Private
Strictly confidential
Dear Mr. Staatsrat:
Miss Preuss told me that you wished me to give you a short account of my various conversations with Reich Marshal Goer-ing.
On Tuesday, 4 February 1941, at 18:30 o'clock I was ordered for the first time to report to the Reich Marshal at the Quai d'Orsay. Field Commander [Feldfuehrer] von Behr from the Special Purpose Staff [Einsatzstab] Rosenberg was present at the report. It is of course difficult to describe in words the cordial tone in which the conversation was held. The Reich Marshal received us in strict privacy and asked me immediately, "What happened with Turner?" I was not prepared for this question and answered: "Councillor of State [Staatsrat] Turner
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has been recalled from his post as chief of the military administrative district [Militaerverwaltungsbezirk] Paris by General Field Marshal von Brauchitsch. Staatsrat Turner did not authorize me to say anything about the reasons. Moreover, I am not familiar with all the details, and therefore I do not want to perhaps cause far-reaching political decisions by my information. Ministerial Director [Ministerialdirigent] Dr. Medicus is in the anteroom and can give you a more detailed account."
I made this reply, first, in order to create the necessary atmosphere for the appearance of Dr. Medicus, and second, in order to gain time to think of answers to further questions. The Reich Marshal then dropped the subject for the time being and asked for the report on the present state of the seizure of Jewish art property in the occupied western territories. On this occasion he gave Mr. Von Behr the photographs of those objects of art that the Fuehrer wants to bring into his possession. In addition, he gave Mr. von Behr the photos of those objects of art that the Reich Marshal wants to acquire for himself.
I informed the Reich Marshal, as was my duty, of the session that took place at Ministerialdirektor Dr. Best's, because of the note of protest from the French Government regarding the work of the Einsatzstab Rosenberg. Reich Marshal Goering said that he would speak with the Fuehrer on this matter, but stressed that his—and only his—orders would remain in full effect and would also he carried out.
The Reich Marshal in this connection expressed his regret that you, Mr. Staatsrat, were no longer here to settle this affair— which has been complicated by the interference of the jurists in the Majestic—with a strong hand in favor of the Reich Marshal. He declared repeatedly: "Turner must return to Paris; I will see to it that Turner is reinstated."
Then Reich Marshal Goering asked for a report on the status of the matter, "Cast of the Diana of Fontainebleau." I delivered to the Reich Marshal the contract with the Wudier casting firm [Giesserfirma Wudier] for the production of the cast. The Reich Marshal was fully and entirely in accord with the contract and awaits early completion. He asked me to transmit to you, Mr. Staatsrat, his personal thanks for your efforts in this matter.
Then I laid the matter, "Glass Painting Collection [Glasge-maeldesammlung] of Reichsfreiherr vom Stein", before the Reich Marshal. The Reich Marshal is not disinclined to acquire this collection for his library in Karinhall, but considers the purchase price too high and would like to speak to the Fuehrer first.
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Then the Reich Marshal reverted to the reason for your recall and asked me as well as Mr. von Behr in a quite personal manner, what impression we had of the reasons for the recall. I thereupon very cautiously, weighing every word, told the Marshal a few things which were known to me from your utterances and from the statements of Dr. Riesel before higher officials of your staff. I stress that I formulated my answers very discreetly and thus possibly made, in contrast to the more temperamental procedure of the other gentlemen, a special impression on the Reich Marshal. The interview lasted about IV2 hours, and the Reich Marshal dismissed me with the following words: "Turner is a strong personality who cannot live without a wide field of work ; I cannot do without him here."
Then Mr. Medieus was asked to come to the Reich Marshal. What was discussed then, I do not know in detail. You have no doubt learned about it in the meantime from General Bodenschatz.
I then left the Quai d'Orsay with Mr. Medicus. Mr. Angerer and Mr. von Behr were subsequently once more at the Reich Marshal's and, among other things, again discussed your case.
On Wednesday, 5 February 1941, I was ordered to the Jue de Paume by the Reich Marshal. At 15:00 o'clock the Reich Marshal, accompanied by General Hanesse, Mr. Angerer, and Mr. Hofer, visited the exhibit of Jewish art treasures newly set up there. At the entrance of the Jue de Paume chief of the war administration division [Kriegsverwaltungsabteilungschef] Mr. Count Wolff Metternich and war administration councillor [Kriegsverwaltungsrat] Dr. von Tieschowitz reported as deputies of the military commanded in France. The Reich Marshal was visibly annoyed at the appearance of these gentlemen and stressed that in the entire matter he did not wish any interference of a new authority, that the presence of the gentlemen at the inspection was superfluous, and that he wished to settle the matter with Staatsrat Turner alone, and in his absence with me.
Then, with myself as his guide, the Reich Marshal inspected the exhibited art treasures and made a selection of those works of art which were to go to the Fuehrer and those which were to be placed in his own collection.
During this confidential conversation I again called the Reich Marshal's attention to the fact that a note of protest had been received from the French government against the activity of the Einsatzstab Rosenberg, with reference to the Hague Rules on Land Warfare [Landkriegsordnung], recognized by Germany at the armistice of Compiegne, and T pointed out that General von
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Stuelpnagel's interpretation of the manner in which the confiscated [siehergestellt] Jewish art treasures are to be treated was apparently contrary to the Reich Marshal's interpretation.
Thereupon the Reich Marshal asked for a detailed explanation and gave the following order:
1. "My orders are decisive. You will act directly according to my orders." The art objects collected in the Jue de Paume are to be loaded into a special train immediately, and taken to Germany, on orders of the Reich Marshal. Those art objects which are to go into the Fuehrer's possession and those art objects which the Reich Marshal claims for himself will be loaded into two railroad cars, which will be attached to the Reich Marshal's special train and upon his departure for Germany—at the beginning of next week—will be taken along to Berlin. Feldfuehrer von Behr will accompany the Reich Marshal in his special train on the trip to Berlin.
When I made the objection that the jurists would probably be of a different opinion and that protests would most likely be made by the military commander in France, -the Reich Marshal answered, saying verbatim as follows: "Dear Bunjes, let me worry about that; I am the highest jurist in the state."
The Reich Marshal promised to send from his headquarters by courier to the Chief of the Paris military administrative district on Thursday February 6 the written order for the transfer to Germany of the confiscated Jewish art treasures.
On this occasion the Reich Marshal again mentioned the reason for your recall from Paris, saying to me verbatim: "I know Turner very well. It is quite possible that he is at fault in some cases, but I want him to return."
My personal impression from this opinion repeatedly expressed by the Reich Marshal was that you, Mr. Staatsrat, enjoy his highest regard and that you may absolutely rely on his strong hand. His personal interest in your fight and in your recall seems to me a plus factor not to be underestimated. We have done everything to get you out of this spot in the best German manner and to make good the injustice that was done to you.
I do not know how the proceedings originated here will turn out for you in Berlin. We all hope that after this fight is-over you will be in a stronger position than before. Nay—personally and that for the moment I do not set great value on continuing to work in Paris, because since you were charged with more important tasks, only a "Rump Parliament" [Rumpfparlament] remains here in Paris, and Majestic picks the most desirable and
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most important tasks out of our department at will. If you are given new and bigger tasks in a different location and if you could use my services in accomplishing them, I would gladly join you at any time .
Heil Hitler! Respectfully yours, (signed) Mr. Bunjes