OFFICE OF U.S. CHIEF OF COUNSEL

SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS DIVISION

APO 124-A U. S. ARMY

STAFF EVIDENCE ANALYSIS By:  Loeb, Leo

Date:  11 September 1946

Doc. No. NOKW-114

Title and/or general nature:  Photos at of [sic] carbon copy of top secret telegram order on destruction of certain military and other structures in the territory of Petsamo, from 20th Mountain Army Corps to the XIXth Mountain Army Corps signed by Generaloberst Rendulic.

Date:  4/10/44.

Source (Location of original, etc.):

German Document Center, MID, Room MB 863

The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

65635/12 (WB-227)

PERSONS, FIRMS OR ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED:

General Rendulic

General der Gebirgstruppen Ferdinand Jodl, as Commander of the XIXth Mountain Corps

TO BE FILED UNDER THESE REFERENCE HEADINGS:

NOKW – Spoliation

SUMMARY (Indicate page nos.):

The report orders in the territory of Petsamo to destroy all military installations, industrial installations and structures like bridges, etc.  It states expressly, “This territory has to be scorched.”  Preparations in that respect are ordered.  Also storing of explosives and ordering of military organizations to do it.  The order further orders refined mining of the territory.  It also orders to prepare like measures in Norwegian territory.  It is stated that in that territory similar destructions will be ordered.

(Edited by Wolfgang Brandt, OCC,

                                                                                                            10 October 1946.)      

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TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT no. NOKW – 114    

OFFICE OF CHIEF OF COUNSEL FOR WAR CRIMES.

1

(page 1 of original)

(penciled notes)

Teletype                                     Supp. 66

(rubber stamps)

Officer Courier                               Top Secret

Secret                       4 Oct. 44

Time

Officer Courier

Very urgent

To

Corps Hqs.,XIXth (mtn.) Corps

Ref:  Corps Hqs. XIXth (mtn.) Corps, Ia, No. 62/44 Top Secret of 4 Oct. 44

In the given case, all the Military Installations, industrial installations, architectural structures, etc. in the former Finnish Petsamo territory are to be destroyed.  This area is to be devastated.  Preparations for this are to be made through reconnaissance, preparation of explosives (therewith making use of bombs, etc.) and organization of corresponding demolition and blockade forces.

Cunning mining (blocking the march) render difficult and delay enemy movements considerably.

The same measures are to be reconnoitered and planned for the Norwegian territory.  There too the carrying out of destructions as in the Finnish Petsamo territory is to be reckoned with.

20 (Mountain) Army

Ia, No. 422/42 Top Secret

Sgd (Rendulic)

(Rendulic) General

Distribution:

Written teletype simultaneously Ia (E)

1 Copy

O. Qu. 2 copy

War Diary 3 and 4th copies.

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                                                                   TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT no. NOKW – 114   

                                                                    CONTINUED._______________________________

2

4 March 1947

I, Mary E. Carter, 2120728, Warrant Officer, WAAF, hereby certify that I am thoroughly conversant with the English and German languages; and that the above is a true and correct translation of document No. NOKW – 114.

Mary E. Carter, 2120728

Warrant Officer, WAAF.

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