Contradictions within the Nazi administration in the occupied territories of Southern Ukraine in the memoirs of Alfred Frauenfeld

Abstract

The article examines the nature of internal contradictions within the Nazi occupation administration in the southern Ukrainian territories during the Second World War, based on the memoirs of Alfred Frauenfeld. The study focuses on analyzing the relationships between various levels of the administrative apparatus, in particular the civil administration, military structures, and the leadership of the Reich Commissariat «Ukraine», as well as identifying the causes of conflicts and their impact on the implementation of occupation policy.

It has been established that the memoirs reflect a complex system of subordination characterized by the absence of a clear hierarchy, competition among different centers of power, and the existence of parallel administrative mechanisms. The article analyzes examples of strained relations among administrative representatives, including interference by higher authorities, the use of informal instruments of control, and the dissemination of discrediting information as elements of internal struggles for influence.

Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of Alfred Frauenfeld’s interpretation of these processes. It is shown that his memoir narrative combines factual material with subjective assessments, which is manifested in the selectivity of descriptions, the attempt to emphasize his own managerial position, and the explanation of administrative difficulties through the actions of other actors within the system of power.

As a result of the study, it is argued that internal contradictions were an inherent component of the functioning of the Nazi occupation apparatus and significantly affected the effectiveness of governance at the local level. The use of memoir sources of this type makes it possible to deepen the understanding of the internal dynamics of the occupation system and to refine interpretations of its mechanisms of operation under wartime conditions.