TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT I3I6-PS

Working Committee Oldenburg
B.Nr. 15/41 g.Kdos. 21.3.41
' 2 copies
1st. copy.
TOP SECRET Note for Files.
Regarding the discussion held on the 21.3.41. at 11 o'clock with the head of the department.
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Top Secret
Present: General Thomas, Colonel Huenermann, Lt. Col. Luther, Major v. Gusevius.
From the Quartermaster General: Major v. Altenstadt, Min. Dir. Sarnow.
Major v. a. develops the idea of the Quartermaster General regarding the employment of his organization. The Fuehrer had laid down that he would appoint his three commissioners in about four weeks time. Only then would he lay down the directives for their activities.
The Quartermaster General thinks it necessary to create a modest economic organization in the operational area as well, so as to be able to supply the needs of the fighting forces. This organization would later be replaced by the office of the industrial armaments organization. This was to a certain extent a measure of self-help by the Quartermaster General. He would also employ field-commands, which would be manned by individual officials. As soon as the operational area has moved on, the handing over of large areas has been planned. At this time the Quartermaster General's organizations will be withdrawn and their tasks will be taken over by the industrial armaments organization.
Regarding the present organization of the areas he mentioned the following:
Operational Area: Army area
Rear area of the Army
Political Area: in which the Wehrmacht commanders operate.
In the rear area of the army, the Reichsleader of the SS is first of all responsible for the entire control, except for the economic field. The Wehrmacht commanders are made responsible for the exploitation of the country's industry. According to the general interpretation, this only means a utilization "for purposes of the Wehrmacht". Quartermaster General makes the following proposal:
The department IV-Wi at Army Commands will be enlarged, so that they are able to direct industry in the operational area. For this purpose the V.O. are to be strengthened by suitable personnel who can be employed in the spheres of banking, customs and finance.
OKW/industrial armaments department will put its demands to Quartermaster General. Quartermaster General will pass these demands in the form of an order to the V.O. at Army Commands. The IV Wi will of course receive the technical instructions from
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Industrial Armaments through the official channels, just as Industrial Armaments is also providing the organization in the form of IV Wi.
The proposal meets with general approval.
With regard to basic directives the representative of the Quartermaster General mentions:
Each army is followed by a security division. For reasons of expediency the industrial armaments commands in the beginning will be attached to these security divisions. As soon as operations have made further progress, the industrial armaments commands will come under the Wehrmacht commanders.
The Quartermaster General thinks it expedient, that the industrial armament Staff should be near to or actually with the Quartermaster General whilst operations are in progress. Only thus can it be guaranteed that the Industrial Armament Staff is kept informed of the progress of the operations as a whole, and of the intentions of the leadership. As soon as operations cease, the Industrial Armaments Staff will join the Industrial Armaments Department, as the inspectorates (with the Reich Commissioners) will then be operating as their economic department. The main activity of the Industrial Armaments Staff will then be properly in Berlin.
The Quartermaster General does not intend to create a Quartermaster General organization for the East. He will attach a General Staff Officer as representative to each Army Group. The Quartermaster General intends to go forward in person.
Min. Dir. Samow mentions that there is in existence an agricultural atlas of Russia which contains the latest information about all tractor stations. This atlas is in the possession of Secretary of State Backe. Acquaintance with this atlas is of the greatest importance for the V. 0. and the industrial armaments commands. General Thomas orders that this atlas be obtained. On the basis of this publication the Quartermaster General is to receive information on how to supply the fighting forces with circulars containing detailed instructions regarding the armaments department to provide the Quartermaster General with the contributions required for compiling these circulars for the fighting forces. The Quartermaster General's representative mentions that it is intended to attach suitable individuals for the securing of these tractor stations to the armoured divisions.
In these circulars the primary demand made on the fighting forces will be:
a. Securing of all supplies found.
b. Safeguarding of all tractors and fuel in stock.
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Quartermaster General states that Admiral Canaris has drawn up a list of reliable people with detailed knowledge of the locality and industry, who are to be employed immediately on entry. For the occupation of East-Galicia, special oil-detachments are to be provided, where possible from the present West-Galicia, to take over supervision of the oil installations in the district of Lemberg immediately.
The Chief of the department sums up:
1. The most urgent task is the strengthening of IV Wi. The staff of the industrial armaments command takes over the responsibility for this.
2. In the rear of the army area it is the intention to appoint a commanding general in the area of each Army Command, under whose command the security divisions will also be placed. Here in the industrial armaments commands are to be introduced and attached to the security divisions. As soon as this rear army area passes into the political area, the armament commands, or the industrial armament inspectorates, will come under the command of the Wehrmacht Commander.
3. The Reich Commissioners take over political administration in the so-called political area.
4. The inspectorates and industrial armaments commands furthest to the rear (western) must be the first to be employed, i.e., must be in front. They are the first to reach their final areas. Distribution:
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Staff of the Industrial Armaments Department Working Committee Oldenburg.