Nazi plans for Poland

[Davey Boy]

1. POLAND

Poland was, in a sense, the testing ground for the conspirators' theories of "lebensraum." The four western provinces of Poland were purportedly incorporated into Germany by an order of 8 October 1939. This order, which was signed by Hitler, Lammers, Goering, Frick, and Hess, is set forth in 1939 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 2042. These areas of Poland are frequently referred to in correspondence between the conspirators as the "incorporated Eastern territories". The remainder of Poland which was seized by the Nazi invaders was established as the Government-General of Poland by an order of Hitler, dated 12 October 1939. By that same order, Hans Frank was named Governor-General of the newly-created Government-General, and Seyss-Inquart was named Deputy Governor General. This order is set forth in 1939 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 2077.

The plans with respect to Poland, which will appear gradually from the individual documents hereafter discussed, followed a broad pattern, as follows:

[Page 1024]

To that end, the conspirators planned:

(a) To permit the retention of the productive facilities in the incorporated area, all of which were to be dedicated to the Nazi war machine.

(b) They planned to deport to the Government-General many hundreds of thousands of Jews, members of the Polish intelligentsia, and other non-compliant elements. The Jews deported to the Government-General were doomed to speedy annihilation. Moreover, since the conspirators felt that members of the Polish intelligentsia could not be Germanized and might serve as a center of resistance against their "new order", they too were to be eliminated.

(c) They planned to deport all able-bodied Polish workers to Germany for work in the Nazi war machine. This was to serve the two-fold purpose of helping to satisfy the labor requirements of the Nazi war machine and preventing the propagation of a new generation of Poles.

(d) They planned to mold all persons in the incorporated are who were deemed to possess German blood, into German subjects who would religiously adhere to the principles of National Socialism. To that end, the conspirators set up an elaborate racial register. Those who resisted or refused to cooperate in this program were sent to concentration camps.

(e) They planned to bring thousands of German subjects into the incorporated area for purposes of settlement.

(f) They planned to confiscate the property -- particularly the farms -- of the Poles, the Jews, and all dissident elements. The confiscation of the property of Jews was part of the conspirators' larger program of extermination of the Jews. Confiscation likewise served three additional purposes: (1) it provided land for the new German settlers and enabled the conspirators to reward their adherents; (2) dispossessed Polish property owners could be shipped to Germany for work in the production of implements of war; and (3) the separation of Polish farmers from their wives furthered the plan to prevent the growth of a new generation of Poles.

These plans are developed in the specific documents which follow.

A. The Program in the Incorporated Area.

(1) Economic Spoliation. A report of an interview with Frank on 3 October 1939, which was included in a large report prepared in the OKW by one Captain Varain at the direction of General

[Page 1025]

Thomas, then Chief of the Military Economic Staff of the OKW, states:

"In the first interview which the chief of the Central Division and the liaison officer between the Armament Department Upper East and the Chief Administrative Officer (subsequently called Governor General) had with Minister Frank on 3 October 1939 in Posen, Frank explained the directive, and the economic and political responsibilities which had been conferred upon him by the Fuehrer and according to which he intended to administer Poland. According to these directives, Poland can only be administered by utilizing the country through means of ruthless exploitation, deportation of all supplies, raw materials, machines, factory installations, etc., which are important for the German war economy, availability of all workers for work within Germany, reduction of the entire Polish economy to absolute minimum necessary for bare existence of the population, closing of all educational institutions, especially technical schools and colleges in order to prevent the growth of the new Polish intelligentsia. 'Poland shall be treated as a colony; the Poles shall be the slaves of the Greater German World Empire'.

"By destroying Polish industry, its subsequent reconstruction after the war would become more difficult, if not impossible, so that Poland would be reduced to its proper position as an agrarian country which would have to depend upon Germany for importation of industrial products." (EC-344-16 & 17)

The conspirators planned a difference in treatment for the incorporated area of Poland, and for the Government-General. A directive issued and signed by Goering on 19 October 1939, which was found among captured files of the OKW, stated, inter alia:

"In the meeting of October 13th, I have given detailed instructions for the economical administration of the occupied territories. I will repeat them here in short: 1. The task for the economic treatment of the various administrative regions is different depending on whether a country is involved which will be incorporated politically into the German Reich or whether we deal with the Government-General, which, in all probability, will not be made a part of Germany.

"In the first mentioned territories the reconstruction and expansion of the economy, the safeguarding of all their production facilities and supplies must be aimed at, as well as

[Page 1026]

a complete incorporation into the Greater German economic system at the earliest possible time. On the other hand, there must be removed from the territories of the Government-General all raw materials, scrap materials, machines etc., which are of use for the German war economy. Enterprises which are not absolutely necessary for the meager maintenance of the naked existence of the population must be transferred to Germany, unless such transfer would require an unreasonably long period of time and would make it more practical to exploit these enterprises by giving them German orders to be executed at their present location." (EC-410)

Once the Government-General had been stripped of its industrial potential, the conspirators planned to leave the country desolate. Not even the war damage was to be repaired. This is the clear import of an order dated 20 November 1939, issued by Hess in his capacity as Deputy Fuehrer, and found in captured OKW files. Hess stated:

"I hear from Party members who came from the-Government- General that various agencies, as, for instance, the Military Economic Staff, the Reich Ministry for Labor, etc., intend to reconstruct certain industrial enterprises in Warsaw. However, in accordance with a decision by Minister Dr. Frank, as approved by the Fuehrer, Warsaw shall not be rebuilt nor is it the intention of the Fuehrer to rebuild or reconstruct any industry in the Government-General." (EC-411) Part 2 of 4)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(2) Deportation and Resettlement. The Academy of German Law in January 1940 prepared a secret report on plans for the mass migration of Poles and Jews from incorporated areas of Poland to the Government-General, and for the forcible deportation of able-bodied Poles to Germany. (The date of the report does not appear in the English translation, but it is clearly set forth on the cover Pg. of the original document, as January 1940.) It should be recalled that the decree of 11 July 1934 (Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 605, 11 July 1934) provided that the Academy of German Law would be a public corporation of the Reich under the supervision of the Reich Ministers of Justice and the Interior, and that its task would be:

"To promote the reconstruction of German legal life, and to realize, in constant close collaboration with the competent legislative organizations, the National Socialist program in the entire sphere of the law."

[Page 1027]

It should also be stated that Frank was the president of the Academy of German Law during the period when this secret report was made (2749-PS). The report stated:

"For the carrying out of costly and long term measures for the increase of agricultural production, the Government-General can at the most absorb 1 to 1.5 million resettlers, as it is already over-populated. *** By further absorption of 1.6 million resettlers, the 1925 Reich census figure of 133 inhabitants per square kilometer would be reached, which practically because of already existing rural over-population and lack of industry would result in a double over- population.

"This figure of 1.6 million will barely suffice to transfer from the Reich:

"The Jews from the liberated East (over 600,000), parts of the remaining Jews, preferably the younger age groups from Germany proper, Austria, Sudetengau and the Protectorate (altogether over 1 million). *** " (661-PS)

The report then goes on to say that the following groups of people should be deported:

"The Polish intelligentsia who have been politically active in the past, and potential political leaders; the leading economic personalities, comprising owners of large estates, industrialists and businessmen, etc.; the peasant population, so far as it has to be removed in order to carry out by strips of German settlements the encirclement of Polish territories in the

"In order to relieve the living space of the Poles in the Government-General as well as in the liberated East, one should remove cheap labor temporarily by the hundreds of thousands, employ them for a few years in the old Reich, and thereby hamper their native biological propagation. (Their assimilation into the old Reich must be prevented.) ***" (661-PS)

Finally, the report stated:

"Strictest care is to be taken that secret circulars, memoranda and official correspondence which contain instructions detrimental to the Poles are kept steadily under lock and key so that they will not some day fill the White Books printed in Paris or the USA." (661-PS)

Frank made the following entry in his diary:

"The Reichsfuehrer SS (Himmler) wishes that all Jews be evacuated from the newly gained Reich territories. Up to

[Page 1028]

February approximately 1,000,000 people are to be brought in this way into the Government-General. The families of good racial extraction present in the occupied Polish territory (approximately 4,000,000 people) should be transferred into the Reich and individually housed and thereby be uprooted as a people." (2233-G-PS)

The top secret minutes of a meeting held on 12 February 1940 on "questions concerning the East," at which Goering was chairman and Himmler and Frank were present, stated, among other things:

"By way of introduction, the General Field Marshal (Goering) explained that the strengthening of the war potential of the Reich must be the chief aim of all measures to be taken in the East. ***"

*******

"Agriculture:

"The task consists of obtaining the greatest possible agriculture production from the new Eastern Gaus disregarding questions of ownership. ***"

*******

"Special questions concerning the Government-General:

"The Government-General will have to receive the Jews who are ordered to emigrate from Germany, and the New Eastern Gaus."

"The following reported on the situation in the Eastern territories: "***

"2. Reichsstatthalter Gauleiter Forster: The population of the Danzig/West Prussia Gau (newly acquired territories) is 1.5 million, of whom 240,00 are Germans, 850,000 well-established Poles and 300,000 immigrant Poles, Jews and asocials (1,800 Jews). 87,000 persons have been evacuated, 40,000 of these from Gotenhafen. From there, also the numerous shirkers, who are now looked after by welfare, will have to be deported to the Government-General. Therefore, an evacuation of 20,000 further persons can be counted on for the current year. ***" (EC-305)

Comparable reports were made by other Gauleiters at this meeting. These figures, it may be noted, were only as of February 1940.

These forcible deportations did not involve merely ordering the victims to leave their homes, and to take up new residences elsewhere. These deportations were accomplished, according to plan,

[Page 1029]

in a brutal and inhuman manner. This is shown in a speech delivered by Himmler to officers of the SS on a day commemorating the presentation of the Nazi flag. The exact date of the speech does not appear in the document, but its contents plainly show that it was delivered sometime after Poland had been overrun. In this speech Himmler said:

"Very frequently the member of the Waffen-SS thinks about the deportation of this people here. These thoughts came to me today-when watching the very difficult work out there performed by the Security Police, supported by your men, who help them a great deal. Exactly the same thing happened in Poland in weather 40 degrees below zero, where we had to haul away thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands; where we had to have the toughness *** you should hear this but also forget it again -- to shoot thousands of leading Poles." (1918-PS)

Such Poles from the incorporated area as managed to survive the journey to the Government-General could look forward at best to extreme hardship, and exposure to degradation and brutality. For the Jews who were forcibly deported to the Government-General there was no hope. Frank, by his own admissions, had dedicated himself to their complete annihilation. In his diary Frank wrote:

"We must annihilate the Jews, wherever we find them, and wherever it is possible." (223-D-PS)

(3) Forcible Return of Racial Germans to the Reich. The conspirators had planned the forcible Germanization of persons in the incorporated area who were deemed to possess German blood. Such persons were given the choice of the concentration camp, or submission to Germanization. Himmler was the chief executioner of this program. In a secret decree signed by Hitler, Goering, and Keitel, dated 7 October 1939, Himmler was entrusted with the task of executing the conspirators' Germanization program. The decree provided, among other things:

"The Reichsfuehrer SS (Himmler) has the obligation in accordance with my directives:

"1. To bring back for final return into the Reich all German nationals, and racial Germans in the foreign countries.

"2. To eliminate the harmful influence of such alien parts of the population, which represent a danger to the Reich, and the German folk community.

"3. The forming of new German settlements by re- settling,

[Page 1030]

and in particular by settling of the returning German citizens and racial Germans from abroad.

"The Reichsfuehrer SS is authorized to take all necessary general and administrative measures for the execution of this obligation." (686-PS)

(Part 3 of 4)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Himmler's conception of his tasks under this decree were plainly stated in the foreword which he wrote for the "Deutsche Arbeit" issue of June/July 1942 He wrote:

"It is not our task to Germanize the East in the old sense, that is, to teach the people there the German language and German law, but to see to it that only people of purely German, Germanic blood live in the East." (2915-PS)

The 1940 Edition of "Der Menscheneinsatz," a confidential publication issued by Himmler's Office for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, contained the following statements:

"The removal of foreign races from the incorporated Eastern Territories is one of the most essential goals to be accomplished in the German East. This is the chief national political task, which has to be executed in the incorporated Eastern Territories by the Reichsfuehrer SS, Reich Commissioner for the strengthening of the national character of the German people."

*******

"*** there are the following two primary reasons, which make the regaining of lost German blood an urgent necessity.

"1. Prevention of a further increase of the Polish intelligentsia, through families of German descent even if they are Polonized.

"2. Increase of the population by racial elements desirable for the German nation, and the acquisition of ethno-biologically unobjectionable forces for the German reconstruction of agriculture and industry." (2916-PS)

Further light upon the goals which the conspirators had set for their Germanization program in conquered Eastern areas, is contained in a speech delivered by Himmler on 14 October 1943. This speech was published by the National Socialist Leadership staff of the OKW. The following are excerpts from this speech:

"I consider that in dealing with members of a foreign country, especially some Slav nationality, we must not start from German points of view, and we must not endow these people with decent German thoughts, and logical conclusions of which they are not capable, but we must take them as they really are ***."

[Page 1031]

"Obviously in such a mixture of peoples, there will always be some racially good types. Therefore, I think that it is our duty to take their children with us, to remove them from their environment, if necessary by robbing, or stealing them. Either we win over any good blood that we can use for ourselves and give it a place in our people, or *** we destroy that blood."

"For us the end of this war will mean an open road to the East, the creation of the Germanic Reich in this way or that *** the fetching home of 30 million human beings of our blood, so that still during our lifetime we shall be a people of 120 million Germanic souls. That means that we shall be the sole decisive power in Europe. That means that we shall then be able to tackle the peace, during which we shall be willing for the first twenty years to rebuild and spread out our villages and towns, and that we shall push the borders of our German race 500 kilometers further out to the East." (L-70)

(4) The Racial Register. In furtherance of these plans, the conspirators established a Racial Register in the incorporated area of Poland. The Racial Register was, in effect, an elaborate classification of persons deemed to be of German blood, and contained provisions setting forth some of the rights, privileges, and duties of the persons in each classification. Persons were classified into four groups:

(1) Germans who had actively promoted the Nazi cause.

(2) Germans who had been more or less passive in the Nazi struggle, but had retained their German nationality.

(3) Persons of German extraction who, although previously connected with the Polish nation, were willing to submit to Germanization.

(4) Persons of German descent, who had been "politically absorbed by the Polish nation", and who would be resistant to Germanization.

The Racial Register was inaugurated under a decree of 12 September 1940, issued by Himmler as Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood. The following are pertinent extracts:

"The list of 'ethnic Germans' will be divided into four parts (limited to inter-office use).

"1. Ethnic Germans who fought actively in the ethnic

[Page 1032]

struggle. Besides the membership of a German organization, every other activity in favor of the German against a foreign nationality will be considered an active manifestation.

"2. Ethnic Germans, who did not actively intervene in favor of the German nationality, but who preserved their traceable German nationality.

"3. Persons of German descent, who became connected with the Polish nation in the course of the years, but have on account of their attitude, the prerequisites to become full-fledged members of the German national community. To this group belong also persons of non- German descent who live in a people's mixed marriage with an ethnic German ill which the influence of the German spouse has prevailed. Persons of Masurian, Slonzak, or upper Silesian descent who are to be recognized as ethnic Germans, usually belong to this group 3.

"4. Persons of German descent, politically absorbed by the Polish nation (renegades).

"Persons not included on the list of ethnic Germans are Poles, or foreign nationals. Their treatment is regulated by BII

"Members of groups 1 and 2 are ethnic Germans who will be used for the reconstruction in the East. The differentiation between the groups 1 and 2 is important for the National Socialist Party; primarily only members of group 1 should be accepted in the Party according to the instructions of the deputy of the Fuehrer.

"Members of groups 3 and 4 have to be educated as full Germans, that is, have to be re-Germanized in the course of time through an intensive educational training in old Germany.

"The establishment of members of group 4 has to be based on the doctrine, that German blood must not be utilized in the interest of a foreign nation. Against those who refuse re-Germanization, Security Police measures are to be taken." (2916-PS)

The basic idea of creating a racial register for persons of German extraction was later incorporated into a decree of 3 March 1941, signed by Himmler, Frick, and Hess. This decree is set forth in the 1941 Reichsgesetzblatt Part 1, Pg. 118.

The entire apparatus of the SS was thrown behind the vigorous execution of these decrees. Proof of this fact is contained in the

[Page 1033]

following extracts from directives issued by Himmler as the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood:

"1. Where Racial Germans have not applied for entry in the 'German Ethnical List,' you will instruct the subordinate agencies to turn over their names to the State Police (Superior) Office. Subsequently, you will report to me (Himmler) .

"II. The Local State Police (Superior) Office, will charge the persons .whose names are turned over to them to prove within eight days that they have applied for entry in the 'German Ethnical List.'

"If such proof is not submitted, the person in question is to be taken into protective custody for transfer into a concentration camp." (R-112)

The measures taken against persons in the fourth category, "Polonized Germans," were particularly harsh. These persons were resistant to Germanization, and ruthless measures calculated to break their resistance were prescribed. Where the individual's past history indicated that he could not be effectively Germanized, he was thrown into a concentration camp. In the words of Himmler's decree of 16 February 1942:

"II. The Re-Germanization of the Polonized Germans presupposes their complete separation from Polish surroundings. For that reason the persons entered in Division 4 of the German Ethnical List are to be dealt with in the following manner:

"A. They are to be re-settled in Old Reich territory.

"1. The Superior SS and Police Leaders are charged with evacuating and resettling them according to instructions which will follow later.

"2. Asocial persons and others who are of inferior hereditary quality will not be included in the resettlement. Their names will be turned over at once by the Higher SS and Police Fuehrer (Inspectors of Security Police and Security Service) to the competent State Police (Superior) Office. The latter will arrange for their transfer into a concentration camp.

"3. Persons with a particularly bad political record will not be included in the resettlement action. Their names will also be given by the Higher SS and Police Fuehrer (Inspectors of Security Police and Security Service) to the competent State Police (Superior) Office for transfer into a concentration camp. The wives and children of such persons

[Page 1034]

are to be resettled in old Reich territory and to be included in the Germanization measures. Where the wife also has a particularly bad political record, and cannot be included in the resettlement action, her name, too, is to be turned over to the competent State Police (Superior) Office with a view to imprisoning her in a concentration camp. In such cases the children are to be separated from their parents and to be dealt with according to III, paragraph 2 of this decree. Persons are to be considered as having a particularly bad political record who have offended the German nation to a very great degree (e.g., who participated in persecutions of Germans, or boycotts of Germans, etc.)." (R-112)
(Part 4 of 4)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(5) Nazi Colonization. Coincident with the program of Germanizing persons of German extraction in the incorporated areas, the conspirators, as previously indicated, undertook to settle large numbers of Germans of proven Nazi convictions in that area. This aspect of their program is clearly shown by an article by SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of he Police, Wilhelm Koppe, who was one of Himmler's trusted agents. The following is an excerpt from this article:

"The victory of the German weapons in the East must therefore be followed by the victory of the German race over the Polish race, if the regained Eastern sphere according to the Fuehrer's will -- henceforth shall for all time remain an essential constituent part of the Greater German Reich. It is therefore of decisive importance to penetrate the regained German region with German farmers, laborers, civil servants, merchants, and artisans so that a living and deep-rooted bastion of German people can be formed as a protective wall against foreign infiltration, and possibly as a starting point for the racial penetration of the territories further East." (2915-PS)

B. The Program in the Government-General

(1) Germanization. In the Government-General there were relatively few persons, at the outset, who qualified as Germans by the conspirators' standards. Hence, little would be served by the introduction of a Racial Register, categorizing persons of German extraction on the model of the one instituted in the incorporated area; and it is not known that any such Racial Register was prescribed in the Government-General. Rather, the plan seems to have been (a) to make the Government-General a colony of Germany, which was an objective announced by Frank (EC-344-16

[Page 1035]

& 17), and (b) to create so-called "German island settlements" in the productive farming areas. These island settlements were to be created by an influx of German persons who faithfully adhered to the principles of National Socialism.

In this connection, secret notes bearing the date line, "Department of the Interior, Krakow, 30 March 1942," reveal some of Himmler's ideas on the "planned Germanization" of the Government-General. The following extracts are pertinent:

"The Reichsfuehrer SS (Himmler) developed further trains of ideas to the effect that in the first five- year plan for re-settlement after the war the new German Eastern territories should first be filled; afterwards it is intended to provide at this time the Crimea and the Baltic countries with a German upper- class at least. Into the Government-General perhaps further German Island Settlements should be newly transplanted from European nations. An exact decision in this respect, however, has not been issued. In any case, it is wished that at first a heavy colonization along the San and the Brig be achieved so that the parts of Poland are encircled with alien populations. Hitherto, i. has been always proved that this kind of encirclement leads most quickly to the desired nationalization." (910-PS)

An entry in Frank's Diary (1941, volume II, Pg. 317) bears on the same point:

"Thanks to the heroic courage of our soldiers, this territory has become German, and the time will come when the valley of the Vistula, from its source to its mouth at the sea, will be as German as the Valley of the Rhine." (2233-H-PS)

(2) Confiscation of Property. The conspirators had made plans to confiscate the property of Poles, Jews, and dissident elements. These plans were designed to accomplish a number of objectives. Insofar as the Jews were concerned, they were part of the conspirators' over-all program of extermination. Confiscation was also a means of providing property for German settlers and of rewarding those who had rendered faithful service to the Nazi State. This phase of their program likewise made dispossessed Polish farmers available for slave labor in Germany, and operated to further the conspirators' objective of preventing the growth of t another generation of Poles.

Proof of these matters appears in a number of reports by Kusche, who appears to have been one of Himmler's chief deputies in Poland. In one of these reports Kusche pointed out that it was possible, without difficulty, to confiscate small farms and that

[Page 1036]

"The former owners of Polish farms together with their families will be transferred to the old Reich by the employment agencies for employment as farm workers." (1352-PS)

In another secret report by Kusche dated 22 May 1940, and entitled "Details of the Confiscation in the Bielitz Country", the following appears:

"Some days ago the commandant of the concentration camp being built at Auschwitz spoke at Staff Leader Muller's and requested support for the carrying out of his assignments. He said that it was absolutely necessary to confiscate the agricultural enterprises within a certain area around the concentration camp, since not only the fields but also the farm houses of these border directly on the concentration camp. A local inspection held on the 21st of this month revealed the following: there is no room for doubt that agricultural enterprises bordering on the concentration camp must be confiscated at once. Further than this, the camp commandant requests that further plots of farm land be placed at his disposal, so that he can keep the prisoners busy. This too can be done without further delay since enough land can be made available for the purpose. The owners of the plots are all Poles."

*******

"I had the following discussion with the head of the labor office in Bielitz:

"The lack of agricultural laborers still exists in the old Reich. The transfer of the previous owners of the confiscated enterprises, together with their entire families, to the Reich is possible without any further consideration. It is only necessary for the labor office to receive the lists of the persons in time, in order to enable it to take the necessary steps (collection of transportation, distribution over the various regions in need of such labor)".

*******

"The confiscation of these Polish enterprises in Alzen will also be carried out within the next few days. The commandant of the concentration camp will furnish SS men and a truck for the execution of the action. Should it not yet be possible to take the Poles from Alzen to Auschwitz, they should be transferred to the empty castle at Zator. The liberated Polish property is to be given to the needy racial German farmers for their use." (1352-PS)

On 17 September 1940, Goering issued a decree which was designed to regularize the program of confiscation (Reichsgesetz-

[Page 1037]

blatt, 1940, Part I, Pg. 1270). Under Section 2 of this decree, sequestration of movable and immovable property, stores, and other intangible property interests of Jews and "persons who have fled or are not merely temporarily absent" was made mandatory. In addition, sequestration was authorized under Section 2, sub-section 2, if the property were required "for the public welfare, particularly in the interests of Reich defense or the strengthening of Germanism." By section 9 of the decree, confiscation of sequestrated property was authorized "if the public welfare, particularly the defense of the Reich, pr the strengthening of Germanism, so requires." However, Section 1, sub-section 2, provided that property of German nationals was not subject to sequestration and confiscation; and section 13 provided that sequestration would be suspended if the owner of the property asserted that he was a German. The decree, on its face, clearly indicates a purpose to strip Poles, Jews, and dissident elements of their property. It was, moreover, avowedly designed to promote Germanism.

Apparently some question arose at one point as to whether the decree required that a determination be made in each case involving the property of a Pole that the property was required "for the public welfare, particularly in the interests of Reich defense or the strengthening of Germanism." The answer supplied by the conspirators was firm and clear: In an case in which the property of a Pole was involved, the "strengthening of Germanism" required its seizure. On 15 April 1941, on paper bearing the letterhead of the Reich Leader SS, Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, instructions were given "for internal use on the application of the law concerning property of the Poles of 17 September 1940." The following is an excerpt:

"The conditions permitting seizure according to section II, sub-section 2, are always present if the property belongs to a Pole. For the Polish real estate will be needed without exception for the consolidation of the German nationhood." (R-92)

In the Government-General, Frank promulgated a decree on 24 January 1940, authorizing sequestration "in connection with the performance of tasks serving the public interest", and liquidation of "anti-social or financially unremunerative concerns." The decree is embodied in the Verordnungsblatt of the Government-General, No. 6, 27 January 1940, Pg. 23. The undefined criteria in this decree clearly empowered Nazi officials in the Government-General to engage in wholesale seizure of property.

The magnitude of the conspirators' confiscation program in

[Page 1038]

Poland was staggering. The Nazis' own statistics show that as of 31 May 1943, a total of 693,252 estates, comprising 6,097,525 hectares, had been seized, and 9,508 estates, comprising 270,446 hectares had been confiscated by the Estate Offices Danzig-West Prussia, Poznan, Zichenau, and Silesia (R-92). This, it will be noted, represented the seizures and confiscations which were effected by only four offices. Figures are not available at this time for other offices maintained by the conspirators for these purposes.

Legal References & List of Documents Relating to Germanization & Spoliation



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Page 1080]

Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6, especially 6 (b, c). Vol. I, Pg. 5

International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections III; VIII (E, J). . Vol. I, Pg. 15,43,51

3737-PS; Hague Convention of 1907 respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, Annex, Articles 49, 52,53, 55. . Vol. VI, Pg. 598,599

[Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.]

*061-PS; Secret Bormann letter, 11 January 1944, concerning large-scale organization for withdrawal of commodities from occupied territories for use of bombed-out population in Germany. (USA 692) . Vol. III, Pg. 105

[Page 1081]

*294-PS; Top secret memorandum signed by Brautigam, 26 October 1942, concerning conditions in Russia. (USA 185) . Vol. III, Pg. 242

*661-PS; Secret thesis from the Academy of German Law, January 1940, on Resettlement. (USA 300) . Vol. III, Pg. 472

*686-PS; Decree of the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor to strengthen German Folkdom, 7 October 1939, signed by Hitler, Goering, Lammers and Keitel. (USA 305) . Vol. III, Pg. 496

*862-PS; Memorandum by General Friderici, Plenipotentiary of the Wehrmacht to the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, initialled by Keitel, Jodl and Warlimont, 15 October 1940, concerning plan to Germanize Czechoslovakia. (USA 313) . Vol. III, Pg. 618

*910-PS; Notes on Himmler's plan for Germanization of Poland, 27 March 1942 and 30 March 1942, from the Main Office, Interior Administration, initialled "Dr. S. H.". (USA 310) . Vol. III, Pg. 639

997-PS; Top secret report by Seyss-Inquart concerning the situation in the Netherlands -- Exploitation and Nazification in period 29 May 1940 to 19 July 1940. . Vol. III, Pg. 641

*1029-PS; Paper entitled "Instructions for a Reich Commissar in the Baltic States", 8 May 1941, found in Rosenberg's "Russia File". (USA 145) . Vol. III, Pg. 690 [Page 1082]

*1058-PS; Excerpt from a speech, 20 June 1941, by Rosenberg before people most intimately concerned with Eastern Problem, found in his "Russia File". (USA 147) . Vol. III, Pg. 716

*1352-PS; Reports concerning the confiscation of Polish agricultural properties, 16 May 1940 and 29 May 1940, signed Kusche. (USA 176) . Vol. III, Pg. 916

1445-PS; Report on conference at Ministry of Economics regarding use of Belgian and Dutch capital investments in southeastern European enterprises, 15 June 1940. . Vol. IV, Pg. 20

*1456-PS; Thomas memorandum 20 June 1941; Keitel consulted about resources of USSR. (USA 148) . Vol. IV, Pg. 21

1741-PS; Collection of documents relating to the French Armistice. . Vol. IV, Pg. 228

1765-PS; Report of the Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Plenipotentiary for Special Missions on Black Market Activities, 15 January 1943. . Vol. IV, Pg. 325

*1918-PS; Speech by Himmler to SS officers on day of Metz. (USA 304) . Vol. IV, Pg.553

1991-PS; Sixth report on activity and final report of the German Armistice Delegation for Economy, and of Delegate of Reich Government for Economic and Financial Questions with French Government, 1 July 1943 to 17 August 1944. . Vol. IV, Pg. 605

*1997-PS; Decree of the Fuehrer, 17 July 1941, concerning administration of Newly Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 319) . Vol. IV, Pg. 634

2149-PS; Letter, 11 December 1942, to Foreign Office, enclosing statement of German Reichsbank concerning question of an increase of French contributions to Occupation expenses. . Vol. IV, Pg. 758 [Page 1083]

*2233-D-PS; Frank Diary. Regierungsitzungen. 1941. October- December. Entry of 116 February 1941 at pp. 76-77. (USA 281) . Vol. IV, Pg. 891

*2233-G-PS; Frank Diary. 1939. 25 October 1939 to 115 February 1939. (USA 302) . Vol. IV, Pg. 903

*2233-H-PS; Frank Diary. Tagebuch. 1941. Part II. Entry of 19 April 1941. (USA 311) . Vol. IV, Pg. 904

*2749-PS; Title Pg. of publication of Academy for German Law, 7th year, 1940. (USA 301) . Vol. V, Pg. 390

*2915-PS; Extracts from German Labor, June-July 1942. (USA 306) . Vol. V, Pg. 580

*2916-PS; Commitment of Manpower Doctrines-Orders- Directives, published by Office of Reich Commissioner for strengthening of National Character of German People, December 1940. (USA 307) . Vol. V, Pg. 581

3602-PS; Report on conversation (interview) between Mr. Hemmen and Mr. de Boisanger, 4 October. . Vol. VI, Pg. 314

3603-PS; Report on conversation between Mr. Hemmen and Mr. de Boisanger, 10 October. . Vol. VI, Pg. 314

3604-PS; Decree concerning rationing of industrial goods from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 37, Sec. 1. . Vol. VI, Pg. 315

3605-PS; Rationing decree, 27 May 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 37, Sec. 4. . Vol. VI, Pg. 315 [Page 1084]

3606-PS; Rationing decree, 27 May 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commanders in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 38, Sec. 10. . Vol. VI, Pg. 316

3607-PS; Public Notice on Board of Directors of Reichskreditkasse, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 65. . Vol. VI, Pg.316

3608-PS; Public Notice of Establishment of a Clearing system between Belgium and German Reich, 10 July 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VI, Pg. 317

3609-PS; Decree for execution of rationing decree in Belgium, 5 November 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VI, Pg. 318

3610-PS; Decree regarding Plant Commissars, 29 April 1941, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940 41, p. 599. . Vol. VI, Pg. 319

3611-PS; Decree on economic measures against Jews, 31 May 1941, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 620, Sec. 17. . Vol. VI, Pg. 320

3612-PS; Decree regarding prohibition of manufacturing of certain products, 6 August 1942, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1942, p. 986, Sec.1. . Vol. VI, Pg. 321 [Page 1085]

3613-PS; Proclamation to Netherlands population, 25 May 1940, from Official Gazette for Occupied Dutch Territory, No. 1, 5 June 1940. . Vol. VI, Pg. 321

3615-PS; Report by Ostrow on examination of records of Reichskreditkasse, 29 September 1945. . Vol. VI, Pg. 322

3616-PS; Decree on prohibition to establish and enlarge enterprises and on shutting down enterprises, 30 March 1942, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1942, p. 86. . Vol. VI, Pg. 388

*EC-3; Letter of Liaison Staff at Supreme Headquarters, Armament Procurement Office directed to General Thomas, Chief of Wi Rue Amt, Berlin, 2 November 1941. (USA 318) . Vol. VII, Pg. 242

EC-21; Memorandum of Posse, 8 January 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 249

EC-34; Report No. 1 on activities of Military Administration for month of November 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 254

EC-41; Notice concerning seizure of security properties of Dutch and Belgian holdings, 23 May 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 255

EC-43; Report on conferences at Ministry of Economics, 20 August 1940, regarding acquisition of shares in important foreign enterprises in Southeast Europe. . Vol. VII, Pg. 258

EC-69; Memorandum of General Holder, 13 December 1939, regarding treatment of economical questions at the OKH. . Vol. VII, Pg. 262

EC-84; Report of Lt. Colonel Helder on reconversion of the economy, 7 December 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 263

EC-86; Report on financial contributions of the Occupied Areas. . Vol. VII, Pg. 264 [Page 1086]

EC-87; Report on contribution of Netherlands for German War economy. . Vol. VII, Pg. 278

EC-101; Affidavit by Schmid-Lossberg, 21 September 1945, concerning Holland, Belgium and France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 280

EC-113; Covering letter, 8 July 1940, to letter from Supreme Command of Armed Forces, concerning decision of Fuehrer in Armistice questions, and memorandum of Goering, 5 July 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 291

*EC-126; Economic Policy Directive for Economic Organization, East, Agricultural Group, 23 May 1941. (USA 316) . Vol. VII, Pg. 295

EC-137; Memorandum of Goering, 2 August 1940, regarding extension of German interests in foreign enterprise, and covering letter. . Vol. VII, Pg. 309

EC-155; Collection of planned decrees on economic matters, from Military Administration- Economy, pp. 50-74. . Vol. VII, Pg. 312

EC-256; Letter from Dr. Lammers to Goering and Funk, 12 October 1937. . Vol. VII, Pg. 346

EC-261; Letter from Funk to all Ministries, 14 March 1938, regarding appointment of Sarnow, deputy of Plenipotentiary for War Economy. . Vol. VII, Pg. 371

EC-263; Note on draft of decree on confiscation of private Polish property. . Vol. VII, Pg. 373

EC-267; Development and Position of French Industry in area of Military Commander, France, in 1941, from Report on Economy by Military Commander, France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 376 [Page 1087]

*EC-305; Minutes of meeting on 12 February 1940, under Chairmanship of Goering concerning labor supply in the East. (USA 303) . Vol. VII, Pg. 402

EC-323; Telegram signed Schleier, dated Paris 26 April 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 402

EC-335; Report of the Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France, January-March 1943. . Vol. VII, Pg. 407

EC-336; Report of the Reich Minister for Occupied Eastern Territories, 126 January 1942, concerning treatment of Poles under his jurisdiction. . Vol. VII, Pg. 408

EC-344-7; Report on Armament Economy in Poland, 1939-1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 416

*EC-344,16 and 17; Thomas report, 20 August 1940, summarizing experience with German Armament Industry in Poland 1939-40 and extract from report by Captain Dr. Varain on same subject. (USA 297) . Vol. VII, Pg. 419

*EC-347; Directives for operation of the Economy in Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 320) . Vol. VII, Pg. 421

EC-401; Letter from Office Four Year Plan, 8 July 1942, on seizure of Belgian gold. . Vol. VII, Pg. 439

*EC-410; Appendix to Goering's directive of 19 October 1939 concerning the economic administration of Occupied Territories. (USA 298) . Vol. VII, Pg. 466

*EC-411; Order by Hess concerning the reconstruction of certain industrial enterprises in Poland, 20 November 1939. (USA 299) . Vol. VII, Pg. 469

EC-422; Extracts from History of the War Economy -- and Armament Staff in France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 481

EC-427; Letter from Lammers to Reichsbank Directorate. 20 January 1939, on appointment of Funk as President of Reichsbank. . Vol. VII, Pg. 484 [Page 1088]

*EC-453; Letter to Himmler 21 September 1943, and list of contributions by his friends. (USA 322) . Vol. VII, Pg. 484

*EC-454; Letter to Himmler, 27 August 1943, regarding contributions by his friends. (USA 321) . Vol. VII, Pg. 512

EC-465; Letter from Commissar with the Netherlands Bank, 9 December 1940, with November report to Fuehrer. . Vol. VII, Pg. 518

EC-468; Letter from Commissar at the Netherlands Bank, 10 February 1941, with report from January 1941 to Fuehrer. . Vol. VII, Pg. 524

EC-469; Memorandum on meeting in Duesseldorf, 25 May 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 536

EC-470; Special Events in the field of procurement of means of production, raw material, semi finished products. . Vol. VII, Pg. 538

EC-471; Armament Inspectorate Netherlands -- War Diary for time from 1 January 1943 - 31 March 1943. . Vol. VII, Pg. 538

*EC-472; Directives of Reich Marshal Goering concerning economic organization of Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 315) . Vol. VII, Pg. 539

EC-472-A; War Diary of Armament Inspectorate from 10 April 1940 - 30 September 1942. . Vol. VII, Pg. 540

EC-473; Extract from History of Armament Inspectorate -- Netherlands. . Vol. VII, Pg. 542

EC-474; Letter, 1 June 1940, enclosing report of Armament Inspectorate -- Netherlands. . Vol. VII, Pg. 542 [Page 1089]

EC-485; Minutes on Goering Meeting, 1 October 1940, on the economic exploitation of Occupied Territories. . Vol. VII, Pg. 543

EC-560; Extract from War Diary of Armament Inspectorate -- Belgium 21 January 1941, regarding right to remove machinery. . Vol. VII, Pg. 584

EC-604; Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1 May 1942. . Vol. VII, Pg. 584

EC-605; Letter of the Commissar with the Emission Bank in Brussels, 29 October 1942, with enclosure. . Vol. VII, Pg. 585

EC-606; Minutes concerning conference with Field Marshal Goering at Karinhall, 30 January 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 588

EC-613; Memorandum on contributions of French economy in favor of France performed at instigation of Military Commander in France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 602

EC-614; Memorandum of the Military Commander in France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 602

EC-615; Notes by General Thomas on Meeting with Colonel General Keitel, 11 February 1939. . Vol. VII, Pg. 603

EC-616; Interference of War Economy and Armament Staff with raw material rationing boards from Situation Report of War Economy and Armament Staff of France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 603

EC-617; Extracts from Situation Report of War Economy and Armament Staff of France. Vol. VII, Pg. 604

EC-618; Service instructions for Economic Squads. . Vol. VII, Pg. 604

EC-619; Clearing agreement of 14 November 1940, for French- German payments. . Vol. VII, Pg. 608

[Page 1090]

EC-620; Directive of Goering on exploitation of the Occupied Territories, 26 August 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 608

ECH-1; Final report of Military Commander Belgium, Part 10, Section I, concerning German-Belgian trade. . Vol. VII, Pg. 609

ECH-2; Report on Economic Planning of Military Commander Belgium and Northern France, 13 September 1940. . Vol. VII, Pg. 610

ECH-3; Final Report of Chief of Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 611

ECH-4; Annual report of Military Commander of Belgium and Northern France, 15 July 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 613

ECH-5; Final Report of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 615

ECH-6; Final report of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 620

ECH-7; Final Report of Supervisory Office with Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France on legalized exploitation of black market in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 622

ECH-9; Circular of Military Commander, 19 June 1943, concerning prohibition of black market purchase. . Vol. VII, Pg. 629

ECH-10; Final Report of Military Commander on machinery clearing. . Vol. VII, Pg. 629

ECH-11; Final Report of Military Commander on Church Bell drive in Belgium. . Vol. VII, Pg. 631

ECH-12; Report of Activity Department for "Protection of Art" of- Military Commander Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 632 [Page 1091]

ECH-14; Letter from Speer, 23 June 1943, with covering letter. . Vol. VII, Pg. 632

ECH-15; Draft of letter to Falkenhausen, 22 May 1944. . Vol. VII, Pg. 634

ECH-16; Memorandum from Military Administration Department for Culture, 17 May 1944, concerning requisition of scientific instruments. . Vol. VII, Pg. 635

ECH-19; Final Report of Military Commander showing total picture of consolidation of Belgian Textile Industry. . Vol. VII, Pg. 636

ECH-21; Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France to General Falkenhausen, 12 October 1940, and annexes. . Vol. VII, Pg. 637

ECH-22; Final Report of Military Commander, concerning foreign exchange and gold. . Vol. VII, Pg. 639

ECH-23; Report of Military Commander on supplies in the German interest in Belgium and Northern France in 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 641

ECH-24; Introduction to Final Report of Military Commander by Dr. Beyer. . Vol. VII, Pg. 642

ECR-14; Memorandum from Commissar at the Belgian National Bank on Clearing Transfers, 24 March 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 642

ECR-24; Annual report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, covering period May 1940 - May 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 642 [Page 1092]

ECR-32; Memorandum from Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich Commissioner for the Four Year Plan, 11 June 1941, on occupation costs in Belgium and covering letters. . Vol. VII, Pg. 667

ECR-35; Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of the Reichskreditkassen, 2 August 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 670

ECR-39; Memorandum from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 August 1941, concerning procurement of Occupation Costs in Belgium, and covering letter. . Vol. VII, Pg. 671

ECR-59; Memorandum from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 October 1941, on contributions from Belgium to the limit of its capacity, and covering letter. . Vol. VII, Pg. 676

ECR-72; Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of RKK, 122 February 1941, ordering Emission Bank to pay out clearing transfer. . Vol. VII, Pg. 681

ECR-89; Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 March 1942, concerning payment for German Military Expenditures in Belgium through clearing; and letter of transmittal. . Vol. VII, Pg. 682

ECR-104; Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 24 April 1942, concerning payment of expenses of German Armed Forces in Belgium in clearing. . Vol. VII, Pg. 685

ECR-106; Memorandum from Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 1 May 1942, on use of occupation funds for black market purchases and political purposes. . Vol. VII, Pg. 686

[Page 1093]

ECR-115; Teletype, 27 July 1942, on position of Reichsbank regarding requisition of Belgian gold. . Vol. VII, Pg. 689

ECR-132; Report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 11 February 1942, covering period August-October 1942. . Vol. VII, Pg. 690

ECR-142; Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 22 February 1943, on exchange of RKK notes in Belgium. . Vol. VII, Pg. 695

ECR-149; Third Annual Report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 5 June 1943. . Vol. VII, Pg. 700

ECR-155-A; Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of Reichskreditkassen, 7 December 1943, on occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 716

ECR-166; Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of Reichskreditkassen, 10 May 1944, concerning cash situation of Chief Paymaster at Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France. . Vol. VII, Pg. 718

ECR-172; Letter from Reichskommissar for Occupied Territories of Belgium and Northern France, 21 July 1944, concerning equalization of monthly balance in giro traffic of Reichskreditkassen. . Vol. VII, Pg. 720

ECR-173; Report of Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 15 August 1944, on total occupation charges and Belgium clearing balance. . Vol. VII, Pg. 721

ECR-174; Report of the Commissar of the Netherlands Bank for the month May 1941, dated 12 June 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 726 [Page 1094]

ECR-175; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Brussels, 18 May 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 732

ECR-176; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Brussels, 27 May 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 733

ECR-177; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 June 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 735

ECR-178; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 25 July 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 735

ECR-179; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 August 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 735

ECR-180; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 September 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 736

ECR-181; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 October 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 737

ECR-182; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 29 November 1941, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 737

ECR-183; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 6 January 1942, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 738

ECR-184; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to, Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 January 1942, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 739 [Page 1095]

ECR-185; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 27 February 1942, concerning occupation. Vol. VII, Pg. 740

ECR-186; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 March 1942, concerning occupation costs. Vol. VII, Pg. 740

ECR-187; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 April 1942, concerning occupation costs. Vol. VII, Pg. 741

ECR-188; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 13 July 1942, concerning occupation costs. Vol. VII, Pg. 742

ECR-189; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 13 August 1942, concerning occupation costs. Vol. VII, Pg. 743

ECR-190; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 31 August 1942, concerning occupation costs. Vol. VII, Pg. 743

ECR-191; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 September 1942, concerning occupation. Vol. VII, Pg. 744

Document; ECR-192; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 6 November 1942, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 744

ECR-193; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 7 December 1942, concerning occupation costs. . Vol. VII, Pg. 745 [Page 1096]

ECR-194; Letter of Commissar at the Netherlands Bank Amsterdam, enclosing report on contributions of Holland for Germany during the first year of occupation, 28 May 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 745

ECR-195; Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 22 April 1942, concerning Dutch East Help. . Vol. VII, Pg. 747

ECR-196; Report of the Commissar of the Netherlands Bank, 9 May 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 748

ECR-197; Circular of the Reichsminister of Economics in foreign exchange matters, 31 March 1941. . Vol. VII, Pg. 749

*L-70; Speech by Himmler at Bad Schachen, 14 October 1943, on the Question of Security. (USA 308) . Vol. VII, Pg. 818

*L-221; Bormann report on conference of 16 July 1941, concerning treatment of Eastern populations and territories. (USA 317) . Vol. VII, Pg. 1086

*R-92; Instruction for internal use on application of law concerning property of Poles of 17 September 1940; copy of monthly report 31 May 1942 with statistics on farms and estates seized and confiscated in the Incorporated Eastern Territories; copy of letter from SS officer to Himmler, 20 November 1940. (USA 312) . Vol. VIII, Pg. 61

*R-112; Orders issued by Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German nationhood, 16 February 1942, 1 July 1942, 28 July 1942. (USA 309) . Vol. VIII, Pg. 108

*R-114; Memoranda of conferences, 4 and 18 August 1942, concerning directions for treatment of deported Alsatians. (USA 314) . Vol. VIII, Pg. 122

[viriato]

Hetman what is the source of your quote?

[Germania]

Yes what is the source?
Is it not possible to write a articel in the same length about polish planes in the occupied german east? To you use the forum for showing everybody what evils the bad nazi are? Always poland is guilty in crimes against humanity not only germans!

[Marcus]

Is it not possible to write a articel in the same length about polish planes in the occupied german east? To you use the forum for showing everybody what evils the bad nazi are? Always poland is guilty in crimes against humanity not only germans!

Why complain about his choice of topic instead of writing an article yourself if you feel it is an important topic?

/Marcus

[Germania]

Don´t misunderstand! I can´t see this messages always with the same theme! It looks like people which always write about the same, speak and discuss about the same ever and ever only to show an everlasting guilt of people here in europe! There are no new facts or things nobody knows they always take the same theme with the same words etc. And they don´t write an articel with own ideas and own work they always use the work from other people for there aims! That is why I write this and this is why this theme is important for me! Not the facts of it! Everybody knows the facts and I´n not interessted to speak about guilt or not guilt after 60 and more years we must say nobody of us can change the history we must look on it and learn from it! Nothing more nothing less!

[Davey Boy]

Don´t misunderstand! I can´t see this messages always with the same theme! It looks like people which always write about the same, speak and discuss about the same ever and ever only to show an everlasting guilt of people here in europe! There are no new facts or things nobody knows they always take the same theme with the same words etc. And they don´t write an articel with own ideas and own work they always use the work from other people for there aims! That is why I write this and this is why this theme is important for me! Not the facts of it! Everybody knows the facts and I´n not interessted to speak about guilt or not guilt after 60 and more years we must say nobody of us can change the history we must look on it and learn from it! Nothing more nothing less!

What are you talking about?

[Davey Boy]

Hetman what is the source of your quote?

Sorry, forgot.

[VHaist]

source:
http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/imt/nca/nca- ... on-01.html

[michael mills]

The interesting thing is that the original Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact of 23 August 1939 left open the option of maintaining the existence of a rump Polish state, after Germany and the Soviet Union had annexed the territories they respectively wished to take.

The secret protocol to the Pact fixed the line of demarcation between their spheres of interest in Poland (which ran along the Vistula and hence through the middle of Warsaw), but recorded no final decision on the future status of the country. It reserved to the contracting parties the right to resolve "by means of a friendly agreement" the question of "maintaining an independent Polish state" and of settling its future boundary.

At first the Germans were inclided to favour the creation of a samll Polish state which would be new version of "Congress Poland", a "Staatlichkeit" as Hans Frank referred to it. The pre-war German ambassadoe to Poland, Von Moltke, was still of this opinion on 25 September, in a memorandum of that date.

It appears that it was Stalin, not Hitler, who scotched the idea of a rump Polish state. On 19 September, Molotov summoned the German ambassador to the Soviet Union, von Schulenburg, and informed him of the Soviet Government's intention to negotiate a final settlement of the status of Poland with the German Government. He declared (telegram Schulenburg to Berlin on morning of 20 September 1939, "Nazi-Soviet Relations", page 101):

The original inclination entertained by the Soviet Government and Stalin personally to permit the existence of a residual Poland had given way to the inclination to partition Poland along the Pissa-Narew-Vistula-San line.

The demarcation line mentioned above was the four-river line agreed on 23 August.

The reason for Stalin's decision to disallow the setting up of a new "Congress Poland" is not hard to discern. If such a solution had been adopted, both the Soviet Union and Germany would have had to surrender some of the territory they had occupied west and east of the demarcation line in order to form a rump Polish state.

The area to be surrendered by the Soviet Union would have been the Lublin district between the Vistula and the Bug, which was an ethnically Polish territory, unlike the area east of the Bug, which was to be incorporated into Belorussia and Ukraine. However, Stalin wished to give that area to Germany in exchange for Lithuania, which under the secret protocol to the Pact of 23 August had been assigned to the German area of interest. That trade was in the Borders and Friendship Treaty of 28 September 1939.

On 25 September, Stalin summoned von Schulenburg and stated, in the presence of Molotov (report by von Schulenburg to Berlin 25 September, "Nazi-Soviet Relations", pp. 102-3):

Stalin stated the following: In the final settlement of the Polish question anything that in the future might create friction between Germany and the Soviet Union must be avoided. From this point of view, he considered it wrong to leave an independent Polish rump state. He proposed the following: From the territory to the east of the demarcation line, all the province of Lublin and that portion of the province of Warsaw which extends to the Bug should be added to Germany's share. In return, Germany would waive her claim to Lithuania. Stalin offered this suggestion as a subject for the forthcoming negotiations with the Reich Foreign Minister and added that, if Germany consented, the Soviet Union would immediately take up the solution of the Baltic countries in accordance with the Protocol of 23rd August, and expected in this matter the unstinting support of the German Government. Stalin expressly indicated Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but did not mention Finland.

So the historical fact is that the "Government General of Poland", instituted by decree of Hitler on 8 October (ten days after the conclusion of the Borders and Friendship Treaty in Moscow) did not represent Germany's original intention for the resolution of the "Polish problem", but rather was the direct result of Stalin's policy and proposals. By the same token, the German plans for the Generalgouvernement, as revealed in the document posted by Hetman Davey Boy, whoever he may be, were not the original intention, but rather a reaction to the fact that the whole problem of directly ruling the turbulent Polish ethnic group had been thrust by Stalin onto Germany.

The likelihood is that Germany would have preferred a rump Polish state under a collaborationist government (Boleslaw Piasecki was one candidate considered for the head of such a state). Germany's main interest was in the annexed territories (Danzig-Westpreussen, Wartheland, Zischenau, Ostoberschlesien) which had previously belonged to Germany, and which it was intended to germanise thoroughly by settling ethnic Germans returning from the Baltic States and the Soviet Union.

[Roberto]

Yes what is the source?
Is it not possible to write a articel in the same length about polish planes in the occupied german east?

Check out these threads:

“Father, shoot me”
http://www.thirdreichforum.com/phpBB2/v ... 440bd2caed

Notes from a Land of the Dead
http://www.thirdreichforum.com/phpBB2/v ... 440bd2caed

The Fate of Ethnic Germans in Yugoslavia
http://www.thirdreichforum.com/phpBB2/v ... 440bd2caed

[Roberto]

The likelihood is that Germany would have preferred a rump Polish state under a collaborationist government (Boleslaw Piasecki was one candidate considered for the head of such a state). Germany's main interest was in the annexed territories (Danzig-Westpreussen, Wartheland, Zischenau, Ostoberschlesien) which had previously belonged to Germany, and which it was intended to germanise thoroughly by settling ethnic Germans returning from the Baltic States and the Soviet Union.

Yep.

[...]The mass of 80 millions has solved the ideological problem. The economic problems must also be solved. No German can avoid the creation of the economic pre-conditions for this. Solving the problems requires courage. There must be no avoiding the solution of the problems by adaptation. On the contrary, the circumstances must be matched to the demands. Without intrusion into foreign states or attacking foreign property this is not possible.

The living space, adequate to the greatness of the state, is the basis of all power.[my emphasis] For a time one may do without, but then the solution of the problems comes around one way or the other. There is the choice between rising or falling. In 15 or 20 years the solution will be compulsorily necessary for us. Longer than that no German statesman can go around the issue.

[...]

Danzig is not the object that is at issue. The issue for us is the extension of living space in the east and securing of food supplies as well as solving the Baltic problem. Food supplies can only be obtained in areas sparsely populated. Beside the fertility the German thorough agriculture will immensely increase the surpluses.[my emphasis]

In Europe there is no other possibility.

Colonies: Warning against giving away colonial possessions. That is no solution of the food problem. Blockade!

If fate forces us to a conflict with the West, it is good to have more land in the East.[my emphasis] In the war we can count even less on record harvests than in peacetime.

The population of non-German territories does not do military service and is thus available for work.[my emphasis]

The problem 'Poland' is not to be separated from the conflict with the west.

From Lieutenant-Colonel of General Staff Schmundt's notes on the conference at the New Reich Chancellery on 23 May 1939, my translation from the German text transcribed under

http://www.ns-archiv.de/krieg/1939/schm ... 1939.shtml

[...]II.) Demands to the military commanders.

1.) Reckless determination: countermoves by England and France there will be. We must hold out. Marching-up in the West. "Iron unshakeable posture of all responsible!"

2.) Goal: Destruction of Poland – Removal of its living force. This is not about reaching a given line or a new border, but about destroying the enemy, which is to be endeavored in ever new ways.[my emphasis]

3.) Unleashing: means make no difference. The victor is never asked if his reasons were justified. This is not about having right on our side, but exclusively about victory.

4.) Execution: Hard and reckless. Harden against all considerations of pity!

Fast: Faith in the German soldier, even if there are hesitations.

The most important thing is a wedge from the southeast up to the Vistula, a wedge from the north up to the Narev and the Vistula.

Quick adaptation to new situations. Quickly use new means for new situations.

5.) New borders: New Reich territory? Protectorate area up front.[my emphasis] Military operations must not take into consideration later drawing of borders.[...]

From Halder's notes on the Führer's speeches at the Obersalzberg on 22.08.1939, my translation from the German text transcribed under

http://www.ns-archiv.de/krieg/22-08-1939-halder.shtml

[Marcus]

Don´t misunderstand! I can´t see this messages always with the same theme! It looks like people which always write about the same, speak and discuss about the same ever and ever only to show an everlasting guilt of people here in europe! There are no new facts or things nobody knows they always take the same theme with the same words etc. And they don´t write an articel with own ideas and own work they always use the work from other people for there aims! That is why I write this and this is why this theme is important for me! Not the facts of it! Everybody knows the facts and I´n not interessted to speak about guilt or not guilt after 60 and more years we must say nobody of us can change the history we must look on it and learn from it! Nothing more nothing less!

Trust me, not everyone knows the facts and even if you personally do (if you do, congratulations and I'm sure we all can look forward to lots and lots factfilled posts from you in the future ), the facts are not known to all the readers of the forum.
It is also natural that we all have different areas of interest & research (for example Erik E has his bunkers, Timo his SS-Pz.AA 1 and David has crimes of the nazis in Poland), so it is perfectly natural that we all post on similar topic every now and again.

/Marcus

[michael mills]

Roberto wrote:

Yep.

The above word is the only part of Roberto's post that has any relevance. The ignoramus Roberto obviously has no knowledge whatever of the negotiations between Germany and the Soviet Union which resulted in a political settlement in regard to Poland.

Instead, he draws on documents which quite clearly refer to German MILITARY planning for the ruthless destruction of the Polish armed forces so as to achieve a rapid victory. There are references to the annexation of territory from Poland, ie the incorporated territories I listed, and which had previously belonged in large part to Germany.

The only reference to the future Generalgouvernement is the line in Schmundt's notes "New borders; new Reich territory? Protectorate area up front". The "new borders" and the "new Reich territory" refer to the areas of Western Poland that it was planned to annex. The "protectorate area up front" refers to the rump Polish state that Hitler at that time was still thinking of; it appears that something like Slovakia, which was under German protection, was envisaged. A "protectorate" is by definition a state that has its own government but is under the "protection" of a stronger state, eg Kuwait was at one time a British protectorate.

Roberto really ought to cease churning out the same old material ad nauseam, material which he obviously does not fully understand since he is unaware of its context. He really should try to learn new facts, assimilate new data, like me.

[Roberto]

Roberto wrote:

Yep.

The above word is the only part of Roberto's post that has any relevance. The ignoramus Roberto obviously has no knowledge whatever of the negotiations between Germany and the Soviet Union which resulted in a political settlement in regard to Poland.

How easy it is to make poor Mills lose his cool and resort to silly insults.

All it takes is a few pertinent quotes without comment.

Instead, he draws on documents which quite clearly refer to German MILITARY planning for the ruthless destruction of the Polish armed forces so as to achieve a rapid victory. There are references to the annexation of territory from Poland, ie the incorporated territories I listed, and which had previously belonged in large part to Germany.

The only reference to the future Generalgouvernement is the line in Schmundt's notes "New borders; new Reich territory? Protectorate area up front". The "new borders" and the "new Reich territory" refer to the areas of Western Poland that it was planned to annex. The "protectorate area up front" refers to the rump Polish state that Hitler at that time was still thinking of; it appears that something like Slovakia, which was under German protection, was envisaged.

Whence does that appear to be so to Mr. Mills ?

The term “protectorate” was not used by the Nazis in connection with Slovakia, for all I know. It was used, however, in regard to the Czech rump-state without Slovakia, which was made into the Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia. The wording suggests that something similar was intended for that part of Poland which was not to be incorporated into the Reich.

Roberto really ought to cease churning out the same old material ad nauseam, material which he obviously does not fully understand since he is unaware of its context

Instead of gibbering onto the carpet or biting into it, Mills might tell us how he marries his contentions about “a rump Polish state under a collaborationist government” with the manifested intention to destroy Poland altogether, as a state and not only as a military opponent:

[…]Goal: Destruction of Poland – Removal of its living force.[my emphasis] This is not about reaching a given line or a new border, but about destroying the enemy, which is to be endeavored in ever new ways.[…]

Or why a state eager for “living space”, “more land in the East” and a population that “does not do military service and is thus available for work” (I will later on transcribe a document wherein the General Government is referred to by Hitler and Bormann as a necessary reservoir of unskilled cheap labor under German domination) would have preferred “a rump Polish state under a collaborationist government” to a subjugated region under its own control.

And he should definitely cut out the crap. I understand the documents in question better than himself, if only because I can afford to read what they say and don’t have to make up the far-fetched apologetic interpretations of their contents that Mills’ stance depends on.

He really should try to learn new facts, assimilate new data, like me.

If I were not aware of the opposite, I might take the above as an indication that Mills has a sense of humor and doesn’t take himself too seriously.

As it is, and as I don't think that a comparative accounting of new data provided and assessed on this forum by the two of us would be favorable to Mills (despite me "ignoramus" not being as widely read as the dissident researcher and expert from Australia), I'd say be should be careful about opening his mouth so wide.

[Thorwald]

How easy it is to make poor Mills lose his cool and resort to silly insults.

All it takes is a few pertinent quotes without comment.

That says the right one...

As it is, and as I don't think that a comparative accounting of new data provided and assessed on this forum by the two of us would be favorable to Mills (despite me "ignoramus" not being as widely read as the dissident researcher and expert from Australia), I'd say be should be careful about opening his mouth so wide.

You mean your highly redundant material, you are posting again and again?