Figure 1.- Sixth Arny commnder Field Marshal Walter Reuchenau was one if the most ardent NAZIs of the major German generals. "Severity" does not capturer what Sixth Arny commnder Field Marshal Walter Reuchenau meant. He meant 'barbaity', the bestial murder of Jewish women women and children. Here is what he meant -- Einsatzgruppen operating behind the lines in the Sixth Army area of Ukraine. Jewish women and children, not yet fully understanding what is happoening, have already surrendered their belongings form a small group. Notice the Germans directing them are not sarmed. This was intintenionlly so as to not tip the victims off thast they are about to be shot. The men have beenb seoarated out vto make the omen abd children easier to handle. Others in the background are ordered to discard their outer clothing and their possessions. Eventually they wil have to disroibe entirely before being mursered. This took nplace at Lubny in Ukraine (October 16, 1941). Reichnaudied died of a stroke and airplane accident O(Decemnber 1941). His protoge, Frederich Paulis, replaced him in command of the Sixth Army and would lead it into Stalingrad.

The Wehrmacht Standing Orders such as Barbarossa (March 1941), Commissar (June 1941), and Guidelines for the Conduct of Troops in Russia (June 1941) are well known. Less well known are some of the subsequent follow-up orders issued by a variety of German commanders. One such order was issued by Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau (1884-1942) commanding the German Sixth Army in the Ukraine during Barbarossa. Von Reichenau was a strong NAZI supporter within the Heer from an early point. Once the NAZIs seized power, he acted as a liaison officer between the Heer and the Party. He played an important role in convincing Hermann G�ring and Heinrich Himmler that Ernst R�hm and the SA had to be removed as a threat to both the Heer and the Party leading to the Night of the Long Knives (1934). Reichenau knew of and supported the SS Einsatzgruppen in killing Jews after the combat troops had occupied an area. His orders ytob the 6th Army are known as the Hecdid not believe that many German soldier were fulfilling the estabblished standing orders in Russia. This order was issued as Red army resistance began to stiffen. The 6th army under a different commander was the German force that would be trapped in Stalingrad about a year later.

The Wehrmacht and the Holocaust

The SS was the elite NAZI Part force which under the command of the Heinrich Himmler became a state within the NAZI state. It ws to the SS that Hitler gave the assignment of elininating European Jews and other unwanted people like the Gypsies. This was, however, and enormous undertaking and the SS was a relatively small formation. And the Waffen-SS created during the War was primarily engaged agter the invaion of the Soviet Union in the war effort. Thus the SS needed the assistance of other forces. The primary force assisting the SS was the Wehrmacht. The SS woukld have had gret difficulty killing the number if H=Jews they did without the assistabce of the Wehrmacht. The Wehrmacht played a major role in rounding up the Jews and concentrating thm. They were also involved in killing, although the killing factories , the death camps, were run by the SS. After the War, some Wehrmacht officers argued thst Hitler nd the SS were responsible for the Holocaust. There are, however, mountains of evidence that the Wehrmacht was bioth directly and indirectly involved in the Holocaust from OKW down to every level of command. This does not mean, of course, that every Wehrmacht oldier was involved. It does mean that senior Wehrmachr cmmabders beginning with OKW and very lsrhe numbers of officers and soldirts were involved. This egan in Poland (September 1939) ad continued throughoy the War.

Wehrmacht Standing Orders

The Wehrmacht Stannding Orders such as Barbarossa (March 1941), Commissar (June 1941), and Guidelines for the Conduct of Troops in Russia (June 1941) are well known. Hitler from the outset of preparations for the invasion of the Soviet Union made it clear that Barbarissa would be different. He had OKW issue standing orders that spelled out just how the war in the East woukd be persued. And unlike World War I, it would not be just severe, this time it would be genocidal. The SS Einsatzgruppen would be tasked with killing all Jews they encounteed, but this task would not be limited to just the SS killing squads. The wehrmacht was expected to play its role in the killings. The Wehrmacht orders were not as clear as those given to the Einsatzgruppen commanders, but they were on paper and signed by OKW and were in fact clear enough. OKW issued a series of orders setting the perameters for the conduct of German troops in the Soviet Union. OKW issued a series of orders setting the perameters for the conduct of German troops in the Soviet Union. Each were in blatant violation of international law. They included the Barbarossa Order, the Commissar Order, and the Kommunisten Order. Note that these were not secret orders given to the SS, but commands issued by the Wehrmnacht high command in total violation of the rules of war and international law. There were also orders that affected the Western Allies, including the Commando Order and Night and Fog Decree.

Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau (1884-1942)

One such order issued by Wehrmachr commanders was was issued by Field Marshal Walter von Reichenau (1884-1942) commanding the German Sixth Army in the Ukraine during Barbarossa. Reichenau was born in Karlsruhe (1884). His father was a Prussian general which became the Imoerial German Army upon the unification of Germany (1871). Walter joined the German Army (1903. He served ion the Western Front during World war I. He was awarded the Iron Cross First Class. He was promoted to captain during the War. Reichenau was one of the select few who were able to stay in he small post-War Army during the Weimar era--the Reuchwehr. He served as a general Staff officer. He was appointed Chief of Staff to the Inspector of Signals at the Reichswehr Ministry (1931). He then served with General Werner von Blomberg in East Prussia. His uncle was a devoted NAZI and introduced him personally to Adolf Hitler (1932). Hitler converted von Reichenau to the NAZI cause. The ardent natiionalism of the NAZIs as well as fervent abtu-Semitism appealed to von Reichenau. This was important because after Hitler was appointed Chancellor, the only institution capable of stopping him was the Reichwehr. And tge Reichwhr was strongly monarchist. Thus bulding support in the Reichwehr was very important to JHitler. Von ReiuchenauHe joined the NAZI Party which violated Reichwehr regulations. Offucers were expected to be apolitical. Reichenau came from a wealthy family. They descended from a long line of Prussian nobility. The family owned one of the largest furniture factories in Germany. The factory ws converted to arms production just before Hitler laynched World War II (1938). Von Reichenau was a strong NAZI supporter within the Heer from an early point. Once the NAZIs seized power, he acted as a liaison officer between the Heer and the Party. This was a critical position and time. Lrge numbers of Reichwehr commandes were very concerned about the SA which was a massive force, much larger than the Reichwehr but poorly armed. SA leader R�hm was known as desiring to replace the was known as desiring to replace the Reichwhr with the SA. Von Reichenau played an important role in convincing Hermann G�ring and Heinrich Himmler that Ernst R�hm and the SA had to be removed as a threat to both the Heer and the Party leadingtonthe Night of the Long Knives (1934). Reichenau knew of and supported the deadly SS Einsatzgruppen in killing Jews after the combat troops had occupied an area. He was one of the most ardently NAZI supporters among major Wehrmact commanders. Reichenau would later die of a heart attack in Poland.

Motivation

His orders to the 6th Army are known as the Reichenau Order (October 1941). He did not believe that many German soldier were fulfilling the established standing orders in Russia. This order was issued as Red Army resistance began to stiffen. Apparently Reichenau had received reports of 'softness' his men were exhibiting, particularly in dealing with civilians, such as offering food from military meses to starving refugees. He sought to instill in his men the impotrtance of suppressing communism and Soviet Jewry. The 6th army was the German force that would be trapped in Stalingrad about a year later. Here is the text of the official English-language translation of Field Marshal Reichenau's orders to his men. It was presented in evidence at the Nuremberg military tribunals to try accused German war criminals.

Usage

Once source suggests that other Wehrmacyr commandrs used the Reichenau Ordercas amodel for their instructuions to their men. [Bartov, pp. 129-30.]

Text

[6th Army] Army H.Qu., 10 October 1941

Subject: Conduct of Troops in Eastern Territories.

Regarding the conduct of troops towards the Bolshevistic system, vague ideas are still prevalent in many cases. The most essential aim of war against the Jewish-bolshevistic system is a complete destruction of their means of power and the elimination of Asiatic influence from the European culture. In this connection the troops are facing tasks which exceed the one-sided routine of soldiering. The soldier in the Eastern territories is not merely a fighter according to the rules of the art of war but also a bearer of ruthless national ideology and the avenger of bestialities which have been inflicted upon German and racially related nations.

Therefore the soldier must have full understanding for the necessity of a severe but just revenge on subhuman Jewry. The Army has to aim at another purpose, i.e. the annihilation of revolts in hinterland, which, as experience proves, have always been caused by Jews.

The combating of the enemy behind the front line is still not being taken seriously enough. Treacherous, cruel partisans and degenerate women are still being made prisoners-of-war and guerilla fighters dressed partly in uniform or plain clothes and vagabonds are still being treated as proper soldiers, and sent to prisoner-of-war camps. In fact, captured Russian officers talk even mockingly about Soviet agents moving openly about the roads and very often eating at German field kitchens. Such an attitude of the troops can only be explained by complete thoughtlessness, so it is now high time for the commanders to clarify the meaning of the pressing struggle.

The feeding of the natives and of prisoners-of-war who are not working for the Armed forces from Army kitchens is an equally misunderstood humanitarian act as is the giving of cigarettes and bread. Things which the people at home can spare under great sacrifices and things which are being bought by the command to the front under great difficulties, should not be given to the enemy by the soldier even if they originate from booty. It is an important part of our supply.

When retreating the Soviets have often set buildings on fire. The troops should be interested in extinguishing of fires only as far as it is necessary to secure sufficient numbers of billets. Otherwise the disappearance of symbols of the former bolshevistic rule even in the form of buildings is part of the struggle of destruction. Neither historic nor artistic considerations are of any importance in the Eastern territories. The command issues the necessary directives for the securing of raw material and plants, essential for war economy. The complete disarming of the civilian population in the rear of the fighting troops is imperative considering the long vulnerable lines of communications. Where possible, captured weapons and ammunition should be stored and guarded. Should this be impossible because of the situation of the battle, the weapons and ammunition will be rendered useless. If isolated partisans are found using firearms in the rear of the army drastic measures are to be taken. These measures will be extended to that part of the male population who were in a position to hinder or report the attacks. The indifference of numerous apparently anti-Soviet elements which originates from a "wait and see" attitude, must give way to a clear decision for active collaboration. If not, no one can complain about being judged and treated a member of the Soviet system.

The fear of German counter-measures must be stronger than threats of the wandering bolshevistic remnants. Regardless of all future political considerations the soldier has to fulfill two tasks:

1.) Complete annihilation of the false Bolshevist doctrine of the Soviet State and its armed forces.

2.) The pitiless extermination of foreign treachery and cruelty and thus the protection of the lives of military personnel in Russia.

This is the only way to fulfill our historic task to liberate the German people once and for all from the Asiatic-Jewish danger.

Commander-in-Chief

(signed) von Reichenau

Field Marshal

Sources

Bartov, Omer. Hitler's Army: Soldiers, Nazis, and War in the Third Reich (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991).

Nurrenberg Translation of Document No. NOKW-309 Continued Copy AOK 6, Sect. Ia-File No. 7.

Militry History of the 20th century. HBC echanges information and images with this website. The ebmaster alerted us to the existance of the Reichenau Order. c

Created: 6:44 PM 3/2/2012
Last updated: 10:29 AM 6/2/2022