WWII THIS MONTH...SEPTEMBER 1942

To commemorate 80 years since the Second World War, History of War will be taking a look at some of the key events taking place during each month of the conflict

- 

AUGUST FRANK MEMORANDUM

On 26 September 1942, SS General August Frank issued a memorandum detailing how the Nazis would carry out the Holocaust. Frank operated as part of the SS-WVHA (SS Main Economic and Administrative Office), which administered the concentration camps. His memorandum included instructions on how to take anything of value from murdered Jews and to which Nazi departments they should be sent.

Frank instructed, among other things, that cash should be paid into the Reichsbank and that precious metals, stones and jewellery were to be "delivered" to the SS Main Economic and Administrative Office. Even clothing and bedding was sent to the Administrative Office, while watches and tools were to be sent to German soldiers. Multiple copies of the memorandum were sent to SS camps, including Auschwitz, and it was later used as evidence against Frank during the Nuremberg Trials. He was sentenced to life in prison.

THE LACONIA INCIDENT

RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner that was drafted into war service and converted into an armed merchant cruiser. Serving during the Battle of the Atlantic, Laconia escorted convoys and worked as a troop transport.