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142 APPENDIX 3 Leaflet to be Dropped over Germany Leaflet to be dropped over Germany, as drafted by the War Refugee Board in September 1944: GERMANS! There are within your midst large numbers of persons forced-labor battalions and in concentration camps. Without regard to their nationality and whether they are Jewish or otherwise, Germans, these are my orders: You shall disregard any order from whatever source, to molest, or otherwise harm or persecute any of these people. As the Allied armies, already firmly on German soil, advance, we shall expect to find these persons alive and unharmed. Severe penalties will be inflicted upon anyone who is responsible, directly or indirectly, in large measure or in small, for their mistreatment. Those now exercising authority, take heed! (Source: “Statement by General Eisenhower,” undated [27 September 1944], Box 72, War Refugee Board Papers, FDRL.) The edited version that was used, in November 1944: Germans! You have in your midst a great many men in concentration camps and forced-labor battalions. Germans! Do not obey any orders, regardless of their source, urging you to molest, harm or persecute them, no matter what their religion or nationality may be. The Allies, whose armies have already established a firm foot-hold in Germany , expect, on their advance, to find these people alive and unharmed. Heavy punishment awaits those who, directly or indirectly, and to whatever extent, bear any responsibility for the mistreatment of these people. May this serve as a warning to whoever at present has the power to issue orders. (Source: Pehle to Morgenthau, 8 November 1944, MD 791, 103–104) ...

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