My thought was: The injured cells should be charged with the pigment and this would stop the pathological symptoms of their disintegration which naturally always destroy the healthy cells. The healthy cells, simultaneously charged with the pigment, are put into a state of rest and, after having discharged the pigment, will be able to compensate the thus incurred deficiency by increased cell proliferation. Experiments on animals (pigs and rabbits) were made in order to determine the effectiveness of Trypaflavin in different concentrations and forms; as an ointment, as a solution and as damp applications. At the Berlin Academy, to which I was assigned for three weeks, experiments were conducted on two officer candidates. The result showed that the process of healing was undoubtedly speeded up by employment of damp applications. Having been assigned for a limited time only I could not finish these experiments. When stationed on the West Wall, I had a case of a laboratory accident of a pharmacist who injured his hand seriously with Lost. I treated him with damp applications and Trypaflavin in a concentration of 1:1000 and obtained not only a good healing result but also a very satisfactory cosmetic result, as I was able to convince myself one year later when I met the person in question in France. My suggestion at that time was to treat the patient, when cauterization occurs, with damp applications of a Trypaflavin solution of 1:1000 until the first granulations appear and then to change to a weaker concentration of Rivanel, which is an Acridine pigment too. Only toward the end of this treatment is it possible to continue with ointments and dressings. Also the treatment of eye injuries of rabbits showed a good result in comparison with the results of the other methods employed at that time. As I learned later, also damp applications with Rivanol were introduced.
In connection herewith, I tried to observe the effect of poison gas on the living organism. Here the examination of the living subcutaneous tis sues of rats injured by Lost showed that the injuries were located in the subcutaneous tissues and that they led to injuries of the free connective tissues, which according to previous examinations are of a particular importance as vitamin carriers.
These cells proved to be incapable of proliferation and formations of cells with 2, 3, 4, even 6 nuclei occurred, which appeared as giant cells in the subcutaneous tissues. We find cells of a similar kind in chronic infectious diseases, tuberculosis and sometime also in connection with cancer. The further continuation of the examination of the living interior organs showed the surprising phenomenon of a substance, which we were no longer able to analyzed chemically and which seen through a fluorescence microscope omitted a strong light and filled most of the cells of the liver. Especially the star shaped "Kupfer" cells (outer layer of cells in the liver vessels, capable of absorbing all kinds of substances from the circulating blood), which are essential for the liver and also for the vitamin metabolism, were charged with this luminous matter. At the same time the vitamins, which normally can be traced in the liver by means of the fluorescence microscope, had almost completely disappeared. This phenomena did not surprise us any longer since we had observed similar phenomena on livers of mice which had died of cancer or other serious infectious diseases. I explained these phenomena as a result of a poisoning of the liver, either caused by the poison itself or, which is more probable, by-products of the toxic catobolism. The thus created leading of the liver was not yet analyzed but certainly heterogeneous substance causes a blocking of the entire organ, which already previously was recognized by us as an important accumulator of vitamins. Secondarily a disturbance of the entire vitamin metabolism is created and further a deficiency of essential vitamins which are necessary for the interior respiration of the cells. Rapid disintegration results and death follows. By observing the strange resemblance between this liver phenomenon and the phenomena at other serious intoxications caused partly by bacteria, partly by cancer, we approached the conclusion that in certain cases the cause of death for all these diseases is the same and originates from the serious liver injury.
"Our previous researches in connection with vitamins had shown us that particularly the vitamin A, more than the other vitamins, is accumulated in the very large quantities in the above-mentioned star-shaped "Kupfer" cells, from where they are transmitted to the cells of the liver. We consequently tried to saturate these cells by charging them with a quantity of vitamin A and thus to make an absorption of the products of toxic catabolism or virus impossible, in order to force the organism to secrete them through other excretory organs, particularly through the kidneys. Accordingly we fed rats with vitamin A and subsequently infected them with Lost (rats are very sensitive to Lost and their death can be expected with certainty within 24 to 48 hours after application of a very small quantity of Lost on their back). We had succeeded in keeping the thus treated rats alive for several weeks. The last rat of this series of experiments was still alive after one year. The examination of the organs of the animals which had died after 8 to 14 days showed that the liver had accumulated an abundant amount of vitamin A and that only an insignificant quantity of toxic products could be traced. I was not in a position to conduct the corresponding experiments on human beings because I was forced by the beginning of the offensive against France to return to my unit, from where I did not return until March 1941.
"I submitted at that time a report on these experiments with the accompanying illustrations to my Generalarzt, who transmitted it to Berlin. But I never hoard anything further about this research work.
"Its practical application would be to observe first in another experiment the further reaction of the liver the kidneys, the splean, etc. of vitamin-saturated animals and then to investigate whether, after a treatment of human beings with vitamin A, which if dosed correctly, can be taken without any concomitant symptom, a certain protection against Lost can be achieved, that is, a protection against its fatal effect and further by means of timely shift of vitamins, which would occur in connection with this treatment, a change of the course of the cutaneous phenomena. Only a direct experiment would indicate to what extent this is possible.
As I did not hear anything from the military command in Berlin as to whether this experiment had been conducted, I cannot report anything about the result. For the reasons already mentioned I was not in the position to carry on these experiments. Since I forwarded at that time also the illustrations to Berlin, I can give now only a very short summary of the experiments conducted by us." (Signed) Prof. Hirt.
This report indicates that are are coming on now to the experimentation on human beings in this regard, as stated by Rudolf Brandt in his affidavit in the first instance.
The next page, page 25, your Honors, in the document book is Document Number NO-196 which is offered as prosecution Exhibit Number 261. This is a letter from the Office of the Reichsfuehrer SS, obviously from the office of the Defendant Rudolf Brandt, to one of his subordinates apparently, Gottlob Berger, to the Chief of the SS Main Office, dated 24 August 1942, addressed to SS Gruppenfuehrer Berger, Berlin.
"My dear Gruppenfuehrer, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. A. Hirt, Strassburg, who has played an important role in the foundation of the Institute for Military Scientific Research, would urgently need Oberarzt Dr. medical habilitation Karl Wimmer for the development of this work. Dr. Wimmer has been temporarily assigned to the Anatomic Institute of the University of Strassburg by the Luftwaffe Sanitary Training Department VII, and is, therefore in a position to assist SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Hirt in a series of experiments.
"It would be important that through the aid of the Schutzstaffel this posting to the Anatomic Institute of Strassburg be maintained. If you would intervene in this matter, SS Obersturmfuehrer Dr. Brandt would be very obliged to you.
"Enclosed I submit some essential personal data concerning Dr. Wimmer. Heil Hitler, " and the signature is illegible on this instrument. There is a pencilled note: "Berger has written that he cannot do this, and that he has therefore asked Grawitz to do it."
Here is a letter from Berger to the Reichsfuehrer SS in the matter, Document Number NO-197, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 262. This is dated 27 August 1942, addressed to the Reichsfuehrer SS. The subject is Dr. mod. habil. Karl Wimmer, and is in reference to the previous letter.
"In consideration of the fact, that on the grounds of recently issued regulations concerning the release of physicians, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof.
A. Hirt cannot be given any assistance in obtaining the transfer of Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen SS, the SS Medical Office had been requested, on the basis of the above mentioned letter, to intervene in this matter, so that his assignment by the Luftwaffe Medical Training Division VII continues to remain in force. Signature, G. Burger, SS Gruppenfuehrer."
The next note on the subject is a file note of Sievers, obviously sent to Rudolf Brandt, Document Number NO-098. It will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 263, dated 3 November 1942. We note a filing stamp, at the top of the letter, "Personal Staff Reichsfuehrer SS", and a shorthand notation, "file under Sievers". The subject here is "Research order SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. August Hirt, Strassburg, at the Institute for Military Scientific Research of Ahnenerbe."
"The Reichsfuerher SS ordered in his letter of 13 July 1942 - Journal Number AR/48/7/42 - that SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Processor Dr. Hirt carry out the research tasks assigned him, in conjunction with the concentration camp Natzweiler. It was determined at a conference, for which I drove, along with SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt, to Natzweiler on the 31 August 1942, that the hyphothesis were established at Natzweiler ** reported on this orally on 9 September 1942 and afterwards in writing on 11 September 1942 to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks who agreed and promised has full support. In view of the urgency of these res arch tasks, I asked SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt to again go to Natzweiler because until then no report on the beginning of the work had arrived. SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt reported the following, among other things, concerning this conference which took place at Natzweiler on 19 October 1942: 'The conference was due to the fact that until now nothing besides the detachment of Oberscharfuehrer Walbert had been accomplished. Nor had the installation of the laboratories been started to date. It has now been decided to start with the laboratories this week.
"' It was further established that the protective camp Schirmeck would erect the sheds. Its Commander fortunately is ready, as he told us at once, to place the necessary people at our disposal free of charge; while Natzweiler, would not have been in a position to do so due to the great inconvenient demands of the workers.
"' We were furthermore informed that the prisoners who would later be used for experiments, would have to be paid for by us during the period that experiments were being made upon them.
"' We are to request that the prisoners of the L-experiment receive full rations to enable the experiments to be carried out under the same conditions as the troops would be under in a possible emergency. We intend for the time being to take ton prisoners as subjects for experiments.
"' Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke said that he was refused the assistance of a second physician in supervising the experiments on patients, so that he probably would not have enough time to concern himself with the experiments.
"' The X-Ray apparatus which I could procure here, has not yet been definitely allocated by Berlin. We must get it immediately, otherwise it may happen that we lose it.
"' The installation of direct current causes difficulties. One however gets the impression that the building operators had not yet dealt with this problem at all. According to their opinion a transformer should be procured which is able to transform 220 volts alternating current into direct current. This is most likely quite improbable at this place.
"' To equip the laboratory, I would ship the needed things (freezing microtome, incubators, etc.) from the stocks of the Anatomical Institute to Natzweiler during the next week. They remain of course the property of the Anatomical Institute. The two prisoners trained in handling the microtome can then be put to work. According to Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke, both should be proficient at it.'
"On the basis of this report I have the impression that not too much interest in cooperative worn exists at Natzweiler. As such cooperation is ordered by the Reichsfuehrer SS and as SS-Brigadefuehrer Gluecks is willing, the whole thing is not understandable to me. I was very much surprised by the fact that the prisoners to be used for experiments should be paid for. If we use only ten prisoners for one experiment, which might under certain circumstances 1st ten months, the costs for the prisoners alone would total approximately 4000 RM.
When I think of our military research work conducted at the concentration camp Dachau, I must praise and call special attention to the generous and understanding way in which our work was furthered there and to the cooperation we were given. Payment of prisoners was never discussed. It seems as if at Natzweiler they are trying to make as much money as possible out of this matter. We are not conducting these experiments, as a matter of fact, for the sake of some fixed scientific idea but to be of practical help to the armed forces and beyond them to the German people in a possible emergency. The budget of the Institute will be met, according to the order of the Reich Loader of the SS and as already discussed by me in detail with SS Standartenfuehrer Loerner, but of the funds of the Waffen SS.
"Under the supposition that the prisoners needed for experiments are in the prescribed condition as regards nourishment by this time, the experiments could start approximately on 10 November 1942.
"Special treatment in Dachau was never the subject of special instructions but was understood to be necessary and issued without further ado. On the occasion of his personal inspection of the experiments at Dachau, the Reichsfuehrer SS appeared one day at Dachau to have a look at the experiments there, this is possible at Natzweiler too. signature, Sievers. 1. To SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. R. Brandt to road in reference to our discussion of today and with the request of help in comradely fashion in setting up the necessary conditions at Natzweiler." And the initials, "Si".
Mr. McHaney said earlier in the presentation of his case in chief, details of this matter set forth here clearly indicate Sievers was not the mere letter box as he will have us believe. We turn now to the next document, Document Number NO-;93, which will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 264. This is a letter from Sievers to Rudolf Brandt, dated 22 April, 1943.
"Subject: Dr. med. Habil. Karl Wimmer, born 24 October 1910, Staff physician of the Luftwaffe, commanded by Air Gau Physician 7, Munich, for service with the Anatomical Institute of the Strassburg University.
Co-worker at the Institute for Military Scientific Research of the Ahnenerbe Society, Department SS Hauptsturmfuehrer, Dr. Hirt, Strasburg. Re: Your letter of 10.42 Diary No. AR/48/7/42, Our letter of 25.7.42. Dear Comrade Brandt: Effective immediately, Dr. Wimmer has been transferred to the XI Air Corps, and according to information given by the Air Gau Medical Department 7 was to report today to the Oberstabsarzt Dr. Jaeger, Berlin-Tempelhof, Manfred von Richthofenstrass 6/II. As Jaeger is going to be absent until 27 April Dr. Wimmer will have to wait for a decision until that date. The transfer of Dr. Wimmer means discontinuance of the gas experiments at Natzweiler and Strasbourg, as 1) replacement cannot be supplied due to the necessary specialized knowledge, 2) the practical knowledge, gained by Dr. Wimmer through an extensive series of experiments, can only be used by him, 3) on Dr. Wimmer's leaving SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt will have to take over his lectures and as he, considering his state of health, is already more than overworked, he can no longer go on with research work. Interim report on experiment-results up to now will follow next week to be submitted to the Reichsfuehrer SS. The intensification of experiments and research, as well as the continuation of the work at all, as ordered by the Reich Fuehrer SS on the basis of our discussion on 7 April, is out if the question, if the small staff of co-workers at the disposal of Professor Dr. Hirt, especially Dr. Wimmer, is withdrawn. The problem to be solved demand constantly scientists with long years of experience and specialized knowledge. Dr. Wimmer would now be employed only as troop doctor, which is totally uneconomical considering his knowledge and abilities, as his services as troop doctor will never be of war-deciding importance, while this may well be said of his scientific activity. Obviously the Recruiting Office of the Waffen SS has, at that time, contented itself with the information of the Reich Minister for aviation and supreme Commander of the German Luftwaffe, without concluding a definite agreement. Request immediate steps for this to be remedied; the best would be to order Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen SS at least until 31.
13.42 and if necessary that the Reichsarzt SS should send in his place troop doctor to the Luftwaffe for the time Dr. Wimmer is commanded to the Waffen SS. With best regards, signed Sievers.
This letter decidely indicates that the experiments were underway and the loss of Wimmer caused the discontinuance thereof.
Now, turn to Document number NO-194 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 265. It is a letter from Rudolf Brandt to the SS-Medical Office, regarding Dr. Wimmer, dated 27 May 1943.
"On 30 April 43 the SS-Central Office forwarded a letter of SS-Standartenfuehrer Sievers with the request to bring about the transfer of Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen-SS, in agreement with the competent Luftwaffen-Inspectorate.
"In addition I am forwarding another letter today of the 'Ahnenerbe' society dated 14.5.43. I shall emphasize again that it is the SS-Reichsfuehrer's explicit wish that the transfer be performed as soon as possible, as it would be doubtful otherwise, whether the further war-important experiments of Professor Dr. Hirt, which, due to his state of health, can no longer be carried out by him alone, and could be continued.
"I beg you to inform me without delay what has been done in the matter. By order, signed Brandt."
The next letter is a letter from Rudolf Brandt, Document NO-195, which will be Prosecution Exhibit 266, dated 9 June 1943, and is addressed to the "Personal Consultant (Referent) of the Reichsmarschall. Ministerial Councillor Dr. Goernert."
"Dear Party-Member Goernert, Referring to our telephone conversation of 3.6.1943, I request your support for a very quick re-transfer of stall surgeon Dr. med. habil. Karl Wimmer who was transferred to the XI Air Corps from the Luftwaffe Medical (Sanitation) Training Department VII at the Anatomical Institute of the University of Strasbourg despite the understanding that he was to remain.
"Dr. Wimmer was at the disposal of Professor Dr. Hirt for his warimportant gas experiments. Further details on the experiments could be given to you by SS-Standartenfuehrer Sievers, Berlin-Dahlem, Puecklerstrasse 16.
"Steps are already being taken via the Medical Office to have Dr. Wimmer transferred to the Waffen-SS. I should appreciate your expediting this matter through your support.
Heil Hitler, Brandt."
The next document is Document NO-492-PS which will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 267. The letter is dated 20 September 1944 from, obviously, the office of Rudolf Brandt of the Personal Staff of the Entonological Institute of the Waffen-SS, in care of SS-Obersturmfuehrer Schuetrumpf. Re: Temporary employment of two female assistants of Professor Dr. Hirt, Strasbourg.
"Dear Comrade Schuetrumpf: I herewith confirm the telegram which was sent to you today. Technical female assistants of Waischenfeld for the present sent again to Strasbourg to collect scientific material. Arrival at Cachau will be announced in due time. This is, however, not to be expected before 26 September 1944.
"As the evacuation of the Strasbourg office is not yet concluded for the time being and permanent working material will be packed and made ready for transportation, both helpers will be employed for the time being until 3.9.1944. Heil Hitler,..." and here we have handwritten initials..."SSObersturmfuehrer."
The next letter which is a part of this document NO-492-PS, is a letter from Sievers, a certificate, dated 3 November 1943.
"Department H,..." department Hirt..."Strasbourg, of the institute for Military Scientific Research, by order of the Reich Minister of the Interior, Reichsfuehrer-SS Heinrich Himmler and of the Reich Minister for Aviation Supreme Commander of the Luftwaffe, President of the Reich Council for Research, Herman Goering, is carrying out research tasks of military important, for the accomplishment of which health-damaging poisons have to be used.
"In the course of the researches the collaborators: Dr. Wimmer and Frl. Schmitt have now contracted injuries to their health which according to the opinion of an official doctor can only be removed through an increased supply of fat and milk. In order to prevent the loss of both assistants through further health disorders, persons which we cannot afford losing, a preventative treatment of the occurred injuries is absolutely necessary. For this a special ration of butter and unskimmed milk is necessary without cutting the rations of meat and food-stuffs which are due to them so far.
"In the interest of the defense of the country no indications can be made as to the nature of work which is to be carried out by the Institute for Military Scientific Research. Signed Sievers."
We turn now to Document NO-099 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 268. This is a report from "The Institute for Military Scientific Research, Department H of the Research and Instruction Society "Ahnenerbe", Strasbourg, Anatomical Institute.
"Proposed Treatment of Poisoning Caused by Lost (By Professor Dr. A. Hirt and Staff Surgeon of the Luftwaffe; Professor (Dozent) Dr. Wimmer, Strasbourg, 1944).
"General Observations: The effect of Lost as a poison gas is immediate and, by causing other pathological reactions within the cells and organs, it damages the entire efficiency or the individual cell as well as that of the organs. The organism stands the best chance of absorbing the damage caused by Lost, if there is a large vitamin reserve in the body. In administering the vitamin treatment after Lost damage has been inflicted, care must be taken that the medicaments are not administered indiscriminately. The vitamin combinations (A,B complex,C) taken orally or vitamin Bl administered intravenously in glucose suspension have proved most effective. Both methods aim at raising the resistance of the reticulo-endothelial system, while simultaneously introducing therapeutic measures to protect the liver which can be further strengthened by food with a high carbohydrate and vitamin content. When definite damage to the organs (liver, cardiac muscles, kidneys) manifests itself, vitamin treatment has to be discontinued and injections of Bl glucose substituted, as the excretion of the surplus quantity of vitamins results in a temporary additional over stimulation of the cells of the excretory organs. In addition the interconnection between the effect of sulfonamide and vitamin B complex should be noted. In the case of pulmonary complications (bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary abscess) which are treated with sulfonamides, the administration of yeast is definitely not indicted.
"The general treatment; as set forth, especially the administration of vitamin Bl glucose, has a salutory effect also on the healing of cutaneous necrosis. In average and serious cases the length of the healing process can be thereby be considerably decreased. Supporting measures to be taken are bandaging the affected limb in splints until the appearance of clean granulation or placing the patient in a suitable recumbent position as well as vigorous, systematic psychotherapy. The psychological influencing of the largely apathetic Lost patient constitutes an essential part of the treatment, due to the possibility of thereby influencing the parasympathetic system (circulation, circulatory system).
"Outline of Treatment: 1. All the directions given for the elimination of the Lost poison are to be followed carefully. Only after elimination of the poison has resulted may Lost patients be treated and accommodated together in closed rooms. (Inhalation of Lost vapors.)
"2. Damp dressings with Rivalol (.1% - .0-5%) and Trypaflavin (.1%) have proved to be a successful treatment of the skin systems (reddening, swelling, blisters) of the first to fourth day. If necessary, ointment dressings (10% codliver oil-tannic ointment, boric acid ointment, etc.) may be applied. With the opening of the blisters, the exposed corium of the skin becomes extremely sensitive to the drying reflex. Introductory treatment; daily bathing with a potassium permanganate solution, constant damp dressings of Rivanol-Tripaflavin solution; later on ointment dressings (5% codliver oil-tannic ointment; boric acid ointment). With the development of cutaneous necrosis and increasing disinfection of the affected pats of the skin, the damp dressings are to be substituted -- if only for nursing reasons-- by ointment dressings after bathing with a potassium permanganate solution at body temperature which are to be changed daily. Usually after the 17th day, the necrotic spots on the skin can be done away with by drying them up or better still by brushing them off (under narcosis if necessary) with a potassium permanganate solution. In this way the local healing process is considerably shortened.
With the beginning of the knitting of the skin granulation stimulating ointment dressings (alternately codliver oil ointment, boric acid ointment, unguentine, etc. are sufficient. Lexer's codliver ointment (only 2 hours painfull) can provide a strong stimulus should gramulation formation be slow and drag itself out.
3. General treatment of average and serious Lost damage begins with administering a vitamin mixture compounded as follows; Vitamine (in the form of Vogane oil (Voganoel) increasing from 4 to 10 drops daily. Vitamin C (Cantan-Cebion tablets) 2 tablets 3 times daily. Yeastpower 3 teaspoonsful daily. One should consider whether a vitamin coumpound of similar preparation if need be with the addition of glucose should be produced for the combat troops. such a powder mixture would have to be administered in increasing quantities as well. In all cases of absorbed Lost damage (liver damage indicated by increased secretion of urobilinogen, in the urine, later icteric skin coloring. cardiac muscle damage with tachycardics, kidney damage with albumen secretion in the urine) treatment with vitamin mixtures is to be discontinued and to be substituted by injections of vitamine B glucose. Injections are to be given slowly, since at the height of Lost damage the veins of tho arms incline to thrombosis. In the latter case glucose has to be administered orally and Vitamine B intramuscularly. There exists the possibility, in every case of considerable Lost damage, of a sudden failure of circulation (frequently between the 17th and 17th day) indicated by a weak response to heard and dirculatory stimulants. Heart stimulants (strophantine coffein, digitalis) and dirculatory stimulants (sympatol, priscol, camphor, cardiazole), have therefore to be administered with care in serious cases. The therapeutic routine valid for all clinical treatment is particularly valid for cases of organic damage.
Here is another report on page 43 of your Honor's document book. It is document NO 085, by August Hirt. which will offered at this time as Prosecution Exhibit No. 269. I suggest that the Tribunal read this, However, I will not read it at this time but I do wish to call your attention to the sentence on the top of page 44 in connection with Lost, where he states that "During the war I examined the effect of yellowcross chemical warfare agent (Lost) on living tissue (not yet published)." And he outlines his various projects in this report and his various researches in flourescent light and researches on normal functions of organs, liver, kidneys, etc.
The next document on page 47 of your Honor's document book No 012 will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit No. 270. It is a letter from Karl Brandt, The General Commissioner of the Fuehrer for Sanitation and Health, to Himmler. This is dated 8 March 1944 and reads: "Reich Fuehrer: Enclosed please find the photostatic copy of an order of the Fuehrer which shall only be known to a very limited extent.
"Upon the instruction of the Reich Marshal may I also request you to make this known to only the absolutely essential and loading personalities in your sphere of activity.
"I myself would be grateful if you would induce those men on their part to get in touch with me (Tel. 120050 extension 183) so that, due to the urgency of the given order, I will be able to settle the matter with the greatest expediency. Heil Hitler! (Signed) Karl Brandt (Prof. Brandt). (handwritten marginal notation) For GA Reich Legal Gazette 'Ahnenerbe "Society."
Unfortunately, when we found this document we were unable to find the attached copy of the order of the Fuehrer but with the future documents I will introduce we will indicate to the Tribunal the nature of Fuehrer order.
The next letter is document NO 013, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No. 271. This is from Rudolf Brandt, dated 10 March 1944, addressed to Dr. Grawitz, Reichsarzt SS and Police SS Gruppenfuehrer. "Enclosed I am sending you a copy of a Fuehrer Decree of 1 March 1944 for your perusal and action.
The Reichsfuehrer SS requests you to get in touch on your own initiative with Professor Brandt (Tel 120050, extension 183) in regard to the urgency of the order given him by the Fuehrer.
Heil Hitler! (signature) R. Brandt."
The next letter, page 49 of your Honor's document book, document No. NO-013b, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No. 272 is also dated 10 March 1944. It is a letter from Rudolf Brandt to Sievers in the same regard. He says: "Dear Comrade Sievers:
"I sent you in the enclosed copy an order of the Fuehrer of 1 March 1944, with the request to take note and act in the matter. The Reichsfuehrer SS is requesting you to contact Professor Brandt (Telephone: 120050, ext. 183) on account of tho urgency of the instructions given him by the Fuehrer. Heil Hitler."
The next is document NO-013c, which is offered at this time as prosecution Exhibit No. 275. This is 10 March the same date as the other letter, addressed to Chief of the SS Leader Head Office SS Obergruppenfuehrer Juettner: "Obergruppenfuehrer: Enclosed I am sending you a copy of a Fuehrer decree of 1 March 1844 with the request of perusal and action. Heil Hitler! R. Brandt." Now, the answer to this letter, of 10 March 1944, to Rudolf Brandt in this connection. The next document is NO 014, Prosecution Exhibit No. 275, from the SS Gruppenfuehrer and Reichsarzt, Dr. Grawitz, addressed to Rudolf Brandt. "I am confirming the arrival today of your letter of 10 March 44, file No. 1888/44 top secret, sent, according to the receipt, on 14 March 44 with the Fuehrer's secret order attached, and immediately got in touch with Professor Brandt."
We turn new to document No. NO-015, which contains the secret correspondence. Now, this document is introduced as Prosecution Exhibit No. 274; and with the mimeographed copy before your Honors, the date at the top is 11 April 1946, which is obviously a typographical error which should be changed to April 11 1944. This is addressed to Rudolf Brandt by Sievers. "According to instructions I contacted SS Brigadefuehrer, Prof. Dr. Brandt and reported to him on 31 March 1944 at Beelitz about the research activities of SS Hauptsturm fuehrer Prof. Dr. Hirt. On that occasion, I gave him the plans we had cut out by this time by Prof.
Hirt for treatment against L-infections of which I enclose a copy so you can show it to the Reichsfuehrer-SS if necessary.
"Prof. Brandt explained to me that he would be in Strassbourg during the first week in April and would then discuss details with Prof. Hirt and got in touch with me again afterwards. I shall always keep you informed."
Now, we are beginning to see the light as to what this official decree contained. This decree is a decree which gave Karl Brandt the authority to carry out reach in chemical warfare. Therefore, all these matters were of extreme interest to him and, as you see, Brandt stated in his letter that he would be in Strassbourg during the first week in April and he would then discuss the details with Professor Hirt in regard to experiments on human beings in Camp Natzweiler that were being carried out at that time.
The next is document No. NO-016-A, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No. 276. This is dated 9 June 1944 and is a letter from the Commissioner-General of the Fuehrer on health and medical matters, Karl Brandt, addressed to the Reichsfuehrer SS, Berlin.
"Reichsfuehrer: Prisoners are employed, with best results, in several K factories and in plants producing chemical warfare protection articles. I inspected the camps on several occasions and was, on the whole, favourably impressed by them.
"In this connection, however, I was often informed of the difficulties encountered when accommodating new prisoners. the accommodation and security measures involved, a double or triple, partly electrified fence, quite of ten cause far-reaching difficulties and occasionally great delays. Would it be possible to introduce, in this connection, some improvements? I would be grateful if this question could be examined by one of your experts. Heil Hitler! Your (signature) Karl Brandt."
Here is Brandt and his interest as Plenipotentiary, so to speak, on the chemical warfare, examining the factories producing those chemical warfare production articles, suggesting in his official capacity to the Reichsfuehrer that conditions be renovated in these various camps.
We turn now to document No. NO-016-B, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No. 277. This is dated June 19, 1944, from defendant Rudolf Brandt, addressed to Pohl of the WVHA. "Dear Obergruppenfuehrer: I would be grateful if you would let me know your opinion on the request of SS Gruppenfuehrer Prof. Dr. Brandt, before I inform the Reichsfuehrer SS of it. I enclose o copy of the letter of SS Gruppenfuehrer Prof. Dr. Brandt. (Signed) Rudolf Brandt.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal will now recess until one-thirty o'clock.
(A recess was taken until 1330 hours.)
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.
MR. MCHANEY: May it please the Tribunal, we will read Document No. 016(c) in our presentation, which is on page 55 of the English Document Book, and we offer this Document as Prosecution's Exhibit No. 278. This is a letter from Pohl, Chief of the SS-Economic and Administrative Main Office to the defendant Rudolf Brandt. It is dated 22 June 1933, and it is in response to the letter written by the defendant Karl Brandt with respect to his inspection of certain factories which were manufacturing gas. The letter reads as follows:
"Dear Comrade Dr. Brandt:
"The Reichsfuehrer SS gave me for further action, your letter of June 9th 1944, concerning conditions of prisoners working in several K-factories."
I might say, parenthetically, K-factories mean gas factories.
"Accommodation of prisoners is exclusively the task of contractors, to whom the prisoners are allotted by us. On such occasions, definite obligations are placed upon contractors. Security reasons make their carrying out absolutely imperative.
"The day before yesterday, I asked the Reichsfuehrer SS, when I reported to him, whether I could allow some improvements in this connection. The Reichsfuehrer SS answered in the negative.
"I am ready, notwithstanding. to discuss with contractor concerned individual cases, if desirable.
"I would, therefore, be grateful if you would inform me about the places, where difficulties have arisen.
"Heil Hitler!
"(Signed) Pohl."
There is a note on the bottom as follows:
"NB. Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Brandt has not yet replied", on the "20 July 1944", with the signature "Fauler."
This letter, along with the other one from the defendant Karl Brandt indicates he had, at least, extensive influence and power with respect to chemical warfare problems.