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Volume IV · Page 434
| these economic advantages to the Germans, the
security police would shoot the working Jews. (NO-3146.)
Einsatzgruppe C reports in September 1941 — |
"Difficulties have arisen, insofar as Jews are often the only skilled workers in certain trades. Thus, the only harnessmakers and the only good tailors at Novo-Ukrainka are Jews. At other places also only Jews can be employed for carpentry and locksmith work. |
| In a certain part of the Ukraine, described
as between Krivoi Rog and Dnepropetrovsk, collective farms, known as Kolkhoses,
were found to be operated by Jews. They were described in the report as being
of low intelligence but since they were good workers the Einsatz commander did
not liquidate them. However, the report goes on to say that the Einsatz
commander was satisfied with merely shooting the Jewish managers.
(NO-3153.) The Nazi Commissioner-General for White Ruthenia, reporting in July 1942, expressed quite frankly his desire to strike down all Jews in one murderous stroke. However, he was willing to stay his arm temporarily until the requirements of the Wehrmacht should be satisfied. |
"I myself and the SD would certainly much prefer that the Jewish population in the District General of White Ruthenia should be eliminated once and for all when the economic requirements of the Wehrmacht have fallen off. For the time being, the necessary requirements of the Wehrmacht who is the main employer of the Jewish population are still being considered." (3428-PS.) |
| Operation Report No. 11, dated 3 July 1941,
also explains that in the Baltic region the Wehrmacht is not "for the time
being" in a position to dispense with the manpower of the Jews still available
and fit for work. (NO-4537.) It must not be assumed, however, that once being assigned to work the Jews were free from molestation. Einsatzgruppe B, reporting on affairs in Vitebsk, declared — |
"By appointed Jewish council, so far about 3,000 Jews registered. Badges for Jews introduced. At present they are being employed with clearing rubble. For deterrent, 27 Jews, who had not come to work, were publicly shot in the streets." (NO-2954.) |
| One report-writer, describing conditions in Esthonia, complained that as the Germans advanced, the Esthonians arrested |
