Imperial and Royal 9th Corps Command
Directives for Conduct Towards the Population in Serbia
The war leads us into enemy territory, inhabited by a population filled with fanatical hatred against us—a land where assassination, as demonstrated by the catastrophe in Sarajevo, is considered permissible even among the higher classes and is celebrated as heroism.
Against such a population, any humanity and leniency are entirely inappropriate, even disastrous, as considerations that might occasionally be possible in war would gravely endanger the security of our own troops in this case.
I therefore order that, throughout the entire military operation, the greatest severity, the greatest harshness, and the greatest mistrust towards everyone must be maintained.
First and foremost, I do not tolerate that non-uniformed but armed individuals from the enemy land, whether encountered in groups or alone, be taken prisoner; they must be completely eliminated.
During the march, they should be taken along as far as the rear lines allow and must absolutely be executed if even a single shot is fired at the troops from the settlement.
Officers and soldiers must always keep a sharp eye on every inhabitant, tolerate no hand in a pocket that might conceal a weapon, and act with the utmost severity and harshness at all times.
No church bell is to ring; if necessary, the bells must be removed. In general, every church tower must be occupied by a patrol. Religious services are only to be allowed upon request by the local population and only outdoors in front of the church, but under no circumstances may a sermon be given.
During the service, a fully armed detachment must be stationed near the church.
Every civilian encountered outside a settlement, especially in forests, should be regarded as a bandit who has hidden their weapons somewhere. We do not have time to search for them; such individuals, if even remotely suspicious, must be eliminated.
Once again: discipline, dignity, but above all, the greatest severity and harshness.
Translated by Books of Jeremiah.
