Pardon proceedings instigated by the local recruiting authorities on behalf of those sentenced who belong to the age groups of 1908 and younger will not as a rule be continued. The armed forces replacement offices concerned will be informed by the pardoning authorities, to desist from further processing of these requests by order of the High Command of the Armed Forces. Exceptions are proceedings against those, who have been sentenced up to 1½ years’ penitentiary (see above). These proceedings will be acted upon in the manner heretofore customary, and if need be, presented to the Reich Minister of Justice for decisions.
The attorneys general will issue a report on the number of convicts who are still in confinement who come under this category for induction. They will simultaneously compile lists which will contain personal particulars of those persons sentenced (name, birth-date and town, occupation, sentence, expiration date, behavior, etc.). The list will be sent to the army office concerned. The named prisoners will await the army’s call.
II. SPECIAL COMMANDOS IN THE EAST
The Reich Marshal has expressed the wish to have convicts made available to be used as special commandos in the East, and to carry out sabotage behind the enemy’s lines. He refers to convicts who strayed off the straight and narrow and have not committed especially dishonorable deeds, for whose person and deed one may have human understanding. Especially suited are poachers who out of a passion for hunting have trespassed, and smugglers who have risked their lives in battle on the borders against the custom officials.
The poachers are already being turned over to the Reich Leader SS for special duties. The number of smugglers who come under consideration is exceptionally small. A telephonic questioning of the 13 district attorneys located on the borders of the Reich, disclosed only 2 suitable smugglers in confinement and three are being investigated. In the case of the latter, the citizenship is doubtful. There are no similar groups of convicts for this task who could make any difference in amounts. Under these circumstances it appeared practical to give the attorneys general the general task of obtaining the convicts, appropriate for this purpose, and reporting them. Prerequisites are, voluntary enlistment, physical fitness for military service, age 18 to 45 years, confinement of at least 1 year for a deed not especially dishonorable. The following are exceptions:
a. Foreigners, stateless persons, those of non-German blood.
b. Persons who have been punished because of homosexuality or high treason, or against who imprisonment for security reasons or castration has been ordered.
The appropriate request to the attorneys general has been made. The reports are expected before 25 October 1942. They are being checked in the Reich Ministry of Justice. The names of those convicts appearing suitable according to this will be made known to the Reich Marshal. Insofar as they fulfill also the prerequisites for induction into the Africa Brigade, a corresponding reference will be necessary.
III. DELIVERY OF ASOCIAL CONVICTS
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