Using Indian Prisoners of War as Propaganda and the Pan-Turanian Movement, 16 October 1941

No. 404 195/139234-35

Memorandum by the Dirigent of the Political Department

TOP SECRET                                                                                       

WESTFALEN, October 16, 1941.

To State Secretary Freiherr von Weizsäcker.
The Foreign Minister asks that the following be done:

1. He requests State Secretary Keppler to examine to what extent there is a possibility of using for propaganda purposes Indian prisoners of war who have fallen into our hands, if the need should arise. Ambassador Bitter has already been asked by the Foreign Minister to discuss with the OKW the possibility of such use in the Near East, where Indian troops turn up, and to find out how mangy Indian prisoners we actually have. The Foreign Minister is thinking of using any suitable people that may have been located for broadcasting purposes in case of a possible advance into the Caucasus, into Iran, etc.

2. In accordance with the proposal of the Political Department, the Foreign Minister agrees that Herr von Hentig should concern himself with the so-called Pan-Turanian movement as a special assignment. [According to a memorandum by Erdmannsdorff of Oct. 10 (1047/311665) Ribbentrop had asked the Foreign Ministry to designate a liaison official for the Pan-Turanian movement whereupon Counselor Melchers had suggested the name of Hentig and this proposal was submitted to Ribbentrop by Rintelen.] The Foreign Minister asks that Herr von Hentig propose how this can be organized, and in this connection he has in mind the formation of a special committee. In case Herr von Hentig is not in Berlin at the present time he is to be brought back at once. [See document No. 431.]

3. The Foreign Minister asks that Consul General Karlowa [of the Dienstelle Ribbentrop] be asked to submit a memorandum to him on the possibilities which we may have for calling forth a South African countermovement against the Smuts Government, or for aiding the opposition against Smuts (Ossewa Brandag, etc.). [A South African nationalist organization along military lines. See vol. X of this series, document No. 385 and footnote 2; vol. XI of this series, documents Nos.163 and 382.] He is also thinking here of the possibility that if necessary contact can be made with suitable persons through our Consulate in Lourenço Marques.

In summary, the Foreign Minister remarked with regard to these separate assignments that he requested the corresponding material now as soon as possible, but for the rest he considered it important that in the matter of the Indian activities, the Pan-Turanian movement, and of exerting influence in South Africa we should be fully ready for action in about 2 months. In so far as funds were needed for this he was willing to make them available.

RINTELEN

From: US Department of State. Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918-1945. Series D (1937-1945). Vol. XIII. The War Years June 23-December 11, 1941. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1964, 649.