Frau Rascher was here today in the office and stated the following to me
for you in a few words:
Oberstabsarzt Dr. Weltz still insists on participation in the
experiments and on full responsibility. If not, the assignment of Dr.
Rascher to the Weltz Institute must be changed. Weltz personally is
_not_ interested in these experiments. RLM [The Reich Air Ministry] asks
Oberstabsarzt Dr. Weltz how long the experiments will last and whether
it is justifiable to detail a medical officer for so long a time. RLM
demands from Weltz an opinion on the experiments which he, however,
cannot give, unless he is fully informed about them. Weltz will be in
Berlin with Generaloberstabsarzt Hippke on Friday. Weltz demands a
statement by Friday as to whether he should consider himself as still
participating in the experiments, or whether it is requested that he
should not participate in the experiments.
The assignment of Dr. Rascher must immediately be changed to “Assignment
to Aviation Test Institute Berlin—Adlershof, Dachau Branch” (not Weltz
Institute), because Weltz—as he stated—intends to cancel the
assignment immediately, if he is not to participate in it.
_For personal confidential information_
Dr. Weltz confidentially informed Dr. Rascher that there is great
mistrust against him in the RLM because of the experiments (SS
membership); there is also animosity in the air force administrative
command (Luftgau) Munich for this reason.
Munich, 28 April 1942.
Gr.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-220
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 61
LETTER FROM RASCHER TO HIMMLER, 11 MAY 1942, AND SECRET REPORT
CONCERNING HIGH-ALTITUDE EXPERIMENTS
Sigmund Rascher M. D.
Munich, Trogerstrasse 56, 11 May 1942
Highly esteemed Reich Leader:
Enclosed I am forwarding a short summary on the principal experiments
conducted up to date. A detailed report on the practical as well as the
theoretical results will take some more time. I shall hurry. Since the
material has to be processed the exploitation of the pathological
preparations will take about ½ year though the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute
for Brain Research will help us, I hope.
Tonight I succeeded in seeing Dr. Fahrenkamp who has relatively
recovered. He appeared to be very interested and I think there will be a
fine and fruitful cooperation. Dr. Fahrenkamp who has an enormous
knowledge most amiably promised to help me in everything. He will give
to you himself his opinion on my heart experiments. From our
conversation I have had the impression that a great field of work will
open up to me yet. I thank you, highly esteemed Reich Leader, for having
opened these opportunities to me to such an extent.
Unfortunately, the extension of my assignment has not been settled yet;
in accordance with the present regulations, my assignment will be
terminated on 15 May.