TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 666-PS

SECRET
The Fuehrer and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
DIRECTIVES
for the prosecution of offences against the Reich or against the occupation authorities in the occupied territories.
474
666-PS
666-PS
7 December 1941
With the beginning of the Russian campaign, communist elements and other anti-German circles increased their attacks on the Reich and the occupation authorities in the occupied terri-tpries. The extent and the danger of these activities compel to most severe measures against the guilty for the purpose of intimidation.
For the time being the following directions shall be observed:
I
In regard to offences committed by non-German civilians in the occupied territories against the Reich or the occupation authorities which endanger their security or efficiency, the death sentence is adequate as a matter of principle.
II '
The offences referred to in section I are to be tried in the occupied territories only if it is likely that the guilty persons, at least the main offenders, will be sentenced to death and if the proceedings and the execution of the death sentences can be carried out quickly. Otherwise the offenders, at least the main offenders, are to be brought to Germany.
III
Guilty persons who are brought to Germany are to be subject to court-martial proceedings there only if specific military interests make it necessary. German or foreign authorities making inquiries are to be told that the guilty persons had been arrested and that the state of the proceedings did not permit to give further information.
IV '
The commanders in the occupied territories and the legal representatives are personally responsible for the execution of this decree within the framework of their competence.
VI
The chief of the high command of the armed forces determines in which occupied territories this decree is to be applied. He is authorized to explain, to make provisions for the execution of the decree and to supplement it. The Reich minister of justice issues the provisions for the execution of the law for his district.
The Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces -By order (I.A.)
(signed) KEITEL
475
666-PS
DISTRIBUTION:
Foreign Office
Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery Reich leader SS and Chief of the German police in the Reich Ministry of Interior.
High Command of the Army (Chef H. Ruest u. BDE— HR) with 7 N. A.
High Command of the Navy (MR) with 1 N. A.
Reich Minister of Aviation and Commander-in-Chief of the Air force (ZAR) with 1 N. A.
President of the Reich Court-Martial Commander Southeast with 4 N. A. .
Commander Norway Commander Netherlands Commander Eastland Commander Ukraine
Plenipotentiary of the armed forces with the Reich Protector Bohemia and Moravia Armistice Commission Wiesbaden High Command of the Armed Forces:
Chief West
Abt. L with 8 N. A.
W Pr
Amt Aus 1/Abw. (ZR)
Abt. Ausl. '
Abw. Ill
AWA