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 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.