Chapter VII: Extracts From Argumentation and Evidence of Prosecution and Defense (12)

The necessity to carry out experiments increased in Germany, particularly during World War II, as all nations were eagerly engaged in the manufacture of “Lost” gas. The need became imperative in 1944 when reliable sources reported that the enemy was getting chemical-warfare agents ready. (_Karl Brandt 103, Karl Brandt Ex. 42_; _Karl Brandt 101, Karl Brandt Ex. 41_; _Karl Brandt 11, Karl Brandt Ex. 10_; _Karl Brandt 12, Karl Brandt Ex. 11_.)

2. _N-substance._ Reasons for and aim of the experiments are unknown. N-substance is the name for “normal” substance. It is not a chemical warfare agent but a fuel substance, intended to be used for ignition. This N-substance is not to be mistaken for N-“Lost”, that is, nitrogen-Lost. (_Karl Brandt 88, Karl Brandt Ex. 36_; _Karl Brandt 103, Karl Brandt Ex. 42_.)

_IV. Participation in the performance of the experiments._

1. _Drug F 1001._ The experiments were carried out exclusively at SS offices on the orders of the Reich Leader SS. They were performed before the defendant Karl Brandt received his first official appointment.

2. _“Lost”._ The experiments were made by Hirt and Wimmer in the SS Institute for Military Scientific Research in Strasbourg. According to Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. p. 5788_) the defendant Karl Brandt did not have any influence on these institutions. The “Lost” chemical warfare agent does not act like gas, but in a dried form injures the skin. Ordinarily, experiments are made by all nations by applying small drops of “Lost” to the skin. They cause injuries to the tissue, which are treated with healing drugs. This procedure is demonstrated in Holl’s testimony. (_Tr. p. 1052._)

3. _N-substance._ Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. p. 5738_) shows that the experiments were not carried out due to a laboratory experiment of Professor Thyssen and an expert opinion sent to Himmler.

_V. The experimental subjects._

_A. Number of experimental subjects._

1. _Drug F 1001._ No statement.

2. _“Lost”._ The statements made by the witness Holl about the number of persons experimented upon must be treated with caution, since they do not originate with Holl, but were stated by the prosecution and merely confirmed by Holl. The testimony of Nales about experiments cannot refer to “Lost”.

3. _N-substance._ Since there were no experiments, no statement is made.

_B. Consent of the experimental subjects._

1. _Drug F 1001._ No statement.

2. _“Lost”._ Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. p. 5732_) shows that Hirt said that the experimental subjects had volunteered, following a lecture by Hirt. This testimony seems to be quite trustworthy, as it was usual to make similar experiments on officer candidates of the Academy of Military Medicine in Berlin. Testimony of Becker-Freyseng (_Tr. p. 8072_) as well as testimony of Sievers (_Tr. pp. 5730-31_); also testimony of the witness Nales (_Tr. pp. 10409-10471_).

3. _N-substance._ No experiments, no statement.

_C. Type of experimental subjects._

1. _F 1001._ The documents submitted do not reveal the nature of the experimental subjects, though the year 1939 indicates that in no case were foreigners used.

2. _“Lost”._ According to Sievers’ testimony, the persons used in the experiments in the Natzweiler concentration camp volunteered, so that the nature of the experimental subjects would appear to be of no significance as a basis for judgment. The testimony of the defendant Rudolf Brandt (_NO-372, Pros. Ex. 252_) is no basis to judge the true state of affairs, as Rudolf Brandt’s testimony (_Tr. pp. 4930-34_) shows that he himself never witnessed an experiment and that his statements are conclusions drawn from documents and statements submitted by the interrogators.

3. _N-substance._ No experiments, no statement.

_D. Danger involved for the experimental subjects._

1. _Drug F 1001 and “Lost”._ The usual forms of the “Lost” experiments, applying a drop to the skin, as described by Holl (_Tr. p. 1052_) do not entail any danger to life, because the aim is to ascertain the most detailed reactions of the skin towards tiny drops of “Lost”. Experiments with deadly quantities would prevent this being ascertained. The relevant statements of the witness Holl must be due to ignorance of the manner of the experiment. Holl’s statement (_Tr. p. 1050 ff._) and the affidavit of Wagner (_NO-881, Pros. Ex. 280_) also, to a certain degree, contradict each other. Holl, a miner by profession, who was hospital Kapo [inmate trusty] in Natzweiler, makes scientific statements with illustrations, to which one can hardly attach any value. The affidavit of Wagner who, as a scientific designer, held, during the experiments, an elevated position within the inner working circle, is far more reserved. He knows nothing of deaths occurring during “Lost” experiments. His conclusions as to how dangerous the “Lost” experiments were are based on a chart which was most likely intended for a committee. Sievers’ statement (_Tr. p. 5732_) reports a visit to Wimmer at Strasbourg during which the latter did not mention that there had been any deaths. Hirt also confirms this in March 1943; though he cites two deaths, they had not resulted from “Lost” experiments. The experiments with drug F 1001, too, are “Lost” experiments. The danger involved in the experiments has been described accurately. There are no deaths and health is not impaired permanently. In 23 cases general condition was not impaired. (_NO-199, Pros. Ex. 253._) In contrast to this, NO-198, Prosecution Exhibit 254, mentions serious disturbances of the general condition in eight cases. Yet it must be assumed that these disturbances were of a temporary nature and occurred only when the climax of the injury was reached. They did not last throughout the duration of the experiments.

2. _N-substance._ The experiments were not carried out. Over and above that, NO-005, Prosecution Exhibit 279, discloses that the experiments would, most probably, not result in any permanent bodily harm.

_VI. Special responsibility and participation of the defendant Karl Brandt._

1. The defendant Karl Brandt did not issue any order to carry out experiments. Karl Brandt did not have authority to issue orders.

2. The decree of 1 March 1944 concerning defense equipment in chemical warfare has been reconstructed by means of the following affidavits: (_Karl Brandt 103_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 42_; _Karl Brandt 5_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 6_; _Karl Brandt 11_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 10_; _Karl Brandt 4_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 5_; _Karl Brandt 101_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 41_; _Karl Brandt 89_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 37_). They show that this decree does not refer to an authorization to give orders concerning chemical-warfare agents and their research, but that it represents a production order referring to defense equipment in chemical warfare. Document NO-015, Prosecution Exhibit 275, proves that Hirt’s experiments had been completed when the defendant Karl Brandt received, through Sievers, Hirt’s treatment-instructions for injuries caused by “Lost” following the decree of 1 March 1944. The very fact that in this way, for the first time, he gained knowledge of the results of the experiments proves that this was an SS affair of Himmler and Hirt and that it belonged to a sphere where interference was denied to Karl Brandt by strict orders (see statements on participation in experiments by virtue of contacts with Himmler). (_Also Karl Brandt 120_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 35_.) The affidavit of Rudolf Brandt (_NO-372, Pros. Ex. 252_) is refuted by Karl Brandt 13, Karl Brandt Exhibit 12, as well as statements made by Rudolf Brandt. (_Tr. pp. 4930-34._) As a matter of fact the name of the defendant Karl Brandt is never mentioned in the numerous documents extending over a period of several years. The special secrecy surrounding the Noli Decree and its contents with regard to poison gas defense is made sufficiently clear by the necessity of safeguarding the inadequate poison gas defense in the least possible time, and to hide this from the enemy. (_Karl Brandt 103_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 42_; _Karl Brandt 101_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 41_; _Karl Brandt 11_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 10_.)

3. Karl Brandt’s efforts not to experiment on human beings are proved by the fact that he had animal material, i. e., man-like apes, brought from Spain and Africa by the Luftwaffe at great expense. Had he been predominantly inclined to experiment on human beings, to be had free of cost, he would hardly have gone to such expense. (_Karl Brandt 12_, _Karl Brandt Ex. 11._) The exhaustive enumeration of parties engaged on work with N-gas (_NO-005, Pros. Ex. 279_) proves that the defendant Karl Brandt did not participate. The N-gas problems belong to a very different sphere, as shown by the Documents Karl Brandt 88, Karl Brandt Exhibit 36, and Karl Brandt 103, Karl Brandt Exhibit 42. This is further confirmed by Sievers’ letter to Hirt of 9 April 1942. (_NO-793, Pros. Ex. 258._) In it, reference is made to the possibility of advancing experiments by “single possibilities”.

NO-422, Prosecution Exhibit 33, contains an order by Himmler of 7 July 1942 to Sievers and the SS Institute Ahnenerbe to support Hirt’s researches in every possible way.

4. The codefendant Rudolf Brandt does not know the contents of the decree of 1 March 1944, though he distinctly alludes to it in his affidavit, (_NO-372, Pros. Ex. 252_; _Tr. pp. 4941-42_.)

_EXTRACT FROM THE CLOSING BRIEF FOR DEFENDANT
SIEVERS_

* * * * *

1. Lost gas experiments were carried out from November 1942 on by Professor Dr. Hirt in the Natzweiler concentration camp.

2. According to the statement of the witness Nales in the session of 30 April 1947, three experimental persons died. Other experimental persons are supposed to have suffered from severe burns.

3. Sievers did not personally participate in these experiments. The prosecution has submitted the following evidence to prove Sievers’ participation in the Lost gas experiments:

Letter of Sievers to Dr. Hirt of 17 January 1942 (_NO-791, Pros.
Ex. 256_) concerning experiments with insecticides.

Letter of Dr. Hirt to the Ahnenerbe of 20 January 1942 (_NO-792,
Pros. Ex. 257_) concerning answer to Sievers’ letter.

Sievers’ letter to Dr. Hirt of 9 April 1942 (_NO-793, Pros. Ex.
258_) concerning Dr. Hirt’s treatises on intravital microscopy
and Lost experiments.

Sievers’ letter to Dr. Brandt of 27 August 1942 (_NO-794, Pros.
Ex. 259_) concerning the passing on of a message of Dr. Hirt on
the results of Lost experiments.

Letter of the Ahnenerbe to Dr. Brandt of 2 June 1942 (_NO-097,
Pros. Ex. 260_) concerning Dr. Hirt’s report on Lost wounds.
Experiments on human beings could not be made as Hirt was at the
front.

Note of the Reich Business Manager of 3 November 1942 (_NO-098,
Pros. Ex. 263_).

Letter of the Reich Business Manager of the Ahnenerbe to Dr. R.
Brandt of 22 April 1943—concerning release of Staff Physician
Dr. Wimmer from the air force so that he can do further work
with Dr. Hirt on Lost experiments. (_NO-193, Pros. Ex. 264._)

Letter of the personal staff of the Reich Leader SS to
Ministerial Councillor Dr. Goernert, of 9 June 1943—concerning
Dr. Wimmer’s transfer. (_NO-195, Pros. Ex. 266._)

Certificate of the Institute for Military Scientific Research of
8 November 1943—concerning the sending of special rations of
food to Dr. Wimmer and Frl. Schmitt. (_492-PS, Pros. Ex. 267._)

Proposed treatment of poison-gas injuries through Lost.
(_NO-099, Pros. Ex. 268._)

Letter of the Reich Business Manager of the Ahnenerbe to Dr.
Brandt of 9 February 1942—concerning forwarding Dr. Hirt’s
report on his medicinal experiments and a microscope, which
enables one to observe a living tissue. (_NO-085, Pros. Ex.
269._)

Letter of the personal staff of the Reich Leader SS to the
Ahnenerbe of 10 March 1944—concerning the transmission of a
Fuehrer Decree of 1 March 1944. (_NO-013, Pros. Ex. 272._) The
Fuehrer Decree mentioned—of 1 March 1944—has not been
submitted.

Letter of the Office “A” to Dr. R. Brandt of 11 April 1944
concerning Sievers’ report to SS Brigadefuehrer Prof. Dr. Brandt
on the research work of Dr. Hirt. (_NO-015, Pros. Ex. 275._)

Letter of Sievers to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks of 11 September
1942 (_NO-978, Pros. Ex. 480_) concerning military scientific
research in connection with the Natzweiler concentration camp.

Letter of Sievers to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks of 27 August 1942
concerning military scientific research in connection with the
Natzweiler concentration camp. (_NO-935, Pros. Ex. 481._)

Sievers’ memorandum concerning the carrying out of military
scientific research in the Natzweiler concentration camp of 17
September 1942. (_NO-977, Pros. Ex. 482._)

The defense refers to the following evidence:

Lost experiments were carried out at the Military Medical Academy in Berlin. The experimental persons were cadets studying at this Academy. (_NO-097, Pros. Ex. 260_; _Tr. p. 5679_; _Tr. pp. 8071-72_.) Professor Dr. Hirt, later Director of the Anatomical Institute at the University of Strasbourg, took part in carrying out these experiments. (_Tr. p. 5731._) Professor Hirt also carried out Lost experiments on himself. (_Tr. p. 5733._) Hitler then decreed that experiments were no longer to be carried out on cadets, as they were more important as soldiers. Himmler gave Dr. Hirt orders to carry out a few practical experiments on human beings in addition to his animal experiments. Then on 9 April 1942 Himmler asked Sievers, who in his discussion with him at Easter 1942 had also mentioned the research done by Professor Hirt, to ask the latter in writing to submit a secret report on his Lost experiments. (_NO-793, Pros. Ex. 258._) Hirt then gave this report to the Ahnenerbe, from where it was forwarded, with a letter on 2 June 1942 to the personal staff of the Reich Leader SS. (_NO-097, Pros. Ex. 260._) The heading of this letter is remarkable: “Report on the Lost experiments carried out by order of the Wehrmacht.” Dr. Hirt mentions further on page four of the report that he submitted the written report on the results of his Lost experiments to the surgeon general who was his superior at that time. From this report, it is quite clear that experiments on human beings, with the exception of cadets, had not yet been carried out by Hirt. However, Dr. Hirt made a further short report, which the Reich Business Manager of the Ahnenerbe forwarded to the personal staff of the Reich Leader SS on 27 August 1942. (_NO-794, Pros. Ex. 259._)

In a letter of 13 July 1942 the Reich Leader SS ordered that Dr. Hirt should carry out the research work assigned to him in the Natzweiler concentration camp. (_NO-098, Pros. Ex. 263._) Sievers set out for Natzweiler with Dr. Hirt at the end of August 1942 in order to ascertain whether the prerequisites existed. As is shown in Dr. Hirt’s report of 19 October 1942, nothing had yet happened besides the drafting of Oberscharfuehrer Walbert, the animal-keeper. The extension of the laboratories and stables had not yet begun. And now Dr. Hirt’s report continues:

“We were further informed that prisoners, who are later to be
experimented on, would have to be paid by us while they are
subjected to the experiment. For the prisoners in the
L-experiment we propose that they are put on full diet (guards’
diet), so that the experiments can be carried out under the same
conditions as would prevail with the troops in an actual case.
To begin with we intend to take 10 prisoners for the
experiment.” (_NO-098, Pros. Ex. 263._)

As Hirt reported in addition that the assignment of a second physician to the Natzweiler concentration camp would be difficult, Sievers was asked to participate in the efforts to obtain the release of Dr. Wimmer, surgeon captain of the air force, in order to make him assistant to Dr. Hirt, especially as the Reich Leader SS expressly wished that Dr. Wimmer’s transfer should take place as soon as possible. (_NO-194, Pros. Ex. 265._)

It was the duty of Sievers to deal with questions of billets, laboratory finance and similar matters. Therefore, in August and September 1942 he wrote to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks, who was responsible for the administration of the concentration camps. (_NO-935, Pros. Ex. 481_; _NO-977, Pros. Ex. 482_; _NO-978, Pros. Ex. 480_.) They contain only administrative matters.

How little Sievers knew about concentration camps is seen from Document NO-935. Sievers asks to be sent the exact address of the camp and of the commandant of Natzweiler. This letter is particularly worthy of notice.

As for the question whether and to what extent Sievers had knowledge of the performance of Lost experiments in the Natzweiler concentration camp, the following can be stated:

Ferdinand Holl, witness for the prosecution, when giving evidence on 3 January 1947, said nothing about Sievers’ taking part in any way in the performance of the Lost experiments at the Natzweiler concentration camp. The experimenters were Dr. Hirt and officers of the Luftwaffe. The witness Holl did not mention Sievers at all. If Sievers, who wore SS uniform, had become known at all in connection with the Lost experiments, this witness would certainly have made some such statement, especially as he was dispensary assistant [Revierkapo] and prisoners’ guard in the so-called Ahnenerbe block in the Natzweiler concentration camp. (_German Tr. pp. 1051-1059._)

The witness Grandjean too, who was at the Natzweiler concentration camp hospital as medical assistant from April 1944 on, knows nothing of Sievers’ presence at the Natzweiler concentration camp or of any connection between Sievers and the Lost experiments. (_Tr. p. 1099 ff._)

Sievers was in Natzweiler concentration camp on 25 January 1943 and also visited the barracks where the experimental persons for the Lost experiments were housed. Dr. Wimmer showed Sievers some of the experimental persons with their forearms in bandages. There were about 10 persons altogether who gave the impression of being quite lively. One of the experimental subjects was just having his bandage changed, and Sievers saw that the place being treated on the arm was covered with a scab. Dr. Wimmer reported nothing about fatal incidents. On the other hand, by questioning the experimental subjects himself, Sievers found that they volunteered for those experiments after a lecture by Professor Hirt. Sievers also learned that from Dr. Hirt himself, who at the end of the experiments confirmed that he had sent to the camp commandant a report on the good behavior of the prisoners with a recommendation for their release. (_German Tr. pp. 5732-33._) The lecture which Hirt had previously delivered to the experimental persons is also confirmed by the witness Holl. (_German Tr. pp. 1051-1059._) This was the only visit Sievers paid to the experimental subjects of the Lost experiments. After 25 January 1943 Sievers never went to Natzweiler again. This is already known from his diary entries.

Sievers attached a certain danger to the experiments, but, not being a physician, he was in no position to judge exactly from the experiments and the way in which they were carried out whether there was reason to be prepared for fatal results. In March 1943 Sievers asked Dr. Hirt whether any experimental subjects had died. Hirt admitted two deaths which, he remarked, however, had no connection with the Lost experiments. (_German Tr. pp. 5732-33._)

The statement of the witness Nales, heard in the session of 30 April 1947, deserves special attention. This witness confirmed that the experimental subjects who had reported for the “Burning Experiments” were _volunteers_. The witness thereby confirmed Sievers’ statement of 10 April 1947. (_German Tr. pp. 5732-33._) The witness admitted under cross-examination that Professor Dr. Hirt, as well as the SS camp physician, explained to the experimental subjects the nature of the planned experiments. It may be that the SS camp physician did not precisely state the actual danger of the experiments. But it may certainly be supposed that Dr. Hirt described the nature of the planned experiments more closely in his instructions, which are also confirmed by the witness Holl. Here Sievers had just as little to do with the choice of experimental subjects as in all the other cases. He was present neither at the lecture of the camp physician nor at that of Dr. Hirt. He could and had to rely on what Dr. Hirt told him concerning the question of volunteering.

4. In the case in question, Sievers was again not in a position to give instructions or orders on the carrying out of the Lost experiments. Neither did he do so. In as far as he came into contact with the Lost experiments, he only forwarded correspondence and did subordinate administrative work, which had no decisive or important influence on the experiments carried out by Dr. Hirt.

5. The knowledge that the experiments could exceed certain limits or become inhuman existed neither before they began nor in the course of the experiments.

We still have to examine whether Sievers did not receive, through some report or other, more exact knowledge of the course of the experiments. As a result of the experiments carried out by Dr. Hirt and Dr. Wimmer, the “Proposed Treatment of Poison-Gas Injuries Caused by Lost” was produced. (_NO-099, Pros. Ex. 268._) From this report nothing at all is to be learned of the course of the experiments in its effect on the experimental subjects. Since no further report exists, the correctness of Sievers’ statement must be accepted, according to which he knew no more of the Lost experiments than what he had seen and heard himself at Natzweiler. There was nothing in that to make him believe in criminal experiments.

This must also form the basis for the judging of Documents NO-195 and NO-015, Prosecution Exhibits 266 and 275. Sievers could only give information on what he knew. By virtue of his own observation of the information which he had received from Dr. Hirt and the correspondence submitted here, Sievers could only give information on the subject of the experiments carried out by Dr. Hirt and the circumstances under which they were carried out. It is also quite absurd to suppose that anyone who himself had detailed knowledge of the course of the experiments would have been used to pass on information. In his letter to Dr. Rudolf Brandt of 11 April 1944, Sievers further stated that on 31 March he had given a report to SS Brigadefuehrer Professor Dr. Brandt on the research work of SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt. The contents of this so-called report were reproduced by Dr. Karl Brandt in his examination on 4 November 1947. According to that, Sievers only stated that he had been commissioned by order of Himmler to hand over to him the final report on Lost by Dr. Hirt. But Sievers said nothing about being commissioned to discuss the contents with Dr. Karl Brandt. No discussion took place between Dr. Karl Brandt and Sievers on the performance of the experiments. This was the “report” from which the prosecution believes it can draw the conclusion that Sievers had detailed knowledge of the Lost experiments. (_German Tr. pp. 2365-66._)

The question still arises, whether Sievers, as a result of the report made by Hirt on 8 March 1944 to the Reich Leader SS, was not aware of deaths in connection with the Lost experiments. Hirt’s report did not disclose anything from which one could conclude that a special endangering of the experimental subjects was involved. Moreover Hirt declared that he could arrive at further results only through experiments on animals. (_German Tr. p. 5734._)

Finally, an opinion is expressed in regard to the possible assertion of the prosecution that the application of intravital microscopy constituted a crime against humanity. The intravital microscope used by Dr. Hirt could only be used on animals. (_Tr. p. 5734._) Letter from the firm of Zeiss of 13 January 1947. (_Sievers 9, Sievers Ex. 10_; _Tr. p. 5879_; _Sievers 55, Sievers Ex. 51_.) That intravital microscopic experiments were carried out on human beings by Dr. Hirt was not testified to by any of the witnesses and also cannot be seen from any document. If this had been the case, it certainly would have become known to third parties through experimental subjects or records.

6. Sievers had neither the power nor the opportunity to prevent the Lost experiments or to stop them. Sievers could in no way hinder the course of experiments against Himmler’s order.

7. Under these circumstances Sievers could not have become guilty of criminal negligence either.

* * * * *

d. Evidence

_Prosecution Documents_
Pros. Ex.
Doc. No. No. Description of Document Page
NO-794 259 Letter from Sievers to Rudolf Brandt, 27 336
June 1942, concerning mustard gas and
its effect on human beings.
NO-098 263 Memorandum from Sievers to Rudolf 337
Brandt, 3 November 1942, concerning
research in the Natzweiler
concentration camp.
NO-193 264 Letter from Sievers to Rudolf Brandt, 22 340
April 1943, regarding prevention of
Dr. Wimmer’s to active duty with the
air force.
NO-099 268 Report by Hirt and Wimmer on the 341
proposed treatment of poisoning caused
by Lost gas.
NO-005 279 Letter from Grawitz to Himmler, 22 344
November 1944, requesting prisoners
for experiments.
NO-1852 456 Extract from report on medical 345
experiments addressed to Karl Brandt.
NO-978 480 Letter from Sievers to Gluecks, 11 349
September 1942, concerning military
scientific research work to be
conducted at Natzweiler concentration
camp.

_Defense Documents_
Doc. No. Def. Ex. No. Description of Document Page
Karl Brandt 12 Karl Brandt Affidavit of Dr. Walther Schieber 350
Ex. 11 on his efforts to purchase
experimental animals in Spain and
bring them to Germany.
Karl Brandt 101 Karl Brandt Affidavit of Dr. Otto Ambros, 21 351
Ex. 41 April 1947, concerning the
urgency of experiments in the
field of chemical-warfare agents
and their countermeasures.
Karl Brandt 103 Karl Brandt Affidavit of Dr. Walter Mielenz, 21 352
Ex. 42 April 1947, concerning the
assignment of Karl Brandt in
connection with chemical warfare.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-794
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 259

LETTER FROM SIEVERS TO RUDOLF BRANDT, 27 JUNE 1942, CONCERNING MUSTARD
GAS AND ITS EFFECT ON HUMAN BEINGS

The Ahnenerbe

The Reich Business Manager

Berlin-Dahlem, 27 June 1942
G/H/6, g/Sch/4, A/1/101 S/wo

To: SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. R. Brandt Personal Staff of the Reich Leader SS Berlin Subject: Use of mustard gas for exterminating rats. Re: Your letter of 13 July 1942—A 19/95/1942

Dear Comrade Brandt!

On request SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. Dr. Hirt, Strasbourg tells me:

“Mustard gas in a dilution of 1:100 is dangerous to human beings
if it contacts the body in an adequate amount. Above all,
mustard gas is dangerously effective to clothing, as is known,
even when greatly diluted, especially in connection with
dampness. Mustard gas touching the skin even in a dilution of
1:100 causes reddening, possibly it causes little cysts without
effecting necrosis. That is, the effect is much weaker than that
of pure mustard gas. In spite of that, coming in contact with
the clothes in sufficient quantities, especially in the regions
of perspiration as the armpit, or the inguinal region, it can
have exactly the same effect as concentrated mustard gas. For
this, only a trace of it is frequently sufficient. This I
experienced in a laboratory accident with a chemical student,
who touched his armpit with one of the rabbits only for a second
and a reddening ensued which spread over the entire body the
following day, however, without further consequences. In my
opinion, only a place which can be temporarily evacuated by
human inhabitants can be used for gassing. The use of mustard
gas in the vicinity of food stores, especially grain dumps, has
to be absolutely excluded because one cannot know to what extent
the rats carry the mustard gas there. Only gassing of rat holes
would be possible with full application of precautionary
measures. How this will work out technically, I cannot of course
determine. Proper experts would have to judge that. Probably the
case may be the same as with other poisons used for the
extermination of rats (Phosphor-arsenic, strychnine, etc.)—that
means that the use of every type of poison has two sides. In
spite of this, your idea to try the extermination of vermin by
means of poison gas does not seem strange at all, but an expert
on poison gas would have to determine if there are not other
means of killing rats which are less harmful to human beings.”

With kind regards
Heil Hitler!
[Signature] SIEVERS

P. S. I shall talk over this matter thoroughly with Professor Hirt one of these days, and I will see which poison gas expert we might consult for the solution of the problem.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-098
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 263

MEMORANDUM FROM SIEVERS TO RUDOLF BRANDT, 3 NOVEMBER 1942, CONCERNING
RESEARCH IN THE NATZWEILER CONCENTRATION CAMP

The Ahnenerbe Reich Business Manager Berlin-Dahlem, 3 November 1942 S/Wo G/H/6 Personal Staff Reich Leader SS [Filing stamp] File Room Document No. Secret/51/16 [shorthand notation]

_Note_

Re: Research order SS Hauptsturmfuehrer, Professor Dr. August
Hirt, Strasbourg, at the Institute for Military Scientific
Research of the Ahnenerbe.

The Reich Leader SS [Himmler] ordered, in his letter of 13 July 1942—Journal number AR/48/7/42—that SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. Dr. Hirt carry out the research tasks assigned him, in conjunction with the Natzweiler concentration camp. It was determined at a conference, for which I drove, along with SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. Dr. Hirt, to Natzweiler on 31 August 1942, that the necessary conditions exist in Natzweiler. I reported on this orally on 9 September 1942, and afterwards in writing on 11 September 1942 to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks, who agreed and promised his full support. In view of the urgency of these research tasks, I asked SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt to go to Natzweiler again because until then no report on the beginning of the work had arrived. SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. 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 camp for security suspects,
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; whereas Natzweiler would not have
been in a position to do so owing to the overbearing and
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 Lost experiment
receive full rations (food for guards) 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 10 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 we may lose it.

“The installation of direct current causes difficulties. One,
however, gets the impression that the building operators had not
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 work exists at Natzweiler. As such cooperation is ordered by the Reich Leader 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 10 prisoners for one experiment, which might under certain circumstances last 10 months, the cost for the prisoners alone would total approximately 4,000 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 [for] 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 that to the German people in a possible emergency. The budget of the institute will be met, according to the order of the Reich Leader of the SS and as already discussed by me in detail with SS Standartenfuehrer Loerner, out 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 Reich Leader SS also ordered special food as an additional measure. Just as the Reich Leader SS appeared one day at Dachau to have a look at the experiments there, this is possible at Natzweiler too.

[Signature] SIEVERS
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

1. To SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. R. Brandt to read in reference to our discussion of today and with the request for help in comradely fashion in setting up the necessary conditions at Natzweiler.

2. Documents.

[Initials] SI

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-193
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 264

LETTER FROM SIEVERS TO RUDOLF BRANDT, 22 APRIL 1943, REGARDING
PREVENTION OF DR. WIMMER’S TRANSFER TO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE AIR FORCE

Copy

Ahnenerbe Society

The Reich Business Manager

Berlin-Dahlem, 22 April 43
G/H/6 S/No
Note [Handwritten]
Some information on W. is also in the files of Prof. Hirt
Diary No. 41/8/43
G. Mue.
To: SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. R. Brandt
Personal Staff Reich Leader SS
Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Str. 8.

Subject: Dr. med. habil. Karl Wimmer, born on 24 October 1910, staff
physician of the Luftwaffe, commanded by Air Gau Physician 7,
Munich, for service with the Anatomical Institute of
Strasbourg University. Co-worker at the Institute for Military
Scientific Research of the Ahnenerbe Society, Department SS
Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Hirt, Strasbourg.
Re: Your letter of 10.42. No. AR/48/7/42.
Our letter of 25.7.42.

Dear Comrade Brandt!

Effective immediately, Dr. Wimmer has been transferred to the XIth Fliegerkorps [subordinate operational Command of an Air Fleet], and according to information given by the Air Gau Medical Department 7 was to report today to Oberstabsarzt Dr. Jaeger, Berlin-Tempelhof, Manfred von Richthofenstr. 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 specialized knowledge necessary.

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 Hauptsturmfueherer Prof. 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 Reich Leader SS. The intensification of experiments and research, as well as the continuation of the work at all, as ordered by the Reich Leader SS on the basis of our discussion on 7 April, is out of the question, if the small staff of co-workers at the disposal of Prof. Dr. Hirt, especially Dr. Wimmer, is withdrawn. The problems to be solved constantly demand scientists with long years of experience and specialized knowledge. Dr. Wimmer would now be employed only as an army doctor, which is totally uneconomical considering his knowledge and abilities, as his services as an army doctor will never be of vital importance as regards the war, while this may well be said of his scientific activities. Obviously the Recruiting Office of the Waffen SS at that time contented itself with the information of the Reich Air Minister and Supreme Commander of the German Luftwaffe, without concluding a definite agreement. I request immediate steps for this to be remedied; the best would be to order Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen SS at least until 31.13.43 [sic] and if necessary the Reichsarzt SS should send an army doctor in his place to the Luftwaffe for the time Dr. Wimmer is assigned to the Waffen SS.

With best regards
Heil Hitler!
Yours
[Signed] SIEVERS [typewritten]

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-099
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 268

REPORT BY HIRT AND WIMMER ON THE PROPOSED TREATMENT OF POISONING CAUSED
BY LOST GAS

Top Secret

[Handwritten] Enclosure of Top Secret Z. I. A. H. No. 36
G. Tgb. S. 19, No. 170

From the Institute for Military Scientific Research Department H of the Research and Instruction Society Ahnenerbe (Reich Leader SS Personal Staff, Office “A”) Strasbourg, Anatomical Institute.

_Proposed treatment of poisoning caused by Lost [Gas]_

(By Professor Dr. A. Hirt, and Staff Surgeon of the Luftwaffe,
Professor 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 of 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 B_{1} administered intravenously in glucose suspension have proved most effective. Both methods aim at raising the resistance of the reticuloendothelial 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 B_{1} glucose substituted, as the excretion of the surplus quantity of vitamins results in a temporary additional overstimulation of the cells of the excretory organs.

In addition the inter-connection between the effect of sulfanilamide and vitamin B complex should be noted. In the case of pulmonary complications (bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary abscess) which are treated with sulfanilamides, the administration of yeast is definitely not indicated.

The general treatment, as set forth, especially the administration of vitamin B_{1} glucose, also has a salutory effect on the healing of cutaneous necrosis. In average and serious cases, the length of the healing process can 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 enclosed rooms. (Inhalation of Lost vapors!)

2. Damp dressings with Rivanol (0.1-0.05 percent) and Trypaflavin (0.1 percent) have proved to be a successful treatment of the _skin symptoms_ (reddening, swelling, blisters) of the first to fourth day. If necessary, ointment dressings (10 percent cod liver 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-Trypaflavin solution; later on ointment dressings (5 percent cod liver oil tannic ointment, boric acid ointment). With the development of _cutaneous necrosis_ and increasing disinfection of the affected parts 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 removed 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 cod liver oil ointment, boric acid ointment, unguentine, etc.) are sufficient. Lexer’s cod liver ointment (only 2 hours, painful!) can provide a strong _stimulus_ should granulation 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:

Vitamin A (in the form of Vogane oil) increasing from 4 to 10
drops daily.

Vitamin C (Cantan—Cebion tablets) 2 tablets 3 times daily.

Yeast powder 3 teaspoonfuls daily.

One should consider whether a vitamin compound 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 tachycardiacs, kidney damage with albumin secretion in the urine) treatment with vitamin mixtures is to be discontinued and to be substituted by injections of vitamin B_{1} glucose. (Betaxin—Betabion 2 cc.—also in larger dosages—intravenously with 10 cc. 20 percent glucose solution.) Injections are to be given slowly, since at the height of Lost damage the veins of the arms incline to thrombosis! In the latter case glucose has to be administered orally and vitamin B_{1} intramuscularly. There exists the possibility, in every case of considerable Lost damage, of a sudden failure of circulation (frequently between the 7th and 17th day) indicated by a weak response to heart and circulatory stimulants. Heart stimulants (strophanthin, caffeine, digitalis) and circulatory stimulants (sympatol, priscol, camphor, cardiazol) 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.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-005
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 279

LETTER FROM GRAWITZ TO HIMMLER, 22 NOVEMBER 1944, REQUESTING PRISONERS
FOR EXPERIMENTS

The Reich Leader SS Reich Physician SS and Police _Diary No. 39/44 Top Secret_

Berlin W. 15, 22 November 1944
Knesebeckstrasse 50/51
Telephone: 924249.924374.924351.924406.

Top Secret

Subject: Experiment with N-substance. Reference: Order of Reich Leader SS of 15 May 1944 2 copies, 1st copy To: Reich Leader SS H. Himmler Field H. Q.

Reich Leader:

The Chief of the Technical Office in the SS Administrative Main Office, SS Gruppenfuehrer Schwab, contacted me in September of this year with the request to furnish him with two doctors, who as medical experts were to witness experiments with N-substance, which he was carrying out at the time by order of the Fuehrer. This was above all a matter of the clarification of the question whether N-substance was to be considered for chemical warfare or not.

For this purpose I have furnished my leading pathologist, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer University Teacher Dr. Sachs, as well as the doctor working on the Ahnenerbe, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer University Teacher Dr. Ploetner.

In accordance with the experiments carried out on 25 September 1944, the necessity has now arisen to carry out several experiments on human beings for the final clarification of the physiological effect of N-substance on and through the human skin. Five prisoners are necessary for the execution of these experiments. It is highly improbable that the experiments will cause any permanent damage.

In accordance with your order of 15 May 1944, Reich Leader, I have obtained the opinion of SS Gruppenfuehrer Professor Gebhardt, SS Gruppenfuehrer Gluecks, and SS Oberfuehrer Panzinger. They read as follows:

_1. SS Gruppenfuehrer Professor Dr. Gebhardt_

“I am certainly in agreement with suggestion, and request that
the directions for the supervision of the experiments be issued
directly by the Reich Physician SS and Police.”

_2. SS Gruppenfuehrer Gluecks_

“I have received your letter of 7 November 1944 with regard to
the procurement of five prisoners for the experiments which are
to be carried out with N-substance.

“For this purpose I have had five prisoners in the Sachsenhausen
concentration camp who have been condemned to death placed in
readiness, on whom these experiments can be carried out.”

_3. SS Oberfuehrer Panzinger_

“From the point of view of the criminal police the experiments
to be carried out there are to be welcomed. Therefore, no
misgivings exist against the handing over of prisoners for
inoculation.

“If political prisoners should be considered, the Chief of
Office IV, SS Gruppenfuehrer Mueller would still have to be
consulted, but he will certainly also grant permission.”

I respectfully request the permission so that the experiments can be initiated.

Heil Hitler!
[Signed] GRAWITZ

[stamp] Personal Staff of Reich Leader SS Received: 26 November 1944 No. 1991/44

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-1852
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 456

EXTRACT FROM REPORT ON MEDICAL EXPERIMENTS ADDRESSED TO KARL BRANDT

_Contents_

Report. (2d copy)
2 and 3 Phosgene experiments Ruehl
4 and 5 T-experiments Letz
6 Aerosol experiment Letz
7 Natzweiler (3d copy)

6. 1st copy
7. 1st copy

* * * * *

Top Secret
3 copies—3d copy

To the Fuehrer’s Plenipotentiary General for Health and Medical Services, Surgeon-General Professor Dr. Brandt, Berlin Ziegelstrasse 5/9 Surgical Clinic at the University

_7th Report_

On the protective effect of hexamethylentetramine in phosgene poisoning.

Experiments were carried out on 40 prisoners on the prophylactic effect of hexamethylentetramine in cases of phosgene poisoning. Twelve of those were protected orally, twenty intravenously, and eight were used as controls.

_The method_

The chamber has a capacity of 20 cbm. In experiments I to XIV the chamber was given a coat of paint which had a strong deteriorating effect on phosgene. This decrease in concentration was measured after experiment XI; the curves are shown on chart I [not reproduced].

The greatest decrease measured was taken as basis for the calculations of the average concentration for experiments I to XI. In experiments XII to XV, the initial concentration and its decrease were measured separately in each case. In the tables II and III, c_{o} stands for the quantity of phosgene infused into the chamber in mg/cbm, c_{m} for the calculated average concentration, _t_ for the time of reaction. c_{m} was measured as an arithmetic medium from 5 to 7 and calculated on the curve values obtained through interpolation.

B. The experimental subjects were all persons of middle age, almost all in a weak and underfed condition. On principle, the healthier ones were used as controls, only control number 39 (J. Rei) and the orally protected experimental subject No. 37 (A. Rei) had a localized cirrhotic productive tuberculosis of the lungs. With the others, no pulmonary disease could be found. In the first experiments up to 6g hexamethylentetramine were given orally, later despite the much higher concentrations 0.06 g/kg body weight, orally as well as intravenously.

_Results_

The intravenously protected experimental subjects, without exception, all survived the phosgene poisoning with a c. t. of 247 to 5,400. There were no symptoms of pulmonary oedema after intravenous protection even with a c. t. of 2,970. Only experiment No. 10 with a c. t. of 3,960 suffered pulmonary oedema of the first degree, which was overcome without any therapy and in experiment No. XIV the intravenous protection was penetrated to an extent to cause pulmonary oedema of the 3d degree, which however was overcome by oxygen inhalation. The experimental subject recovered.

All control subjects fell ill. With a c. t. of 768 and 1,180 a first degree pulmonary oedema resulted which was overcome. With a c. t. of 2,275, one control subject died, the second contracted a second degree pulmonary oedema but recovered. A c. t. of 5,400 killed one control subject after 4 hours, the other after 14 hours.

After oral protection, a c. t. of 247 to 768 was suffered without any oedema, even when the protective solution of hexamethylentetramine was drunk only 2-3 minutes before the inhalation of the phosgene. Two control subjects showed a marked oedema with a c. t. of 768. With a c. t. of 1,485 one protected subject fell seriously ill with a second degree oedema, a second subject likewise protected, having breathed the same phosgenic air, was unaffected. The cause of this striking difference must be sought in the different resorption of the hexamethylentetramine on the one hand and in the different reaction and the different volume of respiration of the experimental subjects on the other hand.

Even a c. t. of 2,275 resulted in only a slight pulmonary oedema in an orally protected test subject, whereas one control subject died after 4 hours, and a second contracted a second degree pulmonary oedema. The oral protection was penetrated by a c. t. of 5,400, the protected test subject died, as did the two control subjects.

Experiment XV is characteristic of the test schedule and its results, and will therefore again be specially described. Of four test subjects, the first was protected orally, the second intravenously, the third received an intravenous injection of hexamethylentetramine after the poisoning, in order once more to ascertain the effect of therapeutic treatment, the fourth was not treated at all. The four subjects were placed in the chamber in which a phial containing 2.7 grams of phosgene was smashed. The test subjects remained in this concentration for 25 minutes. The phosgene content was measured three times during the inhalation. The readings showed an average concentration of 91 mg. per cbm. The subject protected intravenously remained healthy, and did not show the least signs of difficulties or symptoms, the orally protected subject contracted a slight pulmonary oedema, subsequently bronchopneumonia and pleurisy, from which he recovered. One control subject also survived his pulmonary oedema; the second died a few hours later, and the autopsy showed the characteristics of very serious pulmonary oedema.

_Summary_

The conclusions of the experiment are impaired by the varying constitutions and the general poor state of nutrition and of physique of the experimental subjects, as well as by the different behavior and the different volume of respiration of the experimental subjects under gas, which was here demonstrated for the first time. But the experiments gave the following decisive conclusions:

1. A previous intravenous injection of 3 grams of hexamethylentetramine completely prevents serious toxic and fatal phosgene poisoning from a c. t. of 2,275.

2. An endurable quantity of hexamethylentetramine taken prophylactically weakens a fatal poisoning to such an extent that it can be overcome without treatment. c. t.=2,275.

3. Nonfatal but nevertheless oedema-producing poisonings are made positively ineffective by intravenous application, and are weakened by oral application, c. t. 250 to 1,980.

4. The oral application of hexamethylentetramine is no longer effective against phosgene poisoning of a c. t.=5,400, the intravenous injection, however, weakens the effect to such an extent that the protected subject is able to overcome a lung oedema.

5. The _dosis letalis minima_ (minimum lethal dose) based on these experiments cannot yet be determined with certainty. One c. t. of 2,275 resulted in the death of one experimental subject, and the second developed second degree oedema of the lungs which was cured.

6. Some of the protected experimental subjects who did not develop oedema of the lungs remained completely healthy, others suffered from slight bronchitis with a brief fever. In every case they recovered without treatment.

* * * * *

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-978
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 480

LETTER FROM SIEVERS TO GLUECKS, 11 SEPTEMBER 1942, CONCERNING MILITARY
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK TO BE CONDUCTED AT NATZWEILER CONCENTRATION
CAMP

The Reich Leader SS Personal Staff The Chief of the Office Ahnenerbe

Berlin-Dahlem, 11 September 42
Puecklerstr. 16

[handwritten] secret
G/W/12

To: SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks Berlin-Oranienburg

Subject: Military Scientific Research in Connection with the Natzweiler Concentration Camp. Reference: Personal discussion of the 9th inst.

Brigadefuehrer,

Based on my report that, as proposed by the Reich Leader SS, there is a good possibility for carrying out our military scientific research work in the Natzweiler concentration camp, I hereby summarize what awaits your approval:

1. Information to the commander’s office, Natzweiler concentration camp: SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt, Stabsarzt Dr. Wimmer, and Dr. Kieselbach are authorized to enter the Natzweiler concentration camp. During their activity in the Natzweiler concentration camp, they are to be provided with accommodations and board.

2. SS Oberscharfuehrer Walbert, at present supply sergeant in the administration of the Natzweiler concentration camp, is to be detached for service with the Institute for Military Scientific Research, Personal Staff Reich Leader SS, Strasbourg-Natzweiler section. Walbert will have to tend the animals under the supervision of SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt. It is requested that another man be assigned to the administration of the Natzweiler concentration camp in order to replace SS Oberscharfuehrer Walbert.

3. The transfer of two prisoners from the group which has been trained on the microtome for pathological research in the Buchenwald concentration camp is requested.

4. It is furthermore requested, that a younger physician be assigned to assist the camp medical officer, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke, in the Natzweiler concentration camp.