1947-01-03, #2: Doctors' Trial (late morning)

THE MARSHAL: The Tribunal is again in session.

THE PRESIDENT: In record to the question before the Tribunal the Tribunal is of the opinion that the statement signed by the defendant Rudolf Brandt, being Document NO-372, now offered in evidence as Prosecution Exhibit 252, should not, in its present form, be received in evidence as against any defendant other than Rudolf Brandt. However, if the Chief of Counsel for the Prosecution can and will file with the Tribunal a certificate disclosing that the "U.S. Civilian Walter H. Rapp", who is purported to have administered the oath to Rudolf Brandt, was authorized to do so, either as an officially designated member of the staff of the Prosecution or in some other competent official capacity, the Tribunal will admit the signed statement of Rudolf Brandt and give to it probation weight as the Tribunal feels it is entitled to have. Meanwhile, if the Prosecution is now in position to make the assertion to the Tribunal that such a certificate can and will be filed by the Office of Chief of Counsel the signed statement, Document NO-372, will now be received in evidence provisionally and a ruling as to its admissibility will be reserved until such time as such certificate is supplied.

MR. McHANEY: If the Tribunal please, we are prepared to supply the certificate which is required by the Court's ruling and, accordingly, should like at this time to have the Exhibit provisionally admitted and we will file the necessary certificate as soon as it can be prepared.

THE PRESIDENT: In view of the statement of the Prosecution the offered Exhibit will now be received in evidence subject to the statement made by the Tribunal.

The Prosecution may proceed.

MR. HARDY: This document appears on Page 1 of your Honors' document book; Document NO-372 which is offered provisionally as Exhibit 252.

I, Rudolf Emil Hermann Brandt, being duly sworn, depose and state:

1. I am the same Rudolf Brandt who has already sworn to an affidavit on the 30th August 1946, concerning the low-pressure experiments which word carried out at the Dachau concentration camp, on persons, women of whom did not volunteer, as well as certain out or affidavits concerning medical experiments which were also carried out on subjects who did not volunteer.

2. For the same reasons explained in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of my affidavit of the 30th August 1946, I am able to give this evidence concerning experiments conducted on human subjects.

Experiments with LOST (mustard) gas.

3. Towards the end of the year 1939 experiments were conducted, at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, on persons who were certainly not all volunteers, in order to ascertain the efficacy of the different treatments of wounds inflicted by Lost gas. Lost is a poison gas which produces injurious effects on the epidermis. I think it is generally known as mustard gas. Since war had broken out it was deemed necessary to determine the best treatments for injuries caused by Lost gas in case this gas might be used against the Reich. Therefore experiments were conducted on inmates of concentration camps. As far as I understood, the experiments consisted of inflicting wounds upon various parts of the bodies of the experimental subjects and infecting then thereafter with Lost. Various methods of treatment were applied in order to determine the most effective one.

4. SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. August Hirt, professor at the University of Strasbourg and collaborator in the "Ahnenerbe", had before 1942, undertaken experiments on Lost-injuries on the orders of the Wehrmacht. My attention was called to Hirt's reports in Himmler's office. In the second half of 1942 Hirt, together with Oberarzt Dr. Karl Wimmer who served in the Luftwaffe, initiated experiments or inmates of the Natzweiler concentration camp.

The inmates for those as well as for other experiments were simply chosen by Pehl's office, the Economic and Administrative Main Office (WVHA), in order to be employed for such purposes. The experiments on human subjects with Lost gas had been carried on during the years 1943 and 1944 in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp as well as in the Natzweiler concentration camp. The result was that some of the inmates died.

5. In March 1944 the Fuehrer ordered SS-Brigadefuehrer Dr. Karl Brandt, Commissioner for Health and Sanitation, to encourage medical research in connection with gas attacks. Brand sent a copy of this decree to Himmler requesting him to distribute it to the competent persons in the SS and the induce them to enter into communication with Brandt. Accordingly, since it was a question of experiments, I distributed copies of the Fuehrer decree to SS-Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz, Reichsarzt SS und Pelize to SS-Standartenfuehrer Welfran Sievers of the "Ahnenerbe" and SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Hans Juettner, Chief of the SS Operational Main Office. SS-Obergruppenfuehrer Pehl of the Economic and Administrative Main Office also received a copy of the decree of the Fuehrer.

6. Thereupon Sievers informed Dr. Brandt of the details of Hirt's investigations with Lost on human subjects, although I think it possible that Brandt, already in 1942, was, generally speaking, acquainted with Hirt's work, as Brandt in that year was appointed Commissioner for Health and Sanitation. Hirt carried on his experiments on human with subjects injuries caused by Lost gas during the year 1944. I remember that the experiments were made in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

7. Inmates who were subjected to experiments with Lost and other experiments were in many cases not of German nationality Poles and Russians as well as Gipsies and Jews were frequently employed.

It is a fact that Himmler's racial policy required the use of non-German nationals except in cases in which very serious political or criminal offenses had been committed.

8. Besides Karl Brandt and the other above-mentioned persons, Handloser and Rostock also must have keen aware of these experiments. Also Professor Kurt Blome, Deputy Reich Health Leader and Deputy Reich Leader of Physicians under Dr. Conti, must have been informed of these experiments.

/s/ Rudolf Brandt

I now request the Tribunal to turn to Page 4 of the document book.

This is Document NO-199 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 253. It is a letter from Grawitz to the Reichsfuehrer SS pertaining to these experiments with Lost and referring to a remedy called F 1001, dated 5 January 1940:

Enclosed please find the final report of the Experimental studios in the concentration camp Sachsenhausen re remedy F 1001.

/s/ Grawitz SS-Brigadefuehrer ("The Reich Physician-SS")

We turn now to the next page.

The report contained here is also part of Prosecution Exhibit 253:

22 December 1939, Oranienburg Final report: regarding the 23 cases vaccinated with L. on 13 October 1939.

70 days after the vaccination the areas of vaccination are, for the most part, healed up. Six of the cases treated still show scabs approximately the size of a ten pfennig piece. The scabs formed about a fortnight age and are fixed very firmly. Upon lifting them healthy granulation tissue can be seen beneath. In the other cases the skin over the vaccinated areas has turned bluish-red, but is not sensitive to touch. Some cases evince considerable itching and starting upon application of cold. The general condition of the subjects vaccinated is not influenced.

/s/ Dr. Sonntag SS-Untersturmfuehrer

Do now turn to Document NO-198, page 6 of Your Honors' document book, offered as Prosecution Exhibit 254.

This is another letter from Grawitz to the Reichsfuehrer SS, dated 5 January 1940:

A preliminary report from the concentration camp Sachsenhausen on the application of the Helzmann "Lost" remedy is submitted as enclosure. From this it is evident that no predominant importance is to be attached to the Helzmann remedy.

/s/ Grawitz

I read now the report, page 7:

Obg, (Ordensburg), 22 December 1939.

Preliminary report, On 8 cases of cauterization by 'Oil-O' and their treatment with remedy 'H' or 'F 1001' with infection induced in 4 of the cases.

Technique:

Both arms are cauterized in order to have a relatively wide chance of coming to a conclusion, while considering comparatively few cases. 'Oil-O' is spread upon a certain area of the skin about the size of a two mark coin with a platinum loop; for about 30 minutes this area will be dried by air and the arm then dressed with a protecting bandage. An infection is induced in the left arm on the third day in cases 1 and 4 and the fourth day in cases 7 and 8 by rubbing a miked, culture of Strepto, Staphylo, and Pneumococci into the area under the removed blisters or under the scabs that have become loosened during the change of dressings.

Treatment:

This is applied to cases 1 to 4 by treating both arms with continuous damp applications of remedy 'H', diluted as prescribed, 1.9 to 1.12; while in cases 5 to 8 the right arm is treated with 'H' diluted as prescribed and the left arm with 'F 1001.

Next is a diagram of treatment showing the various cases as treated by the two remedies, 'F 1001' and the 'H' treatment.

During the following 8 days bandages will be changed daily and thereafter each second day. Blisters and loose scabs will be removed. If unctuous films appear, they will, be brushed off with a 'Zephirol' solution.

Course of experiment:

After cauterization with 'Oil-O' drying will take place in about 20 to 30 minutes without causing any pain at all. The skin above the cauterized areas is not changed in any way nor will it not evidence any peculiarities Yd thin the next hours. After about 7 to 8 hours a reddish spot the size of the area of vaccination will appear.

With its appearance an ever increasing inflammation and itching set in. The area of the reddening will increase and fade in its center, thus causing the following situation after about 24 hours: In the center of the affected area an anaemic region can be seen which covers more than the area originally cauterized and which has at times assumed proportions of 18.7 centimeters. This will be surrounded by a hyperanaemic area of from 3 to 3 centimeters in extent. In all cases the formation of blisters can be observed after 24 hours. The blisters will always be situated quite characteristically at the edge of the anaemic region forming a wheal to the hyperanaemic region. In removing these blisters the epidermis of the anaemic region will peel off in large shreds and the greatly extended and flattened papillae will lie exposed. The contents of the blisters will be of a jellylike, mucilagenous substance. As a rule the aims will be extremely swollen and the pain is extreme. The tissues will turn to a yellowish grey color during the following days. The surfaces of the wounds will freely exude and necroses Trill form which adhere very firmly to their base. Later, little isles of granulation tissues will appear which, however, will again and again disappear. In the cases observed the first permanent granulations did not form before the end of an approximately three week period. At this time the surrounding hyperanaemia will have faded and a rather dark brown pigmentation will have appeared in its place. Now the healing process begins, starting from the edges, said the granules will become clean. "The infections induced in cases 1, 4, and 7, by a mixed culture of Strepto, Staphylo, and Pneumococci, will take somewhat different forms. Case 1 will develop symptoms of a sepsis producing high temperatures, chills, swelling of regional glands and a distention of the spleen. In cases 7, and 8, moderate temperatures will be observed. In all cases a strong influence on the general condition of the subjects results. Cocci were not to be demonstrated in the bloodstream. Smears were made after a period of 2 and 4 weeks. In all cases streptococci and staphylococci were found, in case 8 pneumococci also. There is less tendency for the infected cauterized areas to heal.

Summary:

1. Remedy 'H' does not seem to be a specific remedy for cauterizations caused by 'Oil-O.'

2. The application of remedy 'H' does not seem to have a sufficient bacteriacidal effect. From 2 cases of induced infection, one case developed septic symptoms. The healing tendency is reduced in all cases.

3. The impression is given that the cauterized areas treated with remedy 'H' extended more than those treated according to the 'F 1001' dry method.

/s/ Dr. Sonntag, SS Untersturmfuehrer

This report evidences the type of procedure used in this experiment and it can be well imagined that the inmates suffered.

I turn now to document number NO-200, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.255. This is a brief note from Rudolf Brandt to Grawitz, dated 29 February 1340, saying:

Enclosed I am transmitting a letter of the physician Dr. Fritjof Dinand, Frankfurt a/M., Gaertnerweg 16, of 23 February 1940 with the request for notice and study.

"By order of /s/ Brandt" which shows the implication of Brandt in this connection.

At the bottom there is a notation: "Concerning: Remedy 'F 1001.'" The next exhibit and the one following -- the next three exhibits, are letters which deviate from Lost at the moment but are necessary here in order to show the sequence of correspondence between the defendant Sievers and Hirt.

The first is a letter from Sievers to Hirt dated 17 January 1942 and this is in regard to research and combatting of insects having an effect on men.

Dear comrade Hirt:

For the combatting vermin-insects which have an effect on men, as as mosquitoes, horse-flies, lice, bed-bugs, fleas, etcetera, the Reich Fuehrer SS and Chief of the German Police, Heinrich Himmler, has ordered special measures to be carried out with the aim of preventing more than hitherto the spreading of the insects concerned, to exterminate them, and to prepare effective counter agents on human beings themselves.

The Reich Fuehrer SS wants all known methods of combatting vermin and these which will soon be developed by further research work to be put to use before the beginning of summer for the benefit of our soldiers in time continuation of the operations.

The extensive resources required for such a purpose are available. Any co-workers not available as yet, will be secured. In this matter I have written to all vermin-combatting and research institutes in question, but I have, with few exceptions, received unsatisfactory information. Recalling our Strassburg discussions, I therefore turn to you with the inquiry as to whether you sec any possibility of collaborating in this groat task; what I have in mind is that you put at our disposal your experiences in the field of vitamin-ingestion as a preventive measure. As is known, many people are not molested by the parasites at all, whereas others are molested badly. So perhaps there is a possibility of establishing general immunity by vaccination or by ordering certain drags to be taken by mouth.

I should be very grateful to you for an answer as soon as possible, stating whether you can collaborate yourself, or for a suggestion as to what scientists known to you could be asked for help -- they need not be vermin specialists at all, -- since the Reichsfuehrer SS has declared this assignment to be a very urgent one. With kind regards, "Heil Hitler!"Sievers "SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer."

This document, Number NO-792, is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.256, Your Honor.

The next letter is Hirt's answer this sequence of correspondence between Sievers and Hirt, which is Document Number No-792 and is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.257. This is dated 20 January 1942, addressed to "Dear Comrade Sievers."

I just received your letter of 17 January regarding research on and combatting of insects afflicting human beings, and hereby give you my opinion in this respect.

1. In principle I consider that research on and combatting of insects afflicting human beings should be made only by bacteriologists and hygienists and also the industry. I do not thing that I am the right man to achieve anything useful in this field. I recommend, however, to contact Prof. Rose (not an SS member), of the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, who as a tropical hygienist in China has many years of experience in this fields lately he Also supervised the transfer of the Wolhynia Germans to Germany.

I can also recommend SS Sturmbannfuehrer Prof. Pfannenstiel, Director of the Hygiene Institute of the Giessen University as a competent scientist

— You see, here, that obviously Hirt has complete knowledge of the reputation of Professor Rose —

2. The question of immunizing human beings against insect bites can, in my opinion, only be tackled by the manufacture of larce quantities of insecticides as a manifold moans for active and prophylactic immunization. The carrying out of the method proscribed is, decidedly, a job for the bacteriologists and hygienists. In principle, it may be possible that an active immunization of the troops can be achieved in the sense of a reduction of skin reaction to insect bites, a similar effect being known in the case of apiarists.

3. I do not believe that the introduction of the vitamin therapy into the sphere of treatment mentioned, so to speak as antiallergicum, may be successful. Practical experiments on human beings without extensive observation would have no sense, as they would not form a basis for a definite opinion.

4. The question of transmitting diseases by insects and/or parasites would have to be approached by our method of intravital microscopy. It would be a condition that in this respect arrangements would have to be made for the necessary preventive measures to be taken in the laboratory. It would also be necessary to find competent collaborators; this is a problem which cannot easily be solved within a short time.

I regret that I am not able to give you a more satisfactory answer, and thus constitute an additional failure in your search up to now. But as matters stand, I can not, in the present case, promise more than I am able to do.

With kindest regards, Heil Hitler! Yours, /s/ A. HIRT

There is an illegible stamp on the bottom, and the signature Sievers.

Now the next letter in the sequence brings in the work on Lost. This is document number NO-793, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.258. This is a letter from Sievers to Hirt dated 9 April 1942.

Dear Comrade Hirt:

At Easter I was at the Fuehrer's Headquarters to see the Reichsfuehrer-SS. We, of course, also discussed your research work. In the meantime, the Reichsfuehrer-SS had read your two essays on "Intravital Microscopy in Luminescent Light" and on "Luminescent Microscopy and its Significance for Medical Research". He was very much impressed and again charged me to tell you that he considers this research work extremely important and definitely worthy of his patronage. It is also his desire that your research work be used in the fight against insects, especially in the investigation of the effects of insect bites on the tissue.

In the meantime the Research Institute for Entomology has been approved and founded by the Reichsfuehrer SS. I would be very glad if we could have an opportunity to discuss these matters in more detail.

But, the Reichsfuehrer-SS would particularly like to get some detailed information from you on your Lose experiments. Re are sure to be in a position to put at your disposal for the furtherance of these experiments unique facilities in connection with special secret experiments, which we are at present conducting at Dachau. Could you not some day write a brief secret report for the Reichsfuehrer-SS on your lost experiments?

But, you should by no means go to Berlin for the time being, especially since the Reichsfuehrer-SS is staying permanently at the Fuehrer's headquarters. I, therefore, intend to pay you a visit at Strassburg as soon as possible. But, perhaps it would be easier for you to come to Munich, where I would have the opportunity of introducing you to the Chief of our Institute for Entomology and would be able to give you an insight into our secret experiments at Dachau. I shall be in Belzane until 23 April, on the 24th and the 25th I shall be in Munich. I would be glad to see you in Munich, in case you really feel well enough to be able to travel to Munich without danger of a relapse. In that case, please write to the "Ahnenerbe' in Berlin; that office can always contact me immediately at Bolzane. Otherwise, I plan to visit you in the beginning of May in Strassburg.

I am especially glad to be able to tell you already today that the Reichsfuehrer-SS has at my suggestion promoted you retroactively to SSObersturmfuehrer and, effective 20 April 1942, to SS-Haupsturmfuehrer. Will you please accept my most cordial congratulations. The official notice will fellow in due time.

Heil HITLER! With all good wishes and cordial greetings

/s/ SIEVERS.

The next letter is another letter from Defendant Sievers, Document No.794, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 259. It is addressed to Richard Brandt, dated 27 June 1942.

Subject: Use of mustard-gas for combatting rats.

Ref.: Your letter of 13 July 1942 -A 19/95/1942

Dear Comrade BRANDT:

On request SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. Dr. HIRT, Strassburg tells me:

Mustard-gas in a dilution of 1:100 is dangerous for men if it contacts the body in an adequate amount. Above all, mustard-gas is still dangerously effective on clothing material, as is known, even in a very great dilution, especially in connection with dampness. Mustard-gas brought upon the skin in a dilution of 11:100 still brings about a reddening: Possibly it causes little cysts without effecting necrosis. That is, the effect is much weaker than with pure mustard-gas. In spite of that, brought upon the clothes in sufficient quantities, especially in the regions of perspiration, as the armpit, or the inguinal region, it can have exactly the same effect as concentrated mustard-gas. For this, only a trace of it frequently is sufficient. This I in experienced a laboratory accident with a chemical student, who touched his armpit with one of the rabbits only for a second and thereby ensued a reddening which spread over the entire body the following day, however, without having further consequences. In my opinion, only a place which can be temporarily evacuated by human inhabitants can be used for gassing. The use of mustard-gas in the vicinity of food stores, especially wheat dumps, has to be absolutely excluded because one cannot know to what extent the rats are carrying the mustard-gas there. Only a gassing of secret recesses would be possible in the application of the respective measures for precaution. How this will work out technically, I cannot, determine of course proper experts would have to judge on that.

But, probably the case may be the same as with other poisons used for extermination of rats (Phospher-arsenic, strychnine etc.) that means every type of combat with poison has two sides. In spite of this, your idea to try the extermination of vermin by means of poison gas does not seem strange at all, but an expert on poison gas would have to determine, if there are no other means less harmful for human beings, which would kill the rats.

With kind regards, Heil Hitler! /s/ SIEVERS.

P.S. I shall talk over this matter thoroughly one of these days with Prof. HIRT, and I want to see which poison gas expert we might use for the solution of that problem.

Here, the Reich Business Manager of the Ahnenerbe Sievers is, and this is page 20 of your Honor's Document Book, Document No.097, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit 260, again writing to Richard Brandt. The dated is dated 2 June 1942:

Subject: SS-Hauptsurmfuehrer Professor Dr. A. Hirt, Strassburg.

Dear Comrade Brandt!

Enclosed herewith is a short report -- in two copies -- on the Lost experiments, which is to be submitted to the Reichsfuehrer-SS. Hirt could prepare this report from his minutes only, bee use, he had sent away already all his records for reasons of security. Professor Hirt has informed me that he hopes to be able to resume his laboratory work, at least partly, in about two weeks. I, therefore, announced my visit to him for the 16th of June, in order to discuss with him more intensive application, continuation and promotion of his research work, as desired by the ReichsfuehrerSS. With best regards, Heil Hitler! Yours, /s/ Sievers.

I read the report:

Report on the Lost experiments, conducted by order of the Wehrmacht.

The first series of experiments conducted during the short period of my absence from my field unit dealt with the treatment of Lost-injuries. Based upon the fact that the Trypaflavin -- an Acridine pigment, which I have employed for the coloring of living cells, penetrates into the nucleus, and, if adequately dosed, paralyzes the cell-proliferation, I arrived at the idea of using this pigment for the treatment of Lost-injured tissues.

My thought was: The injured cells should be charged with the pigment and this would stop the pathological symptoms of their disintegration which naturally always destroy the healthy cells. The healthy cells, simultaneously charged with the pigment, are put into a state of rest and, after having discharged the pigment, will be able to compensate the thus incurred deficiency by increased cell proliferation. Experiments on animals (pigs and rabbits) were made in order to determine the effectiveness of Trypaflavin in different concentrations and forms; as an ointment, as a solution and as damp applications. At the Berlin Academy, to which I was assigned for three weeks, experiments were conducted on two officer candidates. The result showed that the process of healing was undoubtedly speeded up by employment of damp applications. Having been assigned for a limited time only I could not finish these experiments. When stationed on the West Wall, I had a case of a laboratory accident of a pharmacist who injured his hand seriously with Lost. I treated him with damp applications and Trypaflavin in a concentration of 1:1000 and obtained not only a good healing result but also a very satisfactory cosmetic result, as I was able to convince myself one year later when I met the person in question in France. My suggestion at that time was to treat the patient, when cauterization occurs, with damp applications of a Trypaflavin solution of 1:1000 until the first granulations appear and then to change to a weaker concentration of Rivanel, which is an Acridine pigment too. Only toward the end of this treatment is it possible to continue with ointments and dressings. Also the treatment of eye injuries of rabbits showed a good result in comparison with the results of the other methods employed at that time. As I learned later, also damp applications with Rivanol were introduced.

In connection herewith, I tried to observe the effect of poison gas on the living organism. Here the examination of the living subcutaneous tis sues of rats injured by Lost showed that the injuries were located in the subcutaneous tissues and that they led to injuries of the free connective tissues, which according to previous examinations are of a particular importance as vitamin carriers.

These cells proved to be incapable of proliferation and formations of cells with 2, 3, 4, even 6 nuclei occurred, which appeared as giant cells in the subcutaneous tissues. We find cells of a similar kind in chronic infectious diseases, tuberculosis and sometime also in connection with cancer. The further continuation of the examination of the living interior organs showed the surprising phenomenon of a substance, which we were no longer able to analyzed chemically and which seen through a fluorescence microscope omitted a strong light and filled most of the cells of the liver. Especially the star shaped "Kupfer" cells (outer layer of cells in the liver vessels, capable of absorbing all kinds of substances from the circulating blood), which are essential for the liver and also for the vitamin metabolism, were charged with this luminous matter. At the same time the vitamins, which normally can be traced in the liver by means of the fluorescence microscope, had almost completely disappeared. This phenomena did not surprise us any longer since we had observed similar phenomena on livers of mice which had died of cancer or other serious infectious diseases. I explained these phenomena as a result of a poisoning of the liver, either caused by the poison itself or, which is more probable, by-products of the toxic catabolism. The thus created leading of the liver was not yet analyzed but certainly heterogeneous substance causes a blocking of the entire organ, which already previously was recognized by us as an important accumulator of vitamins. Secondarily a disturbance of the entire vitamin metabolism is created and further a deficiency of essential vitamins which are necessary for the interior respiration of the cells. Rapid disintegration results and death follows. By observing the strange resemblance between this liver phenomenon and the phenomena at other serious intoxications caused partly by bacteria, partly by cancer, we approached the conclusion that in certain cases the cause of death for all these diseases is the same and originates from the serious liver injury.

Our previous researches in connection with vitamins had shown us that particularly the vitamin A, more than the other vitamins, is accumulated in the very large quantities in the above-mentioned star-shaped "Kupfer" cells, from where they are transmitted to the cells of the liver. We consequently tried to saturate these cells by charging them with a quantity of vitamin A and thus to make an absorption of the products of toxic catabolism or virus impossible, in order to force the organism to secrete them through other excretory organs, particularly through the kidneys. Accordingly we fed rats with vitamin A and subsequently infected them with Lost (rats are very sensitive to Lost and their death can be expected with certainty within 24 to 48 hours after application of a very small quantity of Lost on their back). We had succeeded in keeping the thus treated rats alive for several weeks. The last rat of this series of experiments was still alive after one year. The examination of the organs of the animals which had died after 8 to 14 days showed that the liver had accumulated an abundant amount of vitamin A and that only an insignificant quantity of toxic products could be traced. I was not in a position to conduct the corresponding experiments on human beings because I was forced by the beginning of the offensive against France to return to my unit, from where I did not return until March 1941.

I submitted at that time a report on these experiments with the accompanying illustrations to my Generalarzt, who transmitted it to Berlin. But I never hoard anything further about this research work.

Its practical application would be to observe first in another experiment the further reaction of the liver the kidneys, the spleen, etc. of vitamin-saturated animals and then to investigate whether, after a treatment of human beings with vitamin A, which if dosed correctly, can be taken without any concomitant symptom, a certain protection against Lost can be achieved, that is, a protection against its fatal effect and further by means of timely shift of vitamins, which would occur in connection with this treatment, a change of the course of the cutaneous phenomena. Only a direct experiment would indicate to what extent this is possible.

As I did not hear anything from the military command in Berlin as to whether this experiment had been conducted, I cannot report anything about the result. For the reasons already mentioned I was not in the position to carry on these experiments. Since I forwarded at that time also the illustrations to Berlin, I can give now only a very short summary of the experiments conducted by us. /s/ Prof. Hirt.

This report indicates that they are coming on now to the experimentation on human beings in this regard, as stated by Rudolf Brandt in his affidavit in the first instance.

The next page, page 25, your Honors, in the document book is Document Number NO-196 which is offered as prosecution Exhibit Number 261. This is a letter from the Office of the Reichsfuehrer SS, obviously from the office of the Defendant Rudolf Brandt, to one of his subordinates apparently, Gottlob Berger, to the Chief of the SS Main Office, dated 24 August 1942, addressed to SS Gruppenfuehrer Berger, Berlin.

My dear Gruppenfuehrer, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. A. Hirt, Strassburg, who has played an important role in the foundation of the Institute for Military Scientific Research, would urgently need Oberarzt Dr. medical habilitation Karl Wimmer for the development of this work. Dr. Wimmer has been temporarily assigned to the Anatomic Institute of the University of Strassburg by the Luftwaffe Sanitary Training Department VII, and is, therefore in a position to assist SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Hirt in a series of experiments.

It would be important that through the aid of the Schutzstaffel this posting to the Anatomic Institute of Strassburg be maintained. If you would intervene in this matter, SS Obersturmfuehrer Dr. Brandt would be very obliged to you.

Enclosed I submit some essential personal data concerning Dr. Wimmer. Heil Hitler,

And the signature is illegible on this instrument. There is a pencilled note: "Berger has written that he cannot do this, and that he has therefore asked Grawitz to do it."

Here is a letter from Berger to the Reichsfuehrer SS in the matter, Document Number NO-197, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 262. This is dated 27 August 1942, addressed to the Reichsfuehrer SS. The subject is Dr. mod. habil. Karl Wimmer, and is in reference to the previous letter.

In consideration of the fact, that on the grounds of recently issued regulations concerning the release of physicians, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Prof. A. Hirt cannot be given any assistance in obtaining the transfer of Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen SS, the SS Medical Office had been requested, on the basis of the above mentioned letter, to intervene in this matter, so that his assignment by the Luftwaffe Medical Training Division VII continues to remain in force. /s/ , G. Burger, SS Gruppenfuehrer.

The next note on the subject is a file note of Sievers, obviously sent to Rudolf Brandt, Document Number NO-098. It will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 263, dated 3 November 1942. We note a filing stamp, at the top of the letter, "Personal Staff Reichsfuehrer SS", and a shorthand notation, "file under Sievers". The subject here is "Research order SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. August Hirt, Strassburg, at the Institute for Military Scientific Research of Ahnenerbe."

The Reichsfuerher SS ordered in his letter of 13 July 1942 -- Journal Number AR/48/7/42 -- that SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Processor Dr. Hirt carry out the research tasks assigned him, in conjunction with the concentration camp Natzweiler. It was determined at a conference, for which I drove, along with SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt, to Natzweiler on the 31 August 1942, that the hyphothesis were established at Natzweiler ** reported on this orally on 9 September 1942 and afterwards in writing on 11 September 1942 to SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks who agreed and promised has full support. In view of the urgency of these res arch tasks, I asked SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt to again go to Natzweiler because until then no report on the beginning of the work had arrived. SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt reported the following, among other things, concerning this conference which took place at Natzweiler on 19 October 1942:

The conference was due to the fact that until now nothing besides the detachment of Oberscharfuehrer Walbert had been accomplished. Nor had the installation of the laboratories been started to date. It has now been decided to start with the laboratories this week.

It was further established that the protective camp Schirmeck would erect the sheds. Its Commander fortunately is ready, as he told us at once, to place the necessary people at our disposal free of charge; while Natzweiler, would not have been in a position to do so due to the great inconvenient demands of the workers.

We were furthermore informed that the prisoners who would later be used for experiments, would have to be paid for by us during the period that experiments were being made upon them.

We are to request that the prisoners of the L-experiment receive full rations to enable the experiments to be carried out under the same conditions as the troops would be under in a possible emergency. We intend for the time being to take ton prisoners as subjects for experiments.

Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke said that he was refused the assistance of a second physician in supervising the experiments on patients, so that he probably would not have enough time to concern himself with the experiments.

The X-Ray apparatus which I could procure here, has not yet been definitely allocated by Berlin. We must get it immediately, otherwise it may happen that we lose it.

The installation of direct current causes difficulties. One however gets the impression that the building operators had not yet dealt with this problem at all. According to their opinion a transformer should be procured which is able to transform 220 volts alternating current into direct current. This is most likely quite improbable at this place.

To equip the laboratory, I would ship the needed things (freezing microtome, incubators, etc.) from the stocks of the Anatomical Institute to Natzweiler during the next week. They remain of course the property of the Anatomical Institute. The two prisoners trained in handling the microtome can then be put to work. According to Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke, both should be proficient at it.

On the basis of this report I have the impression that not too much interest in cooperative worn exists at Natzweiler. As such cooperation is ordered by the Reichsfuehrer SS and as SS-Brigadefuehrer Gluecks is willing, the whole thing is not understandable to me. I was very much surprised by the fact that the prisoners to be used for experiments should be paid for. If we use only ten prisoners for one experiment, which might under certain circumstances 1st ten months, the costs for the prisoners alone would total approximately 4000 RM.

When I think of our military research work conducted at the concentration camp Dachau, I must praise and call special attention to the generous and understanding way in which our work was furthered there and to the cooperation we were given. Payment of prisoners was never discussed. It seems as if at Natzweiler they are trying to make as much money as possible out of this matter. We are not conducting these experiments, as a matter of fact, for the sake of some fixed scientific idea but to be of practical help to the armed forces and beyond them to the German people in a possible emergency. The budget of the Institute will be met, according to the order of the Reich Loader of the SS and as already discussed by me in detail with SS Standartenfuehrer Loerner, but of the funds of the Waffen SS.

Under the supposition that the prisoners needed for experiments are in the prescribed condition as regards nourishment by this time, the experiments could start approximately on 10 November 1942.

Special treatment in Dachau was never the subject of special instructions but was understood to be necessary and issued without further ado. On the occasion of his personal inspection of the experiments at Dachau, the Reichsfuehrer SS appeared one day at Dachau to have a look at the experiments there, this is possible at Natzweiler too.

/s/ Sievers.

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

And the initials, "Si".

Mr. McHaney said earlier in the presentation of his case in chief, details of this matter set forth here clearly indicate Sievers was not the mere letter box as he will have us believe. We turn now to the next document, Document Number NO-93, which will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 264. This is a letter from Sievers to Rudolf Brandt, dated 22 April, 1943.

Subject: Dr. med. Habil. Karl Wimmer, born 24 October 1910, Staff physician of the Luftwaffe, commanded by Air Gau Physician 7, Munich, for service with the Anatomical Institute of the Strassburg University.

Co-worker at the Institute for Military Scientific Research of the Ahnenerbe Society, Department SS Hauptsturmfuehrer, Dr. Hirt, Strasburg. Re: Your letter of 10.42 Diary No. AR/48/7/42, Our letter of 25.7.42. Dear Comrade Brandt: Effective immediately, Dr. Wimmer has been transferred to the XI Air Corps, and according to information given by the Air Gau Medical Department 7 was to report today to the Oberstabsarzt Dr. Jaeger, Berlin-Tempelhof, Manfred von Richthofenstrass 6/II. As Jaeger is going to be absent until 27 April Dr. Wimmer will have to wait for a decision until that date. The transfer of Dr. Wimmer means discontinuance of the gas experiments at Natzweiler and Strasbourg, as 1) replacement cannot be supplied due to the necessary specialized knowledge, 2) the practical knowledge, gained by Dr. Wimmer through an extensive series of experiments, can only be used by him, 3) on Dr. Wimmer's leaving SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt will have to take over his lectures and as he, considering his state of health, is already more than overworked, he can no longer go on with research work. Interim report on experiment-results up to now will follow next week to be submitted to the Reichsfuehrer SS. The intensification of experiments and research, as well as the continuation of the work at all, as ordered by the Reich Fuehrer SS on the basis of our discussion on 7 April, is out if the question, if the small staff of co-workers at the disposal of Professor Dr. Hirt, especially Dr. Wimmer, is withdrawn. The problem to be solved demand constantly scientists with long years of experience and specialized knowledge. Dr. Wimmer would now be employed only as troop doctor, which is totally uneconomical considering his knowledge and abilities, as his services as troop doctor will never be of war-deciding importance, while this may well be said of his scientific activity. Obviously the Recruiting Office of the Waffen SS has, at that time, contented itself with the information of the Reich Minister for aviation and supreme Commander of the German Luftwaffe, without concluding a definite agreement. Request immediate steps for this to be remedied; the best would be to order Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen SS at least until 31.12.42 and if necessary that the Reichsarzt SS should send in his place troop doctor to the Luftwaffe for the time Dr. Wimmer is commanded to the Waffen SS. With best regards, /s/ Sievers.

This letter decidedly indicates that the experiments were underway and the loss of Wimmer caused the discontinuance thereof.

Now, turn to Document number NO-194 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 265. It is a letter from Rudolf Brandt to the SS-Medical Office, regarding Dr. Wimmer, dated 27 May 1943.

On 30 April 43 the SS-Central Office forwarded a letter of SS-Standartenfuehrer Sievers with the request to bring about the transfer of Dr. Wimmer to the Waffen-SS, in agreement with the competent Luftwaffen-Inspectorate.

In addition I am forwarding another letter today of the 'Ahnenerbe' society dated 14.5.43. I shall emphasize again that it is the SS-Reichsfuehrer's explicit wish that the transfer be performed as soon as possible, as it would be doubtful otherwise, whether the further war-important experiments of Professor Dr. Hirt, which, due to his state of health, can no longer be carried out by him alone, and could be continued.

I beg you to inform me without delay what has been done in the matter. By order, /s/ Brandt.

The next letter is a letter from Rudolf Brandt, Document NO-195, which will be Prosecution Exhibit 266, dated 9 June 1943, and is addressed to the "Personal Consultant (Referent) of the Reichsmarschall. Ministerial Councillor Dr. Goernert."

Dear Party-Member Goernert, Referring to our telephone conversation of 3.6.1943, I request your support for a very quick re-transfer of stall surgeon Dr. med. habil. Karl Wimmer who was transferred to the XI Air Corps from the Luftwaffe Medical (Sanitation) Training Department VII at the Anatomical Institute of the University of Strasbourg despite the understanding that he was to remain.

Dr. Wimmer was at the disposal of Professor Dr. Hirt for his war important gas experiments. Further details on the experiments could be given to you by SS-Standartenfuehrer Sievers, Berlin-Dahlem, Puecklerstrasse 16.

Steps are already being taken via the Medical Office to have Dr. Wimmer transferred to the Waffen-SS. I should appreciate your expediting this matter through your support.

Heil Hitler, /s/ Brandt.

The next document is Document NO-492 which will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 267. The letter is dated 20 September 1944 from, obviously, the office of Rudolf Brandt of the Personal Staff of the Entonological Institute of the Waffen-SS, in care of SS-Obersturmfuehrer Schuetrumpf. Re: Temporary employment of two female assistants of Professor Dr. Hirt, Strasbourg.

Dear Comrade Schuetrumpf: I herewith confirm the telegram which was sent to you today. Technical female assistants of Waischenfeld for the present sent again to Strasbourg to collect scientific material. Arrival at Cachau will be announced in due time. This is, however, not to be expected before 26 September 1944.

As the evacuation of the Strasbourg office is not yet concluded for the time being and permanent working material will be packed and made ready for transportation, both helpers will be employed for the time being until 3.9.1944. Heil Hitler,

-- here we have handwritten initials--

SS-Obersturmfuehrer.

The next letter which is a part of this document NO-492-PS, is a letter from Sievers, a certificate, dated 3 November 1943.

Department H,

-- department Hirt --

Strasbourg, of the institute for Military Scientific Research, by order of the Reich Minister of the Interior, Reichsfuehrer-SS Heinrich Himmler and of the Reich Minister for Aviation Supreme Commander of the Luftwaffe, President of the Reich Council for Research, Herman Goering, is carrying out research tasks of military important, for the accomplishment of which health-damaging poisons have to be used.

In the course of the researches the collaborators: Dr. Wimmer and Frl. Schmitt have now contracted injuries to their health which according to the opinion of an official doctor can only be removed through an increased supply of fat and milk. In order to prevent the loss of both assistants through further health disorders, persons which we cannot afford losing, a preventative treatment of the occurred injuries is absolutely necessary. For this a special ration of butter and unskimmed milk is necessary without cutting the rations of meat and food-stuffs which are due to them so far.

In the interest of the defense of the country no indications can be made as to the nature of work which is to be carried out by the Institute for Military Scientific Research. /s/ Sievers.

We turn now to Document NO-099 which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit Number 268. This is a report from "The Institute for Military Scientific Research, Department H of the Research and Instruction Society "Ahnenerbe", Strasbourg, Anatomical Institute.

Proposed Treatment of Poisoning Caused by Lost (By Professor Dr. A. Hirt and Staff Surgeon of the Luftwaffe; Professor (Dozent) Dr. Wimmer, Strasbourg, 1944).

General Observations: The effect of Lost as a poison gas is immediate and, by causing other pathological reactions within the cells and organs, it damages the entire efficiency or the individual cell as well as that of the organs. The organism stands the best chance of absorbing the damage caused by Lost, if there is a large vitamin reserve in the body. In administering the vitamin treatment after Lost damage has been inflicted, care must be taken that the medicaments are not administered indiscriminately. The vitamin combinations (A,B complex,C) taken orally or vitamin Bl administered intravenously in glucose suspension have proved most effective. Both methods aim at raising the resistance of the reticulo-endothelial system, while simultaneously introducing therapeutic measures to protect the liver which can be further strengthened by food with a high carbohydrate and vitamin content. When definite damage to the organs (liver, cardiac muscles, kidneys) manifests itself, vitamin treatment has to be discontinued and injections of Bl glucose substituted, as the excretion of the surplus quantity of vitamins results in a temporary additional over stimulation of the cells of the excretory organs. In addition the interconnection between the effect of sulfonamide and vitamin B complex should be noted. In the case of pulmonary complications (bronchial pneumonia, pulmonary abscess) which are treated with sulfonamides, the administration of yeast is definitely not indicted.

The general treatment; as set forth, especially the administration of vitamin Bl glucose, has a salutary effect also on the healing of cutaneous necrosis. In average and serious cases the length of the healing process can be thereby be considerably decreased. Supporting measures to be taken are bandaging the affected limb in splints until the appearance of clean granulation or placing the patient in a suitable recumbent position as well as vigorous, systematic psychotherapy. The psychological influencing of the largely apathetic Lost patient constitutes an essential part of the treatment, due to the possibility of thereby influencing the parasympathetic system (circulation, circulatory system).

Outline of Treatment: 1. All the directions given for the elimination of the Lost poison are to be followed carefully. Only after elimination of the poison has resulted may Lost patients be treated and accommodated together in closed rooms. (Inhalation of Lost vapors.)

2. Damp dressings with Rivalol (.1% -.0-5%) and Trypaflavin (.1%) have proved to be a successful treatment of the skin systems (reddening, swelling, blisters) of the first to fourth day. If necessary, ointment dressings (10% cod liver oil-tannic ointment, boric acid ointment, etc.) may be applied. With the opening of the blisters, the exposed corium of the skin becomes extremely sensitive to the drying reflex. Introductory treatment; daily bathing with a potassium permanganate solution, constant damp dressings of Rivanol-Tripaflavin solution; later on ointment dressings (5% cod liver oil-tannic ointment; boric acid ointment). With the development of cutaneous necrosis and increasing disinfection of the affected pats of the skin, the damp dressings are to be substituted -- if only for nursing reasons-- by ointment dressings after bathing with a potassium permanganate solution at body temperature which are to be changed daily. Usually after the 17th day, the necrotic spots on the skin can be done away with by drying them up or better still by brushing them off (under narcosis if necessary) with a potassium permanganate solution. In this way the local healing process is considerably shortened.

With the beginning of the knitting of the skin granulation stimulating ointment dressings (alternately cod liver oil ointment, boric acid ointment, unguentine, etc. are sufficient. Lexer's cod liver ointment (only 2 hours painfull) can provide a strong stimulus should granulation formation be slow and drag itself out.

3. General treatment of average and serious Lost damage begins with administering a vitamin mixture compounded as follows; Vitamin (in the form of Vogane oil (Voganoel) increasing from 4 to 10 drops daily. Vitamin C (Cantan-Cebion tablets) 2 tablets 3 times daily. Yeastpowder 3 teaspoonsful daily. One should consider whether a vitamin compound of similar preparation if need be with the addition of glucose should be produced for the combat troops. such a powder mixture would have to be administered in increasing quantities as well. In all cases of absorbed Lost damage (liver damage indicated by increased secretion of urobilinogen, in the urine, later icteric skin coloring. cardiac muscle damage with tachycardias, kidney damage with albumen secretion in the urine) treatment with vitamin mixtures is to be discontinued and to be substituted by injections of vitamin B glucose. Injections are to be given slowly, since at the height of Lost damage the veins of the arms incline to thrombosis. In the latter case glucose has to be administered orally and Vitamin B intramuscularly. There exists the possibility, in every case of considerable Lost damage, of a sudden failure of circulation (frequently between the 17th and 17th day) indicated by a weak response to heard and dirculatory stimulants. Heart stimulants (strophantine caffein, digitalis) and dirculatory stimulants (sympatol, priscol, camphor, cardiazole), have therefore to be administered with care in serious cases. The therapeutic routine valid for all clinical treatment is particularly valid for cases of organic damage.

Here is another report on page 43 of your Honor's document book. It is document NO 085, by August Hirt. which will offered at this time as Prosecution Exhibit No.269. I suggest that the Tribunal read this, However, I will not read it at this time but I do wish to call your attention to the sentence on the top of page 44 in connection with Lost, where he states that "During the war I examined the effect of yellowcross chemical warfare agent (Lost) on living tissue (not yet published)." And he outlines his various projects in this report and his various researches in fluorescent light and researches on normal functions of organs, liver, kidneys, etc.

The next document on page 47 of your Honor's document book No 012 will be offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.270. It is a letter from Karl Brandt, The General Commissioner of the Fuehrer for Sanitation and Health, to Himmler. This is dated 8 March 1944 and reads: "Reich Fuehrer: Enclosed please find the photostatic copy of an order of the Fuehrer which shall only be known to a very limited extent.

Upon the instruction of the Reich Marshal may I also request you to make this known to only the absolutely essential and loading personalities in your sphere of activity.

I myself would be grateful if you would induce those men on their part to get in touch with me (Tel. 120050 extension 183) so that, due to the urgency of the given order, I will be able to settle the matter with the greatest expediency. Heil Hitler! /s/ Karl Brandt (Prof. Brandt).

Handwritten marginal notation: "For GA Reich Legal Gazette 'Ahnenerbe Society'."

Unfortunately, when we found this document we were unable to find the attached copy of the order of the Fuehrer but with the future documents I will introduce we will indicate to the Tribunal the nature of Fuehrer order.

The next letter is document NO 013, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.271. This is from Rudolf Brandt, dated 10 March 1944, addressed to Dr. Grawitz, Reichsarzt SS and Police SS Gruppenfuehrer.

Enclosed I am sending you a copy of a Fuehrer Decree of 1 March 1944 for your perusal and action.

The Reichsfuehrer SS requests you to get in touch on your own initiative with Professor Brandt (Tel 120050, extension 183) in regard to the urgency of the order given him by the Fuehrer.

Heil Hitler! /s/ R. Brandt.

The next letter, page 49 of your Honor's document book, document No. NO-013b, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.272 is also dated 10 March 1944. It is a letter from Rudolf Brandt to Sievers in the same regard. He says: "Dear Comrade Sievers:

I sent you in the enclosed copy an order of the Fuehrer of 1 March 1944, with the request to take note and act in the matter. The Reichsfuehrer SS is requesting you to contact Professor Brandt (Telephone: 120050, ext. 183) on account of the urgency of the instructions given him by the Fuehrer. Heil Hitler.

The next is document NO-013c, which is offered at this time as prosecution Exhibit No.275. This is 10 March the same date as the other letter, addressed to Chief of the SS Leader Head Office SS Obergruppenfuehrer Juettner.

Obergruppenfuehrer:

Enclosed I am sending you a copy of a Fuehrer decree of 1 March 1844 with the request of perusal and action.

Heil Hitler!

/s/ R. Brandt

Now, the answer to this letter, of 10 March 1944, to Rudolf Brandt in this connection, the next document is NO 014, Prosecution Exhibit No.275, from the SS Gruppenfuehrer and Reichsarzt, Dr. Grawitz, addressed to Rudolf Brandt.

I am confirming the arrival today of your letter of 10 March 44, file No. 1888/44 top secret, sent, according to the receipt, on 14 March 44 with the Fuehrer's secret order attached, and immediately got in touch with Professor Brandt.

We turn new to document No. NO-015, which contains the secret correspondence. Now, this document is introduced as Prosecution Exhibit No.274; and with the mimeographed copy before your Honors, the date at the top is 11 April 1946, which is obviously a typographical error which should be changed to April 11 1944. This is addressed to Rudolf Brandt by Sievers.

According to instructions I contacted SS Brigadefuehrer, Prof. Dr. Brandt and reported to him on 31 March 1944 at Beelitz about the research activities of SS Hauptsturm fuehrer Prof. Dr. Hirt. On that occasion, I gave him the plans we had cut out by this time by Prof. Hirt for treatment against L-infections of which I enclose a copy so you can show it to the Reichsfuehrer-SS if necessary.

Prof. Brandt explained to me that he would be in Strassbourg during the first week in April and would then discuss details with Prof. Hirt and got in touch with me again afterwards. I shall always keep you informed.

Now, we are beginning to see the light as to what this official decree contained. This decree is a decree which gave Karl Brandt the authority to carry out research in chemical warfare. Therefore, all these matters were of extreme interest to him and, as you see, Brandt stated in his letter that he would be in Strassbourg during the first week in April and he would then discuss the details with Professor Hirt in regard to experiments on human beings in Camp Natzweiler that were being carried out at that time.

The next is document No. NO-016-A, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.276. This is dated 9 June 1944 and is a letter from the Commissioner-General of the Fuehrer on health and medical matters, Karl Brandt, addressed to the Reichsfuehrer SS, Berlin.

Reichsfuehrer: Prisoners are employed, with best results, in several K factories and in plants producing chemical warfare protection articles. I inspected the camps on several occasions and was, on the whole, favourably impressed by them.

In this connection, however, I was often informed of the difficulties encountered when accommodating new prisoners. the accommodation and security measures involved, a double or triple, partly electrified fence, quite of ten cause far-reaching difficulties and occasionally great delays. Would it be possible to introduce, in this connection, some improvements? I would be grateful if this question could be examined by one of your experts. Heil Hitler! Your /s/ Karl Brandt.

Here is Brandt and his interest as Plenipotentiary, so to speak, on the chemical warfare, examining the factories producing those chemical warfare production articles, suggesting in his official capacity to the Reichsfuehrer that conditions be renovated in these various camps.

We turn now to document No. NO-016-B, which is offered as Prosecution Exhibit No.277. This is dated June 19, 1944, from defendant Rudolf Brandt, addressed to Pohl of the WVHA.

Dear Obergruppenfuehrer: I would be grateful if you would let me know your opinion on the request of SS Gruppenfuehrer Prof. Dr. Brandt, before I inform the Reichsfuehrer SS of it. I enclose o copy of the letter of SS Gruppenfuehrer Prof. Dr. Brandt. /s/ Rudolf Brandt

THE PRESIDENT: The Tribunal will now recess until one-thirty o'clock.

(A recess was taken until 1330 hours.)