This extract is part of a telegram sent by Reinhard Heydrich on the 10th November 1938, in preparation of the Reichskristallnacht. It was sent in secrecy and in great urgency to the whole of the state police and the SD. In this telegram Heydrich discusses the measures that will need to be taken to ensure that the evening’s events run smoothly. It emphasizes that no individuals may be harmed, however Jewish buildings may be destroyed as long as nothing is looted and providing that no German property is endangered. This document is typical of the times as it underlines the governments need for secrecy from the general public, this is shown in the desire for the riots to appear spontaneous, and the police were only to “supervise the observance
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The police were only intervene when these measures were breached, Heydrich repeatedly touches upon this – in both measure A and measure B; only the buildings that did not pose any danger for the German surroundings were to be burnt down. The Nuremberg Laws and the other measures in place to segregate the Jews are apparently not enough, the Reichskristallnacht and the measures put in place would thus have been an evident indication to all that the Jews were not welcome, their complete displacement and annihilation was desired – public services were not to help the Jews, unless they were being molested. This ensures that the public would only be aware of the displacement of the Jews, as no harm would come to them – only their property.
Once again the importance of outward appearances is key – there is an obvious worry that the public may become aware of the Nazis real solutions for the Jewish problem. The well-being of the Germans and their property is of upmost importance, they must be completely protected and there is no room for any sort of damage, their care for – and protection of - the German citizens encourages the continuity of the parties popularity despite their questionable
The police were only intervene when these measures were breached, Heydrich repeatedly touches upon this – in both measure A and measure B; only the buildings that did not pose any danger for the German surroundings were to be burnt down. The Nuremberg Laws and the other measures in place to segregate the Jews are apparently not enough, the Reichskristallnacht and the measures put in place would thus have been an evident indication to all that the Jews were not welcome, their complete displacement and annihilation was desired – public services were not to help the Jews, unless they were being molested. This ensures that the public would only be aware of the displacement of the Jews, as no harm would come to them – only their property.
Once again the importance of outward appearances is key – there is an obvious worry that the public may become aware of the Nazis real solutions for the Jewish problem. The well-being of the Germans and their property is of upmost importance, they must be completely protected and there is no room for any sort of damage, their care for – and protection of - the German citizens encourages the continuity of the parties popularity despite their questionable