English Translation

MERKBLATT for business leaders, business bosses and sub-leaders in the enterprises Betr.: Attitude to the prisoners of war from the Eastern Peoples. German war economy has been made available to large numbers of POWs from the East as workers. It goes without saying that among the 25 years of Bolshevik-influenced prisoners of war there are some fanatical, habitual and professional helpers of Bolshevism. However, these elements have already been largely isolated and have not come to work. Most prisoners of war from the Eastern peoples are quite open to the anti-Bolshevik influence. In particular, their personal experience in the Soviet Union, their accommodation, food, treatment and order in Germany are in stark contrast to the claims of the Bolshevik agitation, which are constantly and intensively taught them. Whereas these facts must be taken into account for the treatment of prisoners of war in the undertakings by the corresponding recruitment of the managers and guards; whereas, therefore, the forces involved in the monitoring of work must be specially informed; whereas the purpose and purpose of the work is to obtain real benefits from the prisoners of duty; They must have the awareness that the German attitude towards them is unconditionally hostile only if they themselves conjure up such an attitude through their attitude, through lack of performance or even through open or hidden sabotage. On the other hand, they must also have the certainty that every willing achievement finds a proper recognition. It goes without saying that we are not unwarranted, but it is also necessary to exclude and stop all treatment methods which are capable of making these prisoners of war bitter and causing them to defie and reject. It is therefore asked to ensure that all civilian forces in contact with the war-capable of the Eastern peoples adapt their attitude to these same principles and standards. The primary principle remains to get as much work out of the prisoners of war of the Eastern peoples as is possible. The decisive factors will always be the methods to be used. The primitive members of the East people have a pronounced sense of justice. If we treat him according to the above principles, we will automatically increase his performance and thereby achieve what we want: full-value workers for the achievement of the victory. The authorized general for the employment 5. 43. 100 000 C/2793