The German Army & anti-partisan warfare in USSR

[David Thompson]

"Extract of Report From 2d Army, 2 April 1943, Concerning Recommendations for Changes and Supplements to Pamphlet 'Combat Directives for Anti-Bands Warfare in the East'", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 10: United States of America v. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al. (Case 12: 'The High Command Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1169-1170.

Partial Translation of Document NOKW-473, Prosecution Exhibit 1523.

Secret,
Army Headquarters
2 April 1943.
2d Army Command, Ia No. 967/43
Secret.

Subject: Experience gained during anti-bands warfare' Reference: Teletype Army Group Center Ia NO. 2324/43 of 10 March 1943.

To: High Command Army Group Center.

The following supplements are suggested for the pamphlet "Combat Directives for Anti-Bands Warfare in the East":

1. To B II figure 11: The confidential agents must be fully familiar with the locality of their assignment.

2. To B ll figure 12: During interrogation of bandits, also women, all means have to be employed to obtain the necessary statements interpreters are to be specially trained for the interrogation of bandits. It is frequently necessary to interrogate an individual bandit several times in order to get a result.

7. To C V, Post-operational search: After completion of every operation the entire area which has been mopped up has to be screened carefully once more for hidden bandits. The bandits prefer hide in attics, barns, cellars, beneath floors, in forests, old positions, etc. Often only a repeated search will result in the capture of all bandits. Only the arrest of straggling bandits guarantees their not reuniting in a short time and forming new bands. If it is not possible to secure control of band-infested areas by stationing German troops or indigenous units in these areas, it is advisable to draft all persons fit for military service from 16 to 55 years and to transfer them compulsorily to the Reich for employment. In areas which are difficult to survey, such as forest and swamp areas it frequently is impossible to detect all remnants of bands; in such cases it is essential to deprive the bands of the possibility of getting food. For this purpose all supplies of the country are to be taken away; ration cards are to be issued to the remaining population for which they can be issued food for a short period from the stock which has been collected and which is kept under guard.

For the Army Command,
The Chief of the General Staff
[Signed] Harteneck.