Nazi conspiracy and aggression, Volume 04 (of 11)

Chapter XIV: Section L: , 6-9 Copies (2)

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I was able to gain some knowledge on the public and private collections as well as clerical property in Cracow and Warsaw. It is true that we cannot hope too much to enrich ourselves from the acquisition of great Art works of paintings and sculptures there with the exception of the Veit Stoss-altar and the plates of Hans von Kulmbach in the Church of Maria in Cracow, the Raffael, Leonardo and Rembrandt from the collection Czarborpki and several other works from the National Museum in Warsaw--works of a rather high value of whose existence we in Germany had already known. Richer and more extensive is the Polish stock of “objects d’art”, such as handicraft in gold and silver of German origin to a large part, (particularly from the Church of Maria and the cathedral of Wawel) tapestries, arms, porcelains, furniture, bronzes, coins, valuable parchment-scrips, books, etc. Those were the principal fields of interest for Polish collectors, besides their interest in Polish National Art, particularly of the 19th century. It is characteristic that apart from original paintings so many copies can be found in Polish castles and private collections (for example Czartoryski, Wilano etc). However, many thousand works of art of all kinds ought to be found in the Jagellonic Library.

As I said before, I shall not be able to make proposals regarding the distribution as long as an inventory of the entire material does not exist. However, I should like to reserve for the museum in Linz the three most important paintings of the Czartoryski collection, namely the Raffael, Leonardo and Rembrandt which are at present in the Kaiser-Frederick Museum in Berlin. We in Dresden are particularly interested in the interior decorations of the castle of the Kings in Warsaw since Saxonian architects and artists have created them; therefore, the suggestion is made that the salvaged parts of it (panellings, doors, inlaid floors, sculptures, mirrors, glass-chandeliers, porcelains etc) be used for the interior decoration of the Pavillion of the “Zivinges” in Dresden.

A number of fine drawings of Albrecht Durer’s and other old German masters kept in the Ossolinemm in Lemberg, has fallen into Russian hands. Maybe at least Durer’s 27 pieces could still be salvaged for Germany.

While in Warsaw, a Polish colleague of mine whom I have known, for quite some time told me that the storing of the art treasures was begun already in June 1939; by the end of July the entire official museum property was packed in cases and ready for shipment. In spite of that the Poles did not manage to carry any important stocks away and save them for themselves, with the exception of the famous tapestry, collection of Wawel, the riding costumes kept there also, arms and historically valuable pieces like the blood-banner of the Prophet which, as far as I could ascertain, fell into Russian hands.

/s/ Hans Posse.

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1602-PS

Dr. med. Sigmund RASCHER MUNICH, 15 May 1941

Trogerstrasse 56

Dear Reichsfuehrer,

My sincere thanks for your cordial wishes and flowers on the birth of my second son. This time, too, it is a strong boy, though he has come 3 weeks too early. I may send you a picture of both children incidentally. * * *

For the time being I have been assigned to the Luftgaukommando VII, Munich, for a medical course. During this course, where researches on high-altitude flights play a prominent part (determined by the somewhat higher ceiling of the English fighter planes) considerable regret was expressed at the fact that no tests with human material had yet been possible for us, as such experiments are very dangerous and nobody volunteers for them. I put, therefore, the _serious_ question: can you make available two or three professional criminals for these experiments? The experiments are made at “Bodenstaendige Pruefstelle fuer Hoehenforschung der Luftwaffe”, Munich. The experiments, by which the subjects can, of course, die, would take place with my cooperation. They are essential for researches on high-altitude flight and cannot be carried out, as has been tried, with monkeys, who offer entirely different test-conditions. I have had a very confidential talk with a representative of the air forces Surgeon who makes these experiments. He is also of the opinion that the problems in question could only be solved by experiments on human persons. (Feeble-minded could also be used as test material). * * *

I hope sincerely, highly esteemed Reichsfuehrer that, in spite of the immense burden of work you carry, you are in the pink of health.

With my heartiest wishes, I am with Heil Hitler your gratefully devoted

(signature) S. RASCHER

(Z--2)

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1616-PS

Dr. S. RASCHER SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer

Munich, 17 February 1943

To the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police Mr. Heinrich
Himmler

Berlin SW 11 Prinz Albrecht Str. 8

Dear Reichsfuehrer!

Enclosed I present to you in condensed form a summary of the results of the experiments made in warming up people who have been cooled off by using animal heat.

Right now I am attempting to prove through experiments on human beings that it is possible to warm up people cooled off by dry cold just as fast as people who were cooled off by remaining in cold water. The Reich physician SS, SS-Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Gravitz doubted very much that that would be possible and said that I would have to prove it first by 100 experiments. Up to now I have cooled off about 30 people stripped in the open air during 9-14 hours to 27°-29°. After a time corresponding to a transport of one hour, I put these subjects in a hot bath. _Up to now_ every single patient was completely warmed up within one hour at most, though some of them had their hands and feet frozen white. In some cases a slight fatigue with slightly rising temperature was observed on the day following the experiments. I have not observed any fatal results from this extremely fast warming up. I have not so far been able to do any warming up by “Sauna” as ordered by you, my dear Reichsfuehrer, as the weather in December and January was too warm for any experiments in the open air, and right now the camp is closed on account of typhoid and I am not allowed therefore to bring the subjects to these experiments into the SS-Sauna. (I have been vaccinated several times and continue myself to make the tests within the camp in spite of the typhoid in the camp.) It would be best if I were transferred to the Waffen-SS soon and could go together with Neff to Auschwitz and * * * the question of the warming up of persons who have frozen on land * * *.

[rest of document missing]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1617-PS

SECRET

The Reichfuehrer SS

Berlin, SW 11, B. Prinz Albrecht Strasse 8 Field Command Post

November 1942

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 [Arzt des Beurlaubtenstandes der Luftwaffe].

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 asocial individuals and criminals who deserve only to die [todeswuerdig] 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 in that report, because I believed that in this way the difficulties, based mainly on religious objections, which oppose 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 them.

I personally have inspected the experiments, and have--I can say this without exaggeration--participated 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. However, in this connection I suggest that with the liaison between you and Wolff a _“non-Christian” physician should be charged, who should be at the same time honorable as a scientist and not prone to intellectual theft_ and who could be informed of the results. This physician should also have good contacts with the administrative authorities, so that the results would really obtain a hearing.

I believe that this solution--to transfer Dr. Rascher to the SS, so that he could carry out the experiments under my responsibility and under my orders--is the best way. The experiments should not be stopped; we owe that to our men. If Dr. Rascher remained with the air force, there would certainly be much annoyance; because then I would have to bring a series of unpleasant details to you, because of the arrogance and assumption which Professor Dr. Holzloehner has displayed in the post of Dachau--who is under my command--about me in utterances delivered to SS Colonel Sievers. In order to save both of us this trouble, I suggest again that Dr. Rascher should be transferred to the Waffen SS as quickly as possible.

I would be grateful to you if you would give the order to put the low pressure chamber at our disposal again, together with step-up pumps, because the experiments should be extended to include even greater altitudes.

Cordial greetings and Heil Hitler!

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1618-PS

S. RASCHER

Intermediate report on intense chilling experiments in the Dachau Camp,
started on 15 August 1942

_Experimental procedure_

The experimental subjects (V P) were placed in the water, dressed in complete flying uniform, winter or summer combination, and with an aviator’s helmet. A life jacket made of rubber or kapok was to prevent submerging. The experiments were carried out at water temperatures varying from 2.5° to 12°. In one experimental series, Occiput and brain stem protruded above the water, while in another series of experiments the Occiput (brain stem) and back of the head were submerged in water.

Electrical measurements gave low temperature readings of 26.4° in the stomach and 26.5° in the rectum. Fatalities occurred only when the brain stem and the back of the head were also chilled. Autopsies of such fatal cases always revealed large amounts of free blood, up to ½ liter, in the cranial cavity. The heart invariably showed extreme dilation of the night chamber. As soon as the temperature in these experiments reached 28°, the experimental subjects (VP) died invariably, despite all attempts at resuscitation. The above discussed autopsy finding conclusively proved the importance of a warming protective device for head and Occiput when designing the planned protective clothing of the foam type.

Other important findings, common in all experiments, to be mentioned. Marked increase of the viscosity of the blood, marked increase of hemoglobin, an approximate five fold increase of the leukocytes, invariable rise of blood sugar to twice its normal value. Auricular fibrillation made its appearance regularly at 30°.

During attempts to save severely chilled persons, it was shown that rapid re-warming was in all cases preferable to slow re-warming, because after removal from the cold water, the body temperature continued to sink rapidly. I think that for this reason we can dispense with the attempt to save intensely chilled subjects by means of animal heat.

Rewarming by animal warmth--animal bodies or women’s bodies--would be too slow. As auxiliary measures for the prevention of intense chilling, improvements in the clothing of aviators come alone into consideration. The foam suit with suitable neck protector which is being prepared by the German Institution for textile research [Deutsches Textilforschungsinstitut] Muenchen-Gladbach deserves first priority in this connection. The experiments have shown that pharmaceutical measures are probably unnecessary if the flier is still alive at the time of rescue.

(signed) Dr. S. Rascher

Muenchen--Dachau, 10 September 1942.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1621-PS

SECRET!

The Reichsfuehrer SS Personal Staff
File Nr. 19/9/43a/Pers/V

Command Post, 12 November 1942
[Rubber Stamp]
Personal Staff, Reichsfuehrer SS
[illegible notation] Administration
Secret/

SECRET!

1. To SS Major General Rauter

The Hague

Dear Major General,

The SS Captain Dr. Rascher is in need of medico-physiological appliances. He points out that there are sufficient appliances at the University of Leyden and at the University of Utrecht, which could be put to use.

The Reichsfuehrer SS asks you to attempt to obtain these appliances, which would still have to be listed in detail by SS Captain Dr. Rascher resp. by SS Colonel Sievers, through the Reich Commissar. SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Rascher resp. SS-Standartenfuehrer Sievers will submit the list directly to you.

Heil Hitler!

(signed) Brandt

Transmitted to

2. SS Colonel (SS-Standartenfuehrer) Sievers

3. SS Captain (SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer) Dr. Rascher, with the request
that the above be noted and the necessary steps taken.

[Signed illegible]
SS-Lieutenant Colonel

# # # # #

SECRET!

[Rubber Stamp]
Personal Staff Reichsfuehrer SS
(illegible notation)
SECRET

Dr. S. Rascher, SS Captain

SECRET!

File Memorandum.

Procurement of medico-physiological appliances is so difficult in Germany that the continued conduct of experiments is seriously endangered. If the necessary appliances cannot be procured, it will be very much more difficult to build up the Institute for Functional Research in Military Science within the framework of the Ancestral Heritage Organization [Ahnenerbe].

The Institutes of the Universities of Leyden and Utrecht, however, are very plentifully equipped with the very best scientific appliances at both these universities is not feasible, however, since the University of Leyden is, and will remain, closed, notwithstanding all rumors, and since the University of Utrecht works with only half its usual enrollment.

SS Lieutenant Colonel Sievers therefore suggests that the Reichsfuehrer SS write a letter to Reich Governor Dr. Seyss-Inquart saying that it is request that the Reich Governor put the appliances of the University Institutes concerned at the disposal of the Ancestral Heritage Organization [Ahnenerbe], initially on a loan basis.

(signed) Dr. Rascher

Munich, 12 November 1942

[Handwritten notation]

Dr. Brandt to Reuter

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1637-PS

1938 REICHS MINISTERIALBLATT, i. V., PAGES 1089-1091

Acceptance of members of the Security Police into the SS of the
N.S.D.A.P. of 23 June 1938.

Ministerial-Blatt of the Reich and Prussian Ministries of the Interior,
Berlin, 1938

No. 28, p. 1090

_Appointments, Wages, Maintenance, Service Regulations_

Circular of the Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police in the
Reich Ministry of the Interior for 23.6.1938--S-V 3 No. 72/38

I. (1) Members of the Security Police can upon request be received into the Schutzstaffel of the _NSDAP_ if they

1. fulfill the general requirements of the SS and

2. _a._ Up to 30.1.1933 (inclusive) have been members of the NSDAP
or of its affiliates (the Sturmabteilung, the National Socialist
Motor Corps, the Hitler Youth) even if they have meanwhile
honorably resigned from these affiliates.

_b._ for a static period [seit einem ... liegenden Zeitpunkt]
before 30.1.1933 were sponsoring members of the SS
[Foerderndes Mitglied]

_c._ Have seen service for at least three years in the Security
Police under the direction of the Reichsfuehrer SS and have
proven themselves.

(2) Permit for admission of a wider circle of persons I reserve for myself.

(3) Admission according to the general requirements is not affected by this circular.

II. 1. Upon transfer into the SS, the grade held in the police will be changed to a corresponding one in the SS. Former members of the SS, SA, NSKK (National Socialist Drivers Corps) who held a higher rank, will be incorporated with the same high rank. When promoted within the security police, an assimilation of ranks will take place in every case.

3. I myself will make decisions about incorporation of members of the security police with higher ranks.

4. The employees of the security police will be put into that SS rank which corresponds to their rank as civil servant, according to their jobs.

5. Members of the security police incorporated into the SS up to the publication of these ordinances will be promoted to the SS rank corresponding to their police rank, provided they do not already hold such, or a higher SS rank.

III. 1. Members of the security police incorporated into the SS will be assigned to the units of the security service of the Reichsfuehrer-SS, according to more detailed instructions of the chief of the security police and of the security main office of the Reichsfuehrer-SS.

2. The chief of the security police and of the security main office regulates the SS-service relations [Dienstverhaltnisse] and obligations of the members of the security police who were incorporated into the SS.

IV. 1. The applications of members of the security police for admission to the SS are to be directed to the chief of the security police through service channels.

2. The applications are to be submitted according to the following sample:

_SAMPLE_:

(Place and date)

I herewith request admission to the security service of the
Reichsfuehrer-SS in conformity with the circular of the
Reichsfuehrer-SS and Chief of the German police in the Ministry of
the Interior of June 23rd, 1938-S.V.3 number 72/38 (R M Bli V. page
1089)

First and last name: _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________
(rank and office)

Day, month and year of birth: ______________________________

Place of birth: ____________________________________________

Party membership number, district [Ortsgruppe]: ____________

Last SS-, SA-, NSKK or HJ rank and number,
last SS, SA-, respectively HJ district
[Dienststelle]: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Separated from the SS etc. on the __________________________

(with indication, whether transferred directly to the police, or, if
otherwise, which service relations in the meantime)

Day of joining the NSDAP, SS, SA, HJ _______________________

Helping member [Foerderndes Mitglied] of the SS since: _____

Working in the security police since: ______________________

To The Chief of the security police through channels.

* * * * * * *

V. This circular is to be brought to the attention of all members of the security police.

To the Reichsstatthalter, the state governments, the Reichscommissioner for the Saarland, the Prussian supreme and government presidents, the office of the secret state police [Gestapo], the Reich criminal police office [Reichskrim-Pol-Amt], the federal police main offices [Staatspol-Leitstellen] and federal police office [Staatspol-Stellen], the criminal police main offices [Krim-Pol. Leitstellen] and criminal police offices [Krim-Pol Stellen], the commander of the leaderschool of the security police [Kommandeur der Fuehrerschule der Sicherheitspol].

To the SS main office, the main office for security [Sicherheitshauptamt], the security service leaders [SD-Fuehrer] of the higher levels of the SS [SS-Oberabschnitte] and the security service lower levels [SD-Unterabschnitte]. by copy.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1638-PS

1938 REICHS MINISTERIALBLATT, iV, PAGE 1906

Cooperation of the Agencies of the General and Interior Administration
with the S.D. of the Reichsfuehrer SS (SD) of 11 Nov. 1938

(1) The Security Service of the Reichsfuehrer SS (SD) has, as the intelligence organization for Party and nation--in particular for the support of the Security Police--important missions to fulfill. The SD thereby becomes active on a national mission. This necessitates a close and sympathetic cooperation between the SD and the authorities for general and internal administration. Therefore, inquiries of the SD are to be answered in the same way as inquiries of all national office are treated. Likewise, the sections of the SD are obligated to furnish information to the general and internal administration.

(2) Business between the SD and the Reich Ministry of the Interior proceeds solely through the Chief of the Sicherheitshauptamt, business between the SD and the remaining authorities of general and internal administration only through the higher levels of the SD. Business between the authorities for general and internal administration of the SHA proceeds through the Reich Ministry of the Interior, business between the authorities for general and internal administration and the other SD offices in Prussia through the Regierungs-Praesident or Ober-Praesident, in the other provinces through the corresponding authorities. In doubtful cases the combined decision of the Reich Ministry of the Interior and of the Reichsfuehrer SS should be obtained.

Supplement for municipalities, municipal groups, other corporate bodies of the public law: I request, to act accordingly.

To lower authorities municipalities, municipal groups, other corporate bodies of the public law.

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 1639-A-PS

Mobilization Book for the Civil Administration 1939 Edition [Pages 2-18]

Armed Forces High Command Berlin, 18th Feb 1939
No. 265/39 g.Kdos. I IVa. 125 copies, 101st copy
Re: Reprint of Mobilization Book for the Civil Administration.

1. Enclosed is the Reprint for 1939 of the “Mobilization Book for the Civil Administration” with the request to destroy Mobilization Books (Z), hereby made obsolete, at the beginning of the new mobilization year.

2. The Reprint takes effect on the 1st April 1939. The annexes V, XIX, and XX will be forwarded after their completion.

3. An expression of opinion on the proposals handed in here will not take place in detail any more, insofar as the expression has not already been made.

4. The necessity of cooperation between Ministers and the highest Reich agencies is not always pointed out in the column “Remarks”. It is to be understood that the cooperation needed for preparations and carrying out of the measures must be guaranteed, even without an express directive.

Chief of the Armed Forces High Command.
Keitel.

Distribution list on the next page.

Distribution’s List: Copy

Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor 1

Deputy of the Fuehrer 2- 3

Attention SS Brigadier General _Knoblauch_
Prussian State-Ministry 4- 5

Attention Counsellor of the Ministry _Bergbohm_
Ministry for Foreign Affairs 6- 7

Attention Counsellor of the Legation Dr. _Freiherr v.d.
Heyden-Rynsch_

GBV [Plenipotentiary-General for Administration] Chief of
Operational Staff

Attention State Secretary Dr. _Struckart_
for Reich Ministry of the Interior 8- 9
for Reich Ministry of Justice 11-12
for Reich Ministry of Science, Education and Popular
Culture 13-14
for Central Reich Office for regional planning 15-16

GBW [Plenipotentiary-General for Economics] Chief of the
Operational Staff

Attention Ministerial Director _Sarnow_ for GBW
[Operational Staff] 17-18
for Reich Ministry of Economics 19-20
for Reich Ministry of Food and Agriculture 21-22
for Reich Labor Ministry 23-24
for Reich Chief Forester 25-26

Reich Ministry of Finance 27-28
Attention Counsellor of the Minister, Privy Counsellor
Dr. _Bender_

Reich Ministry of Finance 29-30
Attention Finance President _von Dietz_

Reich Ministry of Communications 31-33
Attention Chief of Section of the Ministry _Baur_

Reich Ministry of Communications 34-35
Attention State Railway Director Dr. _Ebeling_

Reich Postal Ministry 36-37
Attention Counsellor of the Ministry _Honold_

Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda 38-39
Attention Lt Colonel _Wentscher_

Reichbank Directorate 40-41
Attention Reichsbank Director Dr. _Mueller_

Inspector General of the German Highways 42-43
Attention Government Construction Counsellor _Henne_

OKH (Army High Command) (2nd Section of the General Staff
of the Army) 44-73

OKM (Navy High Command) (A.II) 74-81

Reich Ministry for Air Travel and Air Force High Command
(2nd Section of the General Staff of the Air Force) 82-93

_OKW_: (Armed Forces High Command)
L Ia 94
L Ia Prop. 95
L II 96
L IVa 97
L IVb 98
L IVd 99
WNV 100
W Stb 101-103

A Ausl./Abw. (Foreign Intelligence Section) 104-106
AWA (J) 107
WH 108
Being kept by L IVa 109-125

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Nazi conspiracy and aggression, Volume 04 (of 11)Chapter XIV: Section L: , 6-9 Copies (2)

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