The Reich Minister And Head Of The Reich Chancery

Berlin, W.8,   22nd September, 1944.

Subject: Second Decree Of The Leader On Powers Of Command In An Area Of Operations Within The Reich
                With reference to my circular letter of 16th July, 1944, -- Rk 901 E gRS.

                The Leader has deemed it necessary that the Decree forwarded to you with my circular letter of 16th July, 1944, should in certain respects be amended. He has drawn up a second Decree on the powers of command in an area of operations within the Reich, in the form which can be seen from the document enclosed. I am to ask you to take the necessary action. These Regulations also apply to areas under control of a Head Of Civil Administration.

                In drawing up the Decree, The Leader has expressed the opinion that it is self evident that all civilian authorities, particularly those enumerated in paragraph IV subparagraph 2 of the Decree, should maintain the closest contact with the military authorities concerned. I am to request you to instruct the authorities concerned in your sphere of action on these lines.

                The Decree will not be published.

                A corresponding new Regulation deals with the domain of the Party.

Dr Lammers.

(a)

Second Decree Of The Leader On Cooperation Between The Party And The Armed Forces In An Area Of Operations Within The Reich, Dated 19th September, 1944.

                My Decree On Cooperation Between The Party And The Armed Forces In An Area Of Operations Within The Reich is hereby cancelled. Should enemy forces advance into the territory of the Reich, I order as follows:

                I. The Offices of the National Socialist Party, their branches and associated organisations, will continue their activities in the area of operations.

                II. 1. The military Commander In Chief will address his demands arising from the needs of the military situation in the domain of the National Socialist Party, and its branches and associated organisations, to the District Leader in the area of operations.

                I. 2. In immediate battle areas, whose boundaries will be determined by the military Commander In Chief in agreement with the Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations, senior military Commanders are empowered to issue direct to the authorities of the National Socialist Party, its branches and associated organisations, such Directives as may from time to time be necessary for the execution of their operational duties.

                I. 3. I shall appoint the District Leader for the area of operations.

                III. It is the task of the District Leader for the area of operations to advise the military Commander In Chief in questions affecting the National Socialist Party, its branches and associated organisations.

                IV. District Leaders whose Districts lie wholly or in part within the area of operations will appoint a Liaison Officer, who will be attached as Adviser To The District Leader for the area of operations.

                V. The District Leader for the area of operations will carry out his tasks with all available forces of the National Socialist Party, its branches and associated organisations.

                VI. The District Leader for the area of operations may delegate the execution of his duties in an area under a subordinate commander to the competent District Leader in that area.

                VII. This Decree also applies to eastern territories incorporated into the Reich. It applies to the Protectorate Of Bohemia And Moravia, to the General Government, as well as to territories controlled by a Chief Of Civil Administration.

                VIII. The Head Of The Party Chancery will issue the instructions necessary for the execution of this Decree.

The Leader's Headquarters. 19th September, 1944.
The Leader.
Adolf Hitler.

The Head Of The Party Chancery.
M. Bormann.

The Chief Of The High Command Of The Armed Forces. Keitel.

(b)

Second Decree Of The Leader On Powers Of Command In An Area Of Operations Within The Reich, Dated 20th September, 1944.

                My Decree On Powers Of Command In An Area Of Operations Within The Reich of 13th July, 1944, is hereby cancelled. Should enemy forces advance on to the territory of the Reich I order as follows:

                I. The civil administration will continue to operate fully in the area of operations. State and local authorities will continue to carry out their duties.

                II. I shall appoint the Reich Commissioner For Defence for the area of operations.

                III. 1. The Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations has plenary powers. The uniform execution throughout the Reich of all the measures to be taken by the Reich Commissioner For Defence in accordance with this Decree will be the responsibility, subject to my general instructions, of the Reich Leader Of The SS Heinrich Himmler.

                III. 2. The military Commander In Chief will address his demands, arising from the needs of the military situation, in the civil sphere, to the Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations.

                III. 3. In the immediate battle areas, where boundaries will be determined by the military Commander In Chief in agreement with the Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations, senior military Commanders are empowered to issue direct to civilian authorities of the State and the municipalities such Directives as from time to time may be necessary for the execution of their operational duties.

                IV. 1. In the exercise of his plenary powers, the Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations may:

• (a) Take all measures rendered necessary by threatened action of the enemy.
• (b) Give instructions to all State and local authorities.
• (c) Issue regulations having the force of law.

                2. The Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations will avail himself of the following authorities:

• In Police matters -- of the competent Higher SS And Police Leader.
• In matters concerning the State Railways and inland shipping -- of the Plenipotentiary Of The Reich Minister Of Transport.
• In matters concerning maritime shipping -- of the Deputy Of The Reich Commissioner For Shipping.
• In matters concerning armaments and war production -- of the Chairman of the competent Armaments Committee or Subcommittee.

                V. The Reich Commissioners For Defence whose Districts come wholly or partially within the area of operations will appoint a Liaison Officer, who will be attached to the Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations in an advisory capacity.

                VI. The Reich Commissioner For Defence in the area of operations may delegate the execution of his duties to those Reich Commissioners For Defence whose defence districts are a part of the area of operations.

                VII. This Decree also applies to the incorporated eastern territory. It applies to territories under a Head Of Civil Administration, and to the General Government.

                VIII. Instructions which run counter to this Decree are hereby cancelled.

                IX. The Reich Minister Of The Interior will issue the legal and administrative instructions required for the implementation of this Decree.

The Leader's Headquarters, 20th September, 1944.
The Leader.
Adolf Hitler.

The Reich Minister And Chief Of The Reich Chancery.
Dr Lammers.

The Chief Of The High Command Of The Combined Services.
Keitel.