High Command of the Armed Forces
WFSt/Dep.L(IV/Qu) Fuehrer's HQ., 27 July 1941
Nr.001590/41 Top Secret. [illegible notations]
TOP SECRET
24 copies 20th copy
Reference: OKW/TsT/ Dep. L(IV Qu)
Nr. 44718/41 Top Secret S.O. 14 May 1941,
Re: Military Courts.
In accordance with the regulation concerning classified material, the following offices will destroy all copies of the Fuehrer's decree of 13 May 1941 issued in the communication mentioned above:
a. All offices upwards to (the ranks of) General Commands inclusive.
b. Group Commands of the armored troops.
c. Army Commands and offices of equal rank, if there is an inevitable danger that they might fall into the hands of unauthorized persons (Rules concerning classified materials No. 58).
The validity of the decree is not affected by the destruction of the copies. In accordance with paragraph III it remains the personal responsibility of the Commanding Officers to see to it that the officers and legal advisers are instructed in time and that only those sentences are confirmed which correspond to the political intentions of the High Command.
C—51
This order will be destroyed together with the copies of the Fuehrer's decree.
The Chief of the High Command [signed] Keitel
Distribution :
The same as referred to in the communication above, and Gen. on special mission with High Command Army.
[rubber stamp with hand markings:]
Enel to /SKI 17245/init top secret.
Instructions to offices of general commands, group commands, and army commands to destroy copies of Hitler's decree of 13 May 1941 on the measures to be used in the occupation of the USSR
Authors
Wilhelm Keitel (Field Marshal, Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces)
Wilhelm Keitel
German field marshal
- Born: 1882-09-22 (Helmscherode) (country: German Empire; located in the administrative territorial entity: Duchy of Brunswick)
- Died: 1946-10-16 (Nuremberg) (country: Allied-occupied Germany)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: military officer; military personnel; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Military rank: general field marshal
- Military branch: artillery
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/74027425
Date: 27 July 1941
Literal Title: Re: Military Courts
Defendant: Wilhelm Keitel
Total Pages: 1
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-51
Citation: IMT (page 2406)
HLSL Item No.: 452032
Notes:For Hitler's decree of 13 May 1941, see document C 50. This order to destroy the copies had no effect on the enforcement of Hitler's decree.
Trial Issues
Wars of aggression Hostage-taking and reprisal actions, including killings and fines (IMT, NM…
Document Summary
C-51: A Military Decree of Hitler signed by Keitel (photostats) amending earlier decree for administration of occupied Russia. These incriminating decrees must be destroyed, but must be enforced