"V: Hostages, Reprisals and Collective Measures in the Balkans. Measures Against Partisans and Partisan Areas: (B) Contemporaneous Documents: Translation of Document NOKW-235, Prosecution Exhibit 140: Order of General Boehme, 11/2/1941, Concerning Suppression of Serbian Resistance", in Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals Under Control Council Law No. 10. Vol. 11: United States of America v. Wilhelm List, et al. (Case 7: 'Hostage Case'). US Government Printing Office, District of Columbia: 1950. pp. 993-995.
Supplement 113
[Handwritten] War Diary
The Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia
Quartiermeister/Military Administration/Ic
No. 3345/41, Secret
Quartiermeister Section No. 586/41, Secret
Local Headquarters, 11/2/1941
[Stamp] Secret
Subject: Suppression of the Serbian resistance - signs of dissolution among the insurgents
1. Under the pressure of the ruthless and successfully carried out operations of the unit, in consideration of the approach of winter and on the basis of the destruction of the Russian armed forces, which is gradually becoming noticeable, the first indication of signs of dissolution are to be recognized among the insurgents.
2. These signs were to be expected; they do not signify by any means that the opponent will give up his aims. It depends on:
a. Destroying communism in Serbia in such a manner that flaring up again under more favorable circumstances is impossible.
b. Destroying Serbian chauvinistic circles which now and in the future refuse close economic and political cooperation with the Reich.
3. At the same time those parts of the Serbian population must now be won, which have placed themselves on the side of the Serbian Government of Nedic, installed by the Reich. (See directive of the Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia/Ia No. 33446/41, Secret, of 11/2/1941).
4. The following directives are published for the commitment of the units and the conduct of the administrative offices:
a. As before, all insurgents who were taken in combat, even if they deserted, are to be shot as partisans. Negotiators who come from territories in which combat actions take place or will happen soon, are likewise to be shot.
The arrest and shooting of hostages is regulated by the order of the Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia/Chief of Military Administration/Quartiermeister No. 284841, Secret, of 10/10/1941 and No. 3208/41 of 10/25/1941.
b. Negotiators who do not offer the capitulation of small or large groups under the pressure of combat actions taking place or to take place are to be told that the battle against insurgents will be continued with unabated severity and only unconditional capitulation with surrender of all weapons will be accepted.
c. Unconditional surrender is to be carried out as follows: The insurgents are to lay down their weapons at a place determined by one of the troop commanders or the administrative area and/or district commandant and are to be brought together in a reception camp of the battalion, regiment, or division. They are to be examined there by the Secret Field Police, SD, and Serbian auxiliary police. For this purpose, administrative orders in my mission proceed through the chief of the military administration.
d. The divisions are to report in the daily reports, place of the reception camps and the number of prisoners.
5. The exploitation of the signs of dissolution lies exclusively in the hands of the German armed forces (unit and administrative offices). Serbian auxiliary police may not accept offers of capitulation, but must obtain the decision of the German offices. The insurgents will, nevertheless, first of all approach the units of the Serbian auxiliary police with offers of capitulation. Through getting into close touch with them, it is to be guaranteed that the initiative will remain unequivocally with the German offices. It is understood that a crossing over of insurgents into the Serbian auxiliary police is to be prevented with all possible means.
Orders of this sort to the Serbian Government are issued through the Chief of the Military Administration. A copy of the order of the Prime Minister Nedic to the branches of the Serbian Government is enclosed as a supplement.
6. The larger number of the insurgents will attempt to strike through to their home localities unnoticed, in order to conceal themselves there. Such groups are to be arrested by the units or by the Serbian auxiliary police, if necessary with force of arms, and are to be brought into collection camps.
The following is valid for the seizure of insurgents who succeed in escaping and reaching their home localities:
a. The administrative offices have received from the Chief of Military Administration an order to prepare exact reports and submit lists, from which the names of leaders of the bandits, members thereof, and all persons absent from the localities or returning there may be obtained. They are to note in addition the localities which have offered the bandits assistance.
b. In addition, frequent surprise raids are to be carried out by the unit in collaboration with the administrative offices. Because of their knowledge of the locality and population, it will often be practical to use the Serbian auxiliary police.
7. In doubtful cases - above all, when it is uncertain whether individual groups are to be regarded as "insurgents" or not - the decision of the Plenipotentiary Commanding General in Serbia to be obtained.
[Signed] Boehme, Lieutenant General, Infantry
Distribution: Down to battalion and district headquarters
[Stamp] Secret
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