SECRET NIGHT AND FOG DECREE OF HITLER, SIGNED BY KEITEL, 7 DECEMBER 1941, CONCERNING MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST PERSONS OFFERING RESISTANCE TO GERMAN OCCUPATION
Secret
The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Directives for the Prosecution of Criminal Acts against the Reich or the Occupying Power in the Occupied Territories of 7 December 1941
Since the beginning of the Russian campaign, Communist elements and other anti-German circles have increased their assaults against the Reich and the occupation force in the occupied territories. The extent and the danger of these activities necessitate the most severe measures against the malefactors in order to intimidate them. To begin with, the following directives should be observed:
I
In case of criminal acts committed by non-German civilians and which are directed against the Reich or the occupation force, endangering their safety or striking force, the death penalty is indicated in principle.
II
Criminal acts contained in paragraph I, will on principle, be tried in the occupied territories only when it appears probable that death sentences are going to be passed on the offenders, or, at least, the main offenders, and if the trial and the execution of the death sentence can be carried out without delay. In other cases the offenders, or, at least, the main offenders, are to be taken to Germany.
III