Chapter D: V. L., Berlin-Adlershof (13)

_Prosecution Documents_
Pros. Ex.
Doc. No. No. Description of Document Page
NO-3963 528 Extracts from affidavit of Karl Wilhelm 710
Friedrich Tauboeck, 18 June 1947, concerning
the development of, and experiments with
sterilization drugs.
NO-035 142 Letter from Pokorny to Himmler, October 1941, 713
concerning a sterilization drug to be used
against Germany’s enemies.
NO-036 143 Letter from Himmler, 10 March 1942, to Pohl 714
(initiated by Rudolf Brandt) concerning a
sterilization drug and suggesting further
research on criminals.
NO-038 147 Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Pohl, June 1942, 715
transmitting an inquiry by Himmler as to the
progress made with experiments for medical
sterilization.
NO-046a 148 Letter from Pohl to Himmler, 3 June 1942, 716
concerning the development of a
sterilization drug by the firm of Dr. Madaus
and Co.
NO-046b 149 Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Pohl, 11 June 717
1942, asking him on behalf of Himmler to set
up a large hothouse for the development of a
sterilization drug.
NO-039 153 Letter from Gund to Himmler, 24 August 1942, 717
concerning research in medical sterilization
and development of sterilization drugs.
NO-203 161 Covering letter from Brack to Himmler, 28 719
March 1941, with report on experiments
concerning sterilization and castration by
X-rays.
NO-205 163 Letter from Brack to Himmler, 23 June 1942, 721
proposing sterilization of two to three
million Jews.
NO-206 164 Letter from Himmler (countersigned by Rudolf 722
Brandt), 11 August 1942, addressed to Brack,
concerning Himmler’s interest in
sterilization experiments.
NO-208 166 Letter from Blankenburg to Himmler, 29 April 723
1944, regarding employment of Dr. Horst
Schumann on experiments concerning the
influence of X-rays on human genital glands
in connection with similar experiments
conducted at concentration camp Auschwitz.
NO-211 169 Letter from Professor Clauberg to Himmler, 30 724
May 1942 (referring to a letter from Rudolf
Brandt), concerning the urgency of research
into biological propagation and
sterilization without operation, and draft
of a “Research Institute for Biological
Propagation.”
NO-216 170 Memorandum of Rudolf Brandt, July 1942, on a 728
discussion between Himmler, Gebhardt,
Gluecks, and Clauberg concerning
sterilization experiments conducted on
Jewesses.
NO-213 171 Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Clauberg, 10 July 729
1942, transmitting instructions of Himmler
to perform sterilizations on Jewesses at
concentration camp Ravensbrueck.
NO-212 173 Letter from Professor Clauberg to Himmler, 7 730
June 1943, reporting on research in
connection with the sterilization of women.

_Testimony_

Extract from the testimony of the defendant Viktor Brack 732

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-3963
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 528

EXTRACTS FROM AFFIDAVIT OF KARL WILHELM FRIEDRICH TAUBOECK, 18 JUNE
1947, CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF, AND EXPERIMENTS WITH STERILIZATION
DRUGS

I, Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Tauboeck, swear, depose, and state:

1. I was born on 21 September 1904 in Josefstadt, Czechoslovakia. I have been an Austrian citizen all my life. From 1910 to 1915 I attended the elementary school in Leitmeritz and Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. From 1915 to 1923 I attended the gymnasium (high school) in Pilsen (Czechoslovakia), Ljubljana (Yugoslavia) and Klosterneuburg (Austria). In June 1923 I graduated from the Klosterneuburg high school. From 1923 to 1925 I studied natural science at the University of Vienna, Austria, specializing in plant physiology and chemistry. In 1925 I studied at Kiel (Germany), where I devoted myself mainly to problems of marine biology and bacteriology. From 1926 to 1927 I again studied the above-mentioned natural science subjects in Vienna (Austria). In December 1927 I was made Doctor of Philosophy with special distinction. My thesis dealt with a problem concerning vegetable chemistry—urea in the plant world.

2. From 1928 to 1929 I was assistant in the Institute of Plant Physiology of the University of Vienna, Austria. In this capacity I had to direct the practical studies of the students and was able to carry out my own research in the field of vegetable chemistry. I also continued my studies there in the medical faculty of that University, in several medical subjects, especially in histology, physiology, physiological chemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. These above-mentioned studies made it possible for me to be able to carry out independently tests on the efficacy of drugs in animal experiments.

3. From 1930 to 1945 I was employed as a biochemist and botanist in the biological laboratory of the I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G. at Ludwigshafen/Rhine. I specialized there in drugs with particular effects on the animal and human organisms, respectively. Through this work I invented various new remedies based on biology. In particular I studied the question of animal poisons for many years and thus produced a new remedy for rheumatism. I also worked on the question of the stimulant from the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) and similar substances effective in minimum quantities. During the war years I worked on biochemical problems concerning agriculture and as a result of my work produced an improved fertilizer.

The I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G. at Ludwigshafen at Rhine employed several hundred natural scientists and technicians. Since 1937 I was the senior specialist in vegetable chemistry there.

4. In the fall of 1942, I was instructed by the director of my laboratory, Dr. Mueller-Cunradi, to devote my time to research on the effective substance from the plant caladium seguinum (Schweigrohr). At the beginning of November 1942, I was sent to Dr. Schamberger of the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin for the purpose of obtaining further information. The Research Institute Grunewald was a cover name for a camouflaged SS office. The address was Grunewald-Berlin, Delbrueckstrasse 6. There I was told that this plant was to be used for sterilizing mental patients. In order to obtain further information about the progress of experiments with caladium seguinum which had already taken place, I had to visit the firm Madaus in Dresden-Radebeul, together with Dr. Schamberger and another SS man. This firm had already made animal experiments with this plant and published the results in a medical journal in 1941. I was introduced to the firm Madaus as Dr. Weiss, so that nobody should know that I was an employee of I. G. Farben. The senior pharmacologist of the firm Madaus asked us: You must be a commission from SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl, to which the SS men replied “yes”. The pharmacologist went on to tell us that a few days previously Pohl himself had visited the firm Madaus together with several other people and had mentioned the especial urgency of this work. Furthermore, while visiting the firm Madaus, I checked all the equipment and experiments in the course of one day. By careful examination of sections of mice and rats and of the histological preparations, I was convinced that the publications of the firm Madaus were perfectly true. By this examination I, as a specialist in this field, gained the conviction that sterilization with caladium seguinum is no Utopia, but something which is quite within the bounds of possibility. On the return journey from Dresden to Berlin, the SS men revealed to me that this research was being carried out on the express order of Reich Leader SS Himmler in order to suppress births among the eastern nations. After this fact had been revealed to me I was sworn to secrecy. I was furthermore informed at the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin that the first preparations were to be supplied as soon as possible, as the Reich Leader SS had ordered the testing of the new method on inmates of concentration camps to take place at once.

5. In order to point out the effectiveness and practical possibility of using caladium seguinum as a sterilization drug, I would like first of all to go into the subject of the history of this plant. Before doing so, however, I would like to add that caladium seguinum is not considered a sterilization drug in the ordinary sense of the word, but a castration drug. This is evident from the fact that the experiments carried out by the firm Madaus have clearly shown that a destruction of the sexual glands of the experimental animals occurred which is equivalent to the surgical removal of such glands. Caladium seguinum is a plant which comes from Brazil. As I know from the literature and the publications made by the firm Madaus, this plant has already been used by the Brazilian natives as a means of sterilization of their enemies. It was administered to the enemies either in food or in arrow wounds. By this method of injection by arrows, only relatively small portions of poison gained from caladium seguinum could have been administered, as the wound produced by arrows may be compared with a large intramuscular injection. From this fact, as learned from literature, results the conclusion that this poison, if obtained by the correct process, is effective even in very small doses. This drug is described in literature as secret, which shows that the enemy did not know that he was being sterilized.

6. Inspired by this experience of the Brazilian natives, the firm Madaus carried out their experiments on animals. The results obtained by the firm Madaus which I have seen with my own eyes confirm the effectiveness of caladium seguinum as a means of sterilization for human beings. It was possible to doubt whether the caladium seguinum was actually effective according to the first rather vague reports coming from Brazil before the experiments of the firm Madaus had been carried out. The experiments of Madaus, however, have eliminated all doubts in this direction.

* * * * *

11. As a result of all examples and explanations mentioned, I am of the opinion that mass production of a castrating preparation from caladium seguinum in Germany or in the German occupied countries is no dream, but could easily have been put into practice. Another proof of the harmfulness of the caladium poison is the fact that the Madaus examinations confirmed beyond doubt the castrative effect of caladium despite all the shortcomings already described. All this made me realize at once the criminal character of such research and for this reason did not carry it out as far as my specific order was concerned. The SS, however, took a great interest in this matter. I received my orders as an employee of the I. G. Farbenindustrie from the Chief of the Security Police, first through the camouflaged office of the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin and later direct. I know, however, that the firm Madaus placed their orders through SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl separately and I am not acquainted with the development of this matter.

I have read the above statement consisting of seven pages, in German, and declare it to be the whole truth to my best knowledge and belief. I was given an opportunity of making alterations and amendments in the above statement. I have made this statement of my own free will, under no duress, without promise of reward.

Nuernberg, 18 June 1947. [Signature] DR. KARL TAUBOECK

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-035
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 142

LETTER FROM POKORNY TO HIMMLER, OCTOBER 1941, CONCERNING A STERILIZATION
DRUG TO BE USED AGAINST GERMANY’S ENEMIES

To the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Folkdom, SS H. Himmler, Chief of Police, Berlin.

I beg you to turn your attention to the following arguments. I have requested Professor Hoehn to forward this letter to you. I have chosen this direct way to you in order to avoid the slower process through channels and the possibility of an indiscretion in regard to the eventually enormous importance of the ideas presented.

Led by the idea that the enemy must not only be conquered but destroyed, I feel obliged to present to you, as the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Folkdom, the following:

Dr. Madaus published the result of his research on a _medicinal sterilization_ (both articles are enclosed). Reading these articles, the immense importance of this drug in the present fight of our people occurred to me. _If, on the basis of this research, it were possible to produce a drug which, after a relatively short time, effects an imperceptible sterilization on human beings, then we would have a new powerful weapon at our disposal._ The thought alone that the 3 million Bolsheviks, at present German prisoners, could be sterilized so that they could be used as laborers but be prevented from reproduction, opens the most far-reaching perspectives.

Madaus found that the sap of the Schweigrohr (caladium seguinum) when taken by mouth or given as injection to male and also to female animals, after a certain time, produces permanent sterility. The illustrations accompanying the scientific article are convincing.

If my ideas meet your approval, the following course should be taken:

1. Dr. Madaus must not publish any more such articles. (The enemy listens!)

2. Multiplying the plant. (Easily cultivated in greenhouses!)

[Written notation] Dachau

3. Immediate research on human beings (criminals!) in order to determine the dose and length of the treatment.

4. Quick research of the constitutional formula of the effective chemical substance in order to

5. Produce it synthetically if possible.

As German physician and chief physician of the reserves of the German Wehrmacht, retired [d. R. a. D.], I undertake to keep secret the purpose as suggested by me in this letter.

[stamp] Heil Hitler!
[Signed] DR. POKORNY
Specialist for skin and venereal diseases, M. U.
Dr.
Ad. Pokorny
Komotau
Graben 33
Komotau, October 1941

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-036
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 143

LETTER FROM HIMMLER, 10 MARCH 1942, TO POHL (INITIALED BY RUDOLF BRANDT)
CONCERNING A STERILIZATION DRUG AND SUGGESTING FURTHER RESEARCH ON
CRIMINALS

The Reich Leader SS Journal No. 752/5, RF/H.

Fuehrer Headquarters, 10 March 1942
2 W 1.5.

Dear Pohl,

I read Dr. Pokorny’s very interesting memorandum and Dr. Madaus’ publications on medicinal sterilization. I would ask you to get in touch with Dr. Madaus and to inform him, on my behalf, that he should not publish anything else on these questions of medicinal sterilization, and offer him possibilities of doing research, in cooperation with the Reich Physician SS, on criminals who would have to be sterilized in any case.

The intended plan of research is, however, to be submitted to me by the office engaged on the subject.

Heil Hitler!
Yours,
[Signed] H. HIMMLER

A copy is forwarded to the Reich Physician SS, SS Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz with request to take cognizance.

By Order:
[Initial] BR. [BRANDT]
SS Sturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-038
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 147

LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO POHL, JUNE 1942, TRANSMITTING AN INQUIRY BY
HIMMLER AS TO THE PROGRESS MADE WITH EXPERIMENTS FOR MEDICAL
STERILIZATION

The Reich Leader SS Personal Staff Journal No. AR/752/5, Bra/Bn.

Fuehrer Headquarters, June 1942
Top Secret

SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl Berlin

Dear Obergruppenfuehrer,

On 10 March 1942, the Reich Leader SS sent you a memorandum written by Dr. Pokorny and the publication of Dr. Madaus on medicinal sterilization. In cooperation with the Reich Physician SS, experiments were to be made accordingly.

The Reich Leader SS inquired today as to how things were progressing. I would appreciate it if I might have some information soon.

Heil Hitler
Yours,
[Signed] R. BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-046a
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 148

LETTER FROM POHL TO HIMMLER, 3 JUNE 1942, CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF
A STERILIZATION DRUG BY THE FIRM OF DR. MADAUS AND CO.

Chief of SS, Economics and Administrative Main Office Ch. Po/Ha

Berlin, 3 June 1942

Subject: Sterilization by means of drugs. Re: Your letter of 3 October 1942. Journal No. AR. 752/52, RF/H

To the Reich Leader SS Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Strasse 8

Dear Reich Leader:

In reference to the above matter, I had a conversation today with E. Koch, Ph. D. and M. D., director of the Biological Institute of Dr. Madaus and Co., at Dresden-Radebeul.

I advised him of your desire to have publications on this subject discontinued for the time being. Dr. Koch will comply with your request.

Furthermore, experiments have reached a dead point because the caladium seguinum grows only in North America and during the war cannot be imported in adequate quantities. Dr. Koch’s attempts to grow this plant from seed cultivated in hothouses have been successful, it is true; but the process is very slow and the yield is not sufficient to permit carrying on experiments on a large scale.

Dr. Koch is hopeful that this will be remedied if it is possible for us to obtain permission for him to build a larger hothouse. I promised him this.

For the time being this is the first and only practical step to promote the project.

I shall continue reports periodically.

Heil Hitler!
[Signed] POHL
SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of the Waffen SS

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-046b
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 149

LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO POHL, 11 JUNE 1942, ASKING HIM ON BEHALF OF
HIMMLER TO SET UP A LARGE HOTHOUSE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
STERILIZATION DRUG

The Reich Leader SS Personal Staff, Diary No. 1230/42, Bra/Bu Fuehrer’s Headquarters, 11 June 1942 Re: Medical sterilization. To SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl Berlin

Dear Obergruppenfuehrer,

I have informed the Reich Leader SS of your letter of 3 June 1942. He asks you to see to it without fail that a large hothouse is set up as soon as possible for Dr. Koch. He considers the experiments extremely important.

The Reich Leader SS asks you to continue to send in further reports.

Heil Hitler
[Signed] B.
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-039
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 153

LETTER FROM GUND TO HIMMLER, 24 AUGUST 1942, CONCERNING RESEARCH IN
MEDICAL STERILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF STERILIZATION DRUGS

Secret
The Deputy Gauleiter of Lower Danube [Lower Austria]

Vienna, 9, Wasagasse 10, 24 August 1942
Ge/Schd—310/42 g

To: The Reich Leader SS Pg. Heinrich Himmler Berlin SW 1, Prinz Albrecht Strasse 8 Sir,

At the orders of Gauleiter Dr. Jury, his staff have hitherto busied themselves especially with the problems of population, racial policy, and antisocial elements. Since the prevention of reproduction by the congenitally unfit and racially inferior belongs to the duties of our National Socialist racial and demographic policy, the present Director of the District Office for Racial Policy, Gauhauptstellenleiter Dr. Fehringer, has examined the question of sterilization and found that the methods so far available, castration and sterilization, are not sufficient in themselves to meet expectations. Consequently, the obvious question occurred to him whether impotence and sterility could not be produced in both men and women by the administration of medicine or injections. So he came to the studies of the Biological Institute of Dr. Madaus, in Dresden-Radebeul, on animal experiments for medical sterilization, which became accessible to him through the Madaus Annual Report, IVth year, 1940, and are of the greatest interest for our demographic policy. Madaus and Koch found that caladium sequinum used in homeopathic doses, that is, administered in infinitesimal quantities, favorably affects impotence, sterility, and frigidity (sexual indifference), so that clinical and medical research should not proceed without regard to this fact. It was established by an extensive series of experiments on rats, rabbits, and dogs that, as the result of the administration or injection of caladium extract, male animals became impotent and females barren, and the differences in effect of the various methods of applying the drug could be seen. From the animal experiments, it seems that a permanent sterility is liable to result in male animals and a more temporary one in females.

It is clear that these observations could be of tremendous importance if alterations of potency or fecundity could also be successfully brought about in human beings by the administration of a caladium extract. Research on human beings themselves would, of course, be necessary for this. The director of my race policy office points out that the necessary research and human experiments could be undertaken by an appropriately selected medical staff, basing their work on the Madaus animal experiments in cooperation with the pharmacological institute of the Faculty of Medicine of Vienna, on the persons of the inmates of the gypsy camp of Lackenbach in Lower Danube.

It is quite clear that such research must be handled as a nationally important secret matter of the most dangerous character, because enemy propaganda could work tremendous harm all over the world by the knowledge of such research, should it come by such knowledge.

Since these considerations are only a theory, the fundamental accuracy of which has already been established by animal experiments and the possibility of the application of which to human beings is highly probable, a mere indication only can be given of the prospects of the possibility of the sterilization of practically unlimited numbers of people in the shortest time and in the simplest way conceivable.

In this connection, I may perhaps point out that it would surely be worth while to study the old cults and the knowledge of their priests concerning the promotion and prevention of human potency and fecundity. Primitive, primeval populations which are close to nature had, and still have, a very extensive knowledge of this subject without these things being known to science. It is known, for instance, that the natives of South America attempted to destroy the potency of their enemies by administering caladium seguinum to them.

I should be particularly grateful to you if you would give me your opinion in this respect when the occasion arises, or even order a concrete working plan to be submitted to you. Gauleiter Dr. Jury would personally have approached you with this plan were he not at present away on a vacation.

Heil Hitler!
Yours faithfully,
[Signed] K. GUND
SS Oberfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-203
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 161

COVERING LETTER FROM BRACK TO HIMMLER, 28 MARCH 1941, WITH REPORT ON
EXPERIMENTS CONCERNING STERILIZATION AND CASTRATION BY X-RAYS

Viktor Brack Oberdienstleiter

Berlin, 28 March 1941

To the Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Str. 8 H. H. [Handwritten initials]

Top Secret

[Handwritten]: 1 read
2+
5 May 41

Dear Reich Leader:

Enclosed herewith for your information is the result of the investigations into the possibility of sterilization or castration, respectively, by means of X-rays. I request your instructions as to what further theoretical or practical steps, if any, are to be taken in this matter.

Heil Hitler!
[SIGNED] BRACK
Enclosure

The experiments in this field are concluded. The following result can be considered as established and adequately based on scientific research:

If any persons are to be sterilized permanently, this result can only be attained by applying X-rays in a dosage high enough to produce castration with all its consequences, since high X-ray dosages destroy the internal secretion of the ovary, or of the testicles, respectively. Lower dosages would only temporarily paralyze the procreative capacity. The consequences in question are for example the disappearance of menstruation, climacteric phenomena, changes in capillary growth, modification of metabolism, etc. In any case, attention must be drawn to these disadvantages.

The actual dosage can be given in various ways, and the irradiation can take place quite imperceptibly. The necessary local dosage for men is 500-600 r, for women 300-350 r. In general, an irradiation period of 2 minutes for men, 3 minutes for women, with the highest voltage, a thin filter and at a short distance, ought to be sufficient. There is, however, a disadvantage that has to be put up with: as it is impossible unnoticeably to cover the rest of the body with lead, the other tissues of the body will be injured, and radiologic malaise, the so-called “Roentgenkater”, will ensue. If the X-ray intensity is too high, those parts of the skin which the rays have reached will exhibit symptoms of burns—varying in severity in individual cases—in the course of the following days or weeks.

One practical way of proceeding would be, for instance, to let the persons to be treated approach a counter, where they could be asked to answer some questions or to fill in forms, which would take them 2 or 3 minutes. The official sitting behind the counter could operate the installation in such a way as to turn a switch which would activate the two valves simultaneously (since the irradiation has to operate from both sides). With a two-valve installation about 150-200 persons could then be sterilized per day, and therefore, with 20 such installations as many as 3,000-4,000 persons per day. In my estimation a larger daily number could not in any case be sent away for this purpose. As to the expenses for such a two-valve system, I can only give a rough estimate of approximately 20,000-30,000 RM. Additionally, however, there would be the cost of the construction of a new building, because adequately extensive protective installations would have to be provided for the officials on duty.

In summary, it may be said that, having regard to the present state of radiological technique and research, mass sterilization by means of X-rays can be carried out without difficulty. However, it seems to be impossible to do this in such a way that the persons concerned do not sooner or later realize with certainty that they have been sterilized or castrated by X-rays.

[Signed] BRACK

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-205
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 163

LETTER FROM BRACK TO HIMMLER, 23 JUNE 1942, PROPOSING STERILIZATION OF
TWO TO THREE MILLION JEWS

Viktor Brack SS Oberfuehrer

Berlin, W 8, Voss-Strasse 4, 23 June 1942
[Initial] HH

Top Secret

To the Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police Heinrich Himmler, Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Str. 8

Dear Reich Leader,

On the instructions of Reich Leader [Reichsleiter] Bouhler I placed some of my men—already some time ago—at the disposal of Brigadefuehrer Globocnik to execute his special mission. On his renewed request I have now transferred additional personnel. On this occasion Brigadefuehrer Globocnik stated his opinion that the whole Jewish action should be completed as quickly as possible so that one would not get caught in the middle of it one day if some difficulties should make a stoppage of the action necessary. You, yourself, Reich Leader, have already expressed your view, that work should progress quickly for reasons of camouflage alone. Both points which in principle arrive at the same result are more than justified as far as my own experience goes; nevertheless would you kindly allow me to submit the following argument:

Among 10 millions of Jews in Europe there are, I figure, at least 2-3 millions of men and women who are fit enough to work. Considering the extraordinary difficulties the labor problem presents us with, I hold the view that those 2-3 millions should be specially selected and preserved. This can, however, only be done if at the same time they are rendered incapable to propagate. About a year ago I reported to you that agents of mine had completed the experiments necessary for this purpose. I would like to recall these facts once more. Sterilization, as normally performed on persons with hereditary diseases, is here out of the question, because it takes too long and is too expensive. Castration by X-ray however is not only relatively cheap, but can also be performed on many thousands in the shortest time. I think, that at this time it is already irrelevant whether the people in question become aware of having been castrated after some weeks or months once they feel the effects.

Should you, Reich Fuehrer, decide to choose this way in the interest of the preservation of labor, then Reichsleiter Bouhler would be prepared to place all physicians and other personnel needed for this work at your disposal. Likewise he requested me to inform you that then I would have to order the apparatus so urgently needed with the greatest speed.

Heil Hitler!
Yours,
[Signed] VIKTOR BRACK

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-206
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 164

LETTER FROM HIMMLER (COUNTERSIGNED BY RUDOLF BRANDT), 11 AUGUST 1942,
ADDRESSED TO BRACK, CONCERNING HIMMLER’S INTEREST IN STERILIZATION
EXPERIMENTS

The Reich Leader SS 1314/42 [Handwritten]

XIa/126 [Handwritten]
11 August 1942
Figure 11—[Handwritten]
SS Senior Col. (SS Oberfuehrer) Brack Field Headquarters
Berlin W 8 Voss-Strasse 4
Top Secret
4 copies
4th copy
Dear Brack:

It is only today that I have the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of 23 June. I am positively interested in seeing that sterilization by X-rays is tried out at least once in one camp in a series of experiments.

I will be very much obliged to Reichsleiter Bouhler if, to begin with, he would place the expert physicians for the series of experiments at our disposal.

I will mail a copy of this letter to the Reich Physician SS and to the competent Chief of the Main Office for concentration camps.

Heil Hitler!
Yours,
[Signed] H. HIMMLER

SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl
SS Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz
For information.
By order [Handwritten] BR.
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer
[Stamp] 11 August 1942

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-208
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 166

LETTER FROM BLANKENBURG TO HIMMLER, 29 APRIL 1944, REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF DR. HORST SCHUMANN ON EXPERIMENTS CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF X-RAYS ON HUMAN GENITAL GLANDS IN CONNECTION WITH SIMILAR EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED AT CONCENTRATION CAMP AUSCHWITZ

Chancellery of the Fuehrer of the NSDAP File No: IIa/Kt.

Berlin W 8, Vosstrasse 4, 29 April 1944
Telephone No.: local 120054
Long distance 126621

Top Secret

To the Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police, Heinrich Himmler

Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Strasse 9 Dear Reich Leader!

By order of Reich Leader (Reichsleiter) Bouhler I submit to you as an enclosure a work of Dr. Horst Schumann on the influence of X-rays on human genital glands.

Previously you have asked Senior Colonel [Oberfuehrer] Brack to perform this work, and you supported it by providing the adequate material in the concentration camp Auschwitz. I point especially to the 2d part of this work, which shows that by those means a castration of males is almost impossible or requires an effort which does not pay. As I have convinced myself, operative castration requires not more than 6 to 7 minutes, and therefore can be performed more reliably and quicker than castration by X-rays.

Soon I shall be able to submit a continuation of this work to you.

Heil Hitler!
[Handwritten] Your devoted,
[Signed] BLANKENBURG

Enclosure

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-211
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 169

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR CLAUBERG TO HIMMLER, 30 MAY 1942 (REFERRING TO A
LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT), CONCERNING THE URGENCY OF RESEARCH INTO
BIOLOGICAL PROPAGATION AND STERILIZATION WITHOUT OPERATION, AND DRAFT OF
A “RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL PROPAGATION”

Professor C. Clauberg, M. D. Chief Physician of the Gynecological Clinics of the Miners’ (Knappschaft) Hospital and of the St. Hedwig Hospital.

Koenigshuette, Upper Silesia, 30 May 1942
Telephone 409-31
[Handwritten]
Wednesday 8 July

To the Reich Leader SS Heinrich Himmler Through SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of the Police Schmauser

[Handwritten]
discussed H. H. [Heinrich Himmler]

Dear Reich Leader!

In answer to my letter of 5 June 1941 “concerning the Research Institute for Biological Propagation” I received at that time by return mail the answer of your personal adjutant, SS Sturmbannfuehrer Brandt, dated 19 June 1941 saying that you, Reich Leader, would come back to my expose as soon as possible. Without any doubt the far more important events of the war which happened shortly afterwards prevented this.

If I may remind you briefly, the continuation of my work had been rendered impossible because of the problem of carrying out the procurement of female concentration camp inmates. On the occasion of a scientific discussion with the Stabsfuehrer of your office here, SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. Arlt, I also happened to speak about my research activities in the field of biological propagation. Dr. Arlt told me then that the one person in Germany today who would be particularly interested in these matters and who would be able to help me would be you, most honorable Reich Leader. In his capacity as a member of the SS and Stabsfuehrer of your office here, I then told him briefly that I had already submitted this matter to you.

After this discussion, I most obediently take the liberty of asking you to make it possible for me to carry out these tasks here in Upper Silesia.

In order to explain what would be necessary at the moment—that is, at least for the time being—the two most urgent questions and fundamental problems should be stated briefly once more.

A. In the question of the positive population policy, the eventual or most probable importance of agriculture for the female capacity for propagation demands clarification. This is to be thoroughly probed and tested by experiments on animals, namely, on the experimental animal which is proverbially most fertile and at the same time variable in its fertility—the rabbit. The question is whether good general nutrition with food obtained through intensive farming can reduce fertility, and if this should be the case, what factor (positive or negative) is responsible.

B. In the question of the negative population policy the situation now is such that from animal experiments (in which I have demonstrated the possibility of sterilization without operation) we must proceed to the first experiments on human beings.

For that purpose the following is necessary:

With ref. to A. _Problem of fertility and agriculture._

1. Land—that is, as much “untouched”, “wild” or hitherto “badly” farmed land as possible. For the first animal experiments to be conducted at least 10 Morgen [Morgen = 2/3 of an acre] would be needed.

2. Personnel to till the land.

3. Animal material—that is, a few hundred female rabbits and the corresponding number of males necessary.

4. Animal hutches and shelters.

5. Persons to attend and guard the animals.

With ref. to B. _Sterilization without operation._

1. Occasional special billeting for 5 to 10 women (single rooms or rooms for two persons) corresponding to the conditions of sick rooms.

2. Special X-ray apparatus with installation and accessories.

3. Smaller outfit of instruments and material.

Reich Leader! Without wishing to anticipate your decision, I am taking the liberty of proposing that the experiments necessary for A and B be carried out at the Auschwitz concentration camp and that the facilities there be used. As I already told you in the course of our conversation, I would be very much pleased to work under you as head of an experimental institute, directed exclusively by you.

I believe that in view of the procurement of the land, the necessary animals, the attending personnel, and the human material to be provided, an annex to your camp in Upper Silesia would offer the best facilities. Cash would be needed only for the procurement of—

With ref. to A.

1. _Animal material._

2. _Material for the animals’ stables and shelters._

3. _A conscientious working person to attend them._

With ref. to B.

4. _Special accommodations for 5 to 10 female camp inmates undergoing experiments._

5. _Eventually a special X-ray installation._

6. _Smaller outfit of instruments and material._

Reich Leader! The explanations and dispositions made here are related to the fact that the most necessary and most urgent means for solution of this problem should at once be created and set in motion. My suggestions are absolutely adapted to the present times and attempt to meet the circumstances. As one problem arises from the other or—I should rather say—as many further problems will arise, the ideal pattern of such a “Research Institution of the Reich Leader SS for Biological Propagation” the establishment of which is to be considered, would present itself as an entity, on the one hand far greater in scope, and on the other hand more concentrated and closely knit in shape. A short sketch is enclosed as a suggestion for that purpose. This suggestion is to demonstrate the possibility of realization of all the thoughts discussed and submitted to you.

Heil Hitler!
Yours most obediently,
[Signed] PROF. CLAUBERG.

* * * * *

Draft of a “Research Institute for Biological Propagation”

The center from which all ideas start, all problems are raised and their execution directed, and finally turned over into practical use, is and remains the clinic. It must be an obstetric clinic at the same time. For the problems (which are mostly of a hormonal nature) do not merely extend into practical gynecology and obstetrics but also reach deeply into them and remain most closely connected with pregnancy and obstetrics as well. These problems are just as unlimited and therefore must necessarily be solved step by step, as they are proving to be successful for obstetrics also in the future.

In this clinic the possibility must be provided—

_a._ for most intensive treatment of women hitherto sterile but desirous of bearing children and for applying and testing of newly gained experiences in cases hitherto seemingly hopeless.

_b._ to evaluate the method of sterilization without operation (bloodless sterilization) on women unworthy of propagation and to use this method continually after it is finally proved efficient.

Attached to this clinic there is to be—

_c._ a laboratory for extensive animal experiments, which will always serve as a basis for further research.

There should also be incorporated in this research station—

_d._ an experimental farm as a basis for the solution of the questions of “agriculture and fertility,” that is—

1. far reaching nutrition experiments on animals, and

2. far reaching nutrition experiments on human beings (female camp inmates).

Sketch enclosed.

[Handwritten] 30 May 1942.

CLAUBERG
“_Research Institute for Biological Propagation_”

_Experimental Farm_—

_a._ For far reaching nutrition experiments on the animal.

Laboratory for further experimental research on animals.

_b._ For far reaching nutrition experiments on human beings.
(Special production of food for female camp inmates.)

_Clinic for gynecology and obstetrics_

_Clinical and Polyclinical Department_—

_a._ Treatment of sterile women desired to propagate.

_b._ Further clinical research on cases of sterility hitherto
seemingly hopeless.

_Clinical department_—

For sterilization without operation (bloodless sterilization) on
women (women unworthy of propagation or women whose propagation
is not desirable—at first to test method without operation,
later for current use).

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-216
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 170

MEMORANDUM OF RUDOLF BRANDT, JULY 1942, ON A DISCUSSION BETWEEN HIMMLER,
GEBHARDT, GLUECKS, AND CLAUBERG CONCERNING STERILIZATION EXPERIMENTS
CONDUCTED ON JEWESSES

Fuehrer Headquarters, July 1942
Top Secret
1 copy

On 7 July 1942 a discussion took place between the Reich Leader SS, SS Brigadefuehrer Professor Dr. Gebhardt, SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks, and SS Brigadefuehrer Clauberg, Koenigshuette. The topic of the discussion was the sterilization of Jewesses. The Reich Leader SS has promised SS Brigadefuehrer Professor Clauberg that Auschwitz concentration camp will be at his disposal for his experiments on human beings and animals. By means of some fundamental experiments, a method should be found which would lead to sterilization of persons without their knowledge. The Reich Leader SS wanted to get another report as soon as the result of these experiments was known, so that the sterilization of Jewesses could then be carried out in actuality.

It should also be examined, preferably in cooperation with Professor Dr. Hohlfelder, an X-ray specialist in Germany, what way sterilization of men could be achieved by X-ray treatment.

The Reich Leader SS called the special attention of all gentlemen present to the fact that the matter involved was most secret and should be discussed only with the officers in charge and that the persons present at the experiments or discussions had to pledge secrecy.

[Signed] BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-213
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 171

LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO CLAUBERG, 10 JULY 1942, TRANSMITTING
INSTRUCTIONS OF HIMMLER TO PERFORM STERILIZATIONS ON JEWESSES AT
CONCENTRATION CAMP RAVENSBRUECK

Reich Leader SS Personal Staff Journal Number 1266/42, Bra/Dr.

[Handwritten]
Returned 31 October 1942 by Pol. Administration K.
Fuehrer Headquarters, 10 July 1942
Top Secret
[Handwritten]
Original handed to G.
6 copies—6th copy

1. Professor Clauberg Koenigshuette.

[Handwritten]
W 1-10
1-5-43

Dear Professor!

Today the Reich Leader SS charged me with transmitting to you his wish that you go to Ravensbrueck after you have had another talk with SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl and the camp physician of the women’s concentration camp Ravensbrueck, in order to perform the sterilization of Jewesses according to your method.

Before you start your job, the Reich Leader SS would be interested to learn from you how long it would take to sterilize a thousand Jewesses. The Jewesses themselves should not know anything about it. As the Reich Leader SS understands it, you could give the appropriate injections during a general examination.

Thorough experiments should be conducted to investigate the effect of the sterilization largely in a way that you find out after a certain time, which you would have to fix, perhaps by X-rays, what kind of changes have taken place. In some cases a practical experiment might be arranged by locking up a Jewess and a Jew together for a certain period and then seeing what results are achieved.

I ask you to let me know your opinion about my letter for the information of the Reich Leader SS.

Heil Hitler!
[Signed] BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

2. To SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl, Berlin. [Handwritten] delivered to Boemer

Please acknowledge. SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Koegel also received a copy for the information of the camp physician. Moreover the Reich Physician SS and the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA) received a copy.

[Signed] BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

3. To SS Gruppenfuehrer Grawitz, Reich Physician SS.

Please acknowledge.

[Signed] BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

4. To SS. Obersturmbannfuehrer Koegel, WVHA.

Please acknowledge and inform the camp physician.

[Signed] BRANDT
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

5. To the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA), Berlin.

SS Sturmbannfuehrer Guenther, IV B 4 (Department for Jews).

[Handwritten] SS GRUF. MUELLER

Please acknowledge.

[Initialed] BR.
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-212
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 173

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR CLAUBERG TO HIMMLER, 7 JUNE 1943, REPORTING ON
RESEARCH IN CONNECTION WITH THE STERILIZATION OF WOMEN

Professor Dr. C. Clauberg,

Chief Physician of the Clinics for Women of the Miners’ (Knappschaft) Hospital and the St. Hedwig Hospital

Koenigshuette O. S., 7 June 1943
Telephone: 409-31

Secret

To the Reich Leader SS Heinrich Himmler Berlin Dear Reich Leader,

Today I am fulfilling my obligation to report to you from time to time about the state of my research work. In doing this I am, as before, adhering to the procedure to report only if the matter is essential. The fact that, after my most recent interview in July 1942, I could not do so before today is due to temporary difficulties against which I myself was powerless and with which I could not bother you, Reich Leader. I mention as an example that only since February 1943 am I in possession of an X-ray installation, which is of great value to my special research. In spite of the short period of actually only 4 months, it is already today possible to report to you the following:

_The method I contrived to achieve the sterilization of the female organism without operation is as good as perfected. It can be performed by a single injection made through the entrance of the uterus in the course of the customary gynecological examination known to every physician._—If I say that the method is “as good as perfected,” this means:

1. Still to be worked out are only minor improvements of the method.

2. Already today it could be put to practical use in the course of our _regular_ eugenic sterilization and could thus replace the operation.

As to the question which you, Reich Leader, asked me almost one year ago, i. e., how much time would probably be required to sterilize 1,000 women by using this method. Today I can answer you with regard to the future as follows:

If my researches continue to have the same results as up to now—and there is no reason to doubt that—then the moment is not far off when I can say:

“_One_ adequately trained physician in _one_ adequately equipped
place, with perhaps 10 assistants (the number of assistants in
conformity with the speed desired) _will most likely be able to
deal with several hundred, if not even 1,000 per day_.”

Please permit me to postpone my report about the other part of my researches (positive population policy) because it will take some time until something decisive can be said in this field.

Reich Leader! The main reason for my reporting to you today, shortly before the possibility of even more final results, is the following:

I know that the settlement of the last part of this particular complex of problems—in contrast to the external forces which determined the progress so far—depends _now_ almost entirely on me. In this connection, several minor but nevertheless fundamental changes would be necessary which only you, my dear Reich Leader, can personally direct and order. I had hoped that I would be able to give you personally a short description of these requirements in the event of a visit to Upper Silesia. Since I have not had this opportunity, I am asking you for your decision today.

In addition I should like to make a further request. It was SS Brigadefuehrer _Dr. Blumenreuter_ who finally managed to get me the one suitable X-ray installation. I am in urgent need of another installation of the same kind, and he informed me in February that he had another one stored in Berlin. He was ready to deliver it to me if I would secure your approval.

May I ask you, Reich Leader, for this approval?

Heil Hitler!
[Signed] CLAUBERG
EXTRACT FROM THE TESTIMONY OF THE DEFENDANT VIKTOR BRACK[84]

_DIRECT EXAMINATION_

* * * * *

DR. FROESCHMANN: What plans are you talking about?

DEFENDANT BRACK: The plans to exterminate the Jews which I told you about before. Having known them and having been in the Party Chancellery in the course of this conversation when I told Himmler that Grafeneck was to be abandoned, Himmler also told me of communications he had received from Poland, according to which the Jews there were using the temporary impotence of the Polish government to strengthen their own position and Himmler said something had to be done about this. He said something had to be undertaken to stop this because through the mixing of blood in the Polish Jews with that of the Jews from Western Europe a much greater danger for Germany was arising than even before the war, and he said it was his intention to sterilize the Jews according to reliable methods, according to a procedure which would permit mass sterilization. Operative sterilization was out of the question for one thing because you couldn’t do that without leaving some scar. Then he brought up the question, could not this be done with X-ray treatment? However, I didn’t know about this for sure, and in fact nobody knew about it, and especially didn’t know whether the person in question could be treated without noticing something. Himmler then said that Bouhler had gathered together so many scientists and doctors in the Euthanasia Program, consequently I should try to find out from him what he could tell me about sterilization, and tell him to report to me again.

Q. Well, what was the effect of this communication from Himmler on you?

A. This made a great impression on me. I believed that Heydrich could really have been the instigator of all of this.

In my interrogation I told the interrogator that I regarded such a plan to exterminate the Jews as unworthy of Germany and its leaders. From what I knew of Himmler it would never have occurred to me that such a destructive idea could have originated in his mind. Be that, however, as it may, whether the idea originated with Heydrich or Bormann, my attitude was opposed to this; and I felt that I was under the obligation to do anything I could to prevent this. If I had raised the least objection to it openly, I would have aroused great suspicion of myself and would have aroused a false reaction in Himmler. Therefore, I had to make the best of a bad job and had to pretend that I agreed with Himmler. I pretended to be willing to clarify the question of mass sterilization through X-ray methods. Many years ago I had been subjected to X-ray treatment for quite a period of time and had discussed with the doctor the effect of X-rays on the human body. Now I remembered from those discussions that the effect of X-rays on the sexual organs is only of slight importance and not lasting. Moreover, I knew that one of my associates was personally acquainted with an X-ray specialist and he told me that this specialist was conducting experiments on the effects of X-rays on the fertility of animals. However, there seemed to be no result.

Q. Mr. President, I present an affidavit of 25 February 1947, by Dr. Martin Zeller, a specialist, born 3 December 1880, living in Munich, signed by him on this same date and certified by myself. (_Brack 26, Brack Ex. 31._) This affidavit contributes to the understanding of this matter now under discussion and I quote:

“I remember distinctly that 10 to 15 years ago I spoke to Viktor
Brack about X-ray injuries. Brack was worried that he might
develop an X-ray injury; at that time his knee had been X-rayed.
When some time afterwards he had rough hands he thought that
might be an X-ray burn. I explained to him that no injuries
could result from our X-ray examinations since the quantities of
radiation used for diagnosis were small and besides, the more
distant parts of the body (that is, in the case of a picture of
the knee being taken, the hands and genitals) were not in the
danger zone under modern technical conditions.

“I also made the remark that even an intentional sterilization
by X-ray treatment would, especially in the case of young
persons, be difficult to achieve and even then only with a
strong dose of prolonged radiation.”

And then in paragraph 2 the witness continues:

“It is quite possible that Brack in this way developed the views
he brought forward, i. e., that the effect of X-rays upon the
sexual organs is negligible, and that the danger of
sterilization does not exist at all. The layman will not
differentiate between X-ray diagnostics and X-ray therapy.”

A. I took this associate into my confidence and told him of my intention to deceive Himmler, if only to gain time. We agreed to deceive Himmler by giving him a certificate that seemed to say that sterilization by X-ray methods was possible and we would thus get him to pursue a false path. Just what was said in this certificate I do not know any longer. At any rate there were no positive results in it so that we couldn’t put it to Himmler in this form.

DR. FROESCHMANN: Mr. President, let me remark in this connection, that after great efforts I have succeeded in finding the man who drew up this certificate of which the witness has just been speaking. I have found out his name and address. He lives in the Russian zone and for that reason it was not possible for me to get a copy of that certificate that he drew up at that time. However, I have contacted this doctor and he has declared his readiness to come to Nuernberg and to give me an affidavit, because as he said it, it would be a matter of course that he should help an innocent man if his testimony could do so. He does remember having given this certificate to Brack or to his associates and I ask permission to reserve the right to put this affidavit in evidence as soon as I have it, and when perhaps the doctor has had a chance to speak to the defendant.

PRESIDING JUDGE BEALS: Counsel for defendant Brack may offer the affidavit as soon as it is received so long as it complies with the evidence in the case.

DR. FROESCHMANN: Thank you, your Honor. Witness, please continue.

DEFENDANT BRACK: Naturally, this factor of uncertainty had to be taken into consideration.

Q. What exactly are you speaking of?

A. I am talking about the report we received.

Q. You mean the man who drew up the certificate, the expert?

A. Yes.

PRESIDING JUDGE BEALS: Now, counsel, I don’t want you to misunderstand me. I said counsel may offer the affidavit; that means it is offered subject to any objection raised by the prosecution as to the form of the affidavit or its relevancy. Yesterday, the affidavits from Brazil were possibly offered by you because the Tribunal had said that they might be offered. The right to offer simply means offered, subject to objection, and that is not equivalent to saying that the affidavit will be received in evidence but it may be offered. That is the sense in which I have used the word “offer” towards this affidavit.

DR. FROESCHMANN: Yes, your Honor, I understood the President and I shall only submit an affidavit which is in compliance with the regulation of this Tribunal. Would you please continue, Witness?

DEFENDANT BRACK: My collaborator changed the contents of this certificate in such a manner that sterilization becomes apparent as something possible from a medical point of view. That is exactly what is contained in my affidavit. Thus, this letter dated 28 March 1941, originated with Document NO-203, Prosecution Exhibit 161.

Q. Mr. President, let us reconstruct this letter quite shortly. I shall quote. It is addressed by Brack to Himmler, marked “Top Secret.”

“Dear Reich Leader:

“Enclosed I send to you for your information the report of the
examination regarding the possibility of an X-ray sterilization
or castration. I ask you to tell me whether anything can be done
in the matter either theoretically or practically.”

That is the covering letter. This covering letter, Witness, in connection with the report which is attached was considered by the prosecution as being a serious suggestion for sterilization and the prosecution in that connection has stated that this needed no comment. What is your attitude toward it?