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Orders that pro-de Gaulle French fighters captured on the eastern front will be handed over to the French government for punishment, and their families may be subject to reprisal actions

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Authors

Wilhelm Keitel (Field Marshal, Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces)

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Wilhelm Keitel

German field marshal

el Mariscal Keitel
  • Born: 1882-09-22 (Helmscherode) (country: German Empire; located in the administrative territorial entity: Duchy of Brunswick)
  • Died: 1946-10-16 (Nuremberg) (country: Allied-occupied Germany)
  • Country of citizenship: Germany
  • Occupation: military officer; military personnel; politician
  • Member of political party: Nazi Party
  • Military rank: general field marshal
  • Military branch: artillery
  • VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/74027425

Date: 26 May 1943

Literal Title: Ref: treatment of supporters of de Gaulle who fight for the Russians.

Defendant: Wilhelm Keitel

Total Pages: 1

Language of Text: English

Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)

Evidence Code: UK-20

Citation: IMT (page 2407)

HLSL Item No.: 452066

Trial Issues

Hostage-taking and reprisal actions, including killings and fines (IMT, NM… Prisoners of war, abuse, forced labor, or killing of (IMT, NMT 2, 5, 12)

SECRET
Copy
High Command of the Armed Forces.
Nr.002106/43 g.K./WFSt/Qu. (Verw) ,
Fuehrer's H.Q. 26 May 1943.
20 copies, Copy No. 8.
Ref: Treatment of supporters of De Gaulle who fight for the Russians.
French airmen serving in the Soviet forces have been shot down on the Eastern front for the first time. The Fuehrer has ordered that employment of French troops in the Soviet forces is to be counteracted by the strongest means.
It is therefore ordered:
1. Supporters of de Gaulle who are taken prisoner on the Eastern front will be handed over to the French government for proceedings in accordance with OKW order/WR/I/3 Nr. 4697/40 of 6 Dec 40.
2. All instances of this type will be collected and be used for exerting political pressure on the French government, which is responsible, in accordance with the terms of the armistice, for preventing members of the French forces from leaving France.
Steps to be taken against the French government are being prepared by OKW/A.Ausl./Abw.Ag.Ausl. in conjunction with the foreign office.
3. Detailed investigations are to be made in appropriate cases against relatives of Frenchmen who fight for the Russians, if these relatives are resident in the occupied area of France. If the investigation reveals that relatives have given assistance to facilitate escape from France then severe measures are to be taken.
. OKW/WR is making the necessary preparations with the Military Commander on the spot, and with the SS and Police chief. Chief of the High Command of the Armed Forces
(signed) KEITEL Certified correct Lt.Col.G.S.
Certified correct copy.
[signature illegible] T
Capt.
Distribution etc.

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