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This rare, historic and strictly confidential Schnellbrief or Urgent Directive, straight from the Berlin office of Reichsführer-SS and Head of German Police Heinrich Himmler, is dated 4 April 1940 and was sent out to a few critical government agencies ranging from the Ministry of the Interior of Prussia, the Berlin Police President Section II, the Reichskommissar of the Sudetengau, the president of the Prussian Government and others.
This is the original red bordered, A4 size example that was sent to the Der Reichskommissar für die Wiedervereinigung Österreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich (The State Commissioner for the Reunification of Austria with the German Reich) located in the Ministry of the Interior in Wien (Vienna, the second largest city in Hitler's Greater Germany), Baldur von Schirach. According to the stamp at the top of the front side of this two-sided document, it was received by him (handwritten initial B) on 8 April 1940.
This is the original red bordered, A4 size example that was sent to the Der Reichskommissar für die Wiedervereinigung Österreichs mit dem Deutschen Reich (The State Commissioner for the Reunification of Austria with the German Reich) located in the Ministry of the Interior in Wien (Vienna, the second largest city in Hitler's Greater Germany), Baldur von Schirach. According to the stamp at the top of the front side of this two-sided document, it was received by him (handwritten initial B) on 8 April 1940.
The subject of this confidential Himmler directive clearly has to do with the preparations of the outbreak of the war in the west, which was being carefully planned in Berlin in April of 1940. With this Schnellbrief Himmler clarified his new visa laws and regulations for German citizens traveling to Italy.
Himmler clearly stated that all visa requests should be denied when the purpose of the trip to Italy is questionable or unnecessary. Vacations and relaxation / medical visits to spas were not deemed necessary. Furthermore, the decision on who qualified was from now on a matter for the Staatspolizei, not police personnel at a local level.
The last two paragraphs clearly stated that these new visa rules for Italy should not become public knowledge, and more importantly, the fact that the issuing of visas for Italy was now a matter for the State Police rather than local police had to remain absolutely confidential. Himmler urged that this confidential information be passed on to all police personnel as soon as possible. The word confidential is underlined!
Himmler clearly stated that all visa requests should be denied when the purpose of the trip to Italy is questionable or unnecessary. Vacations and relaxation / medical visits to spas were not deemed necessary. Furthermore, the decision on who qualified was from now on a matter for the Staatspolizei, not police personnel at a local level.
The last two paragraphs clearly stated that these new visa rules for Italy should not become public knowledge, and more importantly, the fact that the issuing of visas for Italy was now a matter for the State Police rather than local police had to remain absolutely confidential. Himmler urged that this confidential information be passed on to all police personnel as soon as possible. The word confidential is underlined!
Clearly, Himmler was setting the stage in advance of the 10 May 1940 invasion of Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland and he realized that if Allied agents learned of the these German travel restrictions it might tip the German hand.
The letter is signed by Himmler’s representative secretary, next to Himmler’s official stamp that says:
Der Reichsführer-SS und Chef der deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern (the Reichsführer-SS and Head of German Police in the Interior Ministry). The stamp has a Hoheitszeichen or eagle and swastika in the middle.
Very rare, very historic material from just weeks before the start of Nazi Germany’s invasion of western Europe and the entry of Mussolini’s Italy in World War II on the side of Germany.
Der Reichsführer-SS und Chef der deutschen Polizei im Reichsministerium des Innern (the Reichsführer-SS and Head of German Police in the Interior Ministry). The stamp has a Hoheitszeichen or eagle and swastika in the middle.
Very rare, very historic material from just weeks before the start of Nazi Germany’s invasion of western Europe and the entry of Mussolini’s Italy in World War II on the side of Germany.
click HERE.
CONFIDENTIAL HIMMLER DIRECTIVE ABOUT VISAS FOR TRAVEL TO ITALY
SECRET 1940 ORDERS DIRECTLY FROM HEINRICH
HIMMLER FOR CHANGES IN TRAVEL PERMITS FOR
GERMAN CITIZENS WISHING TO VISIT ITALY
HIMMLER FOR CHANGES IN TRAVEL PERMITS FOR
GERMAN CITIZENS WISHING TO VISIT ITALY
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