GENERAL COMMISSARIAT OF BELARUS

ˈGeneral ˈCommisˈsariat of ˈBelarus (Generalkomissariat Weissruthenien)

The highest body of the German Nazi civil administration of a part of the invaded territory of Belarus, i.e. the General Akruga “Bielarus” [in the “Ostland” Realm Commissariat (orig. ‘Reichskommissariat’)] in 1941–1944 during the Great Patriotic War.

It was formed in accordance with the Order of the leader of Nazi Germany, A. Hitler, dated July 17, 1941, whereby the management of the captured Soviet voblascs after ‘the cessation of hostilities shall be passed from the military administration to civilian authorities’.

It was located in Minsk.

Military leaders were general commissioner, i.e. gauleiter W. Kube (September 1, 1941 — September 22, 1943; killed), acting general commissioner was police lieutenant general SS Gruppenfuhrer C.von Gottberg (September 1943 — June 1944).

The General Commissariat of Belarus consisted of five main departments, i.e. politics (included departments of politics, propaganda, culture, and youth); administration (personnel, legal, financial, health care, savings bank departments, and others); economy (departments of economy, agriculture, food, forestry and wood processing, labour and social policies, industry and crafts); engineer (departments of road construction, water resources management, rivers); work (since 1944). The staff of the General Commissariat consisted of persons of German nationality.

Akruga (circuit) commissariats, the Minsk City Commissariat, the Security Police forces, and SD were directly subordinated to the General Commissariat of Belarus.

The General Commissariat of Belarus apparatus performed German Nazi policy in the territory of the General Akruga “Belarus”, aimed at the most effective usage of economic potential, human and material resources in the German interests, conducting political and ideological events, etc.