Heil Hitler!
Yours gratefully,
[Signed] S. RASCHER
Munich, 11 May 1942
_SECRET REPORT_
Based on results of experiments which up to now various scientists had
conducted on animals only, the experiments in Dachau were to prove
whether these results would maintain their validity on human beings.
1. The first experiments were to show whether the human being can
gradually adapt himself to higher altitudes. Some 10 tests showed that a
slower ascent without oxygen taking from 6 to 8 hours kept the functions
of the senses of the various VP’s [Versuchspersonen—human experimental
subjects] fully normal up to a height of 8,000 meters. Within 8 hours
several VP’s had reached a height of 9.5 kilometers without oxygen when
bends occurred suddenly.
2. Normally it is impossible to stay without oxygen at altitudes higher
than 6 kilometers. Experiments showed however that after ascent to 8,000
meters without oxygen, bends combined with unconsciousness lasted only
about 25 minutes. After this period the VP’s had mostly become
accustomed to that altitude; consciousness returned, they could make
knee bends, showed a normal electrocardiograph and were able to work (60
to 70 percent of the cases examined).