| The
German Soldier's Ten Commandments |
The German Soldier's Ten
Commandments
Printed in Every German Soldier's Paybook
While fighting for victory the German soldier will observe the rules
of chivalrous warfare.
Cruelties and senseless destruction are below his standard.
Combatants will be in uniform or will wear specially introduced and
clearly distinguishable badges. Fighting in plain clothes or without
such badges is prohibited.
No enemy who has surrendered will be killed, including partisans and
spies. They will be duly punished by courts.
P.O.W. will not be ill-treated or insulted. While arms, maps, and
records are to be taken away from them, their personal belongings
will not be touched.
Dum-Dum bullets are prohibited; also no other bullets may be transformed
into Dum-Dum.
Red Cross Institutions are sacrosanct. Injured enemies are to be treated
in a humane way. Medical personnel and army chaplains may not be hindered
in the execution of their medical, or clerical activities.
The civilian population is sacrosanct. No looting nor wanton destruction
is permitted to the soldier. Landmarks of historical value or buildings
serving religious purposes, art, science, or charity are to be especially
respected.
Deliveries in kind made, as well as services rendered by the population,
may only be claimed if ordered by superiors and only against compensation.
Neutral territory will never be entered nor passed over by planes,
nor shot at; it will not be the object of warlike activities of any
kind.
If a German soldier is made a prisoner of war he will tell his name
and rank if he is asked for it. Under no circumstances will he reveal
to which unit he belongs, nor will he give any information about German
military, political, and economic conditions. Neither promises nor
threats may induce him to do so.
Offenses against the a/m matters of duty will be punished. Enemy offenses
against the principles under 1 to 8 are to be reported. Reprisals
are only permissible on order of higher commands.
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