"Enclosed we submit copies Mr. 2, 3 and 4 of the report 'Experiments on rescue from high altitudes' for your files."
There seems to be a hand written note down in the corner, stating that Report 3 was received 2 November by Sievers.
I now come to the report itself. It is long and I do not think it would be worth while for me to read it in its entirety. I am sure that your Honors will wish to study it outside of the court room, as it gives a very detailed explanation of what was done and how it was done, exclusive. of course, of the details on the murders and tortures which have been proved by the Documents thus far submitted. I would like to read a few excerpts from this Document beginning on Page 83 of the English Document Book. At the top it states:
"A report is to be made on experiments in which the possibility of rescue from high altitudes in the low pressure chamber is studied. Experiment were made at parachute sinking speeds up to 15 km., (47,000 ft.), without oxygen and up to 18 km. (59,000 ft.), with oxygen creating as well as falling experiments speeds up to 21 km., (68,000 ft.), altitude with and without oxygen. The results with practical significance will be discussed below."
Then thy give an index to the report. Down at the bottom, signing for the DLV Institute is the defendant Ruff. The authors are noted as Dr. Rascher and Stabsarzt der Luftwaffe. I think, probably refers to Rascher. Romberg's name appears below that. Then the note on the botton states that: "These studies were carried out in conjunction with the research and instruction association "Das Ahnenerbe". That is the organization cf which the defendant Sievers was Reich Business Manager. The report is dated 28 July 1942.
Turning to the next page, I think it might be useful just to read the introduction and a little of the procedure of the experiment to make it a little more clear precisely what these men were trying to do and how they were going to do it.
"I. Introduction and Statement of the Problem. It is theoretically possible for man to reach as high an altitude as he may wish in an aircraft with a pressure cabin. However, the question must be settled as to what result or effects the destruction of the pressure cabin will have upon the human being who in such cases is exposed in a few seconds to the low air pressure and thereby to the lack of oxygen which is characteristic of high altitude. Of particular practical interest is the question from what altitudes and by what means the safest rescue of the crew can be made. In the work ad hand, a report is presented on experiments in which were studied the various possibilities of rescue under special experimental conditions. Since the urgency of the solution of the problem was evident, it was necessary, especially under the given condition of the experiment, to forego for the time being the thorough clearing up of purely scientific questions.
"II. Procedure of the Experiment. The experiments were carried on in a portable low pressure chamber with equipment for explosive decompression. The performance of this apparatus limited the highest altitude attainable to about 21,000 meters or 69,000 feet.
"In this experimental series, which was to clarify the possibilities of rescue from high altitudes, the experiments, simulating actual conditions, were carried out in such a way that rescue with parachute unfolded (designated as descending experiments) and with parachute folded (designated as falling experiments) were studied sometimes with and sometimes without oxygen breathing.
Since the altitude or posture of the body is of essential significance for the demands made by the lack of oxygen on the circulation, the experiments were carried out in sitting and prone positions; and, in descending experiments, in a suspended position in a parachute harness corresponding to the actual position".
The Court will recall that in the pictures which we have submitted as Prosecution Exhibit 41 you can see in a great number of pictures the experimental subject being suspended in a parachute harness.
"For purposes of demonstration certain of the experiments were recorded on film. Electrocardiograms were made of several experiments in the experimental series. Oxygen was breathed out of the customary low pressure apparatus with continuous flow at attitudes over ten kilometers, 32,800 feet. The following experimental sequence was chosen: 1. Descending experiments without oxygen breathing; 2. Descending experiments with oxygen breathing; 3. Falling experiments without oxygen breathing; 4. Falling experiments with oxygen breathing".
Now, on the following pages the Court is given the results of the experiments in rahter technical language, and I think it would probably not be helpful to have me read that in this language here. Accordingly, I would like to have the tribunal turn to page 88 of the English Document Book which is noted as page 13 of the original German, and I would like to read a running description which is there given of there action of one of these miserable experimental subjects. It states that: "Descending experiments were made in larger numbers from 15 kilometers altitude, since it became evident that at this altitude the approximate limits for what was possible in emergencies had already been reached essentially surpassed. After an ascent made as rapidly as possible, using oxygen apparatus with free flow the mask was removed immediately upon attaining 15 kilometers, which is 47,200 feet, altitude and the descent was begun. Since the results of these descending experiments were very typical and especially impressive it is necessary to present one of these experiments in detail. The protocol of an experiment will be represented as follows:
"At 47,200 feet, the subject lets the mask fall, severe altitude sickness spasmodic convulsions. At 45,580 feet Opisthotonus".. which, if your Honors please, means the reaction of the spine which is typically associated with tetanus or lockjaw.
"At 44,920 feet, arms stretched stiffly forward; sits up like a dog, legs spread stiffly apart. 44,950 feet, suspended in opisthotonus. At 43,310 feet, agonal convulsive breathing. At 40,030 feet, dyspnea, hangs limp. 23,620 feet, uncoordinated movements with the extremities. 19,690 feet, clonic convulsions and groaning. 18,080 feet, yells aloud. 9,520 feet, still*ye convulses arms and legs, head sinks forward. 6,560 feet to zero feet, yells spasmodically, grimaces, bites his tongue, does not respond to speech, gives the impression of someone who is completely out of his mind. 5 minutes after reaching ground level, reacts for the first time to vocal stimulation. 7 minutes attempts upon command to arise, says in stereotyped manner: "No, please". 9 minutes, stands up on command; severe ataxia; answers to all questions: "Just a minute". Tries spasmodically to recall his birth date. 10 minutes, typical stereotypes of attitude and movement; numbles number to himself. 11 minutes, holds his head turned convulsively to the right; tries repeatedly to answer the first question concerning his birth date. 12 minutes, questions of the subject: "may I slice something?" (Note. In civilian work he was a delicatessen clerk) "May I pant, will it be allright if I inhale?" "Breathes deeply, then says "All right, thank you very much". 15 minutes, on being ordered to walk, steps forward and says: "All right, thank you very much". 17 minutes, gives his name; says he was born in 1928 (born 1 November 1908). Experimenter asks: "Where?" "Something 1928". "Profession"? "28-1928". 18 minutes, "May I inhale? "Yes". "I am content with that". 25 minutes, still the question continues: "Pant?" 28 minutes, sees nothing, runs against open window sash upon which the sun is shining, so that large lump is formed on his forehead; says: Excuse me please". No expression of pain. 30 minutes, knows his name and place of birth. Upon being asked for the day's date: "1 November 1928". Shivering of the legs; stupor continues; cannot be frightened by the report of a shot. Dark objects are still not discerned; subject humps against them. Is aware of bright light; knows his profession specially disoriented. 37 minutes, reacts to pain stimuli. 40 minutes, begins to observe defferences, falls continually into his previous speech stereotypes. 50 minutes, specially oriented. 75 minutes, still disoriented in time; retrogressive amnesia over three days. 24 hours, normal condition again attained; has no recollection of the experiment itself".
And so is the description of the tortures which these experimental subjects were forced to endure, those who managed to live through the experiment itself.
On page 91 of the English Document Book, which is on pages 16 and 17 of the original, we find a most interesting description of the experiences which the defendant Romberg and the deceased Dr. Rascher had in an experiment upon themselves in this low pressure chamberand they have been good enough to detail this in report. It reads as follows:
"In spite of the relatively large number of experiments, the actual cause of the severe mental disturbances and bodily failures (Paralysis, blindmess, et cetera) attendant upon post-hypoxemic twilight state remains something of a riddle. It appeared often as though the phenomena of pressure drop sickness (aeroembolism) had combined with the results of severe oxygen lack. In this connection, the subjective accounts made by the authors in two experiments each were interesting. In the case of Ro..."who, your Honors, is Romberg...."during a half hour stay at 12 kilometers with oxygen, only the usual pains attendant with bends occurred.
"In a further experiment with a stay of 40 minutes duration at an altitude of between 13 and 13.5 kilometers, there developed very gradually a condition of weakness combined with a peculiar headache, which then led to a considerable slackening of strength in the arms and hands. As a result of this, Romberg could no longer hold the breathing mouthpiece (for special reasons in those experiments, Romberg had to breathe with a mouthpiece and nose clamp) so that it slid out of his mouth. All of these phenomena were still clearly observed by Romberg. Rascher returned the mouthpiece to Romberg. However at this point Romberg failed rather suddenly with paleness, strong cyanosis of the lips and complete unconsciousness.
After Romberg had regained clear consciousness through descent and sufficient oxygen breathing, he determined, the existence in himself of a complete paralysis of the legs, weakness of the arms and severe disturbance of vision. These serious disturbances developed although the time of oxygen lack and unconsciousness had. lasted only about five seconds. Following descent soon after this to 0 kilometers, the paralysis of the legs continued for about five minutes more and the very severe visual disturbances only cleared up after two hours. While this episode of Romberg's occurred in an experiment at special altitude, the disturbances occurred in Rascher at an altitude between 12 and 12.5 kilometers (that is, up to 41,010 feet) while he was breathing sufficient oxygen with a mask and continuous flow into the circuit. After ten minutes stay at this altitude, pains began on the right side with a spasticparalytic condition of the right leg which in creased continually as though Rascher's whole right side were being crushed between two presses. At the same time there were most severe headaches as though the skull were being burst apart. The pains became continually more severe so that at last the discontinuation of the experiment became necessary. The pains disappeared when ground level was reached while the disturbances of the right leg continued about five minutes more.
Shortly before the second experiment, Rascher took two tablets of "Antineuralgica" (a coal tar derivatite) and two tablets of Pervitin.
In the course of the experiments there occurred only light pains in the right arm and leg, moderate headache, but a very severe uncontrollable urge to cough, actually less severe difficulties than in the foregoing experiment, although this one was made at 1000 meters higher.
Romberg experienced disturbances which in quality resembled the severe disturbances in the 15 Kilometer sinking experiment, although the degree of oxygen lack in this experiment was negligible in comparison to the 15 kilometer experiment, so that the idea of a combination of pressure drop phenomena with the phenomena of oxygen lack is definitely suggested."
"I would like to say, Your Honers, that this report on the subjective reaction of the Defendants Romberg and Rascher should put at rest any claims by any of these defendants that these high altitude experiments were not painful. It very clearly states: "Rascher's whole right side felt as if it were being crushed between two presses; his skull felt as if it were being burst apart."
It should also be pointed out that the pains became continually more severe so that at last the discontinuance of the experiment became necessary. There is no known case in which these experimenters discontinued an experiment on their unfortunate victims because they were suffering pain.
On Page 96 of the Document Book, I would just like to make one comment. You will note that these experiments were testing the possibilities of rescue from a damaged airplane at extremely high altitudes and they were studying the effects of a parachute jump from high altitudes, both with the opening of the parachute very hurriedly and with the parachute folded with a long free fall. I just would like to say, by way of comment, that while some of these experiments were extended to heights in excess of 60,000 feet, there were, in fact, in the United States Air Force very few recorded jumps in excess of 15,000 feet.
I wish also to point out the conclusion on page 97. The report reads:
"In conclusion, we must make it particularly clear that, in view of the extreme experimental conditions in this whole experimental series, no fatlity and no lasting injury due to oxygen lack occurred."
That, of course, in an entirely false statement, as the proof has indicated.
Your Honors might note, while we are still on this report, on Page 99 at the bottom, where the bibleography is given and the names LUTZ and WENDT, this is the same Wolfgang Lutz who was called to testify this morning and who will give his testimony tomorrow morning. His collaborator in that report, Wendt, and Lutz, were both associated with the Defendant Weltz at the institute in Munich.
I come now to Document 1607.
THE PRESIDENT: I want to ask you, in connection with this report, is that a portion of Exhibit 66?
MR. Mc.HANEY: What is that, Sir? The bibleography?
THE PRESIDENT: No, this report to which you have just referred, Document No. NO -402.
MR. Mc.HANEY: Yes, sir, that is a part of Exhibit 66. Exhibit 66 includes the cover letter from Ruff and Romberg to the Reichsfuehrer plus the report.
THE PRESIDENT: I wanted to be sure.
MR. Mc Haney: I come now to Document 1607-b-PS, which will be Prosecution's Exhibit 67. It is dated 25 August 1942. It is a letter from Heinrich Himmler to General Field Marshal Milch.
"Dear Milch: Enclosed please find a report about experiments for rescue from high altitudes, which have been carried out by Stabsarzt Dr. S. Rascher and Dr. H.W. Romberg. I saw a film produced by Dr. Rascher. I consider the results of these experiments as so important for the Luftwaffe, that I beg you to receive Dr. Rascher and Dr. Romberg for a lecture and the presentation of the film. I am convinced that, after having seen the film, you will also refer the matter to the Reich Marshal, because of its importance." The reference, Your Honors, is to Goering. "I would be obliged if you could let me know your opinion in due time. Friendly greetings, Heil Hitler. Heinrich Himmler." The report which Himmler sent to Milch being, of course, the report which was presented as Exhibit 66.
We now come to Document NO-221, which will be Prosecution's Exhibit No. 68. This is a letter from Sievers to "Dear Comrade Brandt". The letterhead is "The Ahnenerbe, The Reich Business Leader. Der. Rascher writes me:
'On 14 July the Reich Fuehrer SS ordered me to send the report on low pressure chamber experiments to Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. Brandt and at same time to remind him of the fact that the Reich Fuehrer ordered this report together with the Reich Leader's covering letter to bo sent to Fieldmarshal Milch stating that Milch, Romberg and myself were requested to report to him in order to submit this information. I executed this order on 20 July. As I have heard nothing about it up to now and was also not ordered to report to Milch nor to Generalstabsarzt Prof. Dr. Hippke, I presume that the natter was reported without me. Can you find out? I do not share this presumption of Rascher, for who else would have given the report except Rascher and Romberg? I take it for granted that you sent the report to Fieldmarshal Milch, but that Fieldmarshal Milch has had not time so far to open the report. Have you heard anything relative to this? Furthermore Dr. Rascher requests the approval for the publication of the purely scientific results. I shall inquire of Dr. Rascher in what form and to what extent he conceives these publications. I believe that he can agree to it in the event of publication being made in the corresponding form. Yours very truly, Heil Hitler. Yours, (signed) Sievers."
Here we see the Reich Business Ledger Sievers smoothing the way and taking care of his scientific associates in the Institute for Military Scientific Research, one of when was Dr. Rascher.
THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal will now recess until l:30 o'clock.
(A recess was taken until 1350 hours)
AFTERNOON SESSION (The hearing reconvened at 1330 hours, 11 December 1946.)
THE MARSHALL: The Honorable Judges of the Military Tribunal.
The Military Tribunal is now in session.
MR. HARDY: May it please the Tribunal, Mr. McHaney has introduced Document NO-221 referring to the correspondence of Sievers to Brandt in regard to Rascher's position and his reports to Field Marshal Milch. We will now look to the sequence of events in this regard. We will introduce Document NO-222 carrying Exhibit No. 69. This is a matter from Rudolf Brandt to the Defendant Sievers.
"SS Untersturmfuehrer Dr. Rascher's supposition is not correct. The letter of the Reichsfuehrer SS by which he transmitted the report to General Field Marshal Milch was only signed and sent off a few days ago. I assume that the General Field Marshal Milch will of himself give the necessary orders and then confine himself to sending a brief answer to the Reichsfuehrer SS.
"I enclose a copy of the Reichsfuehrer SS's letter dated 25 August 1942 for your information."
Now in answer to this letter we have filch writing to Heinrich Himmler acknowledging receipt of the report. This is Document 343-b-PS and Prosecution Exhibit No. 70. This letter is dated 31 August 1942 on the stationery of Field Marshal Milch.
"Dear Mr. Himmler! I thank you very much for your letter of the 25 August. I have read with great interest the reports of Dr. Rascher and Dr. Romberg. I am informed about the current experiments. I shall ask the two gentlemen to give a lecture combined with the showing of motion pictures to my men in the near future.
"Hoping that it will be possible for me to see you at the occasion of my next visit to Headquarters I remain with best regards and Heil Hitler! Yours, E. Milch."
This letter indicated the full cooperation of the Luftwaffe Field Marshal Milch in his hideous experiments.
We now turn to Document NO-223 which will be Prosecution Exhibit 71, Page 105 of the Document. This is a letter from Rudolf Brandt to the Reichs fuehrer SS's office addressed to Dr. Rascher.
"Dear Comrade Dr. Rascher, Field Marshal Milch has answered, in the meantime, the letter of the Reichsfuehrer SS of 25th of August, 1942.
He writes that he intends to summon you and Dr. Romberg for a report in the near future."
A copy of this letter was likewise sent to the SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Sievers.
Document No. NO-289, Prosecution Exhibit No. 72, a letter from Professor Dr. Hippke, Professor Dr. Hippke was a Medical Inspector, Chief of the Medical Inspectorate, of the Luftwaffe. This letter is addressed to Heinrich Himmler, Reichsfuehrer SS, the subject of the letter -- referring to the letter of the 25th of August, 1942, to Secretary of State Milch concerning experiments for the rescue from great heights.
"Very Honored Herr Reichsfuehrer SS, In the name of the German research on aviation-medical problems, I beg to thank you very obediently for the great help and all the interest shown in the Dachau experiments; these experiments form a supplement which is for us of great value and importance.
"The fact that an atmosphere with so little oxygen can be endured at all for some time is most encouraging for further research.
"It is true that no conclusions as to the practice of parachuting can be drawn for the time being, as a very important factor, viz. cold, has so far not yet been taken into consideration; it places an extraordinary excess burden on the entire body and its vital movements, so that the results in actual practice will very likely prove to be far more unfavorable than in the present experiments.
"In the meantime, the supplementary tasks required now have been begun; in part they will have to be finished only after completion of the new Research Institute for Aviation Medicine of the Reich Air Ministry, whose low pressure chamber will include all cold generating apparatus and also an installation for producing conditions up to a height of 30 km.
"Sub-freezing experiments in another direction are, in part, still being made at Dachau.
"When the work will need once more your sympathetic assistance, may I be allowed to get in touch with you again through Stabsarzt Dr. Rascher."
This letter purely indicates the Medical Inspectorate of the Luftwaffe is receiving reports and took a very active part in this work of Rascher's at Dachau.
We now turn to Document 1610-PS, Prosecution Exhibit No. 73. This is another interim report by Rascher to Reichsfuehrer SS, dated 9 October 1942. "Lost Honorable Reichsfuehrer, "I ask for leave to submit to you the second interim report concerning the freezing experiments.
"At the same time I report that I have been ordered to the Luftwaffe conference on freezing, which is going to take place on October 26th to 28th.
"As in the interest of his scientific renown, Professor Holzloehner decline to carry out the scientific utilization of the experiments (experiments made on human beings: for shame) I shall take over the exploitation of them through the University Institute of SS Obersturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Pfannenstiel at Marburg.
"The report to General Field Marshal Milch was not delivered. Milch ordered me to him on the 11th of September at 10 a.m. On my arrival I was asked to start the projection of the film: the State's Secretary, so I was told, would appear then. No precautions had been taken in order that only certain persons could gain admittance to that film. About 20 gentlemen were present. The only way in which the whole affair was organized was by rumors which went around in the different departments of the Ministry of Air (RIM) that "something interesting is going to take place at 11 a.m." To my regret I only heard about that later on.
"As at the end of the film the State's Secretary had not yet appeared, State's Secretary Field Marshal Milch, and as none of the Generals present had taken the presidency and nobody explained under what conditions this fill was made. I felt induced, after a short conversation with Oberst Gallap, chief of the film room of the RLM, to get up and in accordance with the order of the Reichsfuehrer SS point out that the film was a military secret. Soon after the projection Romberg and I were told that the State's Secretary would not come and we were asked to start the verbal report.
"I pointed out that I was charged by you, most Honorable Reichsfuehrer, to report only to Generalfeldmarschall Milch, and declined to give a report as no representative of the State's Secretary had been designated to receive it.
"My report to you, most Honorable Reichsfuehrer, comes so late for this reason: SS-Obersturmfuehrer Sievers wanted to report directly to you and asked Romberg, as a neutral (neither Luftwaffe nor SS) to give him on the 11th of September an oral report at the station, and invited him to write this report down and to send it to him at once. Dr. Romberg has not yet started this report, apparently because he fears that it might hurt his connections with the RLM.
"On the account of the ill-fated report-meeting at State's Secretary Milch's, they took it for granted at the RLM that my research involving the low-pressure chamber was no longer necessary. There are, however, so many unsolved problems that I must ask you to give me the possibility to continue my work with the low-pressure chamber. It has been understood with SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. Pfannenstiel that after these questions will be cleared, I shall work on this subject as professor with Professor Pfannenstiel.
"At the same time may I request of you that institutes which are not working at full capacity place such apparatus at my disposal as are necessary for the chemical determination of the various factors, as it is regrettable that nowadays the ambitiousness of certain persons can succeed in preventing an outsider like myself from also working in this problem. For instance, the Institute Weltz docs not want to place apparatus at my disposal, simply because they are afraid that my experiments on human beings might lead to quicker and better results than were possible during many years of experiments on animals.
"Weltz, instead of now admitting, that we reached our goal more quickly in the freezing problem through experiments on human beings, makes the excuse that he needs the apparatus, since at the present time he is conducting freezing experiments on shaved cats. Through the OKW Weltz is trying to get captures Russians as subjects for his experiments. Human experiments conducted outside a camp do not seem expedient to me.
"The final report concerning tho freezing experiments, with all the charts, will be ready in about 6 days and will be sent at once to Berlin.
"The experiments of rewarming by body heat, which were ordered, will be carried out as soon as the women necessary for this experiment arrive, in about 2 days. I shall report the results of this experiment separately.
"Since, in an oral report, I can on the one hand always expect completely now and excellent suggestions from you, and can on the other hand present ** much more graphic picture of the results obtained, I must respectfully beg you, if you can spare a moment, to grant me an appointment for an oral report. With best wishes and Heil Hitler, I remain your most obedient Sigmund Rascher."
Now, in this report, it bears out the secret manner in which these experiments were conducted, that the air ministry only rumored about the experiments which were to take place. It also bears out the grievances that eventually existed between Weltz and Rascher in their clash for glory. Weltz realizing that Rascher had, so to speak, edged him out at this time was criticizing Rascher's work in making an attempt to get Russian prisoners for his experiments.
We turn now to the answer of Rascher's report by Rudolf Brandt. This is a letter dated October 13, 1942, from the field headquarters of Heinrich Himmler.
It is document number NO - 293, which is Prosecution Exhibit number 74.
"Dear Comrade Rascher, I have received your letter of 3 October 1942. I gather from it, that you intend to report in person to the Reichsfuehrer SS concerning the Dachau experiments. This is not possible, as the Reichsfuehrer SS is now in Italy and starts immediately after his visit on a somewhat long duty-journey. I propose accordingly to you that you submit the report in writing as soon as possible, so that I can send it to the Reichsfuehrer SS by courier.
"The Reichsfuehrer SS has read the letter of thanks of the former prisoner Neff.
"At the moment it is not possible to render a decision on the present state of the high altitude experiments, on which you were, unfortunately, not able to report to Field Marshal Milch. As soon as the Reichsfuehrer SS comes back from his journey, I will ask him what he orders in this respect. Heil Hitler! Yours...." signed with the initials "R Br", meaning Rudolf Brandt.
The defendant Sievers on those same lines in connection with the reporting to Field Marshal Milch wrote a letter dated 21 October 1942, Document NO-226, and it is offered as Prosecution Exhibit number 75. The letterhead says, "Ahnenerbe, from the Reich Manager", addressed to Rudolf Brandt.
"Dear Comrade Brandt, In connection with the report made in field headquarters concerning the high altitude flight experiments, a report was to be made to Field Marshal Milch, too. The date of 11 September was chosen. As you will see from the attached file note of Dr. Romberg, this report has not been made, and indeed the whole thing has gone wrong, so to say. At any rate, the attitude of the gentlemen of the Medical Inspectorate of the Luftwaffe has altered considerably since that date.
What would you think if I were to write a letter to the Medical Inspector Generaloberstabsarzt Dr. Hippke, that Rascher was only authorized to report in person to Field Marshal Milch, and that, accordingly, he - as well as Dr. Romberg - had but obeyed an order of the Reichsfuehrer, when they did not make a report on September 11th. Perhaps this would persuade the highly insulted gentlemen to cooperate again.
"The deep freezing experiments are terminated now, so that the continuation of the high altitude flying experiments, as desired by the Reichsfuehrer SS, can now begin. In this connection, we need once more the low pressure chamber, but this with differential pumps, as otherwise large-scale altitude test cannot be carried out. The new experiments will also ser** to conclude the habilitation thesis of Raxher. The putting at our disposal of the low pressure chamber, however, will be possible then only, if the Reichsfuehrer SS writes in person to Field Marshal Milch concerning this. I Include the draft of such a letter," Signed by the defendant Sievers.
This draft of the letter is also a part of Exhibit number 75, Document NO-326. It is a draft to Field Marshal Milch, Secretary of State Milch, Berlin.
"Subjec: Low pressure chamber for high altitude freezing experiments."
"In connection with the report --" pardon me, the subject is "Low pressure chamber for high altitude flying experiments.
"In connection with the report I had submitted to me here by Stabsarzt Dr. Rascher and Dr. Romberg concerning the carrying out of high altitude flying experiments, I had desired that a similar report be submitted to you, too. Although it has not been possible for you to participate in the conference of 11th September 1942 and to convince yourself of the results, up to now, of the experiments, I beg you once more to-day, to put at our disposal the low pressure chamber, through the Aviation Experimental Institute.
As the experiments are to be extended to greater altitudes, this time differential pump would also have to be supplied.
"As I take a great interest in the continuation of the altitude flight experiments suspended in June last, and as I believe that we can still achieve very considerable results, I would be grateful to you if you would have the low pressure chamber and the differential pumps brought to Dachau very soon, and if, at the same time, Dr. Romberg were made available again for the continuation of the experiments.
MR. HARDY: We now turn to Document No. NO-224, Prosecution's Exhibit No. 76, which you will find on page 166 of your Document Book, your Honor.
THE PRESIDENT: What number did you give for No. 226?
MR. HARDY: No. 226 is Prosecution's Exhibit No. 75. We will now turn to Document No. 224. This is a Short report concerning the report to be submitted to Secretary of State Milch on September 11.
"On September 11th 1942, at 9:45 o'clock Stabsarzt Dr. Rascher and Dr. Romberg met, according to telephonic and oral agreements with Colonel Pandele in the antechamber of the Secretary of State. We were informed that the Secretary of State had ordered this conference at the present stage, in the course of which a report on experiments concerning "rescue from great heights" was to be made, and the motion picture concerning these experiments was to be shown. The gentlemen waiting in the antechamber of the Secretary of State and in the corridor (most of them from the experimental staff) were informed that previous to the conference a motion picture was to be shown, so that all went to the motion picture room on the 5th floor. Here quite a large number of people were already present, so that thirty to forty persons were there in all. Among them were - we know some of them personally - some officers, medical and engineer officers, whose presence surprised us in view of the top secret nature of the motion picture and of the experiments. No checking of the persons present was done, nor was there an attendance list. As, after a short time of waiting, the Secretary of State had not come the motion picture was shown, without giving us an opportunity for preliminary or explanatory remarks. During the intermission between the two parts of the motion picture, Dr. Rascher referred once more to the strict obligation of secrecy ordered by the Reichsfuehrer SS. After completion of the showing of the motion picture - the Secretary of State had not come, as he had been summoned to the Reich Marshall- the persons present still talked a little while about the motion picture, on which occasion less interest was shown in the subject itself than in the place cf the experiments and the individual who had been experimented on. After this period of time, during which we were neither called upon to make any statements whatsoever, nor were we, considering the great forum and the absence of the Secretary of State, inclined to give any reports, the greatest part of these present went back to the development conference while Oberstarzt Wuerfler, Oberstarzt Professor Kolk, Stabsarzt Bruehl and Government Councilor Benzinger asked us for a report in a snail medical circle.
As, however, the Secretary of State had prohibited any report previous to the fixing of distribution, we refused to disclose the results of the experiments. Oberstarzt Kolk stated that he was walling to report to the Secretary of State our wishes concerning the fixing of distribution and the continuation of the experiments. The notion picture film was handed to Colonel Vorwald.
According to the conference with Obersturmbannfuehrer Sievers, I tried to get the film back on the same day, but Colonel Vorwald was still at the development conference. When I telephoned the next day, and requested that the film be handed back, Colonel Vorwald declared, that he would like to keep the film until after Sunday, the 13th of September, since on this day the Reich Marshal was coming and might perhaps desire to see the motion picture. Accordingly, I let Colonel Vorwald keep the motion picture for that day. On the 14th of September, I went to fetch the motion picture from Colonel Vorwald, and was informed that it had not been shown. On the same day I spoke with Stabsarzt Bruehl, who informed me that Oberstarzt Kolk had transmitted, still on September 11th, our wishes concerning distribution and continuation of the experiments to be Secretary of State. The Secretary of State had approved distribution schedule, and said that a continuation of the experiments was not urgend. A few days later, the distribution schedule accepted by the Secretary of State, was sent to the DVL by Colonel Pendele, and the report was accordingly transmitted by the DVL to the offices concerned Since that time I nave not received any news, neither concerning the motion picture nor concerning the report. (Signature) Dr. ROMBERG."
This document is fully understandable on its face, but due to the difficulty of being unable to contact Milch and receive any word from him as to the ultimate results of their experiments in November 1942, - this is Document 1617-PS, Prosecution's Exhibit 77 - Heinrich Himmler, the Reichsfuehrer SS, directed a letter to Field Marshal Milch which reads as follows:
"Dear Comrade Milch:
You will recall that through General Wolff I particularly recommended to you for your consideration the work of a certain SS Fuehrer, Dr. Rascher, who is a physician of the air force on leave.
These researches which deal with the behavior of the human organism at great heights, as well as with manifestations caused by prolonged cooling of the human body in cold water, and similar problems which are of vital importance to the air force in particular, can be performed by us with particular efficiency because I personally assumed the responsibility for supplying social individuals and criminals who deserve only to die from concentration camps for these experiments.
Unfortunately you had no time recently when Dr. Rascher wanted to report on the experiments at the ministry for Aviation. I had put great hopes that report, because I believed that in this way the difficulties, based mainly on religious objects, which opose Dr. Rascher's experiments - for which I assumed responsibility - could be eliminated.
The difficulties are still the same now as before. In these "Christian medical circles" the standpoint is being taken that it goes without saying that a young German aviator should be allowed to risk his life but that the life of a criminal - who is not drafted into military Service is too sacred for this purpose and one should not stain oneself with this guilt; at the same time it is interesting to note that credit is taken for the results of the experiments while excluding the scientist who performed then.
I personally have inspected the experiments, and have - I can say this without exaggeration - participate in every phase of this scientific work in a helpful and inspiring manner.
We two should not get angry about these difficulties. It will take at least another ten years until we can get such narrow-mindedness out of our people. But this should not affect the research work which is necessary for our young and splendid soldiers and aviators.
I beg you to release Dr. Rascher, Stabsarzt in reserve, from the air force and to transfer him to me to the Waffen-SS. I would then assume the sole responsibility for having these experiments made in this field, and would put the results, of which we in the SS need only a part for the frost injuries in the East, entirely at the disposal of the air force.