REICHS MINISTER FOR ARMAMENT AND WAR PRODUCTION Rue A-Artb O.I-Hoe/An Nr. 1980 / 44
BERLIN, SO 16 10 Nov 44 Tel. No. 676141
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
To:
1. The Chairman of the Armament Commission, with copies to: Rue IN (RueKdo), WKB and Rue-Representatives.
2. DAF-Department SSV
3. DAF-Department for Employment.
4. Local Distribution A.l. plus Armaments Department Labour E.
Reference: Ensuring the Discipline and output of Foreign Workers.
The Reichs Minister for the Interior, in agreement with all Departments concerned, has issued an order for ensuring the discipline and output of the foreign workers, dated 25 Sep 44, attached herewith. This order is brought to the notice of all armament departments.
It is not essential to notify factories, but it may be advisable to inquire at factories whether this order is known to the factory managers.
By order.
(sgd) Dr. HUFFAUER.
Ends. Certified:
LANGNER
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Copy
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. REICHS MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR.
File Ref Pol. S IV B—310/44 dated 25 Sept 44.
Decree for Ensuring the Discipline and Output of Foreign Workers.
Several million foreign workers are employed in the territory of the greater Reich. Up to the present, on account of just and correct treatment, and sufficient feeding, accommodation and welfare, they have made a considerable contribution to the total German working and output capacity. The present developments at this time, when the most serious decisive battle is being waged, demand the ensuring of the order and discipline amongst the foreign workers under all circumstances, together with the prevention of acts of sabotage, forming of resistance groups and revolutionary gatherings, etc.
It is of particular importance that not only the present good output should be secured, but also that further working reserves should be freed, which, without doubt, can still be obtained from these millions of foreign workers. Care must be taken, furthermore, that no intellectuals or other dangerous elements amongst the foreigners can begin to influence German works members in a defeatist or even pacifist sense. In agreement with the departments concerned, I therefore decree:
1. It is the duty of works managers and foremen to observe any developments of the frame of mind amongst foreign workers with particular care. Close co-operation between departments of the Party, the State and Industry, with departments of the Secret Police, is absolutely necessary for this purpose.
2. All men and women of the NSDAP, its subsidiaries and affiliated bodies in the works, will, in accordance with instructions from the Kreisleiters be warned by their local group leaders, and be put under obligation :
to play their part in keeping foreigners under the most careful observation. They will report the least suspicion to the works foreman, which he will pass on to the Defence Deputy, or, where such a deputy has not been appointed, to the Police Department concerned, whilst at the same time, reporting to the works manager and local group leader.
to exert untiringly and continuously their influence on the
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foreigners, both in word and deed in regard to the certainty of German victory and the German will to resist, thus producing a further increase of output in the works. Party members, both men and women, and members of Party organization and affiliated bodies must be expected more than ever before, to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner.
3. Propaganda within the works is to be increased. Foreign workers must be particularly influenced by means of camp newspapers, posters, leaflets and loudspeakers in the spirit of the German fight for existence so that a final stop is put to the increasing number of rumors which are circulating amongst them. The Gau Trustee of the DAF will issue detailed instructions in co-operation with the Gau Propaganda leader and the leader of the Gau Dept, for Social Questions.
4. The Defence Deputies appointed by the Secret State Police after investigation by the Party, are responsible for defence questions within the works and will have both the principal and the auxiliary professional work protection squad under their command. Wherever it appears necessary in the interest of a coordinated political policy the Defense Deputies will be called together by the Kreisleiters after consultation with the leader of the Secret State Police, and will be informed of the political situation. In the case of larger and particularly important works, the Secret State Police in collaboration with the Party, where necessary will arrange a strengthening of the work protection squad by suitable forces of the Party and the Army (war, wounded, convalescents, etc.).
5. In order that the tasks of the Defense Deputies may be fulfilled and in accordance with the instructions issued by the Reichs Leader SS and Leader of the Reichs Organization, works, personnel will be subordinate to the Defense Deputies in the event of danger. Organization and the power to issue orders within the works are not affected by this. So as to avoid any dissension amongst these members of the works (compare figure 2) who are members of the NSDAP every effort must be made to organize collectively all the forces concerned and they must place themselves actively at the disposal of both propaganda and security. The Gau Trustee of the DAF will take the necessary steps.
6. If outside help becomes necessary, this will be called for by the Defense Deputy through the nearest police department.
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Arrangements made in that respect must be made known to the works foreman. To avoid delay in calling such outside help, provisions must be made for the event of a breakdown of the Signals Service.
The Party executive concerned must be informed by the works foreman by the quickest possible means whenever the work protection squad is brought into action or outside help is called for.
7. The works manager, together with his Defense Deputy and works foreman is responsible that the works are held during disturbances by the use of his own forces until outside help arrives. In no circumstances is it permissible to accept any demands, nor the least signs of yielding be shown.
8. Appropriate measures to meet similar conditions, if necessary, and wherever conditions demand, are to be taken in agriculture, public transport, etc.
(sgd) Heinrich HIMMLER.
Certified copy: (sgd) Kerl
Chancellery Employee.
Circular letter and decree for the party, government, industry, and the secret police to monitor foreign workers, promote confidence in "the certainty of German victory," increase propaganda measures, and to suppress any disturbances without making any concessions
Authors
Heinrich Himmler (Reichsfuehrer-SS and Chief of Police; Minister of Interior)
Heinrich Himmler
German Nazi politician; leader of the German SS and main architect of the Holocaust (1900-1945)
- Born: 1900-10-07 (Munich)
- Died: 1945-05-23 (Lüneburg)
- Country of citizenship: German Empire (period: 1900-10-07 through 1918-01-01); Nazi Germany (since: 1923-01-01); Weimar Republic (period: 1915-01-01 through 1937-01-01)
- Occupation: farmer; laboratory technician; occultist; politician
- Member of political party: Bavarian People's Party (period: 1919-01-01 through 1923-01-01); National Socialist Freedom Movement; Nazi Party
- Member of: Academy for German Law (since: 1933-01-01); Altreichsflagge (until: 1926-01-01); Artaman League; Bund Reichskriegsflagge
- Participant in: Beer Hall Putsch (date: 1923-11-09); Nazi human experimentation (role: administrator); Night of the Long Knives
- Significant person: Rudolf Brandt (role: secretary, stenographer; since: 1934-01-01)
Theo Hupfauer (Dr., German Labor Front (DAF))
Theo Hupfauer
German politician and jurist
- Born: 1906-07-17 (Dellmensingen)
- Died: 1993-08-31 (Munich)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: jurist; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Member of: Germania zu Würzburg; Schutzstaffel
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/8364741
- WorldCat Identities ID: https://worldcat.org/identities/viaf-8364741
Date: 10 November 1944
Literal Title: Reference: Ensuring the Discipline and output of Foreign Workers.
Defendant: Martin Bormann
Total Pages: 4
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: D-226
Citation: IMT (page 2815)
HLSL Item No.: 453131
Notes:Hupfauer distributed Himmler's decree (25 September) on 10 November 1944.
Trial Issues
Forced labor and mistreatment of workers in war economy (IMT, NMT 2) Nazi regime (rise, consolidation, economic control, and militarization) (I…
Document Summary
D-226: Circular from Speer distributing Himmler's instructions re securing of output and discipline among foreign workers