Nazi Germany's Forgotten Plan: Unveiling the Reichskommissariat Moskowien

In 1941, as the Nazi regime expanded its territorial control in Eastern Europe, a little-known entity emerged in the ranks of Hitler's administration: the Reichskommissariat Moskowien. This fictional administrative region was designed to oversee a vast territory, stretching from Moscow to the Ural Mountains, and was meant to serve as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. But what drove Nazi Germany's plans for Moskowien, and how far did they intend to go in realizing this vision? In this article, we delve into the fascinating and often-overlooked history of the Reichskommissariat Moskowien, examining its genesis, objectives, and eventual demise.

The Genesis of Moskowien: A Nazi Fantasy

In the early 1940s, Nazi Germany's military machine was rolling across Eastern Europe, capturing key cities and territories with relative ease. As the Soviet Union faltered, the Nazis saw an opportunity to push their borders further east. In a secret meeting in March 1941, Hitler and his high command gathered to discuss the future of their expanding empire. The minutes of this meeting, captured in a letter by Hitler's adjutant, Major Friedrich Hossbach, reveal a detailed plan to establish a Reichskommissariat Moskowien. This fictional region would be a merger of existing territories, including parts of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, and would be governed by a ruthless administrator named Reichskommissar (High Commissioner).

The plan, according to Hossbach's notes, called for Moskowien to serve as a "bridgehead" between Germany and the Soviet Union, protecting German interests and securing vital resources, including oil, grain, and metals. Hitler envisioned Moskowien as a "wild west" region, where German settlers would stake their claim on the land and become the dominant force in the region. As historian and author, Karl-Heinz Frieser, explains, "Moskowien was to be a German-colonized zone, where the inhabitants would be subjected to German rule and forced to adopt German culture."

Moskowien's Objectives: Resource Exploitation and Germanization

The Nazi regime's plans for Moskowien were multifaceted, driven by a desire to exploit the region's natural resources, including oil, coal, and iron ore. Germany's industrial base was dependent on imported raw materials, and Moskowien's vast deposits promised to provide a much-needed boost to the war effort. However, this came at a cost: the population of Moskowien would be subjected to forced labor, genocide, and brutal repression. As historian Wolfgang Neugebauer notes, "The Nazis had no intention of integrating the local population into their society; instead, they sought to exploit Moskowien's resources while suppressing any dissent or opposition."

The Germanization of Moskowien was a key objective of the Nazi regime. German settlers would be encouraged to migrate to the region, where they would displace the native population and assume control over the land. This plan was eerily reminiscent of the German colonization of Eastern Europe in the 19th century. As historian Adam Tooze observes, "Moskowien was to be a 'germanisches Stück' (German patch) in the heart of Eastern Europe."

The Fate of Moskowien: A Nazi Fantasy Foiled

The Reichskommissariat Moskowien never came to fruition. Despite the Nazi regime's best efforts, their plans for the region were foiled by a combination of factors, including the Soviet Union's unexpected resistance and the exhaustion of German military resources. By the end of 1943, the German army had suffered significant defeats on the Eastern Front, and their grip on Moskowien was beginning to slip. The region would eventually fall to the Soviet Union, and the remnants of the German occupation forces would be forced to retreat.

As historian Richard J. Evans notes, "The idea of Moskowien was a chimera, a fantasy born of Nazi hubris and a desperate desire to expand their empire. The Soviet Union's resistance ultimately proved that this vision was unsustainable."

Conclusion

The Reichskommissariat Moskowien was a fascinating and often-overlooked chapter in the history of Nazi Germany. This fictional administrative region, designed to serve as a bridgehead between Germany and the Soviet Union, highlights the Nazi regime's brutal and expansionist ambitions. Despite its failure to materialize, Moskowien serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of Nazi occupation and the devastating consequences of unchecked militarism.