Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression [Page 909]
The Nazi conspirators made extensive use of prisoners of war
not only in active operations of war but also in the German
armament industry. A secret letter from the Reichsminister
of Labor to the Presidents of the Regional Labor Exchange
Offices refers to an order of Goering to the effect that:
"Upon personal order of the Reich Marshal, 100,000 men
are to be taken from among the French PWs not yet
employed in armament industry, and are to be assigned
to the armament industry (airplanes industry). Gaps in
manpower supply resulting therefrom will be filled by
Soviet PWs. The transfer of the above-named French PWs
is to be accomplished by 1 October." (3005-PS)
A similar policy was followed with respect to Russian prison-
[Page 912]
ers of war. In a secret memorandum issued from Hitler's
headquarters on 31 October 1942, Keitel directed the
execution of Hitler's order to use such prisoners in the
German war economy (EC-194):
"The lack of workers is becoming an increasingly
dangerous hindrance for the future German war and'
armament industry. The expected relief through
discharges from the armed forces is uncertain as o the
extent and date; however, its possible extent will by
no means correspond to expectations and requirements in
view of the great demand.
"The Fuehrer has now ordered that even the working
power of the Russian prisoner of war should be utilized
to a large extent by large scale assignment for the
requirements of the war industry. The prerequisite for
production is adequate nourishment. Also very small
wages are to be planned for the most modest supply with
a few consumers' goods (Genussmittel) for every day's
life, eventual rewards for production."
*******
"II. Construction and Armament Industry.
"a. Work units for constructions of all kind,
particularly for the fortification of coastal defenses
(concrete workers, unloading units for essential war
plants).
"b. Suitable armament factories which have to be
selected in such a way that their personnel should
consist in the majority of prisoners of war under
guidance and supervision (eventually after withdrawal
and other employment of the German workers).
"III. Other War Industries. "a. Mining as under II b.
"b. Railroad construction units for building tracks
etc.
"c. Agriculture and forestry in closed units. The
utilization of Russian prisoners of war is to be
regulated on the basis of above examples by:
"To I. The armed forces
"To II. The Reich Minister for Arms and Ammunition and
the Inspector General for the German road system in
agreement with the Reich Minister for Labor and Supreme
Commander of the Armed Forces (Wi Rue Amt). Deputies of
the Reich Minister for Arms and Ammunition are to be
admitted to the prisoner of war camps to assist in the
selection of skilled workers." (EC-194)
Goering, at a conference at the Air Ministry on 7 November
1941, also discussed the use of prisoners of war in the
armament
[Page 913]
industry. The Top Secret notes on Goering's-instructions as
to the employment and treatment of prisoners of war in many
phases of the German war industry read as follows (106-PS):
"The Fuehrer's point of view as to employment of
prisoners of war in war industries has changed
basically. So far a total of 6 million prisoners of war
employed so far 2 million."
*******
"For 4) In the Interior and the Protectorate, it would
be ideal if entire factories could be manned by Russian
PW's except the employees necessary for direction. For
employment in the Interior and the Protectorate the
following are to have priority:
"a. At the top coal mining industry.
"Order by the Fuehrer to investigate all mines as to
suitability for employment of Russians. At times
manning the entire plant with Russian laborers.
"b. Transportation (construction of locomotives and
cars, repair shops).
"Railroad-repair and industry workers are to be sought
out from the PW's. Railroad is most important means of
transportation in the East.
"c. Armament industries
"Preferably factories of armor and guns. Possibly also
construction of parts for airplane engines. Suitable
complete sections of factories to be manned exclusively
by Russians. For the remainder employment in columns.
Use in factories of tool machinery, production of farm
tractors, generators, etc. In emergency, erect in
individual places barracks for occasional workers which
are used as unloading details and similar purposes.
(Reich Minister of the Interior through communal
authorities.)
"OKW/AWA is competent for transporting Russian PW's
employment through "Planning Board for Employment of
all PW's (Planstelle fuer den Einsatz fuer alle
Kriegsgefangenen). If necessary, offices of Reich
Commissariats.
"No employment where danger to men or their supply
exists, i.e. factories exposed to explosives,
waterworks, power-works, etc. No contact with German
population, especially no 'solidarity.' German worker
as a rule is foreman of Russians. "Food is a matter of
the Four Years' Plan. Supply their own food (cats,
horses, etc.)
"Clothes, billeting, messing somewhat better than at
home where part of the people live in caverns.
[Page 914]
"Supply of shoes for Russians as a rule wooden shoes,
if necessary install Russian shoe repair shops.
"Examination of physical fitness, in order to avoid
importation of diseases.
"Clearing of mines as a rule by Russians if possible by
selected Russian engineers." (1206-PS)
Speer also sponsored and applied the policy of using
prisoners of war in the armament industry. In a speech to
the Nazi Gauleiters on 24 February 1942, Speer said:
"I therefore proposed to the Fuehrer at the end of
December that all my labor force, including specialists
be released for mass employment in the East.
Subsequently the remaining PW's, about 10,000 were put
at disposal of the armaments industry by me." (1435-PS)
Speer also reported at the 36th meeting of the Central
Planning Board, held on 22 April 1943, that only 3070
of the Russian prisoners of war were engaged in the
armament industry. This he found unsatisfactory. Speer
continued:
"There is a specified statement showing in what sectors
the Russian PW's have been distributed, and this
statement is quite interesting. It shows that the
armaments industry only received 30. I always
complained about this."
*******
"The 90,000 Russian PW's employed in the whole of the
armaments industry are for the greatest part skilled
men." (R-124)
Sauckel, who was appointed Plenipotentiary General for the
utilization of labor for the express purpose, among others,
of integrating prisoners of war into the German war
industry, made it plain that prisoners of war were to be
compelled to serve the German armament industry. His labor
mobilization program contains the following statement:
"All prisoners of war, from the territories of the West as
well as of the East, actually in Germany, must be completely
incorporated into the German armament and nutrition
industries. Their production must be brought to the highest
possible level." (016-PS)
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Volume
I Chapter X
Use of Slave Labor in German War Industries
(Part 2 of 2)