Keitel Bans Wehrmacht Contacts With Jews in the East
High Command of the Wehrmacht
WFST [Armed Forces Operation Staff] Div. L (IV/Qu)
No. 02041/41 Secret
Fuehrer Headquarters, September 12, 1941
Re: Jews in the Occupied Eastern Territories
...The struggle against Bolshevism demands ruthless and energetic action, and first of all against the Jews as well, as the main bearers of Bolshevism.
There will, therefore, be no cooperation whatever between the Wehrmacht and the Jewish population, whose attitude is openly or secretly anti-German, and no use is to be made of individual Jews for any preferential auxiliary services for the Wehrmacht. Under no circumstances are papers to be issued by Military Offices to Jews confirming that they are employed for purposes of the Wehrmacht.
The only exception to be made is the use of Jews in specially organized labor columns, which are only to be employed under German supervision.
It is requested to make this order known to the troops.
Chief of the High Command of the Wehrmacht
signed Keitel
NOKW-3292.
Source: Yad Vashem
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