TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 695-PS
SECRET
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Berlin—Schoeneberg
Badensche Strasse 51, March 24, 1942
Armed forces high command
z 2f 24. 73 AWA/prisoners of war [general?] (Ia),
p. 389/428
Reference:
a. armed forces high command/prisoners of war No. 3058/41 g of September 1941.
b. armed forces high command/prisoners of war No. 3624/41 g of November 2, 1941.
1. Treatment of Soviet prisoners of war.
The necessity of increased use of the labor of Soviet prisoners of war necessitates a new regulation of their treatment. The statutes in reference to this matter are repealed, and the following regulation is in effect in the future for the treatment of Soviet prisoners of war:
A. Treatment of Soviet Prisoners of War in General
Bolshevism is the mortal enemy of National Socialist Germany. The Soviet soldier must on principle be considered a carrier of Bolshevism. Therefore it answers political necessity and the authority and dignity of the German armed forces, for every German soldier to keep his distance from the Soviet prisoners of war.
With cool and correct treatment, avoidance of violence and insults, and protection from public curiosity, the work done by the Soviet prisoners of war can be increased. It is forbidden to carry out retaliatory measures against them.