| TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 532-PS Source:Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression. Volume III. USGPO, Washington, 1946/pp.437-438 Telegram from WFSt, 24 June 1944, Concerning Treatment of Commandos WFSt/ Qu (Verw. 1) 24 June 1944 TOP SECRET 5 copies, 1st copy SSD-Telegram. Authority: 1. Order of the Fuehrer no. 003830/ 42 Top Secret of 18 Oct 42/ 0KW/ WFSt. Subject: Treatment of Commandos. 1. Standard operating procedure to (1) will be fully maintained. 2. Numeral (5) refers to enemy soldiers in uniform who are captured in open combat by own troops stationed in the immediate combat zone of the beachhead or who surrender. "Own troops stationed in the immediate combat zone" applies in this sense to those of combat divisions on line as well as reserves up to and including general staffs. 3. In cases of doubt enemy personnel falling into our hands alive will be turned over to the SD, which will be responsible for the examination as to whether the order concerning commandos is applicable or not. 4. Accordingly, the paratroop saboteurs dropped by the enemy over Britanny will be treated as commando personnel, since this area is not at present an immediate combat zone. It is immaterial in this case whether the paratroopers dropped wear uniform or civilian clothes. The number of paratroopers captured in Britanny will be included in the daily report currently. In this respect an annex to the armed forces report of 7 October 1942 has already been published to the effect that such criminal elements should be massacred in combat. (Remark: Enclosures of the order of the Fuehrer of 18 October 1942 as well as the further order regarding the treatment of Com-mando personnel of 25 June 1944 are attached. The latter men-tions also paratroopers under number (2).) Distribution: [signature illegible] Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces through Chief of the WFSt Qu (Entw.). |