Rare 1945 WW2 German POW Release Forced Labor Assignment Document – Allied Military Government – Bonn

Very interesting original 1945 German POW release and compulsory labor assignment document issued by the Arbeitsamt Bonn (Bonn Labor Office) under orders of the occupying Allied Military Government.

The document is titled “Verpflichtungsbescheid”, translating approximately as “Compulsory Assignment Order” or “Obligation Notice.” The opening words are particularly significant:

“Der entlassene deutsche Kriegsgefangene…”
“The released German prisoner of war…”

It records a recently released German POW, apparently Michael Fuchs, born February 27, 1914, who was registered by the Bonn Labor Office and, “auf Anordnung der Militärregierung” — “by order of the Military Government”, assigned to employment with a designated civilian business.

This is an excellent example of the immediate postwar occupation of Germany, when released German prisoners were being returned to civilian life but remained subject to Allied labor and movement regulations.

Translation / Key Provisions

The document states that the released German POW:

• Was assigned to employment by the Arbeitsamt Bonn on orders of the Military Government.
• Was entitled to free accommodation and food, as well as a specified monthly wage.
• Could not leave his assigned workplace without express authorization from the Labor Office.
• Had to have his place of residence reported to the Military Government.
• Could be punished by a military court under §21 of Military Government Law No. 1 for violating the order.

The lower detachable section was intended to be handed to the employer upon beginning work. It required the employer to report any departure from the job, workplace, or changes in the man’s personal or employment circumstances to the Bonn Labor Office for forwarding to the Military Government.

Most strikingly, the final warning states that the lower section had to be returned immediately, otherwise:

“…the man’s whereabouts will be investigated by the military police.”

This makes the document an unusually tangible artifact of the transition from wartime Germany to Allied occupation administration in 1945.

The form bears the heading Arbeitsamt Bonn – AA 371/KG and retains handwritten personal and employment information together with an official signature.

Condition: Original heavily used condition with substantial period folds, creasing, age toning, edge wear and separation/tearing along portions of the folds, including a small central loss. The document remains substantially complete and the important printed text and handwritten entries remain readable. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

Authenticity: Guaranteed original 1945 German occupation-period document.

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