Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

740.00116 EW/10–1944

The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State

No. 647

His Majesty’s Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and, under instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has the honour to inform him that His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom are becoming increasingly concerned, as the conclusion of hostilities against Germany draws in sight, about the safety of the Allied prisoners of of war in Germany, who according to the information in the possession of His Majesty’s Government number about 3¾ million scattered in camps throughout that country. His Majesty’s Government foresee danger arising either in consequence of the chaotic conditions that will result from a German collapse, or alternatively as a result of a deliberate threat by Hitler and his associates to murder some or all of the prisoners unless the Allies agree to come to terms. The object of this manoeuvre might, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government, be either to avoid unconditional surrender or to save the lives of the most important Nazi gangsters and war criminals or to attempt to cause dissension among the Allies in the final stages of the war.

2. Mr. Eden, in conjunction with the British Chiefs of Staff, has been considering the best method of meeting this danger, and has come to the conclusion that the most promising counter-action would be the issue, at the appropriate time, of a joint Anglo-American-Soviet warning to the effect that individual commandants and guards, no less than the German military authorities, will be held individually responsible for the safety of the prisoners of war in their charge and that excuses or attempts to shift responsibility on to the S.S. or Gestapo will not be entertained. As regards the appropriate time for the issue of the proposed warning, it is the view of His Majesty’s Government that it should not be issued until either (1) organised German military resistance has ceased or (2) Hitler has issued a threat to murder prisoners of war or a clear indication of such an intention has reached the Allied Governments. His Majesty’s Government suggest that the warning might be issued in the name of the three Allied Governments, through whom action might be co-ordinated with a view to securing synchronization; they further suggest that it would be desirable that the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force and the Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean be invited to recommend the issue of the proposed warning if and when they thought such action to be necessary.

3. Lord Halifax has the honour to communicate to Mr. Hull herewith the draft text of a warning which His Majesty’s Government suggest might be suitable for issue at the appropriate time, and to enquire whether the United States Government is in principle willing to participate in the joint issue of such a warning and if so whether it concurs in the terms of the draft text enclosed herewith and agrees with His Majesty’s Government’s views as to the appropriate time for its issue. Lord Halifax has the honour to add that His Majesty’s Ambassador at Moscow has been instructed to make a similar approach to the Soviet Government.⁴⁹

Washington , October 19, 1944.

[Enclosure]

Text of Proposed Warning

“The Governments of the United Kingdom, United States and U.S.S.R. on behalf of all the Allied Nations at war with Germany hereby issue a solemn warning to all commandants and guards in charge of Allied prisoners of war in Germany and German occupied territory and to members of the Gestapo and all other persons of whatsoever service or rank in whose charge Allied prisoners of war have been placed, whether in battle zones, on lines of communication or in rear areas. They declare that they will hold all such persons, no less than the German High Command and competent German military, naval and air authorities, individually responsible for the safety and welfare of all Allied prisoners of war in their charge.

Any person guilty of maltreating or allowing any Allied prisoners of war to be maltreated, whether in battle zone, on lines of communication, in a camp, hospital, prison or elsewhere, will be ruthlessly pursued and brought to punishment.

They give notice that they will regard this responsibility as binding in all circumstances and one which cannot be transferred to any other authorities or individuals whatsoever.”

49. The Secretary of State on October 24, 1944, advised the British Ambassador that the text of the proposed warning had been referred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for consideration.