dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
the hope that by that time the development of the military situation would prevent the payment (American tanks had already been reported in Chartres). In addition to the increase of occupation cost payments I negotiated since 7 August upon suggestion of our military agencies with the Governor of the Bank of France, de Boisanger, about transport for safeguarding of the large reserves in bills in Paris (60 billion F. frs.) and Clermont Ferrand (80 billion F. frs.) to eastern France. Readiness of the Bank of France to do so was undoubtedly present, the existing transport facilities and the requisite military protection however extremely slight. A first transport of 25 billion from Paris to Nancy was scheduled for 12 August; simultaneously also the installment of 8 billion due on the 12th was to be sent off because there would be no other transport opportunity for it. This transport was carried out. For a second transport of 25 billion the military could no more make available any trucks. Railroads are also out. Therefore, the German Bank commissioner tried to transfer 10 billion F. frs. on 2 trucks of the Bank of France in another transport about the completion of which there is no report yet. Still greater were the difficulties of transport and protection for the transfer of 80 billion reserves in bills from Clermont-Ferrand to Dijon and Lyon, because there direct transport is being obstructed by Maquis and transport therefore had to be directed via Paris. Ten billion of these did arrive. Further transports are improbable in view of the development in the meantime. However, on the morning of the following day, 17 August, I again negotiated orally with Minister Cathala and Governor de Boisanger about our demand for increase of occupation costs. Cathala at this opportunity declared as per order of President Laval that the French government now definitely refuses the demanded increase for reasons already stated. I stated that therewith I had to consider our negotiations as definitely frustrated and therefore reserve subsequent decisions to my government. At I had learned in the meantime that the convention in the Bank of France necessary for the installment of 8 billion due on 21 August
reasons already stated. I stated that therewith I had to consider our negotiations as definitely frustrated and therefore reserve subsequent decisions to my government. At I had learned in the meantime that the convention in the Bank of France necessary for the installment of 8 billion due on 21 August had not yet been applied for, i.e., that on the due date new difficulties for the payment had to be expected, I expressed the definite expectation of the Reich Cabinet that order to pay the balance will be issued on time by the Ministry of Finances, Cathala thereupon declared that the French Government for a period of more than 4 years always fulfilled its obligations promptly. As long as he functioned as minister of Finances he always considered it his special duty to fulfill the obligations contracted by the French Government; he would act the same way now in case he should still be in office on the 21 August. By saying so he distinctly alluded to the pending plans for a change of government and the present serious situation of President Laval. [Note: The original shows numerous corrections in ink. Translation followed the corrected version.] PART 51 Copy In the field 7 September 1944 The Military Commander in France To Distribution The French government has not yet paid the 2nd September installment of the occupation costs which were due 21 August. For the securing of the French for the armed forces, stationed on French soil, I order the following. The administrative headquarters [Feldkommandaturen; FK] mentioned in the distribution, will confiscate at once half of the cash amounts of francs at the branch of the Bank of France, located at their official station, and will cause the removal under military guard to the following Reichskreditkassen: Belfort, Colmar, Muehausen, Strassburg, Saargemund, and Saarlautern. According to the situation of end of July, the following cash amounts were with the branches of the Bank of France: Belfort 698 million francs, Besancon 642, Epinal 853, Luneville 93, Nancy 1,411, Nevers 1,016, Saint Die 181, Vesoul 227. Furthermore, 2 billion francs in thousand-franc notes are in the vault of the Bank of France in Nancy or Epinal, which were brought via transport in the middle
were with the branches of the Bank of France: Belfort 698 million francs, Besancon 642, Epinal 853, Luneville 93, Nancy 1,411, Nevers 1,016, Saint Die 181, Vesoul 227. Furthermore, 2 billion francs in thousand-franc notes are in the vault of the Bank of France in Nancy or Epinal, which were brought via transport in the middle of August from Paris to Nancy. Those 2 billion francs are also to be confiscated and to be removed. /s/ Kitzinger General of the Air Force Distribution (in pencil) FK Belfort 698 Besancon 642 Epinal 853 Luneville 93 Nancy 1,411 Nevers 1,016 Saint Die 181 Vesoul 227 6,131 : 2 = 3 billion francs + 2 billion francs 5 billion francs were to be confiscated Order was forwarded by telephone PART 53 German Armistice Delegation for Economics Wiesbaden 16 November 1944 No. 2971 Enclosures Berlin C 111, 7 November 1944 Chief Administration of the Reichskreditkassen Journal No. 10906/44 Re: Your letter of 12 October 1944 No. II 2846 The French moneys in the amount of frs 2,931,000,000 deposited with us by the military commander in France have been accounted for by us with the Bank of France, Belfort branch, as per our letter of 25 October 1944, photocopy of which is enclosed. Chief Administration of the Reichskreditkassen [initials illegible] To the German Armistice delegation for Economics (12 b) Salzburg Hotel Osterreichischerhof Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression Volume IV Office of the United States Chief Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality Washington, DC : United States Government Printing Office, 1946 Previous Document Volume IV Menu
Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression Volume IV
Document No. 1742-PS
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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1742-PS
The Reichmarshal of the Greater German Reich.
V.P. 18727/6/3
Distribution:
Berlin, October 26, 1942
W-8 No. 3, Leipziger Street
OKW W.F.St.
OKW Wi Amt,
OKH Gen.St.d.H.
OKW Gen. Qu.
Chef d. Gen.St.d. Luftw.
Reichsfuehrer SS,
Ostmin.
Reichsernaehrungsmin.
Chef wi Srab Ost
Gen. Bev. f. d. Arb. Eins.,
Org. Todt,
Reischsarbeitsdienst,
Chefgr. Ernaehrung.
Simultaneously with the intensified combating of gang activities, [Bandentaetigkeit] ordered by the Fuehrer, and with the cleaning up of the Hinterland in particular that behind the Army Group Middle, I request that the following aspects are taken into consideration and that the deductions drawn therefrom are put into practice.
1. During combating of the underground and the combing through of the areas contaminated by them, all the available cattle stock there, must simultaneously be driven off to safe areas. Food supplies are to be evacuated and protected similarly, so that they will no more be accessible to the bands.
2. All masculine and feminine labour which can be considered for some kind of employment, must be seized by force and transported to the plenipotentiary Chief of the Labour Exchange who will employ them in the safe areas of the hinterland or at home. The accommodation of the children in the hinterland camps is to be regulated separately.
3. In the execution of the directives outlined under pars 1 and 2, no regard is to be paid to whether the agricultural or any other production in these areas will suffer or succumb owing to these measures. Since up to now these band infested areas have nothing to show in the way of production anyway, but were directly or indirectly useful to the bands.
I request all authorities concerned, in as far as it is necessary, in mutual agreement, to effect the requisites within their spheres of competence, in order to act according to the directives outlined by me.
to show in the way of production anyway, but were directly or indirectly useful to the bands. I request all authorities concerned, in as far as it is necessary, in mutual agreement, to effect the requisites within their spheres of competence, in order to act according to the directives outlined by me.
About the detailed delimitation of areas an Agreement must be reached between the various head groups of agriculture of the Economy Offices [Wirtschaftsdienststellen].
(signed) Goering
attested:
Schwimpe
Registrar of the Ministry.
Source:
Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression Volume IV
Office of the United States Chief Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality
Washington, DC : United States Government Printing Office, 1946
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Document No. 1743-PS
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PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1743-PS
[Page 1] Economic Operations Staff East
TOP SECRET
Note: Up to mobilization day these instructions are to be treated as "Top secret", as of mobilization day open for "Restricted".
Guiding Principles for the Economic operations in the newly occupied Eastern territories
(Green portfolio)
Section I Assignments and organization of the Economy
Berlin, June 1941 Printed at the Armed Forces High Command Introductory remark. [page 3]
The "green portfolio", Section I, serves the military leadership and the Economic offices for orientation in the Economic assignments in the Eastern territories to be newly occupied. It contains instructions concerning the supplying of the troops from that land and provides the guiding principles for the troops to assist the Economy.
The instructions and guiding principles contained in the "green portfolio" correspond to the military orders issued by the armed forces high command and the branches of the armed forces.
The Major Economic Assignments
The following executions are first of all intended for orientation during the course of operations. But they contain simultaneously the guiding principles, which serve for the duration of the occupation as a fundamental principle. The Economic arrangements necessary in the further progress of the occupation will be released as soon as the great political aim is publicized, which will be determined in connection with the necessary improvement of the German war Economy.
I. In accordance with the commands given by the Fuehrer, all measures are to be taken which are necessary, to bring about the immediate and highest possible exploitation of the occupied territories in favor of Germany. On the contrary all measures are to be refrained or to be held back that could be harmful to this goal.
given by the Fuehrer, all measures are to be taken which are necessary, to bring about the immediate and highest possible exploitation of the occupied territories in favor of Germany. On the contrary all measures are to be refrained or to be held back that could be harmful to this goal.
II. The Exploitation of the territories to be newly occupied must be executed first of all in the realm of food and mineral oil economy. To gain for Germany as much food stuff and mineral oil as possible is the main goal of this action. Aside of that order raw materials are to be transported from the occupied territories for the German War Economy, insofar as it is technically possible and with a view towards the production to be maintained outside. As far as kind and amount of the factory production to be maintained the occupied territory, to be reconstructed or newly ordered is concerned, this likewise is also in the very first line to be decided according to the needs, provided by the exploitation of the agriculture and the mineral oil Economy for the German War Economy.
the factory production to be maintained the occupied territory, to be reconstructed or newly ordered is concerned, this likewise is also in the very first line to be decided according to the needs, provided by the exploitation of the agriculture and the mineral oil Economy for the German War Economy.
For the Economic leadership in the occupied territories the main points are to be clearly outlined in accordance with this. This is valid with regards to the main aim as well as for the individual assignments and those that serve to aid their execution. From that it can be further concluded, that these assignments, that cannot agree with the given basic direction toward the goal, respectively those that may make their retention difficult, must be left out of consideration, no matter if their individual compilation does appear desirable. The conception would be totally off the track, if it would come to the point to uniformly pursue the idea in the occupied territories, that it can be directly restored to order and reconstructed with the greatest expediency. The treatment of the individual districts of the country will have to be on the contrary, entirely varied. Only those territories must be economically promoted and urgently kept in order in which considerable food and mineral oils can be rendered accessible for us. In other sections of the country, which cannot feed themselves-therefore in big sections of north and middle Russia-the economic operations must be limited to the available supplies.
Which mobilization factories are to be maintained or reconstructed, is reserved for later decision.
III. The individual fields consist of the following [Page 4]:
a. Food and agriculture:
in big sections of north and middle Russia-the economic operations must be limited to the available supplies. Which mobilization factories are to be maintained or reconstructed, is reserved for later decision. III. The individual fields consist of the following [Page 4]: a. Food and agriculture:
1. The main assignments to be accomplished as soon as possible, is the uninterrupted supply of the German troops, in order thereby to relieve the supply situation in Europe and to ease the burden on the means of transport. The entire need of oats for the armed forces is to be taken care of from middle Russia, the main section for the growth of oats, insofar as it cannot be obtained from other occupied territories. In South-Russia it is to be achieved to feed barley and corn instead of oats.
2. The main weight in procuring of food stuff for the domestic economy has to be placed on grain and oil fruits. The surplus of the crop that can be obtained and stocks in the southern territories are to be secured by all means, the proper handling of the harvest is to be watched, the removal into agricultural deficient Middle and North Russia has to be stopped ruthlessly, insofar as exceptions are not ordered or made necessary in order to feed the troops.
b. The main weight as far as industrial raw materials are concerned, is to be placed on mineral oil. Under these measures, which do not serve the food management, all tasks connected with the production and shipment of mineral oil, will have first priority, by all means. For the execution of the decrees in the mineral oil field, especially to be issued for the Caucasus, the Continental Oil Company will be appointed.
c. The industries which provide for the functioning in the German interest, of agricultural production in surplus territories, the production of mineral oil and raw material production, are to be put into operation immediately.
d. In order to tackle the transportation problem in the German interest, particular attention is to be paid to
functioning in the German interest, of agricultural production in surplus territories, the production of mineral oil and raw material production, are to be put into operation immediately. d. In order to tackle the transportation problem in the German interest, particular attention is to be paid to
1. Street buildings in South territories and the thoroughfares,
2. The extension of the railroad tracks, especially the building of two track lines in the most important traffic districts,
3. The improvement of canals, unloading facilities in the inland waterways, especially in the North and South traffic,
4. Rebuilding of harbor facilities. * * *
Organisation of the Economy [Page 5]
A. General.
The Reichsmarschall has formed the "Wirtschaftsfuehrungsstab Ost" which is under his immediate jurisdiction and which will be run by Staatssekretaer Koerner, as his representative, for the uniform management of the Economy administration in the zone of operations and in administration districts, to be established later. For the representation of the military interests, for the preparation and for the duration of the military operations, the Chief of the War Economy and Armament Office, General of the Infantry Thomas, has the authority which he exercises as a Member of the Wirtschaftsfuehrungsstabes Ost.
The directives of the Reichsmarschall include all phases of the Economy incl. food and agriculture. They will be carried out by the subordinate economy agencies (see B).
The orders of the "Wirtschaftsfuehrungsstabes Ost" will be transmitted by the Chief of the Wi Rue office to the advanced "Wirtschaftsstab Ost" in the occupied territory which will be located during the operations in the vicinity of the OKH/Gen Qu.
B. Organization of the Economy in the zone of operations.
The subordinate Economy agencies of the "Wirtschaftsstab Ost" are, as far as they are active in the zone of operation, assigned to the Command agencies of the Army and militarily under their jurisdiction, namely:
a. In the rear area of the army:
of the Economy in the zone of operations. The subordinate Economy agencies of the "Wirtschaftsstab Ost" are, as far as they are active in the zone of operation, assigned to the Command agencies of the Army and militarily under their jurisdiction, namely: a. In the rear area of the army:
One each economy inspection team with the Commanders of the army rear area,
One each of several economy Commands with the security divisions,
One group IV Wi each with the field administration headquarters.
b. in the Army zone:
One each group IV Wi [V.O. Wi Rue Office] with the AOK's [Army high commands]
One each group IV Wi with the field administration headquarters, who have advanced into the Army zone and who are under the jurisdiction of the AOK's, also in case of need, economy commands advanced into the Army zone militarily under the jurisdiction of the AOK's.
C. Organization of the Economy for the political Administration districts.
Regulation will follow later by the Reichsmarschall.
The execution of the economic detailed tasks [Page 9].
1. Within the food economy, the procurement of grain and oil containing plants is the foremost task. All measures for this will be taken with a view of long duration (bringing in of the harvest, safe storage, preparation and cultivation of the fields for autumn, to make available manpower and machines, the seed, fertilizer, throttling of the consumption of the domestic population. As much use as possible, is to be made of the setting up of simple community kitchens.)
The supplying of the troops from the land [Page 14].
As far as the troops have to be supplied from the land, attention is called to the following:
I. Food, Clothes, housing needs and consumer goods.
2. The food, housing, consumer goods and Clothes found in the zone of combat and in the rear areas, are in the first place at the disposal of IVa in order to satisfy the immediate needs of the troops. (notice par. 3)
attention is called to the following: I. Food, Clothes, housing needs and consumer goods. 2. The food, housing, consumer goods and Clothes found in the zone of combat and in the rear areas, are in the first place at the disposal of IVa in order to satisfy the immediate needs of the troops. (notice par. 3)
3. In order to facilitate the possibility of transfer of food stocks at a later date, the required supplies for the immediate needs of the troops, are if possible not to be taken from stocks which are in a general favorable locality for the shipment to Germany. (At railroad stations and waterways, in harbor, especially baltic harbor, the border states, in the vicinity of the German borders.)
4. All food, housing, consumer goods and Clothes stocks which have not been taken over in the zone of combat and the Army rear areas by IVa and its agencies for the immediate use of the troops, will be put at the disposal of IV Wi, who thereby will be responsible for the care and Transfer to the economy agencies next in line.
5. In the Army rear area the economy agencies who are taking over the preliminary work done by IV Wi will be charged with reconnaissance, security and care of the food, housing, consumer goods and Clothes stocks. The assignment to the troops will be made through the Wi agencies to the permanent local food supply agencies, who will determine the requirements of all troops of the different branches and report them to the local competent economy agencies. These will regulate the supply demands.
II. Fuel and tires.
a. The troops will resort to the stocks found by them. Only in an emergency can be used:
a. stocks of the gas, water, electricity and mine facilities
b. gasoline and lubricants for farm and vital Industries
c. stocks of the motor tractor stations.
War-Booty, Services for pay, Army booty, prize [Page 19].
I. General.
The troops will resort to the stocks found by them. Only in an emergency can be used: a. stocks of the gas, water, electricity and mine facilities b. gasoline and lubricants for farm and vital Industries c. stocks of the motor tractor stations. War-Booty, Services for pay, Army booty, prize [Page 19]. I. General.
1. Although according to the Hague Convention the entire movable property of the enemy country can be taken away without compensation, however for the time being only the movable property of the enemy army shall be treated as booty. Other movable property of the state may however be used by the troops in case of need, it is however to be treated as private property and to be paid for in case of use or acquisition.
2. The payment is to be made in case of values up to 1000 RM in Reichskassennotes, amounts exceeding 1000 RM by issuance of receipts.
Receipts may be issued by every agency in the rank of battalion or higher, unless exceptions have to be made due to a situation of the fighting or in case different directives have not been given by the OKH.
3. When taking over property for which there is no owner a receipt will be given to the Senior member of the community or a report will be made to the field administration headquarters.
4. With the establishment of the Field administration headquarters [Feldkommandanturen] and the permanent local economy agencies, the latter will be charged, in connection with the military agencies, with the procurement and making available the requirements of the troops from the Economy. In urgent cases the troops may even then secure their immediate needs independently. If possible, the local competent Field administration headquarters will be notified in such a case.
Raw materials, Management of goods [Page 23].
An exact regulated production and distribution of goods by interpolation of special merchandise pools will be out of question as far as the new territories to be occupied are concerned, with the exception perhaps of the Baltic states.