Berlin, 11. 2. 1943
Naval War Staff
New: Reg. No. 1. Ski Ii Top Secret
requested by: 3rd Ski. 1219 g. of 2/1/43.
Top Secret
[Pencil note:] I suggest informing Chief 3/SKL-Ie—the subordinate commanders are informed.
Top Secret, to be transmitted by officer courier.
I Via la to be shown to l./SKL (Naval War Staff.)
Subject: Treatment of Saboteurs:
From the notice given by 3/SKL (Naval War Staff) on February 1st 43 it has been discovered that the competent depart-
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C—178
ments of the General Staff of the Army, as well as those of the Air Force Operations Staff have a wrong conception regarding the treatment of saboteurs. A telephone enquiry at 3/SKL proved that this Naval authority was not correctly informed either. In view of this situation, reference is made to figure 6 of the Fuehrer order of October 18, 42. (Appendix to volume No. 1. SKL I Ops 26 367/42 Top Secret of October 28. 42) according to which all commanders and officers, who have neglected their duty in instructing their units about the order referring to treatment of saboteurs, are threatened with punishment by court martial.
The first Fuehrer order concerning this matter of October 18. 42 (Appendix to Volume No. 1. SKL. 1 Ops 2108/42 Top Secret of October 27.42) was given the protection of Top Secret merely because it is stated therein:
1. That, according to the Fuehrer's views the spreading of military sabotage organizations in the East and West may have pretentious consequences for our whole conduct of the war and
2. That the shooting of uniformed prisoners acting on military orders must be carried out even after they have surrendered voluntarily and asked for pardon.
On the other hand, the annihilation of sabotage units in battle is not at all to be kept secret but on the contrary to be currently published in the OKW (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) reports. The purpose of these measures to act as a deterrent, will not be achieved, if those taking part in enemy "Commando Operations" would not learn that certain death and not safe imprisonment awaits them. As the saboteurs are to be annihilated immediately, unless their statements are first needed for military reasons, it is necessary that not only all members of the Armed Forces must receive instructions that these types of saboteurs, even if they are in uniform, are to be annihilated, but also all departments of the home staff, dealing with this kind of question, must be informed of the course of action which has been ordered.
Practical difficulties may develop because of the definition of the term "sabotage units". The annihilation instructions, according to figure 5 of the Fuehrer order of October 18, 1942, do not apply to troops participating in large scale landing operations and large scale air borne operations. The criterion is to be found in that in the latter case an open battle takes place, whereas, for instance, 10 or more people who land by sea or air or drop by parachute not to fight an open battle but to destroy either a factory, a bridge or a railway installation, would fall into the category of those who must be annihilated.
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It is to be assumed that Security III is acquainted with the Fuehrer order and will therefore reply accordingly to the objections of the Army General Staff and the Air Force Operations Staff. As far as the Navy is concerned, it remains to be seen whether or not this case should be used to make sure, after a conference with the C-in-C of the Navy, that all departments concerned have an entirely clear conception regarding the treatment of members of commando units.
II Ii
[Initials illegible]
Memorandum on enforcing Hitler's order that saboteurs and commandos should be "annihilated" (shot) when captured, and the executions should be publicized
Date: 11 February 1943
Literal Title: Subject: Treatment of Saboteurs:
Total Pages: 2
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: C-178
Citation: IMT (page 2179)
HLSL Item No.: 451830
Notes:For Hitler's order of 18 October 1942, see documents PS 498 and C 179 (US exhibit 543).
Trial Issues
Criminal organizations (Gestapo, Leadership Corps, Cabinet, SS, SD, OKW) (… Partisan fighters (and commandos), operations against, and treatment of (I…
Document Summary
C-178: Top secret communication by the OKM, dated 11 Feb 43, re liquidation of saboteurs. Initialled illegibly. No addresses