“Food is a matter of the Four Years’ Plan. Supply their own food (cats, horses, etc.)
“Clothes, billeting, messing somewhat better than at home where part of the people live in caverns.
“Supply of shoes for Russians as a rule wooden shoes, if necessary install Russian shoe repair shops.
“Examination of physical fitness, in order to avoid importation of diseases.
“Clearing of mines as a rule by Russians if possible by selected Russian engineers.” (1206-PS)
Speer also sponsored and applied the policy of using prisoners of war in the armament industry. In a speech to the Nazi Gauleiters on 24 February 1942, Speer said:
“I therefore proposed to the Fuehrer at the end of December that all my labor force, including specialists be released for mass employment in the East. Subsequently the remaining PW’s, about 10,000 were put at disposal of the armaments industry by me.” (1435-PS)
Speer also reported at the 36th meeting of the Central Planning Board, held on 22 April 1943, that only 30% of the Russian prisoners of war were engaged in the armament industry. This he found unsatisfactory. Speer continued:
“There is a specified statement showing in what sectors the Russian PW’s have been distributed, and this statement is quite interesting. It shows that the armaments industry only received 30%. I always complained about this.”
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