COPY
75.) 9.4. 4/27
Berlin, 4/6/1938 4/27
The Minister of the Reich and Head of the Reichschancellery R.K. 153 B g Rs vol. 94-4
Top Secret
[Geheime Kommandosache]
E 271
To the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces (OKW)
General of Artillery Keitel or to his Official Deputy.
Dear General:
The enclosed copies, concerning the Plenipotentiary for War Economy and the decree concerning the command of the armed forces, dated February '4, 1938, are respectfully submitted, with request to take notice.
Heil Hitler!
W 4/12 Very sincerely yours
[signed] Dr. Lammers
2 enclosures [Rubber stamp] WSTb. W Wi I a 11 April Tb a II II/4 1938 I
Az -Nr. 923 138 gk. Anl.
(Very Urgent!)
Nr. 610/38 g. Kdos. IV a
1182
EC-271
Top Secret
To W Stb. _
Above copy transmitted with request to take notice.
I.A.
[signed] Mueller.
[Pencil note] 2.I.U.C.
1 a Spitzengliederung 11 b
COPY
Berlin 31.3.1938
Copy to Rk. 153 B.G.Rs. '
The Plenipotentiary for War Economy.
G.B. 649/38 g. Rs.
Top Secret
To the Reich Minister and Head of the Reich Chancellery Dr. Lammers Berlin.
Dear Dr. Lammers:
In connection with a trip to Austria I have among other matters talked to General Fieldmarshal Goering also about the position of the Plenipotentiary for War Economy. I have pointed out that—contrary to the attitude of the OKW of which I was informed the decree of 4 February 1938 concerning the leadership of the Wehrmacht did not change the position of the Plenipotentiary for War Economy. Aside from the fact that this decree, according to its heading, applies exclusively to the "command of the armed forces", the tasks of the OKW, as mentioned especially in the last paragraph in question, are dependent upon instructions of the Fuehrer. Moreover, to the instructions of the Fuehrer, belongs also the decision of the Reich Government of 21 May 1935, according to which the Plenipotentiary for War Economy, in his sphere of duty as Supreme Reich authority, is immediately subordinated to the Fuehrer.
General Fieldmarshal Goering assured me that my interpretation, as mentioned above, was correct in every respect and also corresponds with the Fuehrer's opinion. I asked him to give me a brief written confirmation. General Fieldmarshal Goering promised to grant this request.
I am transmitting these facts to you for your information, so that you may make use of them, should the occasion arise.
" Heil Hitler !
Yours
[signed] WALTER FUNK.
1183
EC-27!
COPY
Berlin, 6 April 1938
Copy to Rk. 153 B.g. Rs.
The Reich Minister and Head of the Reich Chancellery Rk. 153 B. g. Rs.
Re: Letter from the Plenipotentiary for War-Economy G.B. 649/38 g. Rs.
regarding decree concerning command of Armed Forces, dated 4 February 1938.
Top Secret
[Geheime Kommandosache]
To the Reich and Prussian Minister of Economics Walter Funk or official deputy. '
Dear Mr. Funk!
When reporting to the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor the draft of the decree concerning the command of the Armed Forces, dated 4 Febr. 1938, I extended my report also to the Plenipotentiary for War Economy. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor expressed himself in a definite manner, to the effect that his previous instructions with regard to the Plenipotentiary for War Economy, were in no way affected by this decree. The wording in the last paragraph of the decree was formulated in its present manner, for the precise purpose of corresponding with the conception of the Fuehrer. In consequence the position and the sphere of duty of the Plenipotentiary for War Economy have not been altered by the mentioned decree.
Both, General Fieldmarshal Goering and the Commander of the OKW have received one copy each, of your letter of 3.3.1938, as well as of this letter.
Heil Hitler !
Very sincerely yours [signed] Dr. Lammers