1942-04-22 Document from Göring’s Secret Service Forschungsamt: "All Jews in the Warthegau capable of working would be resettled into the Lodz Ghetto after the removal of those unfit for work."

Introduction

The document is dated April 22, 1942 and was written by Forschungsstelle A Litzmannstadt (Łódź), a local branch of Hermann Göring’s Secret Service Forschungsamt of the Reich Ministry of Aviation. The message recalls a statement by Robert Schefe of the Litzmannstadt Stapo office that “All Jews in the Warthegau capable of working would be resettled into the Litzmannstadt Ghetto after the removal of those unfit for work”. Furthermore, he noted that “those Jews not capable of working would be placed in so-called care camps” – an euphemistic term for Kulmhof extermination camp.

Document

Telex from Forschungsstelle A Litzmannstadt to Forschungsamt 5 A 3 of 22 April 1942 (YVA O.51/13, p. 319)

Geheime Reichssache!

Vfg.
Litzmannstadt, den 22.4.1942

1. Fernschreiben an FA 5 A 3

Meldung zu Auswertefragen Nr. 284/42

Betr.: Getto, Litzmannstadt

Bei einer Besprechung bei der Stapo erklärte Regierungsrat Weygandt, dass das Litzmannstädter Getto gaueigenes Arbeitsgetto werde. Es würden alle im Warthegau arbeitsfähigen Juden nach Aussiedlung der nicht einsatzfähigen Juden in das Litzmannstädter Getto eingesiedelt. Hier sollten diese hauptsächlich mit der Fertigung von Wehrmachtsgut beschäftigt werden, was auf Weisung des Reichsmarschalls Göring geschehe, der jede Arbeitskraft ausgenutzt wissen wolle. Die nicht arbeitsfähigen Juden kämen in sogenannte Versorgungslager.

A Litzmannstadt
In Vertretung:
[Unterschrift]

2. Durchschrift an FHL B

3. z.d.A. G.Rs. 4

Secret State Affair!

Instruction

Litzmannstadt, April 22, 1942

1. Telex to FA 5 A 3

Report on Evaluation Issues No. 284/42

Re: Ghetto, Litzmannstadt

During a meeting at the Stapo, Government Councilor Weygandt stated that the Litzmannstadt Ghetto would become a labor ghetto owned by the district. All Jews in the Warthegau capable of working would be resettled into the Litzmannstadt Ghetto after the removal of those unfit for work. There, they would primarily be employed in the production of military goods, as per the directive of Reich Marshal Göring, who wanted every labor resource utilized. Those Jews not capable of working would be placed in so-called care camps.

A Litzmannstadt
On behalf of:
[Signature]

2. Copy to FHL B

3. To the files G.Rs. 4

Archivial reference:
YVA O.51/13, p. 319