At the proposal of the president of the Reichstag, in its session of 26 April 1942, the greater German Reichstag has unanimously approved of the rights which the Fuehrer has postulated in his speech[105], with the following decision:
“There can be no doubt that in the present war, in which the German people is faced with a struggle for its existence or annihilation, the Fuehrer must have all the rights postulated by him which serve to further or achieve victory. Therefore—without being bound by existing legal regulations—the Fuehrer in his capacity as leader of the nation, supreme commander of the armed forces, chief of the government, and supreme holder of executive power, as holder of the supreme judicial power [Oberster Gerichtsherr] and leader of the Party must be in a position to force with all means at his disposal every German, if necessary, whether he be common soldier or officer, low or high official or judge, leading or subordinate official of the Party, worker or employee, to fulfill his duties. In case of violation of these duties, the Fuehrer is entitled, after conscientious examination, regardless of so-called well established rights, to impose due punishment, and to remove the offender from his post, rank and position, without using prescribed procedures.”
At the order of the Fuehrer this decision is hereby promulgated.
Berlin, 26 April 1942
The Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery
Dr. Lammers
- PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NG-715
- PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 112
DECREE, 15 JULY 1942, SIGNED BY KEITEL, STUCKART AND DEFENDANT SCHLEGELBERGER, EXTENDING SPECIAL JURISDICTION OF SS AND POLICE OR MILITARY COURTS TO THE PROTECTORATE OF BOHEMIA AND MORAVIA
1942 REICHSGESETZBLATT I, PAGE 475
Order Concerning the Jurisdiction of SS Courts and Police Courts in the Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia, 15 July 1942