Rosenberg's statement of the political purpose of the invasion and his analysis of methods for achieving it apparently did not fall on deaf ears. By a Fuehrer Order dated 20 April 1941 he was named "Commissioner for the Central Control of Questions Connected with the East-European Region". This order is part of a correspondence file regarding Rosenberg's appointment (865-PS). Hitler's order reads as follows:

"I name Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg as my Commissioner for the central control of questions connected with the East-European Region.

"An office, which is to be established in accordance with his orders, is at the disposal of Reichsleiter Rosenberg for the carrying out of the duties thereby entrusted to him.

[Page 817]

"The necessary money for this office is to be taken out of the Reich Chancellery Treasury in a lump sum.

"Fuehrer's Headquarters 20 April 1941.
(signed) Adolf Hitler
"Reich Minister and Head of Reich Chancellery
(signed) Dr. Lammers"

This particular copy of the Fuehrer's Order was enclosed in a letter which Dr. Lammers wrote to Keitel requesting cooperation for Rosenberg and asking that Keitel appoint a Deputy to work with Rosenberg. This letter reads as follows:

"The Reich Minister and the Head of the Reich Chancellery

"Berlin W8 21st April 1941
VossStrasse 6
At present Fuehrer
Headquarters, mail
without exception to
be sent to the Berlin
address.

"To: The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces,

General Field Marshal Keitel "Personal.
By courier

"My dear General Field Marshal,

"Herewith I am sending you a copy of the Fuehrer's Decree by which the Fuehrer appointed Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg as his Commissioner for the central control connected with the East European Region. In this capacity Reichsleiter Rosenberg is to make the necessary preparations for the probable emergency with all speed. The Fuehrer wishes that Rosenberg shall be authorized for this purpose to obtain the closest cooperation of the highest Reich authorities, receive information from them, and summon the representatives of the Highest Reich Authorities to conferences. In order to guarantee the necessary secrecy of the commission and the measures to be undertaken, for the time being only those of the highest Reich Authorities should be informed, on whose cooperation Reichsleiter Rosenberg will primarily depend. There are: the Commissioner for the Four Year plan, the Reich Minister of Economics and you, yourself.

"Therefore may I ask you, in accordance with the Fuehrer's

[Page 818]

wishes, to place your cooperation at the disposal of Reichsleiter Rosenberg, in the carrying out of the task imposed upon him.

"It is recommended in the interests of secrecy, that you name a representative in your office, with whom the office of the Reichsleiter can communicate and who in addition to your usual deputy should be the only one to whom you should communicate the contents of this letter. "I should be obliged if you would acknowledge the receipt of this letter.

"Heil Hitler,
Yours very sincerely,
Dr. Lammers." (865-PS)

Keitel wrote Lammers acknowledging receipt of his letter and telling of his compliance with the request:

"The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.
"25 April 1941
"Most Secret
"By courier
"To:
"The Head of the Reich Chancellery,
Reich Minister Dr. Lammers
"Personal

"Dear Reich Minister.

"I acknowledge receipt of the copy of the Fuehrer's Decree in which the Fuehrer appointed Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg as his Commissioner for the central control of questions connected with the East European Region. I have named General of the Artillery Jodl, Head of the Armed Forces Operational Staff as my permanent Deputy and Major General Warlimont as his Deputy.

"Heil Hitler
"Yours very sincerely,
"K.
25/4"
(865-PS)

Keitel also wrote Rosenberg, telling of his compliance with Lammers' request:

[Page 819]

"The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
25th April 1941
"Most Secret
"By courier
"To:
"Reichsleiter Rosenberg
"Personal.

"Dear Reichsleiter,

"The Head of the Reich Chancellery has sent me a copy of the Fuehrer's Decree, by which he has appointed you his Commissioner for the central control of questions connected with the East European Region. I have charged General of the Artillery Jodl, Head of the Armed Forces Operational Staff and his Deputy, Major General Warlimont with the solving of these questions, as far as they concern the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. Now I ask you, as far as your Office is concerned, to deal with him only.

"Heil Hitler
"Yours very sincerely,
"K.
25/4"
(865-PS)

The original plaintext version of this file is available via ftp.

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