English Translation

2 - 48 seemed necessary to me in principle, especially since the confiscation measures had taken my ministry in the first days of its construction and naturally had to cause particular difficulties. As much as I acknowledge your willingness to take account of the special popular political conditions in Bohemia and Moravia in the future in the conversion of the confiscation order, I must strongly contradict the same idea with other defensive measures, which are also to be spared for reasons of popular policy or for special reasons of the air war. Since the intensification of the air war, the already high armaments potential has been increased many times in Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemia and Mühren today, with its entire population and economy, works exclusively for the war economy of the Reich and is to be regarded as an armament center of first order with the most important war productions. The responsibility for all German authorities and public servants has increased to an extent that makes every worker indispensable. It is therefore, however, impossible to weaken the thin German staff cover even further without taking into account any major disadvantages. From these points of view and in the sense of clear pestilence of responsibility, I urge you to get in touch with me before any further convocations to the Wehrmacht have taken place. 21S1S 2.) Wv. on 4.5.1944 with me. Reopened on4.5.44