It consisted of two parts, one of which was used for slow ascensions and descensions and could accomodate as many as twelve people at a time, while the other was used for explosive decompression and could accomodate only one or two people. This low pressure chamber was set up in one of the blocks at the Concentration Camp and the experiments were conducted on Concentration Camp inmates. The experiments actually started around the first part of March and the initial experiments were conducted on twelve prisoners. When prisoners were requested, we asked that they be in a physical condition which compared with members of the Luftwaffe. The experimental subjects were tested in either the large or small part of the chamber, usually one at a time, and their reactions to high altitudes were checked with an electrocardiograph. Four series of experiments were conducted:
a. Slow descent without oxygen.
b. Slow descent with oxygen.
c. Falling without oxygen.
d. Falling with oxygen.
The latter two tests were designed to simulate a free fall from an airplane before the parachute opens. Several tests were from time to time conducted on the same experimental subject.
"5. The experiments lasted until approximately the end of May. During this time I was living at Dachau and, with the exception of several trips to Berlin, I was in Dachau for the whole course of the experiments. On my trips to Berlin I reported to Dr. Ruff as to the progress of the experiments. I remember that Dr. Ruff visited Dachau on at least two occasions when he observed the experiments. Dr. Ruff and I worked at the experimental station at Dachau as representatives of the German Experimental Institute for Aviation (DVL)".
"6. I witnessed the death of three of Dr. Rascher's human experimental subjects during the experiments. The first death occurred in the latter part of April. On this particular occasion I was studying the electrocardiograph of the human experimental subject then being tested. After the death of this human experimental subject, I raised objections to Rascher and also informed Ruff concerning the matter. Hereafter two other deaths occurred on different days in May I also reported these to Dr. Ruff. I know that other experimental subjects were killed while I was not present, and would estimate that they totalled between five and ten.
"7. After a human experimental subject died as a result of the low pressure experiments, an autopsy was performed. The purpose of this was to determine the exact cause of death. Once to my knowledge the autopsy was performed under water in order to observe the air bubbles which might have formed in various parts of the human experimental subjects body. I have been shown pictures (numbered 1, 2, and 3), which show an open section of the brain of the body and also a dissected portion of the breast. Autopsies of this character were performed in Dachau on experimental subjects who died during the low pressure experiments; and I assume that these pictures are photographs made of such subjects. I know that photographs were made of the autopsies at Dachau.
"8. I have been shown a series of other pictures which show persons undergoing experiments in a low pressure chamber. Of these I recognize the pictures numbered 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, and 4 as being photographs made during the course of the low pressure experiments conducted in Dachau. I suppose that the other pictures numbered 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and so on consecutively through 37, and 45 were also made at Dachau, although I do not know. I do not know of any low pressure experiments on concentration camp inmates other than those made at Dachau. After the low pressure experiments were completed, Dr. Rascher and I made a report which was approved by Duff and signed by the three of us. This was circulated to all interested offices in the Luftwaffe. In my opinion, Dr. Anthony of the Medical Service of the Luftwaffe must also have received a copy of this report. I do not remember if Becker-Freyseng was with the Medical Inspectorate at that time; but if he was, he certainly knew that these experiments were being conducted. Wolfram Sievers of the "ahnenerbe" Society of the SS was also familiar with these experiments and was in Dachau several times when they were being conducted.
I myself saw him there once at the experiments tation. Milch and Hippke were also quite familiar with these experiments. Dr. Oskar Schroeder was the second highest ranking medical officer in the Luftwaffe in 1942; and he also probably knew of these experiments, although I never personally talked to him about them.
"10. No one in the Luftwaffe ever made any objection concerning these experiments. Dr. Weltz certainly never expressed any moral scruples against these high altitude tests since it was he who originally asked Dr. Ruff and me to assist Dr. **scher. (Signed) Dr. Romberg."
I have no comment to make on this affidavit except with respect to the position of the defendant Becker-Freyseng at this time; and I will remind the Court that the affidavit of Becker-Freyseng submitted this morning shows that he was as early as autumn of 1941 a subordinate of Dr. Anthony in the Department for Aviation Medicine in the Medical Inspectorate of the Luftwaffe.
I would also point out that experiments of this type, namely, the study of extreme high altitudes on the human body, is a subject which fits in with the work being done by the Department for Aviation Medicine. It is a problem of aviation medicine.
If your Honorsplease, I would now like to introduce a series of pictures which are included in Document NO-610; and we offer themes Prosecution Exhibit 41. These are the pictures among which the defendant Romberg has definitely identified picture numbered 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, and 4. These appear, your Honor, on Page 8 of your document book, Pages 8, 9, 10, and 11; and you can see in these pictures, not only these hour but in the others, the electrocardiograph attachments on the wrist of the experimental subject who is, in the case of Picture 1-A, suspended by a parachute *arness from the roof of the low pressure chamber.
Now, it so happens that these pictures were taken from a continuous strip of **lm which was found among the personal possessions of Dr. Rascher; and we submit that the identity of Pictures 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, and 4 conclusively show that all of the pictures included, as Document NO-610 are in effect pictures taken during the course of the high altitude experiments conducted at Dachau and charged in the in Indictment.
I will not take up the time of the Tribunal in going over each of these thirtyeight or more pictures. I would like, however, to call your particular attention to the very ghastly pictures on pages 5, 6, and 7 of your document book; and these pictures were identified in Paragraph 7 of Romberg's affidavit, in which he states that he knows that autopsies were performed in Dachau; that he had seen these three pictures; and that he knows that autopsies of this character were performed at Dachau on subjects who died during the course of the experiments there.
We will come at a later point in the trial, either this afternoon or early tomorrow morning, a report made by Dr. Rascher, in which the Court will be very easily enable to relate these pictures showing the autopsy on the body to the experiments conducted in Dachau.
DR. SIEGFRIED WILLE: Dr. Wille, counsellor for the defendant Weltz. I should like further like to ask the representative of the prosecution how he can prove the authenticity of these pictures. It cannot be seen from the documents who it actually as that took these photographs; and I should like to ask him to clarify how these photographs were taken and who took them.
THE PRESIDENT: You are proceeding too fast.
DR. WILLE: Should I repeat it? I should like to repeat, from the document it cannot be seen who it was that took these pictures. We cannot recognize the authenticity of these pictures; and we demand an explanation; and I therefore ask the representative of the prosecution to tell us how he came to possess these pictures and who took them.
MR. MCHANEY: Would you like to hear from the prosecution now?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
MR. MCHANEY: There are two questions involved in this objection; firstly, as to the admissibility of the documents themselves. These pictures, as I stated, have been printed from a strip of film which was captured by the Allied Army. I am advise and believe that it was taken with a number of other personal possessions of the now deceased Dr. Rascher. This film now resides in the document room here at Nurnberg and was received in the official course of business and has been daily certified as **hentic by the affidavit of Mr. Niebergall and by the certificate which is attached to the exhibit which I have just now put in, which is Exhibit 41.
THE PRESIDENT: Where is that certificate, Mr. McHaney? I don't find it in this book.
MR. MCHANEY: Exhibit 41. If your Honor please, if I may be permitted to continue my observations, the first question is whether this is an authentic document. I submit that its been authenticated in the same manner that any other captured. German document is in this case, namely, by the affidavit of Major Googan, by the affidavit of Mr. Neibergall and by the affidavit which is attached to these pictures and the second question is what materiality these pictures have to this case. To prove that we have submitted these pictures to the defendant Romberg and he has identified very definitely, as stated in his affidavit, pictures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4 which are contained in a continuous strip of film. I submit, therefore, that our identification of these pictures as being some of a series taken at Dachau is perfectly sound and good.
DR. WILLE: My reply to that: I have not read that these photographs have been taken from a series of films. I am being confirmed by my collegue. I have come to the results that the statement regarding the authenticity of these document cannot be applied to the film and I should, therefore, like to ask the prosecution to prove that we are really concerned with photographs dealing with the experiments of Ruff, Romberg and Rascher in Dachau.
THE PRESIDENT: The objection interposed by counsel will be overruled and the exhibit admitted.
MR. MCHANEY: I come down to the affidavit of the defendant Ruff, who was, in fact, the superior of Romberg for the purposes of these experiments and a scientist of considerable reputation in the field of aviation medicine. The affidavit is Document No. 437 and will be Prosecution Exhibit 42. The affidavit reads as follows:
"I, Siegfried Ruff, being duly sworn, depose and state:
1. "I was born in Frimershein/Niederrhein, Germany, on February 19, 1907. I studied medicine at Bonn and Berlin Universities and was a doctor in the University hospital at Bonn until January 1943, when I joined the staff of the German Experimental Institute for Aviation, hereinafter called DVL at Berlin-Adlershof. It was my job to establish a Department for Aviation Medicine in the DVL, which I id. I was with the DVL until the end of the war. I was an officer in the reserve of the Luftwaffe until the end of the war, and attained the rank of Assistant Physician (lieutenant). I joined the NSDAP in 1938.
2. "Late in 1941, I believe December, Dr. G. A. Weltz of the Institute for Aviation Medicine at Munich told me that Dr. Sigmund Rascher was to make certain low-pressure experiments at the Dachau Concentration Camp. It was considered desirable to have experts in this field assist in the experiments and for that reason Weltz had contacted me. I took the matter up with Dr. Hippke, Chief of the Luftwaffe Inspectorate and he agreed that Dr. Romberg of my staff should collaborate with Rascher in these experiments.
3. "Early in 1942, about January or February, a conference was held in Dachau in which Dr. Weltz, Dr. Rascher, Dr. Romberg, two officers who were apparently of the concentration camp staff, and I took part. We discussed the arrangements for conducting the experiments. It was understood that concentration camp inmates who had been condemned to death would be used in the experiments and that as a compensation they were to have their sentence commuted to life imprisonment.
4. "In due course, a movable low-pressure chamber was taken from the DVL in Berlin to Munich. It was taken to Munich instead of directly to Dachau so that the driver would not learn of its final destination. I believe that the keys of the truck were turned over to Weltz and he handed them over to the SS men who drove the chamber on to Dachau.
"5. The experiments were actually conducted in Dachau during the spring or summer of 1942. They lasted from 2 to 3 months. Dr. Romberg stayed the whole time in Dachau with the exception of a few short trips to Berlin to report to me. I visited Dachau once while the experiments were conducted there.
"6. Dr. Weltz was informed about these experiments as were a number of doctors in the Medical Service of the Luftwaffe. A motion picture of the experiments was shown in the Reich Ministry of Aviation. Dr. Weltz certainly never told me that he considered the experiments immoral or criminal or that his superiors thought so. After all, he came to me with the offer that Romberg and I, as experts in lowpressure research, participate in the experiments with Rascher, since he was not considered an expert. Personally, I would not consider these experiments as immoral specially in War Time." Signed "Siegfried Ruff."
MR. MCHANEY: Now, if your Honor, please, there is an amendment to the affidavit of Siegfreid Ruff carrying the same document number, NO-437 and it also has been admitted along with the affidavit I have just read as Prosecution Exhibit 42 and I would now like to read this very short amendment which Dr. Ruff has added as a supplement to his affidavit of 18 October 1946:
"Postscript Paragraph. Those condemned to long years of prison were said to get a reduction of punishment or dispensation of punishment. Names for the experiments should be entered voluntarily. The above completion is done in my own handwriting. Nurnberg, 25 October 1946."
MR. MCHANEY: As the proof in this case proceeds and indeed upon the state of the proof as it now exists, I think it is perhaps a bit strange that the defendant *uff should state positively in his statement that he did not consider these experiments immoral especially in war time.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. McHaney, are these two exhibits attached together.
MR. MCHANEY: Yes, sir. That's on page 49, your Honor. I come now to an affidavit signed by the defendant Rudolf Brandt, who as the Court will recall, was adjutant to the Reichsfuehrer SS Himmler and who had a very remarkable opportunity to participate in and gain some information about the matters about which we are here concerned. This affidavit is Document NO. 191 and we offer it as Prosecution Exhibit 43 and it is on Page 50 of the English Document Book.
"I, Rudolf Emil Hermann Brandt, being duly sworn depose and state:"
THE PRESIDENT: How long will this affidavit that you are about to read take?
MR. MCHANEY: Well, your Honor, it will probably take five or ten minutes. It is about three pages long.
MR. PRESIDENT: Proceed.
"1. I was born on 2 June 1909 at Frankfurt/Oder, Germany, and was educated for the law in university in Berlin and Jena. I joined the Nazi Party in 1932 and my party number is 1,331,546. In October 1933 I became a member of the SS with the number 129,771. On November 9, 1935, I was commissioned an Untersturmfuehrer Second Lieutenant) and ultimately rose to the rank of Standartenfuehrer (Colonel). In 1936 or 1937 I became an Adjutant to Heinrich Himmler, Reichsfuehrer of the SS. This position was of an administrative nature as personal assistant to Himmler.
"2. By reason of my position ad Adjutant to Himmler, I was able to obtain considerable knowledge of the details of many activities in which Himmler and various personalities participated. This knowledge came through discussions with Himmler and other persons concerned and through conferences, correspondence and the like. I **ad and answered a great deal of correspondence addressed to Himmler, and on my own initiative I handled various administrative details pertaining to welfare cases, for which the Reichsfuehrer-SS had set down fundamental regulations.
"3. Because of my position and experience outlined above I also gained an in**ight into medical experimentation on human beings and I am able to make this statement on that subject.
The Low Pressure Experiments "4. I first heard of the plan to experiment on human beings in May 1941.
The idea originated with Dr. Sigmund Rascher, Stabsarzt der Luftwaffe and later *auptsurmfuehrer SS. At that time Rascher was attending a course in aviation medicine at the Luftgaukommando VII in Munich. He wrote Himmler suggesting that concentration **mp inmates be placed at his disposal for experimentation to determine the effects extreme height on the human body. Volunteers could not be expected as the experimental subjects might die. Rascher stated further that the examination center for **fects of altitude, of which Dr. G. A. Weltz was the director, would be prepared to **rry out such experiments.
"5. Himmler had me answer this letter from Rascher, informing him that prisoners would be made available for the research. Later on, in July, 1941, Himmler authorize **. Weltz, Dr. Rascher and Dr. Kottenhoff to carry on the low pressure experiments **n the Dachau Concentration Camp.
"6. The experiments did not get under way until about March 1912. In the meantime, the necessary technical arrangements were handled by Dr. Weltz. Dr. Kottenhoff as transferred to Rumania, but the experimental team was strengthened by Dr. Ruff, director of the Luftfahrtforschungsaustalt Berlin Adlershof, and his assistant, Dr. Romberg. These men, together with Weltz and Rascher, held a conference in Dachau in which technical arrangements were made with the Commandant of Dachau Concentration camp Piorkowski, and the Munich adjutant to the Reichsfuehrer-SS, Schnitzler. *r. Weltz agreed to supply the necessary orders for Dr. Rascher as far as the Luftaffe was concerned.
"7. Instructions were given by the Reichsfuehrer SS that Rascher should personally take part in all experimentation on human beings at Dachau. Thus, in March 1942, I wrote to Sievers that the experiments had been approved so long as Rascher participated. This was essentially an experiment by the Luftwaffe and Rancher was the only SS doctor of the group. This was done at the request of Mrs. Rascher who *elt that other members, particularly Dr. Weltz, wanted to retain all control and re sponsibility for the experiments and to put Rascher aside. She wanted Rascher attached to the Luftfahrtforschungsanstalt Berlin-Adlershof, in order to make it impossible for Weltz to transfer him elsewhere. Generalstabsarzt Professor Dr. Hippke was requested by Himmler's office to transfer Rascher, and he extended the orders attaching Rascher to Weltz's organization in Munich "8. Rascher sent a preliminary report to Himmler in April 1942 on the progress of the experiments.
The report stated that the experiments were conducted to find out how long human beings are able to live if exposed to conditions existing at great heights (lack of oxygen, low pressure). Many of the experiments ended in the death of the person experimented upon, Rascher noted in a cover letter that Sievers had seen some of the experiments.
"9. Himmler, after reading the report, requested Rascher to continue the experi ments on additional people sentenced to death. If the subject experimented upon live through the test, his sentence was to be commuted to life imprisonment. Himmler also requested Rascher to invite Dr. Fahrenkamp to his experiments. In the meantime Siev** had reported to Himmler about his visit to Dachau and his knowledge of an participation in the low pressure experiments. For volunteers the term of imprisonment should be reduced.
"10. Later on Rascher inquired whether Poles and the Russians who survived the experiments were also to have their death sentences commuted. I replied to **ersturmfuehrer Schnitzler, by order of the Reichsfuehrer-SS, that Poles and Russians were not to have their death sentences commuted.
"11. There is no doubt that numerous mishaps occurred during the course of these experiments. I remember that Mrs. Rascher wrote to me asking for permission to take **lor photographs of recently dissected subjects; permission for this was granted.
"12. Generalfeldmarshall E. Milch" -- that should read, Your Honor - "and professor Hipke, the 'Inspecteur des Sanitaetswesens der Luftwaffe' had full knowledge of the low-pressure experiments. Indeed, the experiments could not have been conducted without the knowledge and consent of these men because they were conducted for the benefit of the Luftwaffe and the experimenters were for the most part Luftwaffe doctors. Rascher was also a member of the SS and it was for this reason that Himmler insisted on full participation by Rascher in the experiments - he wanted the SS to receive credit for this work. Karl Wolff acted as liaison between Himmler and Milch in connection with low-pressure experiments and also the freezing experiment remember the correspondence between Milch and Himmler in which Milch admitted **ding the reports of Rascher and Romberg. Motion pictures of the experiments were *own to the Air Ministry (RLW). I also know that Himmler wrote Wilch in an effort obtain Rascher's release from the Luftwaffe so that he would be subordinate only to the SS. This was finally accomplished through Hippke's office."
(Signed) Rudolph Brandt.
THE PRESIDENT: We will recess until tomorrow morning.
THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal will recess until nine-thirty tomorrow morning.
(The Tribunal adjourned until 11 December 1946 at 0930 hours)
Official Transcript of the American Military Tribunal in the matter of the United States of America, against Karl Brandt, et al, defendants, sitting at Nurnberg, Germany, on 11 December 1946, 0930-1630, Justice Beals, presiding.
THE MARSHAL: The Honorable Judges of Military Tribunal 1. Military Tribunal 1 is now in session. God save the United States of America and this Honorable Tribunal.
THE PRESIDENT: Will you ascertain the presence of the defendants.
THE MARSHAL: May it please Your Honor, all of the defendants are present in the courtroom.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary General will note for the record the presence of the defendants in the courtroom.
The prosecution will proceed.
MR. McHANEY: If the Tribunal please, at the end of yesterday's session we had proceeded through the introduction of the affidavits of the defendant Romberg with respect to the high altitude experiments at the Dachau concentration camp in the spring and summer of 1942. We had also introduced Prosecution's Exhibit 41 which consists of some 39 pictures taken during the course of the high altitude experiments. We had also introduced the affidavit of the defendant Ruff and the defendant Rudolf Brandt. I would like at this time to offer Document No. 1602-PS as Prosecution's Exhibit 44. This is on page 53 of the English document Book. This is a letter from the deceased Doctor Reseller to Heinrich Himmler. It is dated 15 May 1941 and it reads as follows:
"Dear Reichsfuehrer:
My sincere thanks for your cordial wishes and flowers on the birth of my second son. This time, too, it is a strong boy, though he has come 3 weeks too early. I will permit myself to send you a picture of both children at an opportune moment.
For the time being I have been assigned to the Luftgaukommando VII, Munich, for a medical course. During this course, where researches on high-altitude flights play a prominent part (determined by the somewhat higher coiling of the Enclish fighter planes), considerable regret was expressed at the fact that no tests with human material had yet been possible for us, as such experiments are very dangerous and nobody volunteers for them. I put, therefore, the serious question: can you make available two or three professional criminals for these experiments? The experiments are made at permanent Luftwaffe Testing Station for altitude Research (Bodenstaendigo Pruefstelle fuer Hoehenforschung der Luftwaffe) Munich. The experiments, from which the subjects can, of course, die, would take place with my cooperation. They are essential for researches on high-altitude flight and cannot be carried out, as has been tried, with monkeys, who offer entirely different test-conditions. I have had a very confidential talk with a representative of the Air Forces Surgeon who makes these experiments. He is also of the opinion that the question could only be solved by experiments on human persons (Feeble-minded could also be used as test material).
I hope sincerely, highly esteemed Reichsfuehrer that, in spite of the immense burden of work you carry, you are in the best of health.
With my heartiest wishes, I am with Heil Hitler your gratefully devoted Sigmund Rascher."
Now, what, Your Honor, is the particular significance of this exhibit aside from the fact that it indicates to us the origin of the idea for human experimentation in a low pressure chamber. There are two things I would like to call to your particular attention, and in doing so I refer back to the affidavit which we submitted signed by the defendant Weltz which is Prosecution's Exhibit 17.
You will recall that in the letter I have just read to you Sigmund Rascher stated that the experiments are made at Permanent Luftwaffe Testing Station for Altitude Research. The German words for that, to the best of my ability of pronunciation, are Bodenstaendige Pruefstelle fuer Hoehenferschung der Luftwaffe. In the affidavit signed by the defendant Weltz, he states that in the course of the war "I rose to the rank of Oberfeldarzt. During this time I also operated a Pilots Physical Examination Office at Neubiberg and worked at the permanent Examination Board No. 4, Bodenstaendige Pruefstelle IV, in Munich." In short, Your Honor, the defendant Weltz was at the same Luftwaffe installation in Munich on 15 May 1941 that the deceased Dr. Rascher was at the time he wrote this letter and made the suggestion that high altitude experiments be carried out on living human beings.
I also call your attention to the fact that Doctor Rascher in this very interesting letter says, and I quote: "I have had a very confidential talk with a representative of the Air Forces Surgeon who makes these experiments," and I suggest to the Tribunal that man was the defendant Weltz.
I proceed now to Document No. 1582-PS, which will be Prosecution's Exhibit 45, and is a letter from the defendant Rudolf Brandt to Sigmund Rascher in reply to the letter directed by Rascher to Himmler which I have just read. The letter is undated and reads: "Dear Dr. Rascher: Shortly before flying to Oslo, the Reichsfuehrer SS gave me your letter of 15 May 1941, for partial reply.
I can inform you that prisoners will of course be gladly made available for the high-flight researches. I have informed the Chief of the Security Police of this agreement of the Reichsfuehrer SS, and requested that the competent official be instructed to get in touch with you.
I want to use the opportunity to extend my cordial wishes to you on the birth of your son.
I shall refer us soon as possible to tho second part of your letter.
Heil Hitler By order (initials) R Br" And incidentally, Your Honor may be interested in looking at the photostatic copy of this German document and observing for yourself the peculiar characteristic of the initials of the defendant Rudolf Brandt because you will find that they appear on considerable number of exhibits which will be introduced here.
So we find that the wheels are partially in motion, at least the consent to come back from the defendant Rudolf Brandt that the Reichsfuehrer will permit these experiments on concentration camp inmates and Rascher is making his arrangements for the experiments with the representative of the Medical Inspectorate of the Luftwaffe at the Institute in Munich, which was the Institute of the defendant Weltz.
I come now to Document NO-217, which will be Prosecution Exhibit 46. This is another letter from Rascher to the defendant Rudolf Brandt. It is undated; however, its context would seem to indicate that it probably preceded the letter which I have just read, since it poses again the question as to whether or not permission will be given for the high altitude experiments. It reads as follows:
"My dear Doctor Brandt:
"We regretted very much that we were unable to see you and to talk to you. I will still be here tomorrow and shall call up the Reichsfuehrung, at any rate once more before my departure, perhaps I can greet you at least shortly over the telephone.
"Yesterday I gave to Hauptsturmfuehrer Meine a matter concerning Mrs. Moeller, owner of the firm Thams and Garfs. I ask you cordially to report benevolently on this matter to the Reichsfuehrer-SS, since it would be a pity if the matter should be decided negatively and the business ruined. I considered for a long time as to whether I might approach you in this matter, but after the most careful examination I can assume the responsibility for doing so.
"May I also ask that you grant soon the perhaps possible permission for carrying out the experiments (high altitude-pressure) (reported to Hauptsturmfuehrer Faelschlein) within the camp of Dachau itself. I forgot to mention to Hauptsturmfuehrer Faelschlein that a movable pressure chamber has been provided for this purpose out of the Research Fund of the RLM.
"My wife enjoyed very much meeting your wife, and we both are looking forward with pleasure to the honor of your visit in January".
This letter does not add very much except that it does indicate a rather close personal relationship to the defendant Rudolf Brandt on the part of Rascher.
And now we come to a most interesting memorandum written by the wife of the deceased Dr. Rascher, directed to Himmler's office. This is Document NO-263 and will be Prosecution Exhibit 47. It is dated, Munich, 24 February 1942. It is directed to the SS-Supreme Command, which will be the office of the Reichsfuehrer-SS in which the defendant Rudolf Brandt was an administrative officer.
"In reply to the communication of 17 February 1942, signed by SSHauptsturmfuehrer Faelschlein, my husband has asked me to submit the following information: On Sunday, 22 February, the following communication went to SSObersturmfuehrer Schmitzler on the subject of the experiments involved:
"The Reichsfuehrer-SS authorized the experiments on 24 July" -- and I may say parenthetically that may very well be the letter which we have already read into the record -- "at that time for Dr. Rascher, Dr. Kottenhoff, and Dr. Weltz. Dr. Kottenhoff was appointed Air Gau Physician for Rumania in August and thereby was excluded from the group. Dr. Weltz was to initiate the technical execution of the experiments. As he was afraid of obstacles on the part of the Air Force Medical Inspector, Generaloberstabsarzt Dr. Hippke, who described experiments of this kind as a moral, Weltz continued postponing the beginning of the experiments, although he was thoroughly acquainted with their importance. In December of 1941, he asked the Board of Directors of the Air Force Research Institute Berlin-Adloershof, if the head there, Dr. Ruff and Dr. Romberg could undertake the experiments with Dr. Rascher. Both of them immediately accepted, delivered the low-pressure chamber and came here. A discussion took place in Dachau between Obersturmfuehrer Piorkowski, Obersturmfuehrer Schnitzler, Oberstabsarzt Dr. Weltz, Dr. Rascher, Dr. Romberg and Dr. Ruff. It was clearly determined that the experiments were only to be authorized in collaboration with Dr. Rascher. Weltz gave the assurance that he would take care of the corresponding authorization of Dr. Rascher. He was only able, however, to obtain one authorization which enabled Rascher to carry out the preparatory work at Dachau, and stated in reply to a question on the subject by Dr. Rascher:
'The authorization can be extended at any time'.
"On Wednesday, 18 February, after Rascher had carried out all the preparatory work, Weltz made the following statement: 'Now that you have removed all obstacles from the path of Romberg with the SS, the authorization must be handled differently'.
"As the result thereof, Rascher conferred, with Obersturmfuehrer Schnitzler on 19.
"Experiments of Romberg-Rascher began at Dachau, a clear pronouncement by both, that Weltz was not needed any more. Romberg was also surprised that Rascher was not to be booted out in spite of his firm agreements. Obersturmfuehrer Schnitzler has for the time being stopped the continuation of the experiments without Rascher until the decision of the Reichsfuehrer has been obtained. Obersturmfuehrer Schnitzler has been asked by Rascher to obtain an immediate authorization, either from the Chief of Staff LIN 14, or Staff Medical Officer Dr. Schmidt, likewise LIN 14. If the experiments at Dachau then proceed under a definite authorization, then Rascher has the possibility at all times of carrying out his accumulating E-Mess-Experiments Schongau.
"Rascher has asked Obersturmfuehrer Schnitzler to inform the Reichsfuehrer of what has happened and simultaneously to remark that Rascher would, under all circumstances, like to participate scientifically in the experiments as a member of the 'Ahnenerbe'.
"As stated above -- this notice was received by Mr. Schnitzler -- he wished to report on it to the Reichsfuehrer. No notification has been received as yet.
"In the meantime, my husband has again gone to Schongau and awaits instructions there."
This exhibit indicates that Dr. Rascher, in collaboration with Dr. Weltz at the Air Forces Installation in Munich, conceived the idea of carrying forward these experiments on living human beings; that Rascher, being at the same time a member of the SS as well as a doctor in the Luftwaffe, made suggestions to the Reichsfuehrer-SS who could provide the living experimental subjects.
And as the memorandum states, Himmler on the part of the SS, authorized the experiments on the 24 of July to be carried out by Rascher, Kottenhoff, and Weltz. It further appears that Weltz was perhaps afraid that his superiors in the Luftwaffe might not like the idea of these experiments being carried out and consequently we had a somewhat considerable delay until the first part of 1942 before the experiments actually got under way. But it seems somehow that the defendant Weltz was able to overcome whatever resistance he had met with in the Medical Service of the Luftwaffe, and permission had been secured for the carrying out of these experiments.
I suggest that the cagey Dr. Weltz, for reasons which were undoubtedly sufficient for him, did not himself participate actively in the actual performance of the experiments, but he was the sordid procurer of the assistants to Rascher, who was no expert on high altitude research. It will appear, at a later point, that Weltz tried to secure some experts to work with Dr. Rascher in his own Institute in Munich; namely, Drs. Lutz and Wednt. These gentlemen had heard of what Dr. Rascher was up to in Dachau and refused this generous offer on the part of Dr. Weltz. And as this memorandum points out, and as the affidavit of the defendants Romberg and Ruff state, Weltz then went to Berlin and secure the expert assistance there; namely, the defendants Ruff and Romberg. He apparently got into a little trouble with Rascher, wanted to participate perhaps somewhat more actively in the experiments, and insisted that Rascher report to him.
I now move on to Doc. No. 1581aPS which will be Prosecution Exhibit 48. This is a letter, dated March 21, 1942, the time at which time the experiments had just begun and it is from Rudolf Brandt to Dear Comrade Sievers of the Ahnenerbe.
"I refer to your inquiry of March 9, 1942 concerning Dr. Rascher.
Reference is made to the sub-atmospheric pressure experiments which are being carried out on concentration camps inmates in the Dachau camp by the Air Force. The Reichsfuehrer - SS has approved these experiments under the condition that SS - 2nd Lieutenant Dr. Rascher who is anyhow a medical 1st Lieutenant of the Air Force takes part in them. I am sure that Dr. Rascher will be able to give you further details. (This last sentence is crossed out and replaced by one in German shorthand.)" To reconstruct the picture a little bit - in the memorandum from Nini Rascher you will remember that she states that Dr. Rascher would be only too happy to work in the framework of the Ahnenerbe.
A few days later we come to this letter from Rudolf Brandt back to Sievers in response to an earlier inquiry by Sievers saying, "Yes, Rascher is authorized to carry out the experiments." Apparently Sievers was interested in procuring the services of Dr. Rascher on the staff of the Ahnenerbe. The remark that the experiments had been approved under the conditions that Rascher participate in them is easily understandable. Rascher, being in a dual position of member of SS while at same time member of Luftwaffe, was authorized to participate and the Reichsfuehrer insisted on his participation because since a member of the SS they could secure a substantial amount of credit which was supposed to come forward from these experiments.
The next document is 1971-a-PS and will be Prosecution Exhibit 49. This is from Siegmund Rascher to the Highly esteemed Reichsfuehrer, and dated April 8, 1942.
"Enclosed is an interim report on the low pressure experiments so far conducted in the concentration camp of Dachau. May I ask you respectfully to treat the report as secret.
A few days ago Reich physician SS Professor Dr. Grawitz made a brief inspection of the experimentation plant. Since his time was very limited no experiments could be demonstrated to him.