The German Army and the Einsatzgruppen

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The German Army and the Einsatzgruppen

#1

Post by David Thompson » 15 Oct 2004, 23:01

This is another research thread, where I will post an assortment of German Army documents dealing with the activities of the Einsatzgruppen. I'm putting it here so I don't clutter up the "Nazi occupation policies for the USSR" thread.

Here is the first of the documents:

"Brauchitsch Directive, 28 April 1941, Concerning 'Commitment of Security Police and SD in Units of the Army' (The Wagner-Heydrich Agreement) and Letter of Transmittal, 5/2/1941, From Sector Staff Silesia (Army Group South)", 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. 1239-1242.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2080, Prosecution Exhibit 847.

[This order by the Commander in Chief of the German Army embodies the agreement between General Wagner, Chief of Supply and Administration of the High Command of the German Army, and Reinhard Heydrich, Chief of the Security Police and SD. See testimony of defense witness General Franz Halder, below.]

[Stamp] Top Secret,
Sector Staff Silesia,
No. 158/41
Top Secret,
Army Headquarters,
2 May 1941,
5 copies--1st copy.

Subject: Commitment of the Security Police and the Security Service in the operational area.

Enclosed is transmitted the order concerning commitment of the Security Police and the Security Service in the operational area (High Command of the Army/General Staff of the Army/ Generalquartiermeister File Section Military Administration No. II/2101/41 Secret of 4/28/1941).

In case of commitment, this order is to be made known to the subordinate offices and units as "Secret". Until such time it is to be under the special protection of secrecy.

For the Sector Staff Silesia, The Chief of the General Staff.
By Order:
[Illegible signature]
Colonel, GSC.

[Stamp] Ia Branch,
Date of receipt 5.5.1941,
Supplement--File 0.15/41.

Distribution:
Commander of the 103d Army Group Rear Area:
1st copy; 213th Security Division:
2d copy; 444th Security Division:
3d copy; 454th Security Division:
4th copy; Sector Staff Silesia
Ib: 5th copy.

[Handwritten] Now communicated only to:
Ia,
Ic [Illegible initial].
In excerpts to Secret Field Police (12 V).
1 enclosure.

***************************************
[Enclosure] High Command of the Army, General Staff of the Army/Generalquartiermeister, File Reference Military Administration,
No. II/2101/41 Secret, Headquarters, High Command of the Army,
4/28/1941, [Stamp] Sector Staff Silesia, [Handwritten] Section Ib
158/41 Top Secret. Secret.

Subject: Regulation on Commitment of the Security Police and SD in units of the army.

The execution of special Security Police missions outside the unit makes the commitment of special detachments of the Security Police (Security Service) in the operational area necessary.

In agreement with the chief of the Security Police and the Security Service, the commitment of the Security Police and the Security Service in the operational area is regulated as follows:

1. Missions.

a. In the army rear area: Before the start of operations, securing of tangible objects (material, archives, card indices of state organizations or organizations hostile to the state, units, groups, etc.) as well as especially important individuals (leading emigrants, saboteurs, terrorists, etc.).

The commander in chief can exclude the commitment of the Sonderkommandos in those parts of the army area where such commitment would disturb the operations.

b. In the army group rear area: Discovering and combating endeavors inimical to the state and Reich, insofar as they are not incorporated in the enemy armed forces, as well as generally informing the commanders of the army group rear areas about the political situation.

The principles for collaboration between the Gestapo and the counterintelligence offices of the armed forces set up jointly on 1 January 1937, are valid, when relevant, for the collaboration with the intelligence officers and/or intelligence offices.

2. Collaboration between the Sonderkommandos and the military commanding authorities in the Army Rear Area (to la). The special detachments of the Security Police (Security Service) carry out their missions upon their own authority. They are subordinate to the armies as far as marching orders, rations, and quarters are concerned. Disciplinary and legal subordination under the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service is not influenced by this. They receive their technical instructions from the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service, and if occasion should arise are subordinated to restrictive orders of the armies with reference to their activity. (See No. la.)

A commissioner of the Chief of the Security Police and of the Security Service will be employed in the area of each army for the central direction of these detachments. He is required to bring to the attention of the Commander in Chief of the Army promptly the instructions sent to him by the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service. The military commander is empowered to issue instructions to the commissioner which are necessary to avoid an interruption in operations; they take precedence over all other instructions.

The commissioners are ordered to cooperate closely with the Ic continuously; recall of a liaison official of the commissioner to the Ic can be demanded by the commanding authorities. The Ic has to coordinate the missions of the Sonderkommandos with those of military intelligence, the activity of the Secret Field Police and the necessities of the operations.

Within the scope of their mission and upon their own responsibility the Sonderkommandos are empowered to take executive measures concerning the civilian population. They are required hereby to cooperate with intelligence most closely. Measures which could have an effect on the operations, require the approval of the Commander in Chief of the Army.

3. Collaboration between the Einsatzgruppen and/or Kommandos of the Security Police (Security Service) and the Commander in the Army Group Rear Area (to 1b): Einsatzgruppen and Einsatzkommandos of the Security Police (Security Service) will be installed in the army group rear area. They are subordinate to the commissioner of the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service with the commander of the army group rear area and are subordinated to the latter with reference to marching orders, quarters, and rations.

They receive their technical instructions from the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service.

In case no other means of communication are available they are to use their own radio sets and special codes for transmitting orders. The Chief of Army Signal Communications is to regulate their wavelength allocation.

The commissioner and, if occasion arises, the Kommando leaders of the Einsatzkommandos with the Security Divisions are required to bring the instructions sent to them to the attention of the military commanders promptly--in a state of emergency the commander in the army group rear area is empowered to issue restrictive orders, which take precedence over all other instructions.

The Einsatzgruppen and/or Kommandos are empowered to take executive measures concerning the civilian population within the scope of their missions, upon their own responsibility.

They are required to collaborate most closely with intelligence.

4. Delineation of authority between Sonderkommandos, Einsatzkommandos, and Einsatzgruppen and the Secret Field Police. The intelligence police missions within the unit and the direct protection of the unit remain the mission of the Secret Field Police alone. All matters of this sort are to be turned over by the Sonderkommandos and/or Einsatzgruppen and Kommandos to the Secret Field Police at once as, vice versa, all occurrences within the scope of missions of the Sonderkommandos must be turned over to the Sonderkommandos and/or Einsatzgruppen and Einsatzkommandos immediately. For the rest, the agreement of 1/1/1937 (see No. 1) is also valid.

[Signed] von Brauchitsch.
Last edited by David Thompson on 15 Oct 2004, 23:31, edited 1 time in total.

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#2

Post by David Thompson » 15 Oct 2004, 23:11

"Directive by Himmler, 21 May 1941, Concerning Assignment of Higher SS and Police Leaders in the Army Group Rear Area", 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. 1242-1244.
Translation of Document NOKW-2079, Prosecution Exhibit 848.

[Cover of File Containing Himmler Directive], [Handwritten] Commanding General of the Security Troops South, Ia, Supplementary Volume 51, 6/9/19423 4/1943, Started--19..Concluded--19..[Stamp] 39502/55.

II 52: Copy of a copy, [Handwritten] 140 a,
[Handwritten] Original with war diary in Berlin.
Berlin, 21 May 1941,

The Reich Leader SS,
Diary No. 114/41
Top Secret,
40 copies--38th copy,
11 copies, Control/No. 10.

Subject: Special mission of the Fuehrer.

In agreement with the Commander in Chief of the Army, I have provided for Higher SS and Police Leaders for the sphere of political administration for the execution of the special orders given to me by the Fuehrer.

For the duration of the commitment of the Higher SS and Police Leaders in the army group rear area, I am laying down the following instructions with the assent of the Commander in Chief of the Army:

1. The Higher SS and Police Leader, with his commanding staff, is subordinated as far as marching orders, rations, and quarters are concerned to the commander of the respective army group rear area. The SS and Police troops and special task forces of the Security Police are subordinated to the Higher SS and Police Leader for executing the missions assigned by me directly.

The Higher SS and Police Leader is to inform the commander of the army group rear area from time to time concerning the missions assigned to him by me.

The commander of the army group rear area is empowered to give the Higher SS and Police Leader instructions which are necessary to avoid disturbing operations and missions of the army. They take precedence over all other instructions.

2. The SS and Police forces committed are subordinated to the commander of the army group rear area as far as marching orders, rations, and quarters are concerned. All legal and disciplinary affairs will be handled under their own competence. Insofar as the radio and signal equipment of the SS and Police units is not sufficient for transmission of orders and communications, the commander of the army group rear area, as far as duty permits, will make available the corresponding communications media of the army.

3. The missions of the SS and Police forces committed under the Higher SS and Police Leaders in the army group rear area are:

a. Referring to the SP (SD) [Security Police (Security Service)]: The missions of the Einsatzgruppen and Einsatzkommandos of the Security Police (Security Service) are already determined through the communication of the High Command of the Army dated 3/26/1941.

b. Regarding the regular police: The troops of the regular police committed, with the exception of the 9 motorized police battalions tactically subordinated to the commanders of the Security Divisions, fulfill their missions according to my basic instructions.

Insofar as the fulfillment of these missions allows it, the commander of the army group rear area can employ the troops of the regular police for military missions in agreement with the Higher SS and Police Leader.

4. The troops of the Waffen SS have, in general, similar missions to the troops of the regular police, and special missions which they will receive from me from time to time.

5. The commander of the army group rear area has disposition over all SS and Police troops in case of an urgent combat commitment in his own competency of command.

The Reich Leader SS,
Signed: H. Himmler
Certified:
Signed signature
SS Hauptsturmfuehrer
Certified true copy:
Signed signature,
Captain.


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#3

Post by David Thompson » 15 Oct 2004, 23:47

"Correspondence and Reports Concerning Assignment and Activity of Einsatzgruppe D and Subunits, July 1941 to January 1942", 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. 1244-1252.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-3453, Prosecution Exhibit 1605.
[Stamp] Top Secret
11th Army, Section Ic Counterintelligence Officer
No. 69/41
Top Secret, [Stamp]
Draft

Army Headquarters, 3 July 1941.
To: Hq XXX Army Corps, 1st copy.

In order to secure important captured political material and in order to round up politically unreliable elements in Beltsy, a Sonderkommando of the Security Police (motorized), consisting of 50 executive officials [Executiv Beamten] in addition to auxiliary personnel, will be attached to XXX Army Corps.

With regard to marching orders, billets, and rations, the Sonderkommando will be subordinate to the army corps. The Sonderkommando performs its work by order of the chief of the Security Police and on its own responsibility. It will report all the measures it takes to 11th Army, Section Ic Counterintelligence Officer through the Ic of the XXX Army Corps.

All military booty is to be brought immediately to 11th Army, Ic Counterintelligence Officer, sphere D, via the Ic of XXX Army Corps. It is to be seen to that the captured political material is taken to the rear by the Sonderkommando in collaboration with the Einsatzgruppe in the army group rear area.

The Sonderkommando will report to the Ic of XXX Army Corps in Stanca north of Iasi in the course of 4 July 1941. The route of march will be--Piatra Neamt, Roman, Targul-Frumos, Iasi, Stanca.

For the Army Command,
The Chief of Staff [Initial] R [Ranck];
[Initials] RIE [Riesen],
[Signed] Woehler.

For information to: Einsatzgruppe of the Security Police (at the same time for the Sonderkommando and the Liaison Officer attached to 11th Army),
3 copies.
Ia;
Ic;
Oberquartiermeister; Counterintelligence Officer (draft).

Einsatzgruppe D of the Security Police: SS Colonel Ohlendorf presently at Piatra Neamt.

Liaison Officer of Einsatzgruppe D of the Security Police: attached to 11th Army--Ic, Counterintelligence Officer, SS Major Gmeiner.

Einsatzgruppe Xa: SS Major Seetzen, XXX AK;
Einsatzgruppe Xb: SS Major Persterer, 3d Rumanian Army;
Einsatzgruppe XIa: SS Major Zapp, 4th Rumanian Army;
Einsatzgruppe XIb: SS Captain Unglaube presently at Piatra Neamt;
Einsatzgruppe XII: SS Major Nosske presently at Piatra Neamt.


*********************************************
[Illegible initials]
9 July 1941
Copy.
The Commander of the Security Police and Security Service,
Einsatzgruppe D with Army Group South,
Einsatzkommando 10b. Chernovitsy,
9 July 1941

To Ic of Army Group South through channels:

Kommando 10b reached Chernovitsy on Sunday, 6 July 1941, at 1815 hours, after an advance detachment had already established the first contact on the previous day with the Rumanian authorities in the town and had procured billets. Immediately upon arrival, contact was established with the competent commander -- Major Dluschanski of the Gendarmes -- as well as with other Rumanian headquarters present in the town, and the combing-out of the town for political suspects was started.

On 7 July 1941 the arrest of Jews and Communist began on the basis of available wanted lists and newly compiled records. On the 8th of this month a large-scale operation was conducted, in the course of which it was possible to catch all the leading Jewish elements with only a few exceptions. On the following day about 100 Jewish Communists were shot by the Kommando. Counting also the executions of Jews carried out by the Rumanian Armed Forces and police, a total of over 600 Jews were shot in the course of the 8th and 9th of this month. A detachment was sent to Hotin to screen that place. A report has not yet been received about this.

The Commander of Einsatzkommando 10b,
Signed signature, SS Major.

Certified true copy:
[Signed] Riesen, Major.


***********************************************
[Stamp] Draft
Top Secret
11th Army, Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer,
No. 92/41
Top Secret
12 copies--12th copy, Army Headquarters,
14 July 1941.

To Einsatzgruppe D of the Security Police:

1. After it has carried out its assignments in Chernovitsy, Sonderkommando 10b will return to the Einsatzgruppe in about 3-4 days. It will be billeted in Chernovitsy.

2. Einsatzkommando 10a will continue to be subordinated to XXX Army Corps for marching orders, billets, and rations. After it has carried out its assignments in Beltsy, it will be at the disposal of 11th Army Command from which it will receive instruction in time for further commitment.

3. Einsatzkommando 11a is subordinated to LIV Army Corps in accordance with 11th Army Command, Ic/Counterintelligence Officer No. 91/41 Top Secret, dated 13 July 1941, for marching, billets, and rations in order to carry out its assignments in Kishinev.

4. Einsatzgruppe D of the Security Police, except for the Sonderkommando in action, will continue to be subordinated in Piatra Neamt to the 11th Army for the marching, billets, and rations until further notice.

In accordance with the information received from Army Group South, it is not intended to employ Einsatzgruppe D in the army area.

The report on the measures taken by the Einsatzkommando in Beltsy has not yet been received.

For the Army Command,
The Chief of Staff,
Signed in the draft Woehler;
Certified:
[Signature]
Riesen, Major.


***************************************************
The Commissioner of the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service with the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South,
Einsatzgruppe D
Diary Nr. 607/41.

[Stamp] 11th Army, Ic/Counterintelligence Officer,
20 September 1941,
No.
Enclosures
Command Post
19 September 1941

To 11th Army
[Initial] W [Woehler]
20 September 1941 [Handwritten]
To the Counterintelligence Officer for action,
[Initial] R [Ranck]
29 September 1941.

Subject State property
Reference: Conversation between the chief of staff and SS Colonel Ohlendorf on 11 September 1941.
Enclosures: 1

Enclosed is submitted for your information the report from the Kommando of Einsatzgruppe D employed in Askaniya Nova.

[Signed] Ohlendorf,
SS Colonel.
[Handwritten] To the files.
[Initials] RIE [Riesen].
************************************************
[Stamp] Draft,
11th Army, Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer (Counter Intelligence III).
Subject: Measures taken by the Einsatzkommando with the 22d Infantry Division
Army Headquarters
6 October 1941.

To Einsatzgruppe D:

The Einsatzkommando of the Security Police with the 22nd Infantry Division is in the combat area of the division. It is expected that all measures in the town of Genitchek, especially public executions, setting up and arming the Ukrainian Home Guard, etc., will only be taken after previous agreement with the Ic of the division.

For the Army Command
The Chief of Staff
[Initials] RIE [Riesen];
By Order
[Initial] R [Ranck],
Major, GSC.

For information to--Ic--22d Infantry Division, [Handwritten] SD.

Sonderkommando 10a
In the Field
8 October 1941

Official Statement:

As commander of the patrol sent to Genitchek, I carried out executions there on 2 October 1941 and 4 October 1941. The executions occurred outside the village, about 500-800 meters away from the last house. No civilian saw the executions; only a few German soldiers of the armed forces saw them from a distance of about 100 meters; these soldiers remained in spite of being told several to go away. On account of the small size of the patrol, which consisted only of a leader and three men, it was not possible to take steps against this lack of discipline shown by the soldiers and to keep them further away by placing guards. All other executions I carried out have also taken place in the manner ordered by Einsatzgruppe D.

[Signed] Spiekermann
SS 2d Lieutenant.
***********************************
Sonderkommando 10a
In the Field
8 October 1941

On 2 October 1941 and 4 October 1941, Sonderkommando 10a conducted executions about which the enclosed official statement made by SS 2d Lieutenant Spiekermann gives further details, accordingly, it cannot be said that member of my Kommando shot several persons in Genitchek "in public in the center of the town". Since my Kommando has been in action, no executions were carried out in public unless it was exceptionally necessary in individual cases depending on the situation--to deter the population by shooting hostage, saboteurs and plunderers.

It is requested to find out and report how this false report came about.

[Signed] Seetzen,
SS Lieutenant Colonel.

[Handwritten] Counterintelligence Officer 22d Division with the request to state his point of view, [Initial] R [Ranck] 13 October 1941.

[Handwritten] To 11th Army--via Ic/Counterintelligence Officer for your information.
Acting
[Illegible signature]
SS Major
11 October 1941.


*************************************************
3d Battalion 65th Infantry Regiment, Section Ic,
Battalion Command Post,
12 October 1941.
Reference 65th Infantry Regiment, Section Ic, dated 11 October 1941;
Subject: Measure taken by the Einsatzkommando in Genitchek.

[Illegible initial],
[stamp], 65th Infantry Regiment
Received: 12 October 1941
Section: Ic
No.
Enclosures:

To the Regiment: The execution concerned did not take place in the center of G. which was not what had been reported--but in an open square directly on the edge of town (see sketch). The houses located at the edge of the town are inhabited partly by soldiers, partly by civilians, who involuntarily became witnesses. In addition, a battery is located in the vicinity. Furthermore, there was supply traffic and evacuation of civilians along the main road.

It was possible to follow all events from the office of the battalion and to hear the moaning of those about to be shot. The morning after, a pile of clothing was lying at the place which was surrounded by curious civilians and soldiers. Steps were at once taken to have these destroyed.

The trench in which the corpses were buried ought to be the bet proof of where the execution took place. [Illegible signature]


*************************************************
The Representative of the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service with the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South
Sonderkommando 11b.
In the Field
12 January 1942
[Initial] R [Riesen]
13 January 1942.

Order for Commitment:

1. By order of 11th Army--Oberquartiermeister--an operation will be swiftly carried out at 1100 hours on 12 January 1942, to round up unreliable elements, partisans, saboteurs, any possible groups of the enemy, parachutists in civilian clothing, Jews, leading Communists, etc.

2. 11th Army--Oberquartiermeister--has assigned the execution of the operation to Einsatzgruppe D, Sonderkommando 11b, of the Security Police and Security Service. The forces at the disposal of the
Commander of the Town Defense, 2320 men, as well as 55 men from the Military Police and 20 men of the Secret Field Police will be placed at the disposal of Sonderkommando 11b.

3. The Commander of Sonderkommando 11b, SS Major Dr. Braune will be in charge of the operation. The command center will be at the Ortskommandantur.

The Commander of Sonderkommando 11b
[Signed] Dr. Braune
SS Major.

Distribution:

11th Army--Oberquartiermeister: 2
Einsatzgruppe D: 1
Commander of the Town Defense: 7
Ortskommandant: 1
Ic/Counterintelligence Officer: 1
Commander of the Army Rear Area: 1
Secret Field Police: 1
Military Police: 1
Total: 15.
Last edited by David Thompson on 15 Oct 2004, 23:55, edited 2 times in total.

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#4

Post by David Thompson » 15 Oct 2004, 23:53

"Report by SS Obergruppenfuehrer Jeckeln, 1 August 1941, Addressed to Himmler, Defendant von Roques, and Others, Concerning Mopping-Up Operations", 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. 1251-1252.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1165, Prosecution Exhibit 81.

Higher SS & Police Leader with the Commander of the Rear Area Army Group South.

Report on the Mopping-up Operation in the Sector of Zviahel, Sluch Valley, Nov. Miropol, Shepetovka, Zaslav, Ostrog, Horyn Valley and Hoszcza. Headquarters, 1 August 1941

[stamp] 6th Army Command
4 August 1941
Section concerned: Ia.
[Illegible initial] 5/8.

I: To 6th Army command:
One copy each to:
Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police [Himmler]
Commander of the Army Group Rear Area [South]
Lt. General von Roques; Commander of the Army Rear Area [6th Army]
Major General von Puttkammer; Chief of the Ordnungspolizei [Regular Police]
General of the Police, Daluege.

II: 1. Upon request of Field Marshal von Reichenau, the Reich Leader SS made available the 1st SS Brigade for a mopping-up operation in the Army Rear Area and/or Army Group Rear Area.

The carrying out of this operation in the area of Zviahel, Sluch Valley, Nov. Miropol, Shepetovka, Zaslav, Ostrog, Horyn Valley, and Hoszcza, took place according to the directives of the Chief of Staff of the 6th Army in agreement with the Commander of the Army Rear Area, Major General von Puttkammer, and the Commander of the Army Group Rear Area, Lt. General von Roques.

2. The units subordinated to me as far as they were available for this operation had the order to: Arrest and/or execute:

a. Remaining parts of the 124th Soviet Rifle Division.

b. Armed bands.

c. Guerrillas.

d. Persons who have assisted the Bolshevist system.

9. Total number of persons captured--135 soldiers of Ukrainian nationality transferred to transient prisoner of war camp.
Shot--73 Russian soldiers (guerrillas);
165 functionaries, and other persons who have rendered considerable service to the bolshevist system, among them 4 women;
1658 Jews who have rendered considerable services to the bolshevist system and who reported Ukrainians to Bolshevist rulers.

[Signed] Jeckeln
SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of Police.

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#5

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:05

"Extracts From Activity Report of SS Sonderkommando XIa For the Period 18-31 August 1941", 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. 1252-1255.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-3234, Prosecution Exhibit 1609.

The Representative of the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service attached to the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South
Sonderkommando XIa
[Handwritten] Chief of Staff, Ic
[Initial] W [Woehler]
In the Field
8 September 1941.

To the Representative of the Chief of the Security Police and Security Service attached to the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South, Einsatzgruppe D:

Subject: Activity report for the period 18-31 August 1941 (including the march to Nikolaev).

File: Current affairs.
Enclosure: 1.

I hereby forward the activity report for the period 18-31 August 1941 as an enclosure.

[Signed] Zapp
SS Sturmbannfuehrer and Commander of Sonderkommando XIa.

***********************************************
To 11th Army--Ic/Counterintelligence Officer via SS Sturmbannfuehrer Gmeiner for information, [Initial] R.
[Signed] Ohlendorf.

[Handwritten] To the files.
[Initials] Ru.

Report on the activity of Sonderkommando XIa in Nikolaev during the period 18-31 August 1941.

I. Military matters: After the Kommando had moved to Nikolaev, a detachment of three men at once began to search the civilians who had been taken to the collection center for prisoners, and screened about 4000 of them. The screening proved that it was necessary to imprison 227 Jewish suspects, political functionaries, and released convicts. Two officers and 20 men of the Kommando participated in the search for arms conducted by 11th Army on 7 September 1941.

Relations with the Feldkommandantur, Ortskommandantur, and other military headquarters were excellent.

The detachment of two officers and 13 men sent from Nikolaev to Kherson conducted several search operations with units of the armed forces which resulted in several partisans being caught There the collaboration with the Ortskommandantur is also very good.

II. Police Work:

1. Communism: During the march to Nikolaev seven political functionaries of the Communist party were found and executed. Investigation work immediately started in Nikolaev comprised:

a. Searching important buildings of the state, the town, and the party.

b. Suspects.

c. Straightening out the Jewish question.

During the period covered in the report it was possible to apprehend and render harmless seven more political functionaries, leading party members, and partisans on the basis of denunciations and our own investigations.

After statements from witnesses, our own findings, and report from armed forces headquarters had proved that there was a threat of the excesses committed by the Jews getting out of hand (arson, light signals, physical attacks on soldiers and members of the Sonderkommando, insults to the German Armed Forces and to ethnic Germans, etc.), 227 hostages were executed as a reprisal measure. During the same period 122 Jews had to be executed in Kherson for similar offenses, especially because Jews transmitted news for the enemy.

This situation resulted in the necessity of registering the Jews, which was carried out by a Jewish council under the supervision of and set up by the Sonderkommando.

Labor detachments were formed from the Jews on hand who were between 16 and 60 years of age, and able to work and these were placed at the disposal of the units requesting them.

2. In the course of carrying out security police measures, the Sonderkommando secured several depots containing material of value to war economy and reported them to the Feldkommandantur, or to the economic detachment. Among other items, these consisted of: 1 factory for sanitary and pharmaceutical articles, with about 200 iron closets; 1 depot with 15 new electric motors which had not been destroyed; 1 mobile generator which had not been destroyed, which is being used in the new power plant; 1 depot with nonferrous metals; 1 depot with new tools and machine parts; 1 depot with agricultural implements; 1 depot with agricultural machinery, spare parts, fertilizers, and seeds; 1 depot with skins from sheep and cattle (not tanned) and sheeps' wool.

[Signed] Zapp
SS Sturmbannfuehrer.

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#6

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:12

"Activity Report of Einsatzgruppe D to 11th Army Command, 9 October 1941", 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'). District of Columbia: 1951. pp. 1255-1257.
Translation of Document NOKW-629, Prosecution Exhibit 867.

The Commissioner of the Chief of the Security Police and the Security Service assigned to the Commander of the Rear Area Army Group South, Einsatzgruppe D,
Diary No. 91o/41.
[Handwritten] 12/lo Ic R.12/lo
[Initial] W [Woehler] Agreed.
[Initials] R. Ru, [Initials] HER
Field Headquarters
9 October 1941.

To 11th Army Command (through the Ic.)
Subject: Activity of Einsatzgruppe D and proposals for future activities.

Two fields of activity were stressed especially in the scope of the work of Einsatzgruppe D during the past weeks --

1. The political pacification.

2. Protection and care for settlements of ethnic Germans.

Apart from the settlement of the Jewish problem, searches for and arrests of partisans played a considerable role in the field of political pacification. In this connection, I refer to the report concerning the activities of partisans at Nikolaev. In the district of a subunit of Einsatzkommando 12 in Grigorjevka, the unit collaborated in the extermination of Red parachutists (see special letter). As regard the activity in the areas of settlements of ethnic Germans, I beg to be permitted to refer to the special report which was submitted for your knowledge some time ago SS Oberfuehrer Hoffmayer, head of the Liaison Office for Ethnic Germans [Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle], carried out resettlements in most districts, so that all subunits of Einsatzgruppe D could be recalled, except one subunit at Speyer.

Locations and working districts of the individual Kommandos are as follows:

(1) The staff of Einsatzgruppe D has its headquarters at Nikolaev.

(2) Sonderkommando 10a, in accordance with agreements, proceeds in the direction of Melitopol via Askaniya-Nova-Rozhdyestvenskoye and is stationed at present at Melitopol.

(3) Sonderkommando 10b started from Alyeshki in order to clean up the peninsula and proceeded with subunits in a southeasterly direction to Nov. Zburjevka and Skadoysk. Incidental to an action against partisans, the Skadoysk subunit lost two men (killed) (one SS officer and one SS NCO) and six men wounded (three wounded severely and three slightly, but without danger to life) on 29 September 1941.

(4) Sonderkommando 11a together with a subunit is located at Kherson and is clearing up the districts to the north of Kherson; and advance detachment is at Nov. Majatashka at present ready to proceed with LIV Army Corps.

(5) Sonderkommando 11b is stationed at Gross-Libental near Odessa. It has taken over the protection and the care for the welfare of ethnic Germans in the districts around Odessa and is in readiness for Odessa itself.

(6) Einsatzkommando 12a has taken headquarters at Nikola in order to replace Sonderkommando 11a, two subunits being stationed at Speyer in the Berezanski district.

The following suggestions are submitted for the future and assignment of forces that have become available in the meantime:

1. The staff of Einsatzsgruppe D to remain at Nikolaev until further notice.

2. Sonderkommando 10a, first to work at Melitopol, a small advance detachment to proceed in the direction of Mariupol together with the XXX Army Corps.

3. Sonderkommando 10b to continue cleaning up on the peninsula to the south of Aljeshki, for 8-10 days, and then to remain in readiness for Odessa, if it should be needed there.

4. Sonderkommando 11a to finish cleaning-up work to the north of Kherson, then to clean up to the east of 10b in the direction of Perekop via Maiatashka, an advance detachment to proceed with the LIV Army Corps.

5. Sonderkommando 11b to remain before Odessa for one or two more weeks, and then to be recalled if no decisive results concerning the conquest of that town is reached by that time.

6. Einsatzkommando 12: One subdetachment to remain at Nikolaev for the time being. The other half of the Kommando to clean up, following 10a, the area to the west of Melitopol-Vasilyevka on the Dnepr up to the Dnepr bend.

As SS Oberfuehrer Ohlendorf, due to a visit of Reich Leader SS [Himmler] to Einsatzgruppe D at Nikolaev, started on an official trip to Berlin, SS Obersturmfuehrer Seibert asks for a time to be fixed for an oral report on 10/11/1941, the time to be agreed upon with the liaison officer.

As Deputy:
[Signed] Seibert
SS Sturmbannfuehrer.

[Handwritten notation] Conference took place at Novonikolayevka on 11 October 1941.
[Initial] W [Woehler].

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#7

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:17

"Extract From Activity Report of 454th Security Division For Period From 1-10 October 1941", 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. 1257-1258.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2129, Prosecution Exhibit 951.

[Stamp], Security Division 454
Received: 14 October 1941 [Illegible initial]
Section: Ib File No. 5257,
Division Staff Headquarters,
12 October 1941.

Department VII, File V. 5-5
To Dept. Ib.

Enclosed please find activity report for the period from 1-10 October 1941, for war diary.
[Illegible signature]
Senior Military Administrative Councillor
Enclosure 7.

* * *

[Handwritten] Enclosure 2, Section VII, Division Staff Headquarters, 2 October 1941.
Subject: Visit to the Feldkommandantur 195/Kiev/ on 1 October 1941.

The total population is estimated at about half the normal number, that is, about 400000. The Jews of the city were ordered to present themselves at a certain place and time for the purpose of numerical registration and housing in a camp. About 34000 reported, including women and children. After they had been made to give up their clothing and valuables, all were killed; this took several days.

Military Administrative Councillor.

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#8

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:24

"Extract From Activity Report, 14 November 1941, From Ortskommandantur 1/853 to Commander Army Rear Area 553", 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. 1258-1259.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-1573, Prosecution Exhibit 883.

Simferopol,
14 November 1941
Ortskommandantur I/853
File No. 948/41

Subject: Activity report for the period 5-15 November 1941

To Commander Army Rear Area 553.

* * *

II. Political: Simferopol had about 156000 inhabitants, of whom about 120000 remained. Among these were 70000 Russians, 20000 Ukrainians, 20000 Tartars, 20000 Jews; the remainder is divided into various racial strains; scarcely 100 racial Germans whose registration was begun by the Ortskommandantur.

The city is slightly damaged but all plants and businesses have been plundered.

The 11000 Jews remaining are being executed by the Security Service.

The civilian population is not hostile towards the German troops but there may still be many Communists in the city.

[Signature illegible]
Captain and Town Commander.

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#9

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:33

"Report From Ohlendorf, Commander of Einsatzgruppe D, to 11th Army Headquarters, 2/12/1942, Concerning Confiscation of Watches and Money During Anti-Jewish Actions", 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. 1259-1260.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-631, Prosecution Exhibit 568.

The Commissioner of the Chief of the Security Police and the Security Service assigned to the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South, Einsatzgruppe D.
Diary No. 381/42
To 11th Army Headquarters, Field Headquarters
12 February 1942
[Initial] W [Woehler].

Subject: Confiscations by Einsatzgruppe D; Reference: Telephone conversation between Brigadier General Woehler and SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Seynstahl on 12 February 1942.

I. Watches confiscated: The watches confiscated in the course of the anti-Jewish actions were duly entered as received. The watches which represent valuables (gold and silver watches) were sent to the treasury in Berlin, as directed. The rest of the watches, whose value is so trifling that their general utilization does not appear expedient, were handed over to members of the armed forces officers and men) and to members of Einsatzgruppe D at a nominal price or gratuitously, dependent on the individual case.

As a prerequisite for the distribution the individual had to prove that his own watch had been lost in action or had become useless or that he needed a watch in line of duty.

By experience, almost only old watches are being found here, a great number of which are useless. At the moment there are a number of repaired watches still on hand which may be supplied according to the standard mentioned above.

II. Confiscated rubles: The money seized in the course of the anti-Jewish actions was duly entered as received and transmitted, as directed, to the Reich Credit Bank to be credited to the Reich, except for a small amount which is required for routine purposes (wages, etc.).

In one case I was asked whether ruble sums can be made available for the town of Simferopol. I have referred the applicants to the Reich Credit Bank, adding that I am of course ready to place the rubles at their disposal against a receipt from the army. However, I am not authorized to dispose of the money for the benefit of a third party, for example, a municipality, since the funds concerned are Reich property.

[Signed] Ohlendorf
SS Oberfuehrer.

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#10

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 00:44

"Extracts From Enclosures, 3/1-31/1942, To 10-Day Report of Rear Area Army Group South to OKH,
Concerning Activities of Secret Field Police and SD", 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. 1260-1264.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2909, Prosecution Exhibit 1320.
[Handwritten] Enclosure 1,
Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer, Headquarters
31 March 1942,
Activity Report, Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer, Period 1-31 March 1942.

Transfers: The PW Rudenko, Konstantin (bearer of important secrets) was taken by plane to the OKW in Berlin on 17 March 1942.

In addition, at the request of the Higher SS and Police Leader, two Ukrainian interpreters from the Field Signal Headquarters, two Ukrainian interpreters from the 213th Security Division and two Ukrainian
interpreters from the Staff of the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South which were turned over to the Security Service, since they are very strongly suspected of having actively participated in the
Bandera movement [Banderivtsi movement, a faction of the Organization of Ukrainian nationalists (OUN). During WWII, this movement -- named after its leader, Stepan Bandera -- fought the German occupation administration in the Ukraine as well as Soviet partisans operating in the Ukraine.].

[Signed] Wissard
Major.


************************************************
The Field Police Director in Charge, attached to the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South
Diary No. 373/42
Secret
[Handwritten] Enclosure 2,
[stamp] Secret
Command Post
29 March 1942.

Subject: Activity report:

The groups of the Secret Field Police during March 1942, with the exception of the groups committed in the large-scale operation against partisans in the Snovsk area, were mainly engaged in preventing new partisan bands from being formed in the area of the 444th Security Division in the districts of Sinelnikovo-Znamenka-Orekhovo, and Kuibyshev; and in the area of the 213th Security Division in the district Mirgorod-Petrikovka.

In addition, the groups were committed to find parachutists who had been dropped to an increased extent in the districts of Romny, Sinelnikovo, and Globino.

According to reports received so far, about 200 partisans were rendered harmless.

The detailed activity report will be submitted immediately as soon as the reports from the groups have been received.

As Deputy:
[Signed] Wertel
Field Police Commissioner.


* * *

*******************************************
The Field Police Director in Charge attached to the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group
File No. 324/42 secret
[Handwritten] Enclosure 5

Headquarters, 17 March 1942.

Short summary of work in February 1942: During February 1942, the combating of partisans was continued, and the main attention was directed to building up the information network in order to prevent the reunion of such groups right from the start. In this way it was possible to render 55 partisans harmless in the area north of Mirgorod in the course of the mopping-up operations, including a partisan leader, the former teacher and present burgomaster of the district of Komyshno.

A second group at Repki and Dobrianka which had dissolved during the winter months was caught, and 130 members of this band were shot. One transmitter was secured.

Near Marganecz a large number of members of a destruction battalion were ascertained, who had made it their job to blow up the pits which were nearly completed. Hereby 127 persons were found guilty and shot.

It was possible in the district of Sofievka to ascertain a partisan group of 20 and to secure arms.

Furthermore, in Saporoshoije a band of 18 criminals was placed under arrest. This band also included females who had been given the job of enticing drivers of vehicles to go into their rooms for sexual intercourse in order to give their accomplices an opportunity thereby to plunder and damage the unguarded vehicles.

During the period covered by the report, large detachments of the Secret Field Police were transferred to the area Snovsk-Karjukovka to ascertain the location, strength, and arms of the partisans there in connection with the imminent drive.

Furthermore, the combing out of the village in the vicinity of Mirgorod for Russian soldiers who had not yet been registered with PW camps, was continued. In one district alone about 1900 Russian soldiers, who had not been registered, were apprehended and brought to the transit camp.

The activity of the Secret Field Police Group gives the following picture for the period covered by the report:

10477 persons were screened from the counterintelligence point of view; 2058 persons were arrested; 807 persons were shot as partisans, guerrillas, saboteurs, etc.; 2239 persons were taken to PW camps; 5 German soldiers were arrested for desertion.

Captured material: 65 rifles of Polish and Russian origin; 2 light machine guns; 19250 rounds infantry ammunition: 1 Russian tommy gun with ammunition drum; 3 revolvers; 1 pistol; 3 bayonets; 1015 kilogrammes explosives Tol; 2 boxes of explosives; 70 detonators for hand grenades; 1 transmitter and receiver from the Repki district in addition.

Acting:
[Signed] Wertel
Field Police Commissioner.


**********************************************
[Handwritten] Enclosure 4.

The Commander of the Rear Area Army Group South, Section Ic,
No. 5889/42
Secret
Headquarters
20 March 1942
Secret.

Subject: Commitment and tasks of the SD detachments [SD Kommandos].

A detachment of the SD, commanded by Hauptsturmfuehrer Plat, has been committed in the rear area of the army group. The detachment has to carry out orders pertaining to Security Police matters according to the direct instructions from the Reich Leader SS, for which they themselves are responsible. All headquarters are requested to help the detachment in carrying out its orders (transportation possibilities, billeting, rations). If possible, requests from the detachment to be provided with troops for cordons are to be granted. It is prohibited to have members of the Wehrmacht participate actively in executions. The order from Army Group South, Ic/Counterintelligence officer, Counter Intelligence III, of 24 September 1941, distributed with [the letter from] the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South, Ic, dated 4 October 1941, concerning the combating of elements hostile to the Reich, is referred to.

The commander of the detachment will inform me of his intentions; the division and Feldkommandantur 194 and 197 will be informed about the areas where the detachments are committed by the Ic expert of the Commander of the Rear Area of Army Group South. The detachment commander will contact the competent military headquarters as soon as he arrives in the area of commitment. The right to object does not exist for the subordinated headquarters with regard to measures carried out by the SD detachments.

The channel of command of the SD detachments to the Higher SS and Police Leader, Staff for Special Duty, is not affected by this.

[Illegible initials]
[Signed] von Roques.

Distribution: B.

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#11

Post by David Thompson » 16 Oct 2004, 01:31

"Extract of Teletype From Defendant Woehler to Army Group Southern Ukraine, 31 May 1944, Concerning Treatment of Jews", 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. p. 1264.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-3422, Prosecution Exhibit 1602.

Priority--Teletype, Ia, 0030 hrs
31 May 1944.
To Army Group Southern Ukraine.

* * *

3. Every day Jews return to Iasi. The town should be evacuated. Presumably, this cannot be achieved since the Jews in this town have allegedly paid a high special tax. So far I was not able to check on this.

In Barlad the Jews are trying to buy clothing and canned food from the soldiers. I have ordered these creatures to be arrested. To sum up--the Jews must disappear.

Woehler.

Ia/No. 3372/44
secret
Copy--
Chief of Staff,
Ia,
War Diary.
[Signed]
Reinhardt [colonel (later Brig. Gen.) Hellmuth Reinhardt, at that time the defendant Woehler's Chief of Staff.].

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#12

Post by David Thompson » 18 Oct 2004, 22:25

Copy of Letter, 22 July 1941, From 11th Army, Signed in Draft by Defendant Woehler, Concerning Photographs and Reports of Executions", 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. p. 1209.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-2523, Prosecution Exhibit 853.

Copy
11th Army Command, Sec. Ic/Counterintelligence Office
Army Headquarters
22 July 1941
[Handwritten] 74.

In view of a certain special case it seems advisable to call express attention to the following:

In view of the concept of the value of human life prevailing in eastern Europe, German soldiers might become witnesses of incidents (mass executions, killings of civilian prisoners, Jews and others) which at the moment they are unable to prevent, which, however, are offensive to the innermost German sense of honor.

It goes without saying for any normal human being, that no photographs will be made of such abominable excesses, and no report of them will be given in letters home. The production and the distribution of such photographs and reports on such incidents are looked upon as undermining the decency and discipline in the armed forces and will be severely punished. All existing photographs and reports on such excesses are to be confiscated together with the negatives and are to be sent to the Ic/counterintelligence officer of the army giving the name of the producer or distributor.

It is beneath the dignity of a German soldier to watch such incidents out of curiosity.

For the Army Command.
The Chief of the General Staff
Signed in draft:
Woehler.

**********************************************
22d Division, Sec. Ic.
Division Command Post
27 July 1941.

The above copy is being sent for your information and consideration.

For the Division Command.
First General Staff Officer
[Illegible signature].

Distribution B and subordinate units.

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#13

Post by David Thompson » 19 Oct 2004, 01:42

Report From XXX Army Corps to 11th Army, 2 August 1941, Concerning Operations Against Jews in Kodyma", 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. 1215-1216.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-650, Prosecution Exhibit 738.

Corps Hq XXX Army Corps
Section Ic
Corps Hq.
2 August 1941
[Stamp] 11th Army Section Ic, Counterintelligence Officer
6 August 1941.

To 11th Army Section Ic/Counterintelligence Officer.

Subject: Operations against Jews and Komsomol in Kodyma on 8/1/1941.

I. A Ukrainian woman was brought to Corps Headquarters Section Ic by Captain Kraemer, interpreter with the 198th Division on 8/1/1941, about noon. The woman stated as follows:

She listened in on a discussion of Jews and Bolsheviks on 7/31/1941, about 1900 hours. During this discussion a decision was reached to sabotage the German request to start work again in the fields, to spy on the German military offices in Kodyma and, after being joined by persons of the same mind from other villages, to attack the German offices and troop units of the German Army stationed in Kodyma.

For interrogation of the Ukrainian woman see Enclosure 1.

II. On the basis of this report the SS Einsatzkommando 10a, stationed in Olshanka was informed immediately. The Einsatzkommando was requested to dispatch a detachment to Kodyma immediately in order to prevent the execution of the intentions of the Jews and Bolsheviks on the same afternoon by an extensive operation in the Jewish quarter. The operation was executed under the command of SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prast, and 300 members of various troop units were also employed to block off the part of the town involved. The operation started at 1515 hours and was finished at approximately 1900 hours.

III. Results: Altogether 400 male persons were arrested, mostly Jews. They were subjected to an interrogation in the market place of Kodyma. It was remarkable that many of these Jews were from Baltic, Soroki, Yampol, and other localities formerly occupied by German troops, in particular former leading Communists, 98 of these 400 persons were proved active members of the Communist Party (functionaries and the like) and/or urgently suspect of participation in the intended plot.

The rest of the persons consisted to a great part of asocial elements of the Jewish race. The first mentioned 98 persons were shot to death outside the village pursuant to the directive of SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prast, after they were briefly screened and interrogated once more. Of those remaining 170 were detained as hostages of which 120 to 130 (old men and children) were again released in the morning of 2 August 1941, while the remaining 40 persons were detained as hostages. On the same evening, by means of loud-speaker vans, and the next morning by means of poster and the distribution of the enclosed proclamation, the population was informed of the reason for the measures taken on 1 August 1941, and given instructions for their future conduct.

IV. The night from 1-2 August 1941, in Kodyma was perfectly quiet. There were no signs whatever that any actions by Jews and Communists against the armed forces would take place.

For the Corps Headquarters
The Chief of the General Staff
[Illegible signature]
Colonel.

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#14

Post by David Thompson » 19 Oct 2004, 01:47

"Proclamation by Defendant von Salmuth to the Inhabitants of Kodyma, Issued on 1 August 1941, and Extract of Report From SS Sonderkommando 10a To Einsatzgruppe D, 3 August 1941, Concerning Kodyma Affair", 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. 1216-1217.
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-586, Prosecution Exhibit 741.

To the population of Kodyma.

1. A number of persons were shot today because it had become known to the German Command that preparations were being made for secret attacks against the troops of the German Armed Forces in the town.

2. In addition, a further number of persons were taken hostage and brought to the prison camp. They will not be harmed if the population of the town shows a quiet and loyal attitude towards the troop detachments in the town and towards German soldiers.

3. However should any troop detachments or individual German members of the armed forces or any installations of the German Armed Forces in the town or in the vicinity of Kodyma be attacked, the German Command will be obliged to order more executions. Only a quiet loyal attitude of the entire population guarantees the lives of these hostages.

4. It is hereby ordered that until further notice the population of Kodyma has to provide for the provisioning of these hostages. The major is arranging details with the local commander and the commander of the prison camp.

Starting immediately the civilian population is forbidden to leave their homes between 2030 and 0400 hours. Anyone found in the streets during this time will be shot.

Kodyma
1 August 1941
The German Command.

****************************************
Local Headquarters
3 August 1941
Sonderkommando 10a
To Einsatzgruppe D.

* * *

2. On account of riots and preparations for attacks on the German Armed Forces, a raid of the Jewish quarter of Kodyma was organized by the Teilkommando, for which the XXX Army Corps put 400 solders at the disposal of the Teilkommando. For this the use of arms was necessary. In agreement with the commanding general, 99 of the persons arrested were shot, among them 97 Jews, approximately 175 were taken as hostages, the rest released. Executions were carried out by 24 men of the armed forces and 12 of the Security Police. Details are given in the special report, enclosed herewith.

(Signed) Seetzen
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer.

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#15

Post by David Thompson » 19 Oct 2004, 01:53

Report by Sonderkommando 10a, 2 August 1941, Concerning Operation Against Jews in Kodyma", 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. 1218-1219
Partial Translation of Document NOKW-579, Prosecution Exhibit 740.

Local Headquarters
2 August 1941
Sonderkommando 10a (Petchanka).

Report.

Subject: Meetings of Jews in Kodyma.

On the strength of information given by a Ukrainian woman, according to which a secret meeting of about 50 Jewish persons was held in Kodyma at which the possibility of a surprise attack on individual German units quartered in Kodyma was discussed the Sonderkommando 10a was notified through the XXX Army Corps. From the Sonderkommando 10a a squad consisting of 2 NCO's and 14 men was detailed to investigate the matter. The information given by the Ukrainian woman was largely confirmed by the statements of several Ukrainian inhabitants of the town. In addition, several reports had been received from German soldiers stating that Jews staying in Kodyma, the majority of whom were Jews who had fled there from the districts Belzy, Soroki, etc., had shown a very hostile attitude towards German military personnel. Among other things, the Jewish manager of a soda water factory had forbidden drinks to be served to the troops, and under threat he had prevented soldiers from entering. Other Jews had gathered in groups of 10-12 and had also adopted a very hostile attitude.

After the Ic of the XXX Army Corps had detailed about 400 men for the purpose of carrying out an operation, it was possible wholly to surround and comb out the inner circle of the town--the inhabitants of which were almost 100% Jewish. A decree was then issued that all males over 15 years of age were to be arrested. Any attempt at flight or resistance would be ruthlessly countered by force of arms.

Since the Jews even then persisted in their hostile behavior and some of them attempted to escape or barricaded themselves in their houses, firearms had repeatedly to be used. One Jew was shot and another wounded. In addition, warning shots had to be fired repeatedly at the rest of the population as they tried to free those arrested or to intervene in some other way.

After the operation was over, about 400 male Jews were arrested. The majority of them had fled from districts Occupied by the advance troops and had taken refuge in Kodyma.

By interrogation of and confrontation with Ukrainian inhabitants of the town, 98 persons were identified who had taken part in the meetings or who had behaved in an insubordinate manner to the German military, or who had belonged to the Jewish intelligentsia. About 100 persons who were Ukrainians or Russians or were very old were released after appropriate fines had been imposed. With regard to the remainder, about 175 in number who were all Jews, it could not be proved that they were implicated. They were therefore handed over to the German military prison camp as hostages, while the aforementioned 98 persons were liquidated after their particulars had been taken.

During the interrogation it was ascertained that even after the arrival of the staff of the XXX Army Corps, a Jew had given refuge to a Russian officer, who had only left the town a few days before leaving his uniform behind. The Jew who had given him refuge was also arrested.

The armed forces. took part in the execution with a detachment of 24 men, while the execution detachment of Security Police taking part consisted of 12 men. An attempt at flight which took place during the execution was prevented by the use of firearms.

While preparations were being made for the execution and also during the actual execution, order had to be restored in the town by force of arms. At 2030 hours order was finally restored after the population also had been notified of the proclamation issued by the local commander stating that no one was to leave his house after 2030 hours on pain of death.

The detachment of the Security Police remained on the spot during the following night and yesterday. Up to the present no incidents have been reported.

During the following night the population was informed of the measures adopted by the German authorities by means of loudspeaker vans and posters (see enclosure) in German, Russian, and Ukrainian.

SS Hauptsturmfuehrer.

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