The correspondence submitted was conducted exclusively by offices of
concentration camps.
Appendix—Report of Dr. Morgen shows that the right over life
and death is assigned to Reich Leader SS Himmler. (_NO-2366,
Pros. Ex. 526._) The name of Karl Brandt is not mentioned in the
correspondence.
The witness Mennecke cannot give any information about the activity of
Karl Brandt within the framework of the special treatment 14 f 13
attributed to him by the indictment.
_Euthanasia Practice on Children (Reich Committee)_
_Position taken in the indictment_
* * * * *
_Position of the defense_
_Motive._ From a medical standpoint, it is a humane motive to shorten
the lives of children not fit to live.
Testimony of Schmidt. (_Tr. p. 1854._) At the discussion in 1941
only medical viewpoints were dealt with. The Reich Committee was
already being prepared before the authorization of 1 September
1939 (Leipzig case).
_Time._ Execution was in force from 1940 to 1944.
Testimony of Pfannmueller. (_Tr. p. 7310._) Execution at
Eglfing-Haar did not start before 1 June 1940.
Pfannmueller letter to Reich Committee of 17 January 1941.
(_NO-1139, Pros. Ex. 346._) It refers to agreement of 10
December 1940 in connection with decision of 18 August 1939.
Kaufbeuren documents. (_1696-PS, Pros. Ex. 357._) According to
this, euthanasia was carried on in the Irrsee Institute, even
after the occupation in 1945.
Supplement, Affidavit of Weese. (_Karl Brandt 129, Karl Brandt
Ex. 105._) Opinion on the state of disease was arrived at
objectively by medical examination.
_Legal basis._ Legal basis was the authorization of 1 September 1939,
which had not been suspended or annulled for the activity of the Reich
Committee.
Decree regarding treatment of malformed children. (_Brack 52,
Brack Ex. 43._) Circular of 1 July 1940, published in the
Ministerial Gazette. There, compulsory reporting of malformed
and insane children is provided for.
_Organization._
Affidavit of Sprauer, according to which the direction of the
Reich Committee was in the hands of von Linden at the Reich
Ministry and not under Karl Brandt. (_3896-PS, Pros. Ex. 372._)
Testimony of Karl Brandt, according to which the direction was
with Linden of the Reich Ministry of the Interior. (_Tr. p.
2433._)
Affidavits of Engel and Schaub. Karl Brandt was attached to the
Fuehrer’s General Headquarters. (_Karl Brandt 81, Karl Brandt
Ex. 85_; _Karl Brandt 80, Karl Brandt Ex. 98_.)
Testimony of Mennecke. (_Tr. p. 1903._) Mennecke never saw a
document signed by Karl Brandt. He never saw him and never heard
him speak. Karl Brandt was only available to give advice. In a
few cases, he was consulted when there were doubts about the
final expert opinion.
Testimony of Brack. (_Tr. p. 7612._) According to this Bouhler
and Brandt voiced their opinion on the judgment of experts only
in questionable cases. Further observation was indicated if
there were doubts at all.
Testimony of Karl Brandt. (_Tr. p. 2532._) According to this,
Karl Brandt resigned from the Reich Committee in the summer of
1942. He was not used as an expert.
Letter of the Reich Committee of 16 November 1943 regarding the
child Anna Gasse. (_NO-890, Pros Ex. 443._)
Testimony of Karl Brandt. (_Tr. p. 2541._) By virtue of this
letter, addressed to Karl Brandt, an inquiry by the Reich
Committee is addressed to the Eichberg Institution. This
incident is the outcome of the claim of an incompetent person.
The letter shows precisely that Karl Brandt did not have an
office of his own, but that he remitted the letter to the
competent official authority.
_Execution._
Registration was handled by the Reich Ministry of the Interior.
(_NO-1132, Pros. Ex. 341._)
The notification about the children was made, as required by law, by
physicians, midwives, and clinics.
Testimony of Pfannmueller. (_Tr. p. 7312._) According to this,
the registration sheets were published in the gazette of the
Reich Ministry.
Sick records had to be attached to the report. (_NO-1133, Pros.
Ex. 335._)
Directive issued by the Reich Ministry of the Interior to the
effect that personnel and sick records are to be attached.
(_NO-1132, Pros. Ex. 341._)
Letter of 30 April 1941, with regard to the child Thalmeyer.
(_NO-1138, Pros. Ex. 349._) In that case a medical report on the
child was especially required.
Testimony of Schmidt. (_Tr. p. 1828._) According to this, the
registration followed upon information obtained from health
offices, midwives, and clinics for children.
Medical opinion was given by special advisers who cooperated with
official physicians.