Editing Arthur Nebe (section)

====Mogilev conference and escalation of violence====

{{Main|Mogilev conference}}

The ''Wehrmacht''{{'}}s aggressive rear security doctrine and the use of the "security threat" to disguise genocidal policies resulted in a close cooperation between the army and the security apparatus behind the front lines. Nebe, as the ''Einsatzgruppe B'' commander, participated in a [[Mogilev conference|three-day field conference at Mogilev]] in late September 1941. Organised by General [[Max von Schenckendorff]], chief of Army Group Centre's rear area, the conference was to serve as an "exchange of experiences" for the ''Wehrmacht'' rear unit commanders.{{sfn|Beorn|2014|pp=95–96}}

Participating officers were selected on the basis of their "achievements and experiences" in security operations already undertaken.{{sfn|Förster|1998|pp=1204–1205}} In addition to Nebe, the speakers included [[Higher SS and Police Leader]] [[Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski]]; [[Max Montua]], commander of [[Police Regiment Centre]]; [[Hermann Fegelein]], commander of the [[SS Cavalry Brigade]]; and [[Gustav Lombard]], commander of the 1st SS Cavalry Regiment in [[Hermann Fegelein|Fegelein]]'s brigade. Nebe's talk focused on the SD's role in the common fight against "partisans" and "plunderers". He also covered the "Jewish question" and its connection to the suppression of resistance movements in occupied territories.{{sfn|Blood|2006|p=167}}{{sfn|Beorn|2014|pp=99–101}} After the conference, a 16-page executive summary was distributed to the ''Wehrmacht'' troops and [[Order Police battalions]] in the rear area. There was a dramatic increase in atrocities against Jews and other civilians in the last three months of 1941.{{sfn|Beorn|2014|pp=101–106}}

Under Nebe's command, ''Einsatzgruppe B'' committed public hangings to terrorise the local population. Nebe's report dated 9 October 1941 stated that, due to suspected partisan activity near Demidov, all male residents aged 15 to 55 were put in a camp to be screened. Seventeen people were identified as "partisans" and "Communists" and five were hanged in front of 400 local residents assembled to watch; the rest were shot.{{sfn|Headland|1992|pp=57–58}} Through 14 November 1941, ''Einsatzgruppe B'' reported the killing of 45,467 people; thereafter, Nebe returned to Berlin and resumed his duties as head of the Kripo.{{sfn|Headland|1992|p=94}}