“It is their task to gain information quickly and completely in
their districts of the scarce and rationed goods (raw materials,
semi-finished products, mineral oil, _et cetera_) and machines
of most vital importance for the purposes of national defense
and to make a correct return of these stocks.
“In the case of machines, the requisition will be effected by
means of a label, in the case of scarce and rationed goods, both
by labelling and by guarding.
“Furthermore, the economic detachments have the duty of
preparing and, upon order of the Army Group, of carrying out the
removal of scarce and rationed goods, mineral oils, and the most
important machines. These tasks are the exclusive responsibility
of the economic detachments.
“The economic detachments are to commence their activities in
newly occupied territories as early as the battle situation
permits.”
Machines and raw materials having thus been found and identified, the
new organizations went into action to dismantle and put to use these
machines and raw materials in Germany.
The above quoted document RF-183 gives precise and very curious
information on the formation and the strength of detachment “J” at
Antwerp. The eight officers are all reserve officers, engineers,
wholesale dealers, directors of mines, importers of raw materials,
engineering consultants. Their names and their professions are mentioned
in the document. These men are therefore all specialists in commerce and
industry. The choice of these technicians cannot be attributed to mere
chance.
According to the above instructions and more especially the instructions
found under date of 10 May 1940, coming from General Hannecken (Exhibit
Number RF-184), Document Number ECH-33, once the machines and the stocks
have been identified, the offices set to work, the Roges on one hand,
and the compensation bureaus on the other hand, to whose activities
attention has already been called in connection with the pillage of
Holland and of the Belgian non-ferrous metal industry.
Another document, which is likewise presented as Exhibit Number RF-184
(Document Number ECH-33), shows that the very composition of the
economic detachments emanates from the High Command. Quoting from Page
6:
“The economic detachments already mentioned in Section I, which
are composed of experts for the branches of industry found in
the respective areas, shall gain information and secure stocks
of raw materials and special machinery for the production of
ammunition and war equipment which are at present important.”
THE PRESIDENT: Is that quotation set out in your dossier?