The High Command gives the following comment upon them:
In virtue of the directions given by the Fuehrer on 7 December 1941, capital punishment will be inflicted on principle in the occupied territories for offenses of non-German civilians which are directed against the Reich and the army of occupation and are endangering its safety or readiness for action. Whenever capital punishment would not be probable or could not be immediately inflicted and executed, the perpetrator will be brought to Germany and sentenced there. In some cases perpetrators who have been sentenced in the occupied territories will be committed for imprisonment to a penitentiary in Germany. This will be done for political reasons on principle in case of capital punishments inflicted on women, men of 70 years and older, and fathers of numerous children under age, excepting punishments inflicted on account of murder or of such crimes which are in connection with actions (e.g., partisans).
The transfer to Germany will be made, in accordance with the wishes of the Fuehrer, in order to make an efficacious and lasting warning example. The Fuehrer desires the relations and the population to be kept in suspense as regards the fate of the perpetrator. To German and foreign bureaus it will be replied to inquiries and petitions—“The perpetrator has been committed to prison, further information cannot be given.”
To Ministerialrat von Ammon
It is therefore impossible to comply with the wishes of the Ambassador de Brinon. The High Command requests you to inform him in due form.
By order:
[Typed] signed Dr. Huelle
Berlin, 6 April 1944
High Command of the Armed Forces
14 n 16.18 WR (I/3)