The "Selbstschutz" paramilitary forces, formed by members of the German minority in Poland and led by SS officials, performed mass executions during the "Intelligenzaktion Pommern" in the "Fordon Valley of Death", the Massacres in Piaśnica, and other atrocities. In a letter to Himmler, Alvensleben complained about scrupulous Wehrmacht officers too weak to take drastic measures. In 1939 he confiscated the Jewish-owned manors of Rucewo and Rucewko in Reichsgau Wartheland.