OKW Memorandum Concerning
Enemy Commando (Parachute) Troops
23 June 1944

Armed Forces Operational Staff
Qm (Adm. 1)
No. 006688/ 44 Top Secret

Fuehrer's Hq, 23 June 1944

TOP SECRET

3 copies-1st copy

Reference: Fuehrer Order No. 003832/ 42/ OKW/ WFSt of 18 Oct 42.
Subject: Treatment of Commando Men.

Conference memorandum

Supreme Command West reports by teletype message No 1750/ 44 Top Secret of 23 June 44:

The treatment of enemy commando groups has so far been carried out according to the order referred to. With the large-scale landing achieved, a new situation has arisen. The order referred to directs in number 5 that enemy soldiers who are taken prisoner in open combat or surrender within the limits or nor-mal combat operations (large-scale landing operations and un-dertakings) are not to be treated according to numbers 3 and 4. It must be established in a form easily understood by the troops how far the concept "within the limits of normal combat opera-tions, etc." is to be extended. The view of the Supreme Com-mand West is as follows:

A. The commitment of air-borne troops and commandos ef-fected in Normandy falls clearly under number 5.

B. It is likewise not to be contested that paratroop units or groups set down further to the rear are connected with the large scale landing operation effected, if they have the mission of breaking supply lines or carrying out deceptive maneuvers etc. The German combat soldier will not always be able, during bat-tle, to decide whether it is a question of sabotage groups parachuted down or larger air-borne operations in closer or more distant connection with a landing from the sea already carried out or still being carried out.

C. As a result of the large turn-over of troops in the area of the Supreme Command West, especially recently, it is possible that a considerable number of soldiers are ignorant of the order referred to, which dates from more than 1 1/2 years ago. For Germans from foreign countries (Volksdeutsche) and foreign nationalities the differentiation in the treatment of prisoners will hardly be able to be made clear due to language difficulties. A further reproduction of the order in the present situation, where cases of losses must be considered, is held by Supreme Command West to be a false course of action. Considerable reprisals against our own prisoners must be expected if its contents be-come known.

D. The application of number 5 for all enemy soldiers in uniform penetrating from the outside into the occupied western areas is held by Supreme Command West to be the most correct and clearest solution. On the other hand an order of the chief office for Reich security to the commander of the SIP0 (Security Police) and the SD (Security Service) in Paris has decided that numbers 3 and 4 of the order referred to are to be applied in the future the same as before in the case of uniformed parachutists committed in groups. A conversation with representatives of the higher SS and police fuehrers in France and of the commander of the SIP0 and SD in Paris gave the result that according to the opinion of all concerned the difficulty lies in the determina-tion of the "limits of normal combat operations". As a solu-tion it was agreed to set a line (e. g. Seine from the mouth to Rouen-Argentan-Avranches) North of which number 5, inland of which numbers. 3 and 4 apply. This solution also must be called incomplete, since the combat situation can at any time bring the necessity of extending this line to other coastal areas as well. In case of a large-scale aerial landing in the interior such boundaries cannot be drawn anymore at all. Supreme Command West requests, therefore, that, in agreement with the Reichsfuehrer SS, the decision be made, that, in view of the new situation, number 5 is to be applied in the whole occupied Western area.

Position taken by Armed Forces Operational Staff:

1. The Commando order remains basically in effect even after the enemy landing in the west.

2. Number 5 of the order is to be clarified to the effect, that the order is not valid for those enemy soldiers in uniform, who are captured in open combat in the immediate combat area of the beachhead by our troops committed there, or who surrender. Our troops committed in the immediate combat area means the di-visions fighting on the front line as well as reserves up to and including corps headquarters.

3. Furthermore, in doubtful cases enemy personnel who have fallen into our hands alive are to be turned over to the SD, upon whom it is encumbent to determine whether the commando order is to be applied or not.

4. Supreme Command West is to see to it that all units com-mitted in its zone are orally acquainted in a suitable manner with the order concerning the treatment of members of com-mando undertakings of 18 Oct 42 along with the above explana-tion.

Proposal : Attached teletype message.

signed : WARLIMONT

Distribution : Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces-l copy through Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Operational Staff.
Ktb, 2 copies.
Qu-Draft, 3 copies.