Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, Europe, Volume IV

740.0011 European War 1939/12–1544: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, December 15, 1944.
[Received December 16—10:55 a.m.]

4841. Moscow papers December 15 devote 4½ columns to appeal of 50 German generals to German people and army. This appeal was previously printed in German newspaper published in Soviet Union Freies Deutschland December 10. Text of appeal is accompanied by photographs of appeal in German as signed by German generals and of issue of Freies Deutschland in which appeal was published.

Summary begins. Germans: We, German generals along with many hundreds of thousands of soldiers and officers, prisoners in the USSR, consumed with fear for the future of our people, appeal to you in this hour. With deepest emotion we observe your superhuman but hopeless efforts and your ever growing suffering. Our country has never endured such a disaster and the hour of final collapse finally approaches. Hitler is responsible for this situation. He deceived our people. His various policies finally united all peoples of the world in a war against Germany. Since Hitler took into his own hands the High Command defeats have followed one after another. There are no hopes for a change in this situation and no single power of the world will hold peace parleys with Hitler. In spite of the millions of dead and crippled, in spite of ruined families and approaching famine, cold and illness, Hitler wants to continue the war. They are determined to lead the German people to self destruction. This is meaningless, serves only for preservation of Hitler and his party leaders. But our people must not perish and therefore it is necessary to quickly end the war. It is true that our country will be occupied but sacrifices [at] front and at home will cease, and housing and enterprises remaining whole will be preserved. It is true that there will be punishment for all injustices inflicted on the peoples of opposing nations. But only those who are guilty of crimes against laws of culture and humanity will be put on trial. It’s true that our future will be hard, we will work and reconstruct, but before us ways of advance are open. In place of terror and race hate, law, order and humanity will rule. In place of endless catastrophe there will be peace. We will move forward towards the day when the free German people possessing rights equal to those of other people will occupy its place among nations. When the situation in 1918 was hopeless Hindenburg⁸⁹ and Ludendorff⁹⁰ ended war. German people, arise and overthrow Hitler and Himmler⁹¹ and their regime. Free yourself from criminal leadership. End the war. No miracle can save you. Germans, reestablish by manlike battle the honor of the German name and take the first step to a better future. Summary ends.

Repeated to Paris for Reber⁹² as 49.

Harriman

89. Field Marshal Paul von Beneckendorf and Hindenburg, later President of the German Republic, 1925–1934.
90. Field Marshal Erich von Ludendorff.
91. Heinrich Himmler, Commander in Chief of the Schutzstaffel (Elite Corps), and chief of the German police, 1936–1945.
92. Samuel Reber, temporarily detailed to London as Counselor of Mission on staff of the United States Political Adviser, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, with personal rank of Minister.