a. Introduction
The defendants Karl Brandt, Handloser, Rostock, Gebhardt, Blome, Rudolf
Brandt, and Sievers were charged with special responsibility for and
participation in criminal conduct involving mustard gas experiment
(indictment, par. 6 (D)). On this charge the defendants Karl Brandt,
Rudolf Brandt, and Sievers were convicted and the defendants Handloser,
Rostock, Gebhardt, and Blome were acquitted.
The prosecution’s summation of the evidence on the Lost (mustard) gas
experiments is contained in its final briefs against the defendants Karl
Brandt and Sievers. Extracts from these briefs are set forth below on
pages 315 to 324. A corresponding summation of the evidence by the
defense on these experiments has been selected from the closing briefs
for the defendants Karl Brandt and Sievers. It appears below on pages
324 to 334. This argumentation is followed by selection from the
evidence on pages 336 to 354.
b. Selections from the Argumentation of the Prosecution
_EXTRACT FROM THE CLOSING BRIEF AGAINST
DEFENDANT KARL BRANDT_
* * * * *
_Gas Experiments_
The treatment of wounds caused by chemical warfare agents was of
considerable interest to military medical circles of Germany. On 1 March
1944, the Fuehrer gave Karl Brandt broad powers in the field of chemical
warfare. (_NO-012, Pros. Ex. 270._) The decree itself is not available,
but there is no dispute that Brandt’s jurisdiction extended to
pharmaceutical products to treat gas wounds. So much he admits. (_Tr. p.
2629._) This necessarily involved a determination of the most effective
method of treatment. That the decree included medical research on gas
wounds can also be concluded from the fact that copies of the decree
which Brandt sent to Himmler (_NO-012, Pros. Ex. 270_) were forwarded to
Grawitz and Sievers who had previously worked on this problem.
(_NO-013a, Pros. Ex. 271_; _NO-013b Pros. Ex. 272._)
In any event, on 31 March 1944, Sievers reported to Brandt about the
research activities of Hirt. (_NO-015, Pros. Ex. 275._) Hirt had been
experimenting on inmates of the Natzweiler concentration camp since
November 1942. (_NO-098, Pros. Ex. 263._) For a detailed description of
Hirt’s experiments, see the brief against Sievers (p. 318 ff). Brandt
admitted that Sievers gave him the written report by Hirt, which was
introduced as Prosecution Exhibit 268 (_NO-099_) and that this report
shows on its face that experiments on human beings were performed by
him. (_Tr. p. 2626._) It is significant to note that the report speaks
of heavy, medium, and light wounds caused by Lost. Moreover, Brandt
admitted he talked to Hirt in Strasbourg in April after the meeting with
Sievers. (_Tr. p. 2610._) Approximately 220 inmates of Russian, Polish,
Czech, and German nationality were experimented on with gas, of whom
about 50 died. They did not volunteer. (_Tr. pp. 1052, 1057._) Hirt
continued his gas experiments at Natzweiler during the summer of 1944.
(_Tr. p. 1058._) His gas research was classified “urgent” by Rostock in
August 1944. (_NO-692, Pros. Ex. 457._)
In addition to his participation in the gas experiments of Hirt, Karl
Brandt personally furthered the criminal experimentation of Otto
Bickenbach. Brandt testified that the gas experiments of Bickenbach came
to his attention in the fall of 1943 on the occasion of a visit to
Strasbourg to see a cyclotron; that later he helped him to arrange a
laboratory; that he assisted him in obtaining experimental animals; that
Bickenbach did not conduct experiments on human beings; that he helped
him in 1944 after he had established this laboratory. (_Tr. pp. 2619,
2620._)
The Sievers’ diary for 1944 contains the following entry under 2
February:
“Met Professor Bickenbach in Karlsruhe and he advises that he
has put his research work under the control of General
Commissioner Professor Dr. Brandt.
“Discussion with SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Hirt: 1. Professor Dr.
Bickenbach, without instructions from Hirt and Professor Stein,
contacted General Commissioner Professor Dr. Brandt concerning
the phosgene experiments that were [and was] in Natzweiler with
him. Commission is to be withdrawn; for our part Natzweiler is
to be closed.” (_3546-PS, Pros. Ex. 123._)
Phosgene is a chemical warfare agent. (_Tr. p. 2630._) Brandt admits he
was in Natzweiler, but insists that only animal experiments were
conducted. This is in direct contradiction to statements contained in an
official war crimes report of the Government of the Netherlands.
(_NO-1063, Pros. Ex. 328._) Josef Kramer, former camp commander at
Natzweiler, also stated that Bickenbach experimented on prisoners.
(_NO-807, Pros. Ex. 185._)
Brandt testified that he later assisted Bickenbach in establishing a
laboratory in Fort Franzeky, which is near Strasbourg, and that he saw
animal experiments there. (_Tr. p. 2630._) Bickenbach was a professor at
the University of Strasbourg with Hirt and Haagen. (_Tr. p. 2631._)
The Bickenbach reports sent to Karl Brandt not only prove that
Bickenbach and his collaborators Helmut Ruehl and Fritz Letz carried out
phosgene experiments on 40 Russian prisoners of war, but that four of
the subjects were killed as a result. (_NO-1852, Pros. Ex. 456._) This
document completely destroys the credibility of the defendant Brandt.
These reports on the phosgene experiments are designated top military
secret and are numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. They are all addressed to
Plenipotentiary General Brandt. These reports obviously cover the same
series of experiments which culminated in experiments on 40 prisoners
detailed in the 7th report. They were found in the apartment of
Professor Bickenbach by French authorities. The purpose of these
experiments was to determine the effectiveness of a drug called
hexamethylentetramine against phosgene poisoning. Certain preliminary
studies are detailed in the 4th report, dated 11 August 1944, and
mention is made of tests carried out on a “nervous Russian prisoner of
war, who could not be calmed down because of language difficulties * *
*”.
The 7th report, which is undated, concerns experiments carried out
shortly after 11 August 1944 (the date of the 4th report) as Strasbourg
was overrun by the Allies a few months later. These experiments were
performed on “40 prisoners on the prophylactic effect of
hexamethylentetramine in cases of phosgene poisoning. Twelve of those
were protected orally, twenty intravenously and eight were used as
controls.” On the basis of the 4th report, it can only be concluded that
the 40 prisoners referred to were Russian prisoners of war. The
experimental subjects are further described as being “persons of middle
age, almost all in a weak and underfed condition. On principle, the
healthier ones were used as controls, only control number 39 (J. Rei)
and the orally protected experimental subject No. 37 (A. Rei) had a
localized cirrhotic productive tuberculosis of the lungs. With the
others, no pulmonary disease could be found.” (_1852-PS, Pros. Ex.
456._)
The experimental persons were subjected to phosgene poisoning with
resulting death to no less than four subjects. (_Tr. p. 3404._) Other
subjects suffered severe lung oedema.
Defense counsel for Karl Brandt urged the possibility that this report
was not received by him. Assuming _arguendo_ that the report was not
mailed to Brandt, and, if received, not read, the fact remains that the
experiments were performed by Bickenbach and his collaborators, whose
work was directly controlled by Brandt. (_Supra._) Were there no other
evidence on this point, the circumstances of the report having been
addressed to Karl Brandt are sufficient proof of his responsibility.
Moreover, the research of both Bickenbach and Hirt was classified urgent
by Brandt’s Office for Science and Research under Rostock. (_NO-692,
Pros. Ex. 457._)
The continued interest of Brandt in research on chemical warfare agents
and his knowledge of experiments on concentration camp inmates are shown
by the report dated 31 March 1945 concerning experiments at the
Neuengamme concentration camp. (_NO-154, Pros. Ex. 446._) Water
decontamination experiments were carried out there on inmates. The
report states that the “third series of experiments was carried out with
an agent of the Lost group, the asphyxiating gas Lost; in accordance
with the suggestion made by Oberstarzt Dr. Wirth at the conference on 4
December 1944 with Reich Commissioner Brandt.”
_EXTRACT FROM THE CLOSING BRIEF AGAINST
DEFENDANT SIEVERS_
* * * * *
_Lost (Mustard) Gas Experiments_
From the winter of 1942 until the summer of 1944, experiments to
determine the most effective treatment for wounds caused by Lost
(mustard) gas were conducted in the Natzweiler concentration camp under
the supervision of Professor Hirt of the Reich University of Strasbourg.
The experiments were ordered by Himmler and the Luftwaffe, and sponsored
by the Reich Research Council. The Ahnenerbe Society and the defendant
Sievers supported this research on behalf of the SS. (_492-PS, Pros. Ex.
267._) The arrangement for the payment of the research subsidies of the
Ahnenerbe was made by Sievers. (_NO-3819, Pros. Ex. 550._)
The defendant Sievers participated in these experiments by actively
collaborating with the defendants Karl Brandt and Rudolf Brandt, and
with Hirt and his principal assistant, Dr. Wimmer.
The record shows that Sievers was in correspondence with Hirt at least
as early as 1942, and that he established contact between Himmler and
Hirt. (_NO-791, Pros. Ex. 256_; _NO-792, Pros. Ex. 257_.)
On 9 April 1942 Sievers wrote to Hirt that Himmler wanted detailed
information from Hirt on his Lost experiments. Sievers went on to say:
“We 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 Reich Leader SS on your Lost experiments?
“But you should by no means go to Berlin for the time being,
especially since the Reich Leader SS is staying permanently at
the Fuehrer’s Headquarters. I, therefore, intend to pay you a
visit at Strasbourg 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.” (_NO-793, Pros. Ex. 258._)
The wording of the letter makes it apparent that it was Sievers himself
who brought Hirt’s research activities concerning Lost gas to Himmler’s
attention. This is also proved by the fact that on 9 February 1942, he
had already submitted to the defendant Rudolf Brandt, Hirt’s report
concerning the creation of a skeleton collection and research in the
field of intravital microscopy. The latter experimentation involved the
effect of Lost on the living tissue. (_NO-085, Pros. Ex. 175._) Brandt
informed Himmler about Hirt’s report on 27 February, and directed
Sievers to report again on Hirt’s work. (_NO-090, Pros. Ex. 176._) It
was thus Sievers’ report on Hirt’s research activities which prompted
Himmler to take an interest in Hirt’s Lost experiments.
On 27 June 1942 Sievers forwarded to the defendant Rudolf Brandt the
information of Hirt concerning the use of mustard gas on combatting
rats. In this letter he mentioned that he would have another conference
with Hirt on this subject. According to Sievers, Hirt had voiced his
expert opinion that Lost even “in a dilution of 1-100 is dangerous for
man if it contacts the body in an adequate amount.” (_NO-794, Pros. Ex.
259._) It was Sievers who forwarded on 2 June 1942 Hirt’s report on his
experiments in treating gas wounds by vitamins. In his covering letter
to this report, Sievers informed the defendant Rudolf Brandt that he was
to meet Hirt “in order to discuss with him a more intensive application,
continuation, and promotion of his research work”. In the report itself,
Hirt stated that he had not been able to conduct experiments with Lost
gas on human beings because of the offensive against France, but
suggested such experiments particularly in order to determine the
protective effect of vitamin treatment. (_NO-097, Pros. Ex. 260._)
In a memorandum of 26 June 1942 concerning support by the Ahnenerbe of
the research work of Hirt on mustard gas, Sievers proposed that an
Institute for Military Scientific Research be established within the
Ahnenerbe to bring together Hirt’s and similar research and thus
facilitate the organizational and technical execution of the
experiments. He proposed appointing Hirt as an active member of the new
institute as chief of Department H (Hirt). He also stated that Rascher,
who was then performing high-altitude experiments in collaboration with
Ruff and Romberg, should be appointed as chief of Department R
(Rascher). He stated that the necessary supplies for the new institute
would be easier to explain and more reasonable than if applied for under
the name of Ahnenerbe alone. (_NO-2210, Pros. Ex. 483._)
As a result of this suggestion by the defendant Sievers, Himmler
directed the establishment of the Institute for Military Scientific
Research within the Ahnenerbe in July 1942. In his letter to Sievers,
Himmler requested that the new institute “support in every possible way
the research carried out by SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt and
promote all corresponding research and undertakings; to make available
the required apparatus, equipment, accessories and assistants, or to
procure them * * *.” (_NO-422, Pros. Ex. 33._)
Sievers proceeded to make all the necessary arrangements for carrying
out the Lost gas experiments in the Natzweiler concentration camp. On 27
August 1942 in a letter to Gluecks of the WVHA, he stated that in
connection with a visit to Hirt in Strasbourg he would like to take Hirt
with him to Natzweiler on 31 August 1942 and he asked Gluecks to make
the necessary arrangements with the commander of the camp. (_NO-935,
Pros. Ex. 481._) In a file note dated 17 September 1942 Sievers stated
that the conference mentioned in his letter to Gluecks had been held in
Natzweiler on 31 August 1942, and that the working conditions there for
the proposed experiments were favorable. Professor Hirt, Stabsarzt Dr.
Wimmer, and Dr. Kieselbach would require automobile transport for part
of the trip from Strasbourg to Natzweiler in order to perform their work
there, and accordingly 20 liters of gasoline would have to be made
available to the camp authorities each month. (_NO-977, Pros. Ex. 482._)
In a letter of 11 September 1942 to Gluecks, Sievers stated that the
necessary conditions existed in Natzweiler “for carrying out our
military scientific research work * * *”. He requested that Gluecks
issue the necessary authorization for Hirt, Wimmer, and Kieselbach to
enter Natzweiler, and that provision be made for their accommodation and
board. He also stated that:
“The experiments which are to be performed on prisoners are to
be carried out in four rooms of an already existing medical
barrack. Only slight changes in the construction of the building
are required, in particular the installation of the hood which
can be produced with very little material. In accordance with
attached plan of the construction management at Natzweiler, I
request that necessary orders be issued to same to carry out the
reconstruction. All the expenses arising out of our activity at
Natzweiler will be covered by this office * * *.” (_NO-978,
Pros. Ex. 480._)
In a memorandum on 3 November 1942 to the defendant Rudolf Brandt,
Sievers complained about certain difficulties which had arisen in
Natzweiler because of the lack of cooperation from the camp officials.
Sievers was particularly outraged by the fact that the camp officials
were asking that the experimental prisoners be paid for. He said that:
“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 [for] 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 that
to the German people in a possible emergency.” (_NO-098, Pros.
Ex. 263._)
Brandt was requested to give his help in a comradely fashion in setting
up the necessary conditions at Natzweiler. The defendant Rudolf Brandt
replied to this memorandum on 3 December 1942, and told Sievers that he
had had occasion to speak to Pohl concerning these difficulties, and
that he had reported that they would be remedied. (_NO-092, Pros. Ex
180._)
The witness Holl gave in his testimony an accurate and detailed
description of the manner in which the Lost gas experiments were carried
out. The execution of the experiments was supervised by Hirt in the
experimental station Ahnenerbe in the Natzweiler concentration camp. In
the middle of October 1942 the preparation for these experiments was
finished and the actual experimentation began sometime in October or
November, after the experimental subjects were given the same food as
the SS guards for approximately 14 days. The first series of experiments
was carried out by Hirt on 30 experimental subjects with a liquid gas
substance. (_Tr. p. 1051._) In spite of the fact that Hirt, before
selecting these experimental subjects, had promised them that he would
intervene with Himmler in order that they should be released as a reward
if they would volunteer for the experiments, none of the experimental
subjects of all the experiments carried out by Hirt volunteered.
Political prisoners, Russians, Poles, Czechs, and also some German
nationals were among the experimental subjects used. (_Tr. p. 1052._)
The first series of experiments was carried out by Hirt and an officer
of the Luftwaffe in the following manner: One drop of the liquid was
applied to the lower arm of the experimental subject. Approximately 10
hours later burns began to appear and spread over the whole body in
every place where drops of the fluid contacted the skin. Some of the
experimental subjects became partially blind. The victims of these
experiments suffered terrible pain. Photographic pictures of the burns
were taken daily. After the fifth or sixth day of the experiment, the
first fatality occurred. The corpse of the victim was dissected and the
autopsy showed that the greater parts of the lungs and other organs had
been destroyed. On the following day, that is, on the seventh day of the
experiment, another seven of the experimental subjects died. The
remaining 22 were sent to another concentration camp after approximately
2 months when they had recovered sufficiently and became fit for
transport. (_Tr. pp. 1052-3._) Other experiments on concentration camp
inmates of the Natzweiler concentration camp were carried out in the gas
chamber approximately 500 meters distant from the camp. The experimental
subjects had to enter this gas chamber two by two. They had to smash
small ampules which contained the liquid. This liquid evaporated and the
experimental subject then had to inhale the resulting vapor. Usually the
experimental subjects became unconscious and were returned to the
Ahnenerbe station for further observation of the results of the
experiments. (_Tr. pp. 1053-4._) These results were approximately the
same as those observed in the first series. The breathing organs of the
experimental subjects were likewise destroyed. Their lungs had been
eaten away by the gas. About 150 concentration camp inmates were
experimented upon in this manner. (_Tr. pp. 1034-5._) Approximately the
same percentage as in the first series died as a result of this type of
experimentation. (_Tr. p. 1056._)
Other Lost gas experiments were carried out by means of injection. These
experiments were carried out in a special room adjoining the
crematorium. The victims of these experiments died without exception.
(_Tr. p. 1056._) Another type of experiment was carried out on the
experimental subjects, who had to take the liquid orally. As Holl was
transferred before Christmas 1943 to an outside camp, he was not able to
give information on the results of this type of experiment. (_Tr. p.
1056._) He, however, returned once a month to the Natzweiler
concentration camp and was therefore able to observe that the Lost gas
experiments continued until autumn 1944, when the Natzweiler
concentration camp was liberated by the Allies. (_Tr. pp. 1057-8._)
From Holl’s testimony it is proved that approximately 220 inmates of
Russian, Polish, Czech, and German nationalities were experimented upon
with gas by Hirt and his collaborators. About 50 of them died. None of
the experimental subjects volunteered. (_Tr. pp. 1052, 1057._)
On 7 April 1943, when the Lost experiments were well under way
(_supra_), Himmler ordered an intensification of Lost research. At about
this time the progress of Hirt’s Lost research was threatened by the
transfer of Hirt’s assistant, Wimmer, a medical officer of the
Luftwaffe. Since personnel matters fell within the scope of Sievers’
duties, he wrote to Rudolf Brandt protesting the proposed transfer of
Wimmer and stating that if Wimmer left the Institute for Military
Scientific Research, the Lost experiments would have to end. Sievers
then outlined the proper procedure for securing the future services of
Wimmer at the Ahnenerbe Institute. (_NO-193, Pros. Ex. 264._)
Again, on 3 November 1943, Sievers, in order to further the Lost
experiments and assure their continuation, made a certificate which
enabled two of Hirt’s research assistants to obtain increased food
rations. Sievers stated that the research activities in which these
persons were engaged with Department H (Hirt), Strasbourg, of the
Institute for Military Scientific Research of the Ahnenerbe involved
health-damaging poisons which had caused injuries to their health.
(_492-PS, Pros. Ex. 267._)
The evidence clearly indicated that during the entire period covered by
the Lost experiments, Hirt was associated with the Ahnenerbe Society. In
early 1944 Hirt and Wimmer summarized their findings from the Lost
experiments in a report entitled “Proposed Treatment of Poisoning caused
by Lost”. The report was described as from the Institute for Military
Scientific Research, Department H of the Ahnenerbe, located at the
Strasbourg Anatomical Institute. Light, medium, and heavy injuries due
to Lost gas are mentioned. Sievers received several copies of this
report. (_NO-099, Pros. Ex. 268._) On 31 March 1944, after Karl Brandt
had received a Fuehrer Decree giving him broad powers in the field of
chemical warfare (_NO-012, Pros. Ex. 270_), Sievers informed Brandt
about Hirt’s work and gave him a copy of the report. This is proved by
Sievers’ letter to Rudolf Brandt on 11 April 1944. (_NO-015, Pros. Ex.
275._) Karl Brandt admitted that the wording of the report made it clear
that experiments had been conducted on human beings. (_Tr. p. 2626._)
The proof has also shown that in October 1943 the defendant Blome, in
his capacity as a Plenipotentiary in the Reich Research Council, issued
a research assignment for Hirt in support of his gas experiments. This
is proved by the file index card on Blome’s research assignment in the
Reich Research Council, where the assignment to Hirt by Blome is listed
under SS priority number 0329. (_NO-690, Pros. Ex. 120._) Sievers
admitted that a Reich research assignment to Hirt “on the behavior of
Lost gas in living organisms” was made. (_Tr. p. 5817._) He further
admitted that at a conference in April 1942, Himmler told him that Hirt
should make Lost experiments on human beings other than volunteer
military cadets. (_Tr. p. 5679._)
Sievers testified that on 25 January 1943, he went to Natzweiler
concentration camp and consulted with the camp authorities concerning
the arrangements to be made for Hirt’s Lost experiments. These
arrangements included the obtaining of laboratories and experimental
subjects. (_Tr. pp. 5842-43._) Sievers testified that the Lost
experiments were harmful. (_Tr. p. 5810._) On the visit of 25 January
1943, Sievers saw ten persons who had been subjected to Lost experiments
and watched Hirt change the bandages on one of the persons. Sievers said
that the experimental subjects told him that they were volunteers and
Hirt confirmed this to Sievers. (_Tr. p. 5732._) The testimony of
Sievers was contradictory as to his knowledge that the Lost experiments
caused deaths. Sievers testified that in March 1943 he asked Hirt
whether any of the experimental subjects had suffered harm from the
experiments and was told by Hirt that two of the experimental subjects
had died due to other causes. (_Tr. p. 5733._) On the other hand,
Sievers seemed to be referring to Lost experiments when he stated that
he knew of one condemned criminal who had died from the experiments.
(_Tr. p. 5810._) As to the nationality of the experimental subjects,
Sievers was of the opinion, in view of their manner of speech, that the
test persons were Germans. (_Tr. p. 5812._) The proof, however, clearly
shows that Sievers already, as early as January 1942, had knowledge that
nonvolunteers were to be used for the Lost experiments of Hirt. In his
letter of 3 January 1942, Sievers requested Hirt to submit comprehensive
research reports to him in order that he might forward them to Himmler.
Sievers assured Hirt that Himmler would permit Hirt to conduct
experiments of any kind “on prisoners and real criminals who would never
be released anyhow and on persons scheduled for execution.” (_NO-3629,
Pros. Ex. 547._)
Sievers’ diary entries indicate that his primary concern was making the
necessary arrangements for the carrying out of the Lost experiments. On
25 January 1943 Sievers visited Natzweiler and consulted with the camp
administration; on 28 January 1943 Sievers consulted with Pohl
concerning the continuation of the Lost experiments and undoubtedly
arranged for the allocation of test persons, although he testified that
his conversation related to obtaining space for animals. (_Tr. p.
5736._) On 24 and 25 January Sievers received reports from Hirt on Lost
experiments and on 17 March 1943 Sievers attended a conference at the
Institute for Military Scientific Research where Lost experiments were
reported. (_NO-538, Pros. Ex. 122._)
c. Selections from the Argumentation of the Defense
_EXTRACT FROM THE CLOSING BRIEF FOR DEFENDANT
KARL BRANDT_
* * * * *
_I. Experiments performed._ Counsel for the defense does not wish to
make a statement in this connection.
_II. Order to carry out the experiments._ The defendant Karl Brandt is
not mentioned in connection with the order to carry out these
experiments.
1. _Drug F 1001._ NO-199, Prosecution Exhibit 253, and NO-198,
Prosecution Exhibit 254, show that the order to carry out these
experiments in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp was given by Himmler
or Reich Physician SS Grawitz in 1939. This is confirmed by the fact
that the reports on the concluded experiments were submitted to Grawitz
or Himmler.
2. _“Lost” experiments._ According to NO-098, Prosecution Exhibit 263,
the order to Hirt was given on 13 July 1942 as shown in the letter dated
3 November 1942, which contains a research commission of the SS
Institute for Applied Military Scientific Research of the Ahnenerbe.
According to 492-PS, Prosecution Exhibit 267, the order to carry out
experiments was given by Himmler or Goering.
In accordance with Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. pp. 5733-34_) Himmler, on 8
March 1944, ordered Hirt to carry out human experiments despite the
latter’s arguments that only animal experiments could achieve further
results. The issuing of this order is supported by the fact that the
reports were sent to Reich Physician SS Grawitz to be passed on to Reich
Leader SS Himmler. NO-085, Prosecution Exhibit 269, contains a
preliminary final report made by Hirt of the year 1941; NO-097,
Prosecution Exhibit 260, Hirt’s final report of 2 June 1942 to be
submitted to the Reich Leader SS; also NO-099, Prosecution Exhibit 268,
Hirt’s 1944 proposals for treatment. This is also supported by the
correspondence between Sievers and Hirt. NO-793, Prosecution Exhibit
258, reports on a conference with Himmler.
3. _N-substance._ The order to carry out the experiments was issued by
Reich Physician SS Grawitz in connection with Schwab and after Gebhardt,
Gluecks, and Panzinger had been heard. Reference is made to an
instruction from Hitler and an order from Himmler of 15 May.
_III. Reason for and aim of the experiments._ Statement of the defendant
Karl Brandt. (_Tr. p. 2383._)
1. _“Lost” and Drug F 1001._ Research work on a healing drug for
injuries, not poisoning, caused by “Lost”. Experiments of this kind have
been carried out by all nations since World War I, England being the
leading nation in these experiments on human beings. The general need
for experiments on human beings, and only those are relevant here, has
been recognized by all nations as a military necessity. (_Karl Brandt
106, Karl Brandt Ex. 49_; _Karl Brandt 107, Karl Brandt Ex. 50_.)
The necessity to carry out experiments increased in Germany,
particularly during World War II, as all nations were eagerly engaged in
the manufacture of “Lost” gas. The need became imperative in 1944 when
reliable sources reported that the enemy was getting chemical-warfare
agents ready. (_Karl Brandt 103, Karl Brandt Ex. 42_; _Karl Brandt 101,
Karl Brandt Ex. 41_; _Karl Brandt 11, Karl Brandt Ex. 10_; _Karl Brandt
12, Karl Brandt Ex. 11_.)
2. _N-substance._ Reasons for and aim of the experiments are unknown.
N-substance is the name for “normal” substance. It is not a chemical
warfare agent but a fuel substance, intended to be used for ignition.
This N-substance is not to be mistaken for N-“Lost”, that is,
nitrogen-Lost. (_Karl Brandt 88, Karl Brandt Ex. 36_; _Karl Brandt 103,
Karl Brandt Ex. 42_.)
_IV. Participation in the performance of the experiments._
1. _Drug F 1001._ The experiments were carried out exclusively at SS
offices on the orders of the Reich Leader SS. They were performed before
the defendant Karl Brandt received his first official appointment.
2. _“Lost”._ The experiments were made by Hirt and Wimmer in the SS
Institute for Military Scientific Research in Strasbourg. According to
Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. p. 5788_) the defendant Karl Brandt did not
have any influence on these institutions. The “Lost” chemical warfare
agent does not act like gas, but in a dried form injures the skin.
Ordinarily, experiments are made by all nations by applying small drops
of “Lost” to the skin. They cause injuries to the tissue, which are
treated with healing drugs. This procedure is demonstrated in Holl’s
testimony. (_Tr. p. 1052._)
3. _N-substance._ Sievers’ testimony (_Tr. p. 5738_) shows that the
experiments were not carried out due to a laboratory experiment of
Professor Thyssen and an expert opinion sent to Himmler.
_V. The experimental subjects._
_A. Number of experimental subjects._