Draft Inquiry to Foreign Office Concerning
"Terror-Aviators", 15 June 1944

MOST SECRET

Draft

The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces

Fuehrer Hq, 15/ 6/ 1944

WFSt/ Qu. (Verw. 1) No. 77193/ 44 Most Secret SO. only ILAng.

3 Copies, 2nd Copy

Subject : Treatment of enemy terror aviators

S. O. only
access only through officer
Pencil note: dispatched 17/ 6 #1030.

To Foreign Office, for the attention of Ambassador Ritter, Salzburg.

For the announcement of such cases as have led to lynch justice being taken by the population or-in the case of capture by the armed forces or the police-to special treatment by the SD, it is necessary to determine clearly what facts should be regarded as evidence of a criminal action in this sense.

In agreement with the Commander in Chief of the air force, I intend to establish the following formula. It may also serve as instruction to the commandants of the reception Camp for Aviators at Oberursel in these cases, where investigation in that camp shows that it would be appropriate to segregate the offender owing to confirmation of the suspicion or to hand turn-over to the SD.

1. Attacks with aircraft armament on the civilian poulation, whether on individuals or crowds;

2. Firing on our own (German) air crews while suspended by parachute after having been shot down;

3. Attacks with aircraft armament passenger trains, if the public service.

4. Attacks with aircraft armament on military hospitals, hospitals and hospital trains which are clearIy marked with the Red Cross.

Prior to any announcement of a case in the press, over the wireless, etc., it must be assured that name, unit, place of occurrence and other relevant particulars form a convincing picture, by whose publication the intended deterrent effect to further acts of murder could be achieved. In drafting the publications, it will have to be borne in mind that protests on the part of the enemy are to be expected from all quarters. It is therefore intended, in agreement with the Chief of the Security Police and the SD, and with the Commander in Chief of the Air Force, that, prior to each publication, until further notice, agreement should be reached between the Supreme Command of the air force, the armed forces Ops Staff, the Foreign Office and the SD., to determine the facts, time and form of the announcement.

I. would ask you to confirm, if possible by the 18th of this month, that you are in agreement with the above formula and with the intended procedure for the announcements.
3/ 96

K [initialled by Keitel]
16/ 6