1. The Fuehrer has ordered the district leader (Gauleiter) Koch to carry out the utilization of the soil in the parts of the Reichskommissariat Ostland which are occupied by the Army Group Middle. Further, the Fuehrer has ordered that all German and local administrative authorities are bound by the directives of Gauleiter Koch. Concerning the exploitation of natural resources and other products, Gauleiter Koch has to keep in touch with the competent supreme authorities of the Reich.
2. All quarters of the Armed Forces are to give Gauleiter Koch their utmost support in the execution of this order.
3. The order of September 5th, 1944, concerning the full powers given by the Fuehrer to Gauleiter Koch is hereby cancelled.
[illegible pencil remark]
(signed) Keitel.
OKW/WFSt/Qu.2 (East) number 0 6891/44 secret [in pencil]
5031 [in pencil] [illegible pencil remarks]
BOC—OKW—1620 [in pencil]
Further Distribution:
Head of the Party Chancellery
Minister of the Reich and Head of the Reich Chancellery
Gauleiter Koch, Koenigsberg
General Staff of the Army Gen.St.d.H./Gen.Qu./K. Verw.
(Anna)
[pencil note on the right side]; ab 9/9.44 [initials]
(2 stamps)
SECRET [stamped]
Teletype
SSD [in red pencil]
Fuehrer Headquarters, 5.9.44.
Secret [in red pencil]
12F [in pencil]
To:
1. Gen. St. d. H./Gen. Qu.
2. Ob. Heeresgruppe Nord
3. O.B. Heeresgruppe Mitte [in pencil]
4. Wi Stab Ost
5. Wehrkreiskommando I.
The Fuehrer will intrust Gauleiter Koch, East Russia, with the economic evacuation of the Ostland occupied by us and will give him all full powers necessary for that purpose. Apart from bringing food-stuffs back we mean to seize useful products, machines etc.
All quarters of the armed forces have to support Gauleiter Koch as far as possible.
The Chef OKW
Certified copy [signed] Keitel [in pencil]
Schlossmann
Army Major.
[stamped]
SSD FS WNOF Number 4563 arrived September 5th, 1944
2240 o'clock forwarded on......o'clock to.....
by................
[illegible pencil remarks]
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 744-PS