OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
WASHINGTON, D.C.
21 March 1944
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
The following notes consist mainly of statements of fact and generalizations about German
troop morale, based upon interrogations of P's/W at PWE 326, Aversa, during the period of
January 20 to February 20, 1944. Most of the generalizations have, however, been checked with
interrogators of long experience.
A. VULNERABILITIES
1. Non-Germans. In the past six months, the Wehrmacht seems to have been making
increasing use of Volksdeutsche for combat service. The proportion of these troops to Germans
varies from unit to unit, from 2 or 3 percent to 20 percent (including Austrians). In descending
order of numbers the various nationalities are as follows: Austrians, Alsace-Lorrainers, Poles,
Czechs, and Russians. Desertions run high in these groups.
2. Older men and men drawn from previously de-