Guidelines for the Treatment of Political Commissars (6-6-41)

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Führer Headquarters, June 6, 1941

High Command of the Armed Forces
WFSt./Armed Forces Operational Staff/Department L (IV/Q)
No. 44822/41 Top Secret
For General Officers only.

In addition to the Führer’s decree of 14 May regarding military jurisdiction in the “Barbarossa” zone [Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Armed Forces Operational Staff/Department L (IV Q) No. 44718/41 (Top secret, for General Officers only)], the enclosed “directives for the treatment of political commissars” are being transmitted herewith:
You are requested to limit the distribution to Commanders in Chief of Armies or of Air Commands, respectively, and to inform the Junior commanders by word of mouth.

The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
By Order.

Signed:
WARLIMONT

Enclosure to Supreme Command of the Armed Forces/Department L IV Q
No. 44822/41 Top Secret
For General Officers only.

Directives for the treatment of political commissars

When fighting Bolshevism one can not count on the enemy acting in accordance with the principles of humanity or International Law. In particular it must be expected that the treatment of our prisoners by the political commissars of all types who are the true pillars of resistance, will be cruel, inhuman and dictated by hate.

The troops must realize:

  1. That in this fight it is wrong to trust such elements with clemency and consideration in accordance with international law. They are a menace to our own safety and to the rapid pacification of the conquered territories.

  2. That the originators of the Asiatic-barbaric methods of fighting are the political commissars. They must be dealt with promptly and with the utmost severity.

Therefore, if taken while fighting or offering resistance they must, on principle, be shot immediately.

For the rest, the following instructions will apply:

I. Theatre of Operations.

  1. Political commissars who oppose our troops will be dealt with in accordance with the “decree concerning jurisdiction in the ‘Barbarossa’ area.” This applies to commissars of any type and position, even if they are only suspected of resistance, sabotage or instigation thereto.

Reference is made to “Directives on the behavior of troops in Russia.”

  1. Political commissars in their capacity of officials attached to the enemy troops are recognizable by their special insignia – red star with an inwoven golden hammer and sickle on the sleeves – […]. They are to be segregated at once, i.e. while still on the battlefield, from the prisoners of war. This is necessary in order to deprive them of any possibility of influencing the captured soldiers. Those commissars will not be recognized as soldiers; the protection granted to prisoners of war in accordance with international law will not apply to them. After having been segregated, they are to be dealt with.

  2. Political commissars who are not guilty of any hostile act or are not suspected of such will remain unmolested for the time being. Only in the course of a deeper penetration into the country will it be possible to decide whether they are, or should be handed over to the Sonderkommandos. The latter should preferably scrutinize these cases themselves.

As a matter of principle, when deliberating the question of “guilty or not guilty”, the personal impression received of the commissar’s outlook and attitude should be considered of greater importance than the facts of the case which may not be decisive.

  1. In cases 1) and 2), a brief report (report form) on the incident is to be submitted:
    a. to the Division (Ic) (Field Intelligence Officer) by troops subordinated to a Division.
    b. to the Corps Command or other respective Commands, as follows (Ic) by troops directly subordinated to a Corps Command, an Army High Command or the Command or an Army group, or Armored Group.

  2. None of the above mentioned measures must delay the progress of operations. Combat troops should therefore refrain from systematic rounding-up and cleansing measures.

II. In the Rear Areas.

Commissars arrested in the rear area on account of doubtful behavior are to be handed over to the Einsatzgruppe or the Einsatzkommandos of the SS Security Service (SD) respectively.

III. Restriction with regard to Court Martials and Summary Courts.

The Court Martials and Summary Courts of regimental and other commanders must not be entrusted with the carrying out of the measures as under I and II.

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