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Hostage Edict 1941-42

The system of orders and regulations issued by Nazi military leadership in 1941-42 that institutionalized the taking and summary execution of civilian hostages and collective reprisals in occupied territories.

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Jan 13, 2026
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What is the ‘Hostage Edict’ and which primary documents record Keitel’s orders on reprisals in occupied Europe?

The “Hostage Edict” refers broadly to the system of orders and regulations issued by Nazi military leadership in 1941–42 that institutionalized the taking and summary execution of civilian hostages an...