DECREES, REGULATIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS [Verfuegungen, Anordnungen, Bekanntgaben] Vol. 3,
Pages 354-355.
21 February 1940
Waffen SS
Recruiting for "Waffen SS"
Induction of men fit for military service
Special objectives were given to the Elite Guard [Schutzstaffel] of the NSDAP by the Fuehrer within the frame work of the Reich defense. The Elite guard needs a very large number of men fit for military service for developing the Waffen SS in the future which will be employed in the execution of these tasks. Their induction is effected in accordance with an agreement be-
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tweeri Reichsfuehrer SS and the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.
The Fuehrer desires that the Party supports to the largest extent the efforts of the Elite guard to find recruits for the Waffen SS from the ranks of the movement. I hold all functionaries of the Party responsible in this respect.
The executory regulations will be issued by the organizational leader of the Reich [Reichsorganisationsleiter] with my consent. Recruiting for "Waffen SS"—Order A 7/40
By order A7/40 to the Elite guard in recruiting for the. Waffen SS from the ranks of the movement. It has been reported to the Party chancellery that in many cases information is lacking as to the reasons for strengthening the Waffen SS.
For the purpose of information, I therefore state that a part of the Waffen SS has to stay in the occupied Eastern territories or will be "committed there as ,a new unit, respectively, in exchange with formations deployed in the West, of course. The units of Waffen SS, consisting of National Socialists, are more suitable than other armed units for the specific tasks to be solved in the occupied Eastern territories due to their intensive national-socialist training in regard to questions of race and nationality. Moreover, the military assignments given to the Waffen SS in the West require continuous shipping of replacements to the existing SS units.
In that connection I call attention to the fact that fortunately party members, especially political leaders who have distinguished themselves as speakers or in the training program, quite frequently are ca.lled upon by the armed forces to act as speakers or as political instructors in their units. It should therefore be kept in mind that party members who are fitted for such assignments by reason of their political activity are to be placed at the disposal of the Army at first call. Furthermore, the continuance of complete freedom of party action and the existence of sufficient and suitable manpower for executing the objectives, which were assigned to the Party during the war, will be the prime consideration in the recruiting drive of party members for the Waffen SS.
The procedure of exchange arranged with the Armed Forces is herewith authorized also for party members of major offices serving with the Waffen SS.
Enlistment for Waffen SS—Rumors
Again I call attention to the fact that continuous and energetic assistance is to be given by the functionaries to the currently or-
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ganized enlistment of volunteers for the units of the Waffen SS. According- to reports which I have received the rumor circulates in some districts that the units of the Waffen SS have suffered particularly high losses. These rumors must be combated effectively, for they are unfounded. The units of the Waffen SS have not suffered higher losses than corresponding formations of the army.
Induction of Nordic Men of foreign nationality by the Waffen SS
The Waffen SS inducts by decree of the Fuehrer at present among others also such nordic men of foreign nationality who volunteer for duty with the Waffen SS. The selection of these men is effected according to special considerations. At the time of their induction they take the oath of allegiance to the Fuehrer just as all other SS men. The recruiting office [Ergaenzungs-amt] of the Waffen SS is charged with the induction. It utilizes also partly in this connection branch offices, located in Germany, of related political groups of other countries.
I am informing you of these instructions "strictly confidentially".