Subject: Experiment with N-substance.
Reference: Order of Reich Leader SS of 15 May 1944
2 copies, 1st copy
To: Reich Leader SS H. Himmler
Field H. Q.
Reich Leader:
The Chief of the Technical Office in the SS Administrative Main Office,
SS Gruppenfuehrer Schwab, contacted me in September of this year with
the request to furnish him with two doctors, who as medical experts were
to witness experiments with N-substance, which he was carrying out at
the time by order of the Fuehrer. This was above all a matter of the
clarification of the question whether N-substance was to be considered
for chemical warfare or not.
For this purpose I have furnished my leading pathologist, SS
Hauptsturmfuehrer University Teacher Dr. Sachs, as well as the doctor
working on the Ahnenerbe, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer University Teacher Dr.
Ploetner.
In accordance with the experiments carried out on 25 September 1944, the
necessity has now arisen to carry out several experiments on human
beings for the final clarification of the physiological effect of
N-substance on and through the human skin. Five prisoners are necessary
for the execution of these experiments. It is highly improbable that the
experiments will cause any permanent damage.
In accordance with your order of 15 May 1944, Reich Leader, I have
obtained the opinion of SS Gruppenfuehrer Professor Gebhardt, SS
Gruppenfuehrer Gluecks, and SS Oberfuehrer Panzinger. They read as
follows:
_1. SS Gruppenfuehrer Professor Dr. Gebhardt_
“I am certainly in agreement with suggestion, and request that
the directions for the supervision of the experiments be issued
directly by the Reich Physician SS and Police.”
_2. SS Gruppenfuehrer Gluecks_
“I have received your letter of 7 November 1944 with regard to
the procurement of five prisoners for the experiments which are
to be carried out with N-substance.
“For this purpose I have had five prisoners in the Sachsenhausen
concentration camp who have been condemned to death placed in
readiness, on whom these experiments can be carried out.”
_3. SS Oberfuehrer Panzinger_
“From the point of view of the criminal police the experiments
to be carried out there are to be welcomed. Therefore, no
misgivings exist against the handing over of prisoners for
inoculation.
“If political prisoners should be considered, the Chief of
Office IV, SS Gruppenfuehrer Mueller would still have to be
consulted, but he will certainly also grant permission.”
I respectfully request the permission so that the experiments can be
initiated.
Heil Hitler!
[Signed] GRAWITZ
[stamp]
Personal Staff of Reich Leader SS
Received: 26 November 1944
No. 1991/44
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-1852
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 456