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VIII. The German Administration in Luxemburg 1940–1942: Toward a ‘de facto’ Annexation*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

William Allen Fletcher
William Allen Fletcher
Affiliation:
University of Delaware
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Extract

Histories of the Second World War rarely describe the impact of that conflagration upon the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. Such omission is not surprising, yet the German efforts to assimilate this allegedly Germanic borderland reveal interesting aspects of National Socialist totalitarian methods.

Type
Articles
Information
The Historical Journal , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , September 1970 , pp. 533 - 544
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

1 For details see Jacobsen, H.-A., Fall Gelb. Der Kampfum den deutschen Operationsplan zur Westoffensive 1940, ‘Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für europäische Geschichte Mainz’, XVI (Wiesbaden, 1957), 337 pp.Google Scholar

2 Muller, P.J., Tatsachen aus der Geschichte des Luxemburger Landes (Luxemburg, 1963), pp. 34O–54.Google Scholar

3 Melchers, E.T., Kriegsschauplatz Luxemburg August 1914 Mai 1940 (Luxemburg, 1963),Google Scholar pp. 191 ff.; see also Weber, P., Geschichte Luxemburgs im zweiten Weltkrieg (Luxemburg, 1948), pp. 18–23.Google Scholar

4 For a brief account of the session of the Chamber on 11 and 16 May, and the action of the Council of State of 14 May, see Luxemburger Wort, 13–17 May 1940, p. 2.

5 Membership and functions of the Administrative Commission were as follows: Albert Wehrer (Ministry of State Affairs, Foreign Relations, Justice); Jean Metzdorff (Public Works, Transportation, Interior); Joseph Cannes (Finance, Labour, Public Health); Louis Simmer (Education); Mathias Pütz (Agriculture, Viticulture, Commerce, Industry). The members of the legislative committee were Emile Reuter, Gaston Diderich, Aloyse Hentgen, J.-P. Kohner, Adolphe Krieps, Albert Phillipe, Pierre Prüm (Ibid. p. 3).

6 Auswärtiges Amt/Büro des Staatssekretars, Akten betreffend: Einmarsch in Belgien, Holland, Luxemburg, U.S. National Archives (hereafter abbreviated NA), microcopy T-120, roll III, frames 114790, 114800.

7 The flight of the Luxemburg government decided the German authorities to retain their freedom of action for the time being and to view the Administrative Commission as merely the representative of local governmental agencies, (Ibid. Büro des Chefs der Auslandsorganisation, Akten betreffend Luxemburg, 15 May 1940, NA, T-120, roll 103, frame 111254; U.S. Department of State, Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918–1945, Series D, IX, 294–5, 300–1, 306–7, 309–10, 311, 335–6, 346–7, 356–7, 359, 367–8, 378, 405 [hereafter cited as DGFP]; Heeresgruppe A. Kommandant des Rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 520, Kriegstagebuch 2 1939/, NA T-501, roll 102).

8 For the appointment of Falkenhausen, see Records of German Field Commands: Rear Areas, Occupied Territories, and Others, NA, T–501, roll 93, frame 9. The German Army High Command, supported by the High Command of the German Armed Forces (OKW/A AusL/Abw.) and the German Legation in Luxemburg, had proposed that Germany refrain from considering itself at war with Luxemburg (DGFP, Series D, IX, 335–6, 346–7).

9 Weber, pp. 27–31. The decree of the military government requiring new political organizations to secure its authorization was generally interpreted as an effort to slow the emergency of National Socialist formations (Luxemburger Wort, 5 July 1940, p. 3).

10 For the decrees issued by the military government, some of which originated with the German Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economics and the Administrative Council of the Reichskreditkassen, see Heeresgruppe A, Verordnungsblatt für das besetzte Gebiet des Grossherzogtums Luxemburg, nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, May 1940; see also memoranda of the economic policy department of the German Foreign Office, pertaining to economic control over occupied areas, dated May/August 1940 (DGFP, Series D, IX, 476–82, 496–501, 526–8; X, 115, 401–3, 453–5); Dirke, ‘Die Devisenverordnung für Belgien und Luxemburg’, Luxemburger Wort, 3 June 1940, p. 2; 8 July 1940, p. 4.

11 Ibid. 30 July 1940, p. 1.

12 Auswärtiges Amt/Abt. Pol. I M, Jahresbericht des Militärbefehlshabers in Belgien und Nordfrankreich Mai 1940-Mai 1941, NA, T–120, roll 708, frames 318102–3.

13 For text of Simon's first public speech in Luxemburg on 6 August see Luxemburger Wort, 7 August 1940, p. 1.

14 For a synopsis of its activities before May 1940, see W. Kraft, ‘Der Auf bau der NSDAP. (VDB.); a) Die Landesgruppe Luxemburg der Auslandsorganisation der NSDAP’, Luxemburg, ed. P. H. Ruth (Breslau, 1942), pp. 62–3; for statistical data on membership see Auswärtiges Amt/Büro des Chefs der Auslandsorganisation, NA, T–120, roll 78, frames 60145–65.

15 For a detailed report see Luxembourg. Parquet Général. Archives, Affaires Politiques/Dossier Damian Kratzenberg (515/46 Sp.).

16 Ibid. Dossier Ferdinand Colling (30/50 Sp.); K. Ketter, ‘Die Luxemburger Volksjugend und die HJ’, Ruth, pp. 53–4.

17 For a detailed account of the genesis of the VdB see Luxembourg. Parquet Général. Archives, Affaires Politiques/Dossier Kratzenberg (515/46 Sp.), Dossier Norbert Sinner (867/45 Sp.), Dossier Albert Kreins (60/49 Sp.), Dossier Nicolas Dennemeyer (A.P. 4963).

18 E. Gerlach, ‘Werden und Wirken der Volksdeutschen Bewegung’, Ruth, pp. 58–60; D. Kratzenberg, Die Volksdeutsche Bewegung in Luxemburg, ‘“Heim ins Reich!” Schriftenreihe der Volksdeutschen Bewegung,’ Heft Nr. 1 (Luxemburg, 1940), 16 pp.; Volksdeutsche Bewegung/Organisationsamt, Die Organisation der Volksdeutschen Bewegung (Luxemburg, 1940), 52 pp.; see also Weber, pp. 77–80.

19 In a proclamation of 7 August, Simon claimed that only a small number of ‘so-called cultured’ Luxemburgers had furthered French imperialism and were responsible for the inroads of the ‘bastardized’ and ‘degenerate’ French culture (Luxemburger Wort, 7 August 1940, p. 1).

20 Chef der Zivilverwaltung Luxemburg, ‘Verordnung über den Gebrauch der deutschen Sprache im Lande Luxemburg’, 6 August 1940, Verordnungsblatt für Luxemburg, Nr. 1 (1 September 1940), p. 1 (hereafter cited as VOB); CdZ, ‘Bekanntmachung zur Verordnung über den Gebrauch der deutschen Sprache', 14 September 1940, Ibid. Nr. 2 (24 September 1940), p. 15; for the strong endorsement of the ordinance by Kratzenberg in a leaflet publication, see Luxemburger Wort, 9 August 1940, p. 2.

21 On this occasion Simon made a great oratory effort to minimize their coercive and repressive role (Ibid. 7 August 1940, p. 1).

22 Although the German secret police had not as yet entered Luxemburg, it played a central role in the interrogation of Luxemburgers arrested temporarily by Geheime Feldpolizei agents and transferred to Wittlich, Germany (Weber, p. 25).

23 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die vorläufige Einrichtung einer deutschen Strafrechtspflege in Luxemburg’, 20 August 1940, VOB, Nr. 1 (1 September 1940), p. 2; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Ausübung der Gerichtsbarkeit in Luxemburg’, 26 August 1940, ibid. Nr. 2 (24 September 1940), p. 6.

24 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Auflösung der politischen Parteien’, 23 August 1940, Ibid. Nr. 1(1 September 1940), p. 3. In a simultaneously published manifesto, Simon claimed that the final hour of democracy and parliamentarianism was at hand. He blamed the divisive nature of party politics for the ills which supposedly had befallen Luxemburg in the past, insisted that parties were an obstacle to progress, and called for their replacement by a Volksgemeinschaft of all citizens (Luxemburger Wort, 24/5 August 1940, p. 1).

25 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Einsetzung des Stillhaltekommissars für das Organisationswesenin Luxemburg’, 28 August 1940, VOB, Nr. 2 (24 August 1940), p. 8; appointed to the office was Oberbereichsleiter Franz Schmidt (Luxemburger Wort, 4 September 1940, p. 4).

26 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über Massnahmen auf dem Gebiete des Judenrechts’, 5 September 1940, VOB, Nr. 2 (24 September 1940), p. 10; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über das jüdische Vermögen in Luxemburg', 5 September 1940, Ibid. pp. n–13.

27 For a brief outline of the reforms, see Münzel, F., ‘Die Aufbauarbeit des Chefs der Zivilverwaltung in Luxemburg’, Der Chef der Zivilverwaltung in Luxemburg, ed. Gerlach, E. (Luxemburg, n.d.), pp. 1–22;Google Scholar Mtinzel, ‘Der Aufbau der deutschen Verwaltung’, Ruth pp. 67–74.

28 Among the first appointments were those of Kreisleiter Müller (Trier), Kreisleiter Schmitt (Bad Kreuznach), Kreisleiter Dr. Schreder (Boppard), and Kreisleiter Venter (Betzdorf) as political commissars for Luxemburg-city and the districts of Luxemburg, Grevenmacher and Diekirch, respectively. Oberbürgermeister Hengst (Köhen) and Regierungsrat Ballmaier became administrative commissars for Luxemburg City and Diekirch, respectively, while Polizeipräsident Wetter (Coblenz) assumed the direction of the Luxemburg City police (Luxemburger Wort, 10/11 August 1940, p. 1; 17/18 August 1940, p. 5).

29 In a speech of 13 August, Simon advanced the novel view that the flight of Grand Duchess Charlotte and her government had invalidated the Luxemburg constitution, thus freeing all civil servants of their oath. He served notice that he expected full and loyal cooperation under these circumstances (Luxemburger Wort, 14/15 August 1940, p. 1). See also CdZ, ‘Verordnung über Massnahmen auf dem Gebiete des Beamtenrechts’, 15 August 1940, VOB, Nr. 1 (1 September 1940), p. 2.

30 These comments are based on the author's personal recollections of the period in Luxemburg.

31 The first propaganda rally of the VdB was staged on Sunday, 18 August, in Luxemburg City. Kratzenberg, as the main speaker, delineated his programme of an Anschluss and severely criticized those who sought to impede its realization (‘ Die “ Volksdeutsche Bewegung” in Luxemburg’, Luxemburger Wort, 19 August 1940, p. 3). Reference in the press to altercations with political opponents who displayed dynastic insignias, as well as the creation of a Sondergericht, are indicative of popular resistance to the VdB recruitment and propaganda drive (ibid. 17/18 August 1940, p. 5; 21 August 1940, p. 1). For reports on the intensive and extensive effort to launch local VdB organisations and indoctrinate the population, see ibid. August/ October 1940.

32 For text of manifesto and signatures see Luxemburger Wort, 31 August 1940. For a detailed account of the manner in which the signatures were obtained see Luxembourg. Parquet Général. Archives, Affaires Politiques/Dossier Kratzenberg (515/46 Sp.).

33 The announcement of the Beitrittssperre was carefully worded so as to create the impression that it would become permanent and absolute. VdB leaders correctly estimated that the fear of exclusion and its consequences would prompt many civil servants to apply for VdB membership. The movement did of course admit the applicants in due course and henceforth posed as the voice of the population. For text and explanation of the announcement see Luxemburger Wort, 25 October 1940, p. 3.

34 Gerlach, p. 60.

35 The occasion for the riot was the destruction by the German civil administration of a monument honouring Luxemburg volunteers who had died in French ranks during the First World War. Although the German police reported the arrest of forty-eight persons durincr the riot, the actual number of arrests was considerably higher (Weber, p. 48).

36 Münzel, ‘Der Aufbau’, Ruth, p. 66. Wehrer was temporarily placed under arrest (Weber, p. 49).

37 For an appreciation of the wide range of the reform programme, see the subject index of the annual volumes of the VOB. Cf. Munzel, ‘Der Aufbau’, Ruth, pp. 67 ff.; Munzel, ‘Die Aufbauarbeit’, Gerlach, pp. 9–22.

38 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über den Verwaltungsaufbau in Luxemburg’, 14 November 1940, VOB, Nr. 55 (18 November 1940), pp. 291–2; CdZ, ‘Erste Durchführungsverordnung zur Verordnung vom 14. November 1940 über den Verwaltungsaufbau in Luxemburg (Gemeinderecht)’, 15 November 1940, Ibid. pp. 292–5; CdZ, ‘Zweite Durchführungsverordnung zur Verordnung vom 14. November 1940 über den Verwaltungsaufbau in Luxemburg (Landkreise, Verschiedenes)’, 16 November 1940, Ibid. pp. 295–6.

39 Weber, pp. 53–4.

40 Organization, and political indoctrination and purging of these groups were supervised by NSDAP Gauämter, such as Gauschulungsamt, Gaupersonalamt, Gaurechtsamt, Gauamt für Kommunalpolitik, Gauamt für Beamte, Gauamt für Volksgesundheit, as well as by the DAF, VdB, HJ, BdM and others (Gerlach, pp. 64–6).

41 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Errichtung einer Landeskulturkammer in Luxemburg’, 7 June 1941, VOB, Nr. 39 (17 June 1941), p. 255; ‘ Meldepflicht fur alle Kulturschaffenden und Kulturvermittelnden Luxemburg,’ VOB, Nr. 15 (21 February 1941), p. 109. Its functions were coordinated with those of the nine Aussenstelle des Reichspropagandaamtes Referate: propaganda, radio, film, press, literature, folkdom, culture, tourism and Landesskulturkammer.

42 Control over the field of education by the CdZ was established through a series of ordinances, an extensive and intensive indoctrination programme for teachers, the use of German texts and teaching aids, as well as propaganda efforts of VdB, HJ, BdM and Deutscher Lehrerbund. Temporary transfers of teachers to German institutions, as well as the organization of the schools of pedagogy, constituted other aspects of the programme (CdZ, ‘Verordnung zur Gewährleistung eines geordneten Schulbetriebes’, 1 October 1940, VOB, Nr. 43 [12 October 1940], p. 241; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Errichtung und Weiterführung privater Schulen, Schüleinrichtungen sowie Schüler- und Schülerinnenheime’, 12 January 1941, Ibid. Nr. 3(12 January 1941), p. 18; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Einführung der Hauptschule 35–2 in Luxemburg’, Ibid.; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über das Berufsschulwesen in Luxemburg’, 12 August 1941, Ibid. Nr. 56 (26 August 1911), p. 347–) See also Münzel and P. Staar. ‘Die Neugestaltung des Schulwesens durch die deutsche Verwaltung’, Ruth, pp. 139 ff.

43 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Änderung von Vor- und Familiennamen in Luxemburg’, 31 January 1941, VOB, Nr. 21 (14 March 1941), p. 146; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über das Verbot des Verkaufs und des Tragens von Baskenmützen’, 18 February 1941, Ibid. Nr. 15 (21 February 1941), p. 106; CdZ, ‘Verordnung über das Verbot des Gebrauchs der französischen Sprache in der Öffentlichkeit’, 1 June 1941, Ibid., Nr. 37 (10 June 1941), p. 240.

44 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Reichsarbeitsdienstpflicht in Luxemburg’, 23 May 1941, Ibid. Nr. 36 (6 June 1941), p. 232. Service was compulsory for male and female citizens of Luxemburg between the ages of 17 and 25.

45 For the evidence upon which this account of the census débâcle is based see Luxembourg. Parquet Général. Archives, Crimes de Guerre/Dossier Rolf Günther (382/46); CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Anlegung einer Volkstumskartei in Luxemburg’, 10 October 1941, VOB, Nr. 67 (14 October 1941), p. 410; Luxemburger Wort, 8 October 1941, p. 3; 10 October, p. 3; the direction of the project rested with Rösener, Beauftragter des Reickskommissars für die Festigung deutschen Volkstums.

46 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über heimtückische Angriffe auf das Deutsche Reich, die Partei und Bewegung’, 14 October 1941, VOB, Nr. 68 (18 October 1941), p. 414; CdZ, ‘Verordnung zur Wahrung des inneren Friedens in Luxemburg’, 13 October 1941, Ibid. pp. 413–14; CdZ, ‘Verordnung zum Schutz deutschen Volkstums gegen unbefugte Abwanderung’, 21 October 1941, Ibid. Nr. 69 (21 October 1941), p. 418; CdZ, ‘Verordnung gegen den Eintritt in eine feindliche Wehrmacht’, 13 October 1941, Ibid. Nr. 69 (21 October 1941), p. 418; CdZ, ‘Verordnung zur Abwehr verraterischer Betatigung in Partei und Bewegung’, 31 October 1941, Ibid. Nr. 73 (7 November 1941), p. 469; CdZ, ‘Verordnung betr. Massnahmen auf dem Gebiete der Strafrechtspflege’, 31 October 1941, Ibid. Nr. 75 (12 November 1941), p. 483. See also Luxemburger Wort, 3 October 1941, p. 3; 7 October 1941, p. 3; 8 October 1941, p. 3; 9 October 1941, p. 3.

47 For an explanatory statement, see Ibid. 11/12 October 1941, p. 3.

48 CdZ, ‘Durchführungsverordnung zur Anlegung einer Volkstumskartei in Luxemburg’, 25 November 1941, ibid. Nr. 79 (28 November 1941), pp. 501–2. See also Luxemburger Wort, 13 October 1941, p. 1.

49 A perusal of the Luxemburger Wort for the period November 1941–June 1942 quickly reveals the increased tempo of trials before the Sondergericht.

50 See Luxemburger Wort, 18 November 1941, p. 3; 23 November 1941, p. 3; 13 April 1942, p.1; 5 May 1942, p. 4; 6 July 1942.

51 Reichsministerium des Innern, ‘Verordnung über die Staatsangehörigkeit in Elsass, in Lothringen und in Luxemburg’, 23 August 1942, VOB, Nr. 49 (31 August 1942), pp. 254–5; CdZ, ‘Bekanntmachung öber die Regelung der Staatsangehörigkeit’, 30 August 1942, Ibid., p. 254; CdZ, ‘Anordnung über die Staatsangehorigkeit’, 30 August 1942, Ibid. p. 255.

52 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Wehrpflicht in Luxemburg’, 30 August 1942, VOB, Nr. 49 (31 August 1942), p. 253; CdZ, ‘Anordnung uber wehrpflichtige Jahrgänge in Luxemburg’, 30 August 1942, Ibid. pp. 253–4; see also Luxemburger Wort, 31 August 1942, pp. 1–2.

53 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Verhangung des zivilen Ausnahmezustandes’, 31 August 1942, VOB, Nr. 50 (31 August 1942), p. 257; CdZ, ‘2. Verordnung über die Verhängung des zivilen Ausnahmezustandes’, Ibid.; CdZ, ‘3. Verordnung über die Verhängung des zivilen Ausnahmezustandes’, Ibid. p. 258; CdZ, ‘4. Verordnung über die Verhängung des zivilen Ausnahmezustandes’, Ibid.; Luxemburger Wort, 1 September 1942, p. 1; 2 September 1942, p. 1; 8 September 1942, p. 3; 10 September 1942, p. 3.

54 CdZ, ‘Verordnung über die Umsiedlung in Luxemburg’, 13 September 1942, VOB, Nr. 55 (17 September 1942), pp. 277–8; Luxemburger Wort, 9 September 1942, p. 31; 11 September 1942, p. 3; 18 September 1942, p. 3. For a list of the first of many groups who were resettled, see ibid, 22 September 1942, p. 3.