Weaklings, who should express themselves to the effect that in the present situation one must assure oneself of "friends" among the PWs by means of mild treatment, are defeatists and are to be prosecuted on the charge of subversion of national defense.
The PWs must not be in doubt for an instant that weapons will be ruthlessly employed against them, if they give any sort of passive resistance or should try to mutiny.
The commanding officers must take care that this policy concerning the treatment of PWs becomes the common property of all officers, officials, non-commissioned officers and enlisted men subordinated to them. This is not to be attained through written directives and pamphlets alone, but primarily by the spoken word and by a persistent and conscientious education of subordinates in the spirit of these statements.
I request that the local agencies of the National Socialist Party be, in a suitable manner, orally informed of this policy and that it be reported to the Commanders.
I request that no reproduction of this document be made.
[signed] v. Graevenitz
Reprinting, even in part, forbidden.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 232-PS
National Socialist German Workers Party
Party Chancellery
The Chief of the Party Chancellery
Fuehrer Headquarters, 13 Sep 1944
Proclamation
Chancellery Rosenberg, Rec'd No. 2594 K/ 19 Sep 44
Presented to the Reichsleiter on the 20 Sept. Rdsdir.
For the Information of:
1. Staff leader [Init.] 2. Central Office 27 Sep 44 [Init.] 3. Administration 27 Sep 44 [Init.] Returned to the Chancellery