Field Post Office No 32704 B Nr 40/42
Kiev, 16 May 1942
TOP SECRET
To: SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer Rauff
Berlin, Prinz-Albrecht-Str. 8
[Handwritten :]
pers.
R/29/5 Pradel n.R b/R
[Handwritten:] Sinkkel [?] b.R, p 16/6
The overhauling of vans by groups D and C is finished. While the vans of the first series can also be put into action if the weather is not too bad, the vans of the second series (Saurer) stop completely in rainy weather. If it has rained for instance for only one half hour, the van cannot be used because it simply skids away. It can only be used in absolutely dry weather. It is only a question now whether the van can only be used standing at the place of execution. First the van has to be brought to that place, which is possible only in good weather. The place of execution is usually 10-15 km away from the highways and is difficult to access because* of its location; in damp or wet weather it is not accessible at all. If the persons to be executed are driven or led to that place, then they realize immediately what is going on and get restless, which is to be avoided as far as possible. There is only one way left; to load them at the collecting point and to drive them to the spot.
I ordered the vans of group D to be camouflaged as house-trailers by putting one set of window shutters on each side of the small van and two on each side of the larger vans, such as one often sees on farm-houses in the country. The vans became so well-known, that not only the authorities, but also the civilian population called the van "death van", as soon as one of these vehicles appeared. It is my opinion, the van cannot be kept secret for any length of time, not even camouflaged.
The Saurer-van which I transported from Simferopol to Taganrog suffered damage to the brakes on the way. The Security Command [SK] in Mariupol found the cuff of the combined oil-air brake broken at several points. By persuading and bribing the H.K.P. [?] we managed to have a form machined, on which the cuffs were cast. When I came to Stalino and Gor-lowka a few days later, the drivers of the vans complained about the same faults. After having talked to the commandants of those commands I went once more to Mariupol to have some more cuffs made for those cars too. As agreed two cuffs will be made
418
50I-PS
for each car, six cuffs will stay in Mariupol as replacements for group D and six cuffs will be sent to SS-Untersturmfuehrer Ernst in Kiev for the cars of group C. The cuffs for the groups B and A could be made available from Berlin, because transport from Mariupol to the north would be too complicated and would take too long. Smaller damages on the cars will be repaired by experts of the commands, that is of the groups in their own shops.
Because of the rough terrain and the indescribable road and highway conditions the caulkings and rivets loosen in the course of time. I was asked if in such cases the vans should be brought to Berlin for repair. Transportation to Berlin would be much too expensive and would demand too much fuel. In order to save those expenses I ordered them to have smaller leaks soldered and if that should no longer be possible, to notify Berlin immediately by radio, that Pol. Nr_____ is out of order. Besides that
I ordered that during application of gas all the men were to be kept as far away from the vans as possible, so they should not suffer damage to their health by the gas which eventually would escape. I should like to take this opportunity to bring the following to your attention: several commands have had the unloading after the application of gas done by their own men. I brought to the attention of the commanders of those S.K. concerned the immense psychological injuries and damages to their health which that work can have for those men, even if not immediately, at least later on. The men complained to me about head-aches which appeared after each unloading. Nevertheless they don't want to change the orders, because they are afraid prisoners called for that work, could use an opportune moment to flee. To protect the men from these damages, I request orders be issued accordingly.
The application of gas usually is not undertaken correctly. In order to come to an end as fast as possible, the driver presses the accelerator to the fullest extent. By doing that the persons to be executed suffer death from suffocation and not death by dozing off as was planned. My directions now have proved that by correct adjustment of the levers death comes faster and the prisoners fall asleep peacefully. Distorted faces and excretions, such as could be seen before, are no longer noticed. .
Today I shall continue my journey to group B, where I can be reached with further news.
Signed: Dr. Becker SS Untersturmfuehrer
419
50I—PS
Reichs Security Main Office
Message Center
1900, 15 June 1942 Riga E 2
Message No 152452
[Handwritten:]
II D 3a Maj Pradel R 16/6 Wiederhausen
Riga 7082—15-6-42—1855—BE
To Reichs Security Main Office—Roem. 2D3A—Berlin
TOP SECRET
Subject: S-Vans
A transport of Jews, which has to be treated in a special way, arrives weekly at the office of the commandant of the Security Police and the Security Service of White Ruthenia.
The three S-vans, which are there, are not sufficient for that purpose. I request assignment of another S-van (5-tons). At the same time I request the shipment of 20 gas-hoses for the three S-vans on hand (2 Daimond, 1 Saurer), since the ones on hand are leaky already.
The commandant of the Security Police and
the Security Service
"Ostland"
Roem IT—126/42 GRS
Stamp: Signed: Truehe, SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer
No 240/42 II D 3a 16 June 42 Procedure: [handwritten]
1. When can we count on having another S-van ready?
2. Are gas-hoses on hand, ordered or when to be delivered?
3. Request answer.
R 16/6
Reichs Security Main Office
II D 3a B Nr 240/42 Berlin, 22 June 1945
TOP SECRET
Stamped:
Message Nr 107903 Sent by message center 2016, 22 June 42
1. FS [?]
To the Commandant of the Security Police and
Security Service Ostland
Riga
420
50I-PS
501-PS
Subject: S-Van
The delivery of a 5-ton Saurer can be expected in the middle of next month. The vehicle has been at the Reichs Security Main Office for repairs and minor alterations up to this time. 100 meters of hose will be supplied.
By order of
[signature as in heading]
2. Dissemination at once by II D 3a (9)
By direction
Rauff
Handwritten note:
Berlin, 13 July 1942
II D 3a (9)
Nr I.Z. Widderhausen [?] for further action and attention to the note of 13 July 1942 on back page of telegram from Belgrad. For the reasons mentioned 5 sections of hose, each of 10 meters, can be supplied me.
By direction '
[signature illegible]
Stamps: 1003 9
Reichs Security Main Office Jun 1942
II D 3a No 964/42 10 June 1942
handwritten:
After return immediate repair
R 10/6
Notify about repair
ND. Nr 144702
Belgrad No. 3116 9.6.42 0950—SOM
To: Reichs Security Office, Amt Roem 2 D 3 KL. A—Z. HD. V.
Major Pradel—Berlin.
Subject: Special-van-Saurer Preceding messages: None
The Drivers SS-Scharfuehrer Goetz and Meyer have fulfilled their special mission and could be ordered back with the van mentioned above. In consequence of a broken rear-axle-half, transportation cannot be made by car.
Therefore I have ordered the vehicle loaded and shipped back to Berlin by railroad.
421
501-PS
Estimated arrival between 11th and 12th June 1942. The drivers Goetz and Meyer will escort the vehicle.
The commandant of Security Police and Security Service Belgrad—Roem I—BNR 3985/42.
Signed: Dr. Schaefer, SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer
[Handwritten note back page]
II D 3a (2)
T.O.S. a Dr. SUKKEL
Berlin, 11 June 1942
For further action and immediate start of repairs. I request to be informed about arrival of vans.
By direction:
signed: Just Berlin, 16 June 1942.
II D 3a (9)
Note
The vehicle arrived 16 June 1942 about 1300 h. After thorough cleaning the repairs will start immediately.
By direction
signed: [?]
Berlin, 13 July 1942.
II D 3a 9
1. Note: The S-truck Pol 71463 is ready.
2. Sent to the motor-pool management T. F. Niederhausen for its information and further action.
By direction
signed: [?]