April 14, 1939
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 407-II-PS
Telegram
GBA 760/43 [in ink crossed out in red]
10 March 3.
To the Fuehrer
Fuehrer headquarters
With the urgent request for immediate presentation to the Fuehrer in person and decision.
Subject: Difficulties in recruiting of workers [Arbeitsdienstverpflichtung] in the former Soviet territories.
My Fuehrer:
You can be assured that the Arbeitseinsatz is being carried out by me with fanatical determination, but also with care and consideration for the economical and technical, as well as human, necessities and occurrences.
The replacement for soldiers who are to be freed and the reinforcement of the armament program with newly needed workers can and will be supplied, in spite of great difficulties, which had to be overcome in the last two winter months. 258,000 foreign workers could be supplied during January and February to war industry, although the transports in the East were almost completely lacking. The commitment of German men and women is in full force.
Now that the difficulties of the winter months are disappearing more and more the transports from the East can be put into full operation again on account of preparations arranged by me. Although the report and commitment-results of German men and women is outstanding, in the heavy industrial labor the commitment of productive foreigners who are used to labor cannot be neglected.
Unfortunately, a few commanders in chief [Oberbefehlshaber] in the East mobilized the recruiting of men and women in the conquered Soviet territories, as I was told by Gauleiter Koch—for political reasons.