Rehabilitation of Poles from Pomerania inscribed on Volksliste.

The past and future of Poles from Pomerania, inscribed on the German list National, in the publications of Dziennik Bałtycki from the years 1945-1946.

Shortly after losing the September campaign 1939 year, Under the Hitler decree with the administrative division of Eastern Lands with 8 October 1939 year, The western and northern lands of Poland with the area of ​​the Free City of Gdańsk were incorporated into the German Reich. Based on this decree, the West Prussia District was created, among others, which after the incorporation of Gdańsk was renamed 19 January 1940 year to the Gdańsk-West District .
According to the assumptions of the German national policy, developed at the beginning of the war, local population of the land incorporated into the Reich (mainly in the Pomeranian and Silesian Districts )It was a valuable element for the German nation according to the national -socialist theory. The Memorial of the Central Office for Racial Policy at NSDAP, in the interests of proper conducting Germanization, postulated the total and final destruction of the people of the population suitable for this, removal of all unbeleted elements and settlement of Germans in the areas empty in this way.
The settlement of German colonists in the newly incorporated areas and the creation of a national list were to be achieved by these goals. .
The German national list in force in Pomerania was to be a model of Volkslist already existing in the "country". According to the provisions of 13 mark 1941 year, The list was divided into four basic groups. People of German nationality belonged to the first and second group, people of German origin potentially capable of becoming full -fledged Germany, and renegades.
The third group included people of German origin, which, considering their behavior, could be assumed that in the future they would become full -fledged Germany, people of German origin from mixed marriages and people with the unplayed national affiliation leaning on the basis of blood and culture towards Germany, and using Slavic language, which before 1 September 1939 They did not admit to Niemczyzna . Group IV included people of German origin, which in the interwar period was influenced by Polish. Secret ordinances and circulars talk about this group as a renegades with a simultaneous ban on using this term outside and a recommendation, to officially describe persons entered in the 4th group as Polish -shaped Germans . All persons entered in the first and second group were treated equally with the citizens of the Reich. The ordinance announced the granting of the Reich citizenship to everyone entered in the III group after a ten -year naturalization period and persons entered in the 4th group, whose naturalization process was to last until further notice .
Initially, entering the German national list was voluntary, However, this was met with a relatively small response from Polish society. Gauleiter of the Gdańsk-West Prussia District, Albert Forster ordered in October 1941 year to the names of people, which were provided for the entry on the German national list, based on their German origin or racial talents, and which refused to submit an application or after rejection did not appeal for re -examination to refer to the local services of the Security Service authorities. The above authority was to make that person to submit a request .
With the deterioration of the situation of the Germans on the fronts at the beginning 1942 year trading increased the demand for human material. In the first place, soldiers were needed but also the labor force. Therefore, further ordinances of entering on the German national list were issued under the pressure of growing military and economic needs. According to the circular of the Reich Commissioner to strengthen the German of 12 February 1942 year, The names of people who evaded this obligation were to be made to the local police authorities. For their part, the police set an eight -day deadline to such individuals on the basis of the application. In the event of failure to comply with the above order . Also, Forster's appeal from 22 February 1942 year, saying that everyone who rejects the German national list, They will be treated equally with the worst enemies of the German nation was an attempt to intimidate Polish society and people who were tilting before the adoption of German nationality. As a result, Signing the list took on a more massive character. Until January 1944 the year on the list was already saved to the 4th and III group 727 you. people from the Gdańsk-West District .
To sign the list, Poles were most often forced by trickery, blackmail or threats. You can cite here an example of blackmailing a kashubia, who, sentenced to death, was "pardoned" half an hour before the sentence was made as a result of signing the act . Next to police pressure, Employment pressure was also used. The refusal to sign the list threatened with displacement and/or loss of work . In addition to brutal methods, the form of sending "kind" and firm invitations to an interview with the mayor was also used .
It happened, that the Gestapo of the skatered Poles allegedly submitted protocols of interrogations, which proved to be concluded, because the interrogated belonged to the year -old year into the army. Also, the extraction of children from "Lagr" could not be tried before "cramped". The threat of resettlement was forced to sign the list . Polish population in areas included in the Reich, The occupiers have deprived of all laws. Under these conditions.