English Translation

00 20 Copy of copy A Berlin, 20.8.1940 (III,10a) RF. 604/40 g. Betr.: POWs Reference: Ausl/Abw No. 48 661/40 g Abw III(H) of 19 July 1940. An Abw III (H) 17 Appendices *I In the case of prisoners of war who have fled from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia after the connection in Germany and have vaccinated with the weapon against Germany, it must be distinguished whether they are nationals or nationals of the Inspectorate. 1.) N h the decree of 16.3 1939 (nGBl.I p.485) Art.2 the VolkeGerman residents of the rrotektorat become German nationals. According to § 1 of the V.0. of 26.Xe1939 (RGBl.1 p.815), the former Czechoslovak nationals who, on 10.X.1938, possessed the right of residence in a union of the former Czechoslovakian countries of Bohemia and Moravia/Silesia, acquire German nationality with effect from 16.III.39. However, according to a decree of the Minister of the Interior of the Reich of 7 November 1939, only one who professes himself to be a member of the German-speaking people can be regarded as a foreigner. Furthermore, German nationality can already be acquired on the basis of § 1 of the Tsohecho-Slovak state membership and option contract of 20 April 1938 (RGBl.II 8.895) with circulation of 10 March 1938. Those who absorb German nationality in the Protectorate and then vaccinate against Germany must therefore not be treated as prisoners of war, but as forebreakers and be punished according to § 91a RStGB. 2.) Nationals of the Protectorates are, after the decree of 16.3.39 (RcBl.I p.486) Art. 2 para.II "the other inhabitants of the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia". -2-