Photograph

OMGUS MILITARY TRIBUNAL - CASE THREE OMT-III-W-25

1946-1948

Witness: Dr. Robert Havemann, for the prosecution, testifying against defendant Lautz and the People's Court in the trial of the former Nazi judges and public prosecutors. Havemann was university professor, chief of administration at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, Berlin-Dahlem, a specialist in physical chemistry working there since 1931 as researcher and lecturer. A founder of the "European Union", a group within Germany preparing for the period after the war, "hoping to build a better future world for the European peoples." "Union" contacted representatives of foreign workers held in Germany who were still working for liberation movements in their homelands. Active revolt against the Nazi Regime was not planned, preparations were for post-war Europe. Havemann was arrested by Gestapo in Berlin 5 September 43, held in Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse Jail and Brandenburg-Goehrden penitentiary until his trial on 15 Dec. with three others on high treason and aiding the enemy charges, with no prior opportunity to see legal counsel and the charges against him before the opening of the trial. Was given hardly no chances to defend himself during course of trial. Sentence to death on 16 Dec. Reprieve from death sentence granted from 1 May to 1 Nov. 44 because of OKW interest in his research in tracing minute quantities of elements. A laboratory was constructed for him in the prison where he continued his work under German Army Ordinance supervision. Reprieved at two month intervals until finally capture by Russians 27 April 45. While in Brandenburg heard of execution of 750 prisoners on 20 April 45 at Sonnenberg, as well as 33 political prisoner executions on 20 April 45 at Brandenburg. --Photo 10 April 47 --

Inscription

OMGUS MILITARY TRIBUNAL - CASE THREE OMT-III-W-25 / Witness: Dr. Robert Havemann, for the prosecution, testifying against defendant Lautz and the People's Court in the trial of the former Nazi judges and public prosecutors. Havemann was university professor, chief of administration at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, Berlin-Dahlem, a specialist in physical chemistry working there since 1931 as researcher and lecturer. A founder of the "European Union", a group within Germany preparing for the period after the war, "hoping to build a better future world for the European peoples." "Union" contacted representatives of foreign workers held in Germany who were still working for liberation movements in their homelands. Active revolt against the Nazi Regime was not planned, preparations were for post-war Europe. / Havemann was arrested by Gestapo in Berlin 5 September 43, held in Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse Jail and Brandenburg-Goehrden penitentiary until his trial on 15 Dec. with three others on high treason and aiding the enemy charges, with no prior opportunity to see legal counsel and the charges against him before the opening of the trial. Was given hardly no chances to defend himself during course of trial. Sentence to death on 16 Dec. Reprieve from death sentence granted from 1 May to 1 Nov. 44 because of OKW interest in his research in tracing minute quantities of elements. A laboratory was constructed for him in the prison where he continued his work under German Army Ordinance supervision. Reprieved at two month intervals until finally capture by Russians 27 April 45. While in Brandenburg heard of execution of 750 prisoners on 20 April 45 at Sonnenberg, as well as 33 political prisoner executions on 20 April 45 at Brandenburg. --Photo 10 April 47 --

Archive ID: olvwork376700

Download Image