Press Release Issued by the White House, April 23, 194519
There follows the text of a warning, in leaflet form, which Allied airplanes began distributing at 6 p.m., E.W.T., on April 23, 1945, over those portions of German territory still in German control:
“The Governments of the United Kingdom, United States of America, and the U.S.S.R., on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Germany, hereby issue a solemn warning to all commandants and guards in charge of Allied prisoners of war, internees or deported citizens of the United Nations 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, internees or deported citizens 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, internees or deported citizens in their charge.
“Any person guilty of maltreating or allowing any Allied prisoners of war, internees or deported citizens 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.”
The leaflets bore the facsimile signatures of the President of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain, and Marshal Stalin of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
- Reprinted from Department of State Bulletin, April 29, 1945, p. 811.↩