131,628 2,130,145.91 129,004 2,123,943.03 91,396 Copy C Z I/III b/28.3.40/Goe/Wo. 20th Nov. 1940 Re: How the property of the persons belonging to groups III and IV of the List for repatriation of German Ethnic Groups [Deutsche Volksliste] ought to be dealt with. [Reported to Reich Leader SS on: 23.2.41] The Reich Fuehrer SS Berlin-SW 11 8 Prince Albrecht Street Reich Fuehrer! After having issued your carrying-out decree concerning the treatment of the population in the Eastern occupied countries of 12.9.1940, you will find it necessary to issue instructions concerning the treatment of property belonging to persons included in Groups III and IV of the "List for the Repatriation of German Ethnic Groups" and this for the agricultural as well as for the trade sections. A solution of this problem is becoming more urgent because business establishments and farms which belong to members of Groups IV and V of the list are urgently needed for the use of German resettlers. In the interest of Germanizing the country as fast and as effectively as possible and of separating from both these groups their property located in the occupied Eastern territories as soon as feasible, my office is of the opinion that real estate situated in the annexed Eastern areas, and belonging to members of Groups III and IV of the List should be expropriated, and this against full compensation to members of Group III, but against compensation which would have to be decided upon in each single case with regard to members of Group IV. On this basis I have the honor to submit the following proposal for the treatment of property belonging to members of Groups III and IV of the List for your consideration. I. Treatment of Property of Members of Group III Since the members of this group ought to be fully compensated on principle, I see no objection against allowing them to sell privately their real estate to appropriate corporations or persons. The intention guiding the treatment of these persons ought to be to transfer them to the old Germany. This intention can be real ized, as a rule, by police measures or labor restrictions. The Germanization of the country will therefore not be endangered if we first allow the members of this group to liquidate their real estate situated within the annexed areas according to their own wishes. It will be recommendable, though to set them a time limit of about three months during which they are to liquidate their real estate. In case they have not sold their real estate within that time, it would have to be taken into administration by the East German Estate Administration Corporation, and afterwards the Reich Commissioner should confiscate the real estate and decide upon compensation. In these cases the real estate can be dealt with in the manner set out above under the law concerning appropriation of real estate for the use of the German Armed Forces, provided that this law will have been declared applicable in the annexed areas, owing to the recent alteration of the Feuhrer's decree. II. Treatment of Group IV of the "Volksliste" (Renegades) [pencil note: no compensation] In view of the principle that the numbers of Group IV are not to receive full compensation, they should not be allowed to sell privately their real estate, nor can the law concerning appropriation of real estate be applied since it provides for full compensation. My office proposes to expropriate the property of these persons under the law concerning the treatment of property belonging to nationals of the former Polish State of 17.9.40. There is no objection against that since in fact the members of Group IV of the List do not obtain German nationality immediately on their entry onto the List, but are only entitled to hope for a labor naturalization, after having proven their worth. Now the confiscation under the law of 17.9.40 does not exclude the grant of compensation as such. On the contrary, decision for compensation and the amount for confiscation of property is expressly reserved by section 9, subs. 5 of the Act. There ought to be an administrative decree (which presupposes consent of the Reich Finance Minister) empowering the Reich Commissioner to grant to renegades a partial compensation in money for their confiscated property, the amount of which is to be decided by him at his discretion. Such a procedure has the following advantages: a. No new legislation is necessary, b. This procedure of confiscation is much simpler than expropriation proper, c. Since the granting of compensation would rest on the discretion of the Reich Commissioner, there could be no competence for the courts to examine and decide upon its appropriateness. This would allow to treat each one of the renegades according to his behavior in the past. (signed) Greifelt Deployment Instructions for "Action 25" and supplementary instruction for action "Marita" 1. The political situation in the Balkans having changed by reason of the Yugoslav military revolt, Yugoslavia has to be considered as an enemy even should it make declarations of loyalty at first. The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has decided therefore to destroy Yugoslavia as quickly as possible. For camouflaging purposes the operation shall be called "Action 25". 2. The intentions of the Army High Command are to break into Yugoslavia by means of a concentric operation emerging from the area Klagenfurt-Graz and near N. Kanizsa on one side (2nd Army) and from the area near Sofia on the other side (12th Army). General direction should be Belgrade and south of it. By these operations the Yugoslav Army should be destroyed and the southern part of Yugoslavia should be captured as early as possible, so that communications to the Italian army group in Albania can be opened and a basis be created for the continuation of the German-Italian offensive against Greece.. An early opening of traffic on the Danube river and the capture of the copper mines at Bor are of importance for the military economy. 3. Enemy situation: In northern Yugoslavia defensive conduct of war may be expected. The fact that the races there are in opposition to each other may even induce the Yugoslav Command to defend only the Serbian crown lands. In this case numerous efficient bolt-positions may be expected both in Slovene and Croation parts of the country. It is presumed that the enemy will defend the Eastern border in southern Yugoslavia by means of numerous bolt positions. At the same time he will try to keep his rear free by invading Albania in cooperation with Greek-British forces. When the German attack succeeds in severing the coherence of the Yugoslav defence by capturing the main roads of communication, the Yugoslav army may be expected to defend itself strongly in the mountain area so long as sufficient ammunition and food are available. The problem of nationalities may play a decisive part with regard to duration and toughness of this resistance. Details with regard to the enemy situation see enclosure 1. 4. The orders issued with regard to the operations against Greece remain valid so far as not affected by this order. This applies especially to the capture of the islands in the North Aegean sea though the Fuehrer has reserved for himself the issuing of the order to capture the island of Lemnos. The protection of the Turkish border is left to the Bulgarians for the time being. One armored divisions has to be put in readiness as support. 5. Timetable for the operations. a. On 5th April as soon as sufficient forces of the Air Force are available and weather permitting, the Air Forces shall attack continuously by day and night the Yugoslav ground organization and Belgrade. Simultaneously-by no means earlier-the attack of the 12th Army (except for the North Group, i.e., Armored Group 1) begins against Yugoslavia and Greece. It should be assured that in case of unfavorable weather the Army High Command (AOK) is able to stop the attack at least 10 hours before the time of the planned air attack. 8. Cooperation of other States: a. Cooperation by Italy: * |