BChief QuartermasterFaehndrichFor correctness of copy:[signature illegible]Lt.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1138-PS

SECRET(II 1 d 3000)THE REICH COMMISSAR FOR EASTLANDRIGA Riga, 13 August 1941

TO: The Reich Minister for Occupied Eastern Territories, Berlin W 35.

I beg to enclose an account of planned provisional directives for treatment of Jews in the Reichskommissariat Ostland. [Translator's note: Baltic States and White Russia.]

[Signed] BANSE [?]To Department [Hauptabteilung] II with request for opinion.(By order)(Habs, 24 August)(Gauleiter has taken cognizance)(return to Dr. Runte)(19 August 1941)Enclosure:(III a/13/ ei Grh)

[Translator's note: All lines enclosed in parentheses were added to the original typewritten document in pencil or ink. There is also a slip attached to the document, initialed by Dr. Runte, Gauleiter M. and R.]

Reich commissar for EastlandKommissariat Ostland, 13 Aug. 41Habs 4 Sept.SECRET!

Provisional directives on the treatment of Jews in the area of the Reichs-Kommissariat Ostland.

My instructions in my address of 27 July 1941 in Kowno determine the final settlement of the Jewish question in the area of the Reichskommissariat Ostland.

Insofar as further measures are taken, especially by the Security Police (SIPO), to carry out my oral instructions, they will not be affected by the followingpreliminarydirectives. It is merely the job of these preliminary directives to assure these, and for such length of time, minimum measures by the General or Regional Commissars, where and for as long as further measures are not possible in the direction of the final solution of the Jewish question.

I.a.For the time being only those Jews will be subject to these directives who are citizens of the German Reich, the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, of the former Republics of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, of the USSR or of its component states, or stateless Jews.

b.Other Jews of foreign nationality, others of mixed blood and spouses of Jews who are not ready to share the fate of their Jewish spouses are to be denied permission to leave the area of the Reichskommissariat Ostland because it is a military area. They are to be watched. In addition they can be subjected to the following measures, among others: obligation to report daily, prohibition of moving, or assignment to specific dwelling, prohibition of leaving the municipal area limitations on circulation. In case of necessity they are to be taken into police custody until further decisions can be made.

II. A Jew is, whoever descends from at least 3 grandparents who were full Jews by race.

A Jew is also whoever descends from one or two grandparents who were full Jews by race, if he

a.belongs or belonged to the Jewish denomination, or

b.on 20 June 1941 or later wasmarriedto, or living in common-law marriage with, a person who is Jewish within the purview of these directives, or who now or in future enters into such a relationship.

III. In cases of doubt, the district (or municipal) Commissar decides, according to his best judgment, who is a Jew within the purview of these directives.

IV. General Commissars will immediately order the following measures, as soon as or insofar as civil administration has been introduced in their areas:

a.The Jews are to be listed, through imposition of the duty to report, by name, sex, age, and address. Furthermore the rosters of Jewish congregations, and the statements of trustworthy natives, will serve as bases for their listing.

b.It will be decreed that Jews distinctively mark themselves by prominently visible yellow hexagonal stars of at least 10 cm. in diameter worn on the left side of the breast and in the center of the back.

c.Jews are prohibited from:

Back to Index Next