COPY
Fuehrer's Hq, 31 October 1941.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces '
WFSt/Abt.L (II Org/IV qu No. 0 2588/41 Secret
SECRET
Subject: Use of prisoners of war in the war industry.
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 to 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 prisoners 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.
For the Arbeitseinsatz, following may be considered for example:
I. Armed Forces.
a. Clearing and construction units of all kinds in the occupied
Eastern territories. .
b. Work and construction battalions in the other occupied territories and in Germany.
c. Closed units of all kinds to relieve soldiers in labor service.
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 :
336
EC-194
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.
To III. The Reich Minister of Labor. Limitations are:
1. The securing of guards to protect the German people from dangers.
2. Housing in closed camps.
3. Securing adequate nourishment.
The observance of the counter-intelligence regulations which apply for the use of prisoners of war will be supervised by military counter-intelligence agencies as until now.
OKW (AWA) will furnish the Reich Minister for Labor with blueprints based on professional selection for the appropriate use of labor and will also permanently provide workers for assignment to the Arbeitseinsatz.
Furthermore the Supreme Commander of the Army is asked to take the necessary measures for the recruiting of volunteer labor in the Eastern operational zone in cooperation with the Reich Minister of Labor.
Signed Keitel
Distribution:
Ob.d.H/Org. Abt.
/Gen. Qu.
Ob.d.M/Skl. (Qu A II)
Ob.d.L/Gen. Qu Reichsarbeitsministerium Att: Staatssekretaer Syrup Reichminister fuer Bewaffnung und Munition Att: Ob. Reg. Baurat Behrens Reichswirtschaftsministerium Att: Min. Rat Quecke
Reichsministerium fuer Ernaehrung und Landwirtschaft Att: Min. Rat Dr. Dietrich OKW/WiRue Amt AWA (3 x)
A Ausl/Abw W H
Abt. Ausl
WFSt Abt. L (Chef L I H, I K, I L, IV, II, Ntb)