"Sperrle Orders" -1944 March 2 - Hugo Sperrle SS
Background:
During the period between March 1944 and D-day (June 6), the French resistance begins to execute small but annoying hit and run actions against German personnel and installations. These attacks result in hundreds of German casualties, both dead and wounded. On 2 March 1944, Generalfeldmarschall und Oberbefehlshaber West Hugo Sperrle issued the famous 'Sperrle orders', which stated that, if partisans attacked German armed forces, drastic measures could be taken on the spot.
Sperrle Orders:
i.) We (German Armed Forces) are not in the occupied western territories to allow our troops to be shot at and abducted by saboteurs who go unpunished. The countermeasures up to now, despite undenied successes, will not alter the situation substantially if immediate self protection is not undertaken in instances where we are attacked or presented with insubordination
ii.) If troops are attacked in any manner, their commander is obliged to take his own countermeasures immediately, these include:
iii.) There is to be an immediate return of fire. If innocent persons are hit this is regrettable but entirely the fault of the terrorists.
The surroundings of any such incident are to be sealed off immediately and all the civilians in the locality, regardless of rank and person are to be taken into custody.
Houses from which shots have been fired are to be burnt down on the spot.
A report will not be made until these or similar immediate steps have been taken.
iv.) In the judgement of the actions of troop commanders, the decisiveness and speed with which they act are to be regarded as the primary aspects. A slack and indecisive troop commander deserves to be severely punished because he endangers the lives of the troops under his command and produces a lack of respect for the German armed forces.
Measures that are regarded subsequently as too severe, cannot in view of the present situation, provide reason for punishment.
Translation Courtesy of Thomas Vanhassel