(2) Such acts constitute “plunder of public or private property” within the meaning of Article 6 (B) of the Charter of the International Military Tribunal. Save as they may be authorized by International Law (and hence “consented” to by the occupied countries), the acts complained of are of a character condemned by the criminal code of the occupied countries and, indeed, of all civilized nations. Absent such authority, the forcible permanent taking of money or other property whether from Government agencies or private persons, constitutes larceny or, as known in the international law of belligerent occupation, “pillage” (Garner, supra, pp. 472-473). The question of which court or courts may try and punish for the offense is one of jurisdiction only (see Garner, supra, pp. 475-480) and has been resolved by the Agreement and Charter of the International Military Tribunal.


LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO GERMANIZATION AND SPOLIATION

DocumentDescriptionVol.Page
Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6, especially 6 (b, c).I5
International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections III; VIII (E, J).I15, 43, 51
 3737-PSHague Convention of 1907 respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, Annex, Articles 49, 52, 53, 55.VI598, 599
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Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.
—————
 *061-PSSecret Bormann letter, 11 January 1944, concerning large-scale organization for withdrawal of commodities from occupied territories for use of bombed-out population in Germany. (USA 692)III105
 *294-PSTop secret memorandum signed by Brautigam, 25 October 1942, concerning conditions in Russia. (USA 185)III242
 *661-PSSecret thesis from the Academy of German Law, January 1940, on Resettlement. (USA 300)III472
 *686-PSDecree of the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor to strengthen German Folkdom, 7 October 1939, signed by Hitler, Goering, Lammers and Keitel. (USA 305)III496
 *862-PSMemorandum by General Friderici, Plenipotentiary of the Wehrmacht to the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, initialled by Keitel, Jodl and Warlimont, 15 October 1940, concerning plan to Germanize Czechoslovakia. (USA 313)III618
 *910-PSNotes on Himmler’s plan for Germanization of Poland, 27 and 30 March 1942, from the Main Office, Interior Administration, initialled “Dr. S. H.”. (USA 310)III639
  997-PSTop secret report by Seyss-Inquart concerning the situation in the Netherlands—Exploitation and Nazification in period 29 May to 19 July 1940.III641
*1029-PSPaper entitled “Instructions for a Reich Commissar in the Baltic States”, 8 May 1941, found in Rosenberg’s “Russia File”. (USA 145)III690
*1058-PSExcerpt from a speech, 20 June 1941, by Rosenberg before people most intimately concerned with Eastern Problem, found in his “Russia File”. (USA 147)III716
*1352-PSReports concerning the confiscation of Polish agricultural properties, 16 and 29 May 1940, signed Kusche. (USA 176)III916
 1445-PSReport on conference at Ministry of Economics regarding use of Belgian and Dutch capital investments in southeastern European enterprises, 15 June 1940.IV20
*1456-PSThomas memorandum 20 June 1941; Keitel consulted about resources of USSR. (USA 148)IV21
 1741-PSCollection of documents relating to the French Armistice.IV228
 1765-PSReport of the Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Plenipotentiary for Special Missions on Black Market Activities, 15 January 1943.IV325
*1918-PSSpeech by Himmler to SS officers on day of Metz. (USA 304)IV553
 1991-PSSixth report on activity and final report of the German Armistice Delegation for Economy, and of Delegate of Reich Government for Economic and Financial Questions with French Government, 1 July 1943 to 17 August 1944.IV605
*1997-PSDecree of the Fuehrer, 17 July 1941, concerning administration of Newly Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 319)IV634
 2149-PSLetter, 11 December 1942, to Foreign Office, enclosing statement of German Reichsbank concerning question of an increase of French contributions to Occupation expenses.IV758
*2233-D-PSFrank Diary. Regierungsitzungen. 1941. October-December. Entry of 16 December 1941 at pp. 76-77. (USA 281)IV891
*2233-G-PSFrank Diary. 1939. 25 October to 15 December. (USA 302)IV903
*2233-H-PSFrank Diary. Tagebuch. 1941. Part II. Entry of 19 April 1941. (USA 311)IV904
*2749-PSTitle page of publication of Academy for German Law, 7th year, 1940. (USA 301)V390
*2915-PSExtracts from German Labor, June-July 1942. (USA 306)V580
*2916-PSCommitment of Manpower Doctrines-Orders-Directives, published by Office of Reich Commissioner for strengthening of National Character of German People, December 1940. (USA 307)V581
 3602-PSReport on conversation (interview) between Mr. Hemmen and Mr. de Boisanger, 4 October.VI314
 3603-PSReport on conversation between Mr. Hemmen and Mr. de Boisanger, 10 October.VI314
 3604-PSDecree concerning rationing of industrial goods from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 37, Sec. 1.VI315
 3605-PSRationing decree, 27 May 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 37, Sec. 4.VI315
 3606-PSRationing decree, 27 May 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commanders in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 38, Sec. 10.VI316
 3607-PSPublic Notice on Board of Directors of Reichskreditkasse, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 65.VI316
 3608-PSPublic Notice of Establishment of a Clearing system between Belgium and German Reich, 10 July 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France.VI317
 3609-PSDecree for execution of rationing decree in Belgium, 5 November 1940, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France.VI318
 3610-PSDecree regarding Plant Commissars, 29 April 1941, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 599.VI319
 3611-PSDecree on economic measures against Jews, 31 May 1941, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1940-41, p. 620, Sec. 17.VI320
 3612-PSDecree regarding prohibition of manufacturing of certain products, 6 August 1942, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1942, p. 986, Sec. 1.VI321
 3613-PSProclamation to Netherlands population, 25 May 1940, from Official Gazette for Occupied Dutch Territory, No. 1, 5 June 1940.VI321
 3615-PSReport by Ostrow on examination of records of Reichskreditkasse, 29 September 1945.VI322
 3616-PSDecree on prohibition to establish and enlarge enterprises and on shutting down enterprises, 30 March 1942, from Official Gazette of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1942, p. 865.VI388
*EC-3Letter of Liaison Staff at Supreme Headquarters, Armament Procurement Office directed to General Thomas, Chief of Wi Rue Amt, Berlin, 25 November 1941. (USA 318)VII242
 EC-21Memorandum of Posse, 8 January 1940.VII249
 EC-34Report No. 1 on activities of Military Administration for month of November 1940.VII254
 EC-41Notice concerning seizure of security properties of Dutch and Belgian holdings, 23 May 1940.VII255
 EC-43Report on conferences at Ministry of Economics, 20 August 1940, regarding acquisition of shares in important foreign enterprises in Southeast Europe.VII258
 EC-69Memorandum of General Holder, 13 December 1939, regarding treatment of economical questions at the OKH.VII262
 EC-84Report of Lt. Colonel Helder on reconversion of the economy, 7 December 1940.VII263
 EC-86Report on financial contributions of the Occupied Areas.VII264
 EC-87Report on contribution of Netherlands for German War economy.VII278
 EC-101Affidavit by Schmid-Lossberg, 21 September 1945, concerning Holland, Belgium and France.VII280
 EC-113Covering letter, 8 July 1940, to letter from Supreme Command of Armed Forces, concerning decision of Fuehrer in Armistice questions, and memorandum of Goering, 5 July 1940.VII291
*EC-126Economic Policy Directive for Economic Organization, East, Agricultural Group, 23 May 1941. (USA 316)VII295
 EC-137Memorandum of Goering, 2 August 1940, regarding extension of German interests in foreign enterprise, and covering letter.VII309
 EC-155Collection of planned decrees on economic matters, from Military Administration-Economy, pp. 50-74.VII312
 EC-256Letter from Dr. Lammers to Goering and Funk, 12 October 1937.VII346
 EC-261Letter from Funk to all Ministries, 14 March 1938, regarding appointment of Sarnow, deputy of Plenipotentiary for War Economy.VII371
 EC-263Note on draft of decree on confiscation of private Polish property.VII373
 EC-267Development and Position of French Industry in area of Military Commander, France, in 1941, from Report on Economy by Military Commander, France.VII376
*EC-305Minutes of meeting on 12 February 1940, under Chairmanship of Goering concerning labor supply in the East. (USA 303)VII402
 EC-323Telegram signed Schleier, dated Paris 26 April 1941.VII406
 EC-335Report of the Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France, January-March 1943.VII407
 EC-336Report of the Reich Minister for Occupied Eastern Territories, 26 November 1942, concerning treatment of Poles under his jurisdiction.VII408
 EC-344-7Report on Armament Economy in
Poland, 1939-1940.VII416
*EC-344 16 and 17Thomas report, 20 August 1940, summarizing experience with German Armament Industry in Poland 1939-40 and extract from report by Captain Dr. Varain on same subject. (USA 297)VII419
*EC-347Directives for operation of the Economy in Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 320)VII421
 EC-401Letter from Office Four Year Plan, 8 July 1942, on seizure of Belgian gold.VII439
*EC-410Appendix to Goering’s directive of 19 October 1939 concerning the economic administration of Occupied Territories. (USA 298)VII466
*EC-411Order by Hess concerning the reconstruction of certain industrial enterprises in Poland, 20 November 1939. (USA 299)VII469
 EC-422Extracts from History of the War Economy—and Armament Staff in France.VII481
 EC-427Letter from Lammers to Reichsbank Directorate, 20 January 1939, on appointment of Funk as President of Reichsbank.VII484
*EC-453Letter to Himmler, 21 September 1943, and list of contributions by his friends. (USA 322)VII510
*EC-454Letter to Himmler, 27 August 1943, regarding contributions by his friends. (USA 321)VII512
 EC-465Letter from Commissar with the Netherlands Bank, 9 December 1940, with November report to Fuehrer.VII518
 EC-468Letter from Commissar at the Netherlands Bank, 10 February 1941, with report for January 1941 to Fuehrer.VII524
 EC-469Memorandum on meeting in Duesseldorf, 25 May 1940.VII536
 EC-470Special Events in the field of procurement of means of production, raw material, semi-finished products.VII538
 EC-471Armament Inspectorate Netherlands—War Diary for time from 1 January-31 March 1943.VII538
*EC-472Directives of Reich Marshal Goering concerning economic organization of Occupied Eastern Territories. (USA 315)VII539
 EC-472-AWar Diary of Armament Inspectorate from 10 April 1940-30 September 1942.VII540
 EC-473Extract from History of Armament Inspectorate—Netherlands.VII542
 EC-474Letter, 1 June 1940, enclosing report of Armament Inspectorate Netherlands.VII542
 EC-485Minutes on Goering Meeting, 1 October 1940, on the economic exploitation of Occupied Territories.VII543
 EC-560Extract from War Diary of Armament Inspectorate—Belgium 21 January 1941, regarding right to remove machinery.VII584
 EC-604Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 1 May 1942.VII584
 EC-605Letter of the Commissar with the Emission Bank in Brussels, 29 October 1942, with enclosure.VII585
 EC-606Minutes concerning conference with Field Marshal Goering at Karinhall, 30 January 1940.VII588
 EC-613Memorandum on contributions of French economy in favor of France performed at instigation of Military Commander in France.VII602
 EC-614Memorandum of the Military Commander in France.VII602
 EC-615Notes by General Thomas on Meeting with Colonel General Keitel, 1 December 1939.VII603
 EC-616Interference of War Economy and Armament Staff with raw material rationing boards from Situation Report of War Economy and Armament Staff of France.VII603
 EC-617Extracts from Situation Report of War Economy and Armament Staff of France.VII604
 EC-618Service instructions for Economic Squads.VII604
 EC-619Clearing agreement of 14 November 1940, for French-German payments.VII608
 EC-620Directive of Goering on exploitation of the Occupied Western Territories, 26 August 1940.VII608
 ECH-1Final report of Military Commander Belgium, Part 10, Section I, concerning German-Belgian trade.VII609
 ECH-2Report on Economic Planning of Military Commander Belgium and Northern France, 13 September 1940.VII610
 ECH-3Final Report of Chief of Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France.VII611
 ECH-4Annual report of Military Commander of Belgium and Northern France, 15 July 1941.VII613
 ECH-5Final Report of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France.VII615
 ECH-6Final report of Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France.VII620
 ECH-7Final Report of Supervisory Office with Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France on legalized exploitation of black market in Belgium and Northern France.VII622
 ECH-9Circular of Military Commander, 19 June 1943, concerning prohibition of black market purchase.VII629
 ECH-10Final Report of Military Commander on machinery clearing.VII629
 ECH-11Final Report of Military Commander on Church Bell drive in Belgium.VII631
 ECH-12Report of Activity Department for “Protection of Art” of Military Commander Belgium and Northern France.VII632
 ECH-14Letter from Speer, 23 June 1943, with covering letter.VII632
 ECH-15Draft of letter to Falkenhausen, 22 May 1944.VII634
 ECH-16Memorandum from Military Administration Department for Culture, 17 May 1944, concerning requisition of scientific instruments.VII635
 ECH-19Final Report of Military Commander showing total picture of consolidation of Belgian Textile Industry.VII636
 ECH-21Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France to General Falkenhausen, 12 October 1940, and annexes.VII637
 ECH-22Final Report of Military Commander, concerning foreign exchange and gold.VII639
 ECH-23Report of Military Commander on supplies in the German interest in Belgium and Northern France in 1941.VII641
 ECH-24Introduction to Final Report of Military Commander by Dr. Beyer.VII642
 ECR-14Memorandum from Commissar at the Belgian National Bank on Clearing Transfers, 24 March 1941.VII642
 ECR-24Annual report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, covering period May 1940-May 1941.VII642
 ECR-32Memorandum from Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich Commissioner for the Four Year Plan, 11 June 1941, on occupation costs in Belgium and covering letters.VII667
 ECR-35Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of the Reichskreditkassen, 2 August 1941.VII670
 ECR-39Memorandum from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 August 1941, concerning procurement of Occupation Costs in Belgium, and covering letter.VII671
 ECR-59Memorandum from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 October 1941, on contributions from Belgium to the limit of its capacity, and covering letter.VII676
 ECR-72Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of RKK, 22 December 1941, ordering Emission Bank to pay out clearing transfer.VII681
 ECR-89Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 2 March 1942, concerning payment for German Military Expenditures in Belgium through clearing; and letter of transmittal.VII682
 ECR-104Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 24 April 1942, concerning payment of expenses of German Armed Forces in Belgium in clearing.VII685
 ECR-106Memorandum from Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 1 May 1942, on use of occupation funds for black market purchases and political purposes.VII686
 ECR-115Teletype, 27 July 1942, on position of Reichsbank regarding requisition of Belgian gold.VII689
 ECR-132Report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 1 December 1942, covering period August-October 1942.VII690
 ECR-142Letter from Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France, 22 February 1943, on exchange of RKK notes in Belgium.VII695
 ECR-149Third Annual Report of the Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 5 June 1943.VII700
 ECR-155-AMemorandum from Special Commissioner West of Reichskreditkassen, 7 December 1943, on occupation costs.VII716
 ECR-166Memorandum from Special Commissioner West of Reichskreditkassen, 10 May 1944, concerning cash situation of Chief Paymaster at Military Commander in Belgium and Northern France.VII718
 ECR-172Letter from Reichskommissar for Occupied Territories of Belgium and Northern France, 21 July 1944, concerning equalization of monthly balance in giro traffic of Reichskreditkassen.VII720
 ECR-173Report of Commissar at the National Bank of Belgium, 15 August 1944, on total occupation charges and Belgium clearing balance.VII721
 ECR-174Report of the Commissar of the Netherlands Bank for the month May 1941, dated 12 June 1941.VII726
 ECR-175Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Brussels, 18 May 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII732
 ECR-176Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Brussels, 27 May 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII733
 ECR-177Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 June 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII735
 ECR-178Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 25 July 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII735
 ECR-179Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 August 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII735
 ECR-180Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 September 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII736
 ECR-181Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 October 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII737
 ECR-182Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 29 November 1941, concerning occupation costs.VII737
 ECR-183Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 6 January 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII738
 ECR-184Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 January 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII739
 ECR-185Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 27 February 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII740
 ECR-186Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 28 March 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII740
 ECR-187Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 April 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII741
 ECR-188Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 13 July 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII742
 ECR-189Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 13 August 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII743
 ECR-190Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 31 August 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII743
 ECR-191Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 30 September 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII744
 ECR-192Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 6 November 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII744
 ECR-193Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 7 December 1942, concerning occupation costs.VII745
 ECR-194Letter of Commissar at the Netherlands Bank Amsterdam, enclosing report on contributions of Holland for Germany during the first year of occupation, 28 May 1941.VII745
 ECR-195Letter from RKK Amsterdam to Central Administration of RKK Berlin, 21 April 1942, concerning Dutch East Help.VII747
 ECR-196Report of the Commissar of the Netherlands Bank, 9 May 1941.VII748
 ECR-197Circular of the Reichsminister of Economics in foreign exchange matters, 31 March 1941.VII749
*L-70Speech by Himmler at Bad Schachen, 14 October 1943, on the Question of Security. (USA 308)VII818
*L-221Bormann report on conference of 16 July 1941, concerning treatment of Eastern populations and territories. (USA 317)VII1086
*R-92Instruction for internal use on application of law concerning property of Poles of 17 September 1940; copy of monthly report 31 May 1942 with statistics on farms and estates seized and confiscated in the Incorporated Eastern Territories; copy of letter from SS officer to Himmler, 20 November 1940. (USA 312)VIII61
*R-112Orders issued by Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German nationhood, 16 February 1942, 1 July 1942, 28 July 1942. (USA 309)VIII108
*R-114Memoranda of conferences, 4 and 18 August 1942, concerning directions for treatment of deported Alsatians. (USA 314)VIII122

Chapter XIV
THE PLUNDER OF ART TREASURES

1. THE EINSATZSTAB ROSENBERG

A. Formation, Purpose, Powers.

On 29 January 1940 Hitler issued a decree in the following terms:

“The ‘Hohe Schule’ is supposed to become the center for national socialistic ideological and educational research. It will be established after the conclusion of the war. I order that the already initiated preparations be continued by Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg, especially in the way of research and the setting up of the library.