NATIONAL SOCIALIST GERMAN WORKERS PARTY The Deputy of the Fuehrer [Receipt Stamp:
Chancellery Rosenberg No. 941, dated 1 April 1940]
Munich 33, 13 March 1940
Brown House
TOP SECRET!
(Initialled): R DIRECTIVE A 5/40 g- '
Subject: Instructions to the civilian population regarding appropriate behavior in case of landings of enemy planes or parachutists in German territory [Reichsgebiet]
The French civilian population was directed officially and by radio how to behave in case of landings by German planes.
On account of this fact the Commander in Chief of the Air Force has requested me to instruct the civilian population correspondingly by means of party channels.
The attached directions as to procedure are to be disseminated only orally via: district leaders [Kreisleiter], local municipal leaders [Ortsgruppenleiter], cell leaders [Zellenleiter], block leaders [Blockleiter], leaders of the incorporated and affiliated organizations of the party. Transmittal by official orders, posters, press or radio is prohibited.
1 enclosure Authenticated:
(F.d.R.)
FRIEDRICHS
signed: R. HESS
OFFICIAL STAMP: TOP SECRET (gives the exact routine instructions how to handle state secrets)
1. This is a state secret in the sense of par. 88 Reich Criminal Code in the wording of the law of 24 April 1934. German laws of 1934 Vol. 1 p. 341 ff.
2. To be passed on only personally or upon personal written request in two envelopes against receipt certificate.
3. Transmission if possible through courier or trusted personality; in case of postal transmission as money-letter (value 1050 marks).
4. Multiplication of any kind as well as making of excerpts is
Prohibited.
107
062-PS
5. Recipient responsible for safe keeping, results in severest punishment.
Violation of this
DISTRIBUTION
Members of the Executive Board of the NSDAP
Regional Leaders
Adjutant's Office of the Fuehrer
Liaison Staff of the NSDAP
Reich Organization Directorate
Reich Propaganda Directorate
Reich Student Leadership
SS Gruppenfuehrer HEYDRICH.
INCLOSURE TO DIRECTIVE—A 5/40 g Direction about behavior in case of landings of enemy planes
or parachutists
1. Each enemy plane landing on German soil is to be put under effective protection immediately.
2. The airmen are to be arrested at once, and, first of all, a restarting as well as the destruction or burning of the plane or its contents are to be prevented.
3. It is to be kept especially in mind that each part of the plane, even the smallest, or of the equipment of the airmen is important and of the utmost significance to the competent service office. The retaining of any objects—possibly as souvenirs—is detrimental to the country's defense, and will be punished as looting according to law. This category includes also, i. e. notebooks, letters, postal cards, either in the plane or in the clothing of killed or wounded airmen. Any attempt by enemy airmen to destroy such objects is to be prevented by all means.
4. Likewise, enemy parachutists are immediately to be arrested or liquidated [Unschädlich Gemacht],
- 5. The nearest military or constabulary post is to be informed at once.
108
Instructions to party and regional and local government officials on steps to be taken regarding Allied planes: crews to be arrested, planes secured for inspection, and parachutists to be arrested or "liquidated"
Authors
Rudolf Hess (Deputy to the Fuehrer; minister without portfolio)
Rudolf Hess
German Nazi leader (1894-1987)
- Born: 1894-04-26 (Alexandria)
- Died: 1987-08-17 (Spandau Prison) (located in the administrative territorial entity: West Berlin)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: aircraft pilot; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Member of: Thule Society
- Participant in: Beer Hall Putsch
- Military rank: lieutenant
Date: 13 March 1940
Literal Title: Subject: Instructions to the civilian population regarding appropriate behavior in case of landings of enemy planes or parachutists in German territory (Reichsgebiet)
Defendants: Martin Bormann, Hermann Wilhelm Goering, Rudolf Hess
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: PS-062
Citation: IMT (page 2813)
HLSL Item No.: 453138
Notes:The instructions were issued at Goering's request.
Document Summary
PS-62: Directive A 5/40 g - Instructions to civilians re enemy planes and parachutists
PS-62: Secret order by Hess, 13 March 1940, concerning instructions to be given to the civil population on their course of action in case of landings by enemy aircraft or parachutists on German Reich territory