A. Medical Experiments (continued 17)

One practical way of proceeding would be, for instance, to let the persons to be treated approach a counter, where they could be asked to answer some questions or to fill in forms, which would take them 2 or 3 minutes. The official sitting behind the counter could operate the installation in such a way as to turn a switch which would activate the two valves simultaneously (since the irradiation has to operate from both sides). With a two-valve installation about 150-200 persons could then be sterilized per day, and therefore, with 20 such installations as many as 3,000-4,000 persons per day. In my estimation a larger daily number could not in any case be sent away for this purpose. As to the expenses for such a two-valve system, I can only give a rough estimate of approximately 20,000-30,000 RM. Additionally, however, there would be the cost of the construction of a new building, because adequately extensive protective installations would have to be provided for the officials on duty.

In summary, it may be said that, having regard to the present state of radiological technique and research, mass sterilization by means of X-rays can be carried out without difficulty. However, it seems to be impossible to do this in such a way that the persons concerned do not sooner or later realize with certainty that they have been sterilized or castrated by X-rays.

[Signed] Brack

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-205

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 163

LETTER FROM BRACK TO HIMMLER, 23 JUNE 1942, PROPOSING STERILIZATION OF TWO TO THREE MILLION JEWS

Viktor Brack

SS Oberfuehrer

Berlin, W 8, Voss-Strasse 4, 23 June 1942

[Initial] HH

Top Secret

To the Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police

Heinrich Himmler,

Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Str. 8

Dear Reich Leader,

On the instructions of Reich Leader [Reichsleiter] Bouhler I placed some of my men—already some time ago—at the disposal of Brigadefuehrer Globocnik to execute his special mission. On his renewed request I have now transferred additional personnel. On this occasion Brigadefuehrer Globocnik stated his opinion that the whole Jewish action should be completed as quickly as possible so that one would not get caught in the middle of it one day if some difficulties should make a stoppage of the action necessary. You, yourself, Reich Leader, have already expressed your view, that work should progress quickly for reasons of camouflage alone. Both points which in principle arrive at the same result are more than justified as far as my own experience goes; nevertheless would you kindly allow me to submit the following argument:

Among 10 millions of Jews in Europe there are, I figure, at least 2-3 millions of men and women who are fit enough to work. Considering the extraordinary difficulties the labor problem presents us with, I hold the view that those 2-3 millions should be specially selected and preserved. This can, however, only be done if at the same time they are rendered incapable to propagate. About a year ago I reported to you that agents of mine had completed the experiments necessary for this purpose. I would like to recall these facts once more. Sterilization, as normally performed on persons with hereditary diseases, is here out of the question, because it takes too long and is too expensive. Castration by X-ray however is not only relatively cheap, but can also be performed on many thousands in the shortest time. I think, that at this time it is already irrelevant whether the people in question become aware of having been castrated after some weeks or months once they feel the effects.

Should you, Reich Fuehrer, decide to choose this way in the interest of the preservation of labor, then Reichsleiter Bouhler would be prepared to place all physicians and other personnel needed for this work at your disposal. Likewise he requested me to inform you that then I would have to order the apparatus so urgently needed with the greatest speed.

Heil Hitler!

Yours,

[Signed] Viktor Brack

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-206

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 164

LETTER FROM HIMMLER (COUNTERSIGNED BY RUDOLF BRANDT), 11 AUGUST 1942, ADDRESSED TO BRACK, CONCERNING HIMMLER’S INTEREST IN STERILIZATION EXPERIMENTS

The Reich Leader SS

1314/42 [Handwritten]

XIa/126 [Handwritten]

11 August 1942

Figure 11—[Handwritten]

SS Senior Col. (SS Oberfuehrer) Brack Field Headquarters

Berlin W 8 Voss-Strasse 4

Top Secret

4 copies

4th copy

Dear Brack:

It is only today that I have the opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of 23 June. I am positively interested in seeing that sterilization by X-rays is tried out at least once in one camp in a series of experiments.

I will be very much obliged to Reichsleiter Bouhler if, to begin with, he would place the expert physicians for the series of experiments at our disposal.

I will mail a copy of this letter to the Reich Physician SS and to the competent Chief of the Main Office for concentration camps.

Heil Hitler!

Yours,

[Signed] H. Himmler

SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl

SS Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz

For information.

By order[Handwritten] Br.

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

[Stamp] 11 August 1942

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-208

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 166

LETTER FROM BLANKENBURG TO HIMMLER, 29 APRIL 1944, REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF DR. HORST SCHUMANN ON EXPERIMENTS CONCERNING THE INFLUENCE OF X-RAYS ON HUMAN GENITAL GLANDS IN CONNECTION WITH SIMILAR EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED AT CONCENTRATION CAMP AUSCHWITZ

Chancellery of the Fuehrer of the NSDAP

File No: IIa/Kt.

Berlin W 8, Vosstrasse 4, 29 April 1944

Telephone No.: local 120054

Long distance 126621

Top Secret

To the Reich Leader SS and Chief of the German Police, Heinrich Himmler

Berlin SW 11, Prinz Albrecht Strasse 9

Dear Reich Leader!

By order of Reich Leader (Reichsleiter) Bouhler I submit to you as an enclosure a work of Dr. Horst Schumann on the influence of X-rays on human genital glands.

Previously you have asked Senior Colonel [Oberfuehrer] Brack to perform this work, and you supported it by providing the adequate material in the concentration camp Auschwitz. I point especially to the 2d part of this work, which shows that by those means a castration of males is almost impossible or requires an effort which does not pay. As I have convinced myself, operative castration requires not more than 6 to 7 minutes, and therefore can be performed more reliably and quicker than castration by X-rays.

Soon I shall be able to submit a continuation of this work to you.

Heil Hitler!

[Handwritten] Your devoted,

[Signed] Blankenburg

Enclosure

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-211

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 169

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR CLAUBERG TO HIMMLER, 30 MAY 1942 (REFERRING TO A LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT), CONCERNING THE URGENCY OF RESEARCH INTO BIOLOGICAL PROPAGATION AND STERILIZATION WITHOUT OPERATION, AND DRAFT OF A “RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL PROPAGATION”

Professor C. Clauberg, M. D. Chief Physician of the Gynecological Clinics of the Miners’ (Knappschaft) Hospital and of the St. Hedwig Hospital.

Koenigshuette, Upper Silesia, 30 May 1942

Telephone 409-31

[Handwritten]

Wednesday 8 July

To the Reich Leader SS Heinrich Himmler Through SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of the Police Schmauser

[Handwritten]

discussed H. H. [Heinrich Himmler]

Dear Reich Leader!

In answer to my letter of 5 June 1941 “concerning the Research Institute for Biological Propagation” I received at that time by return mail the answer of your personal adjutant, SS Sturmbannfuehrer Brandt, dated 19 June 1941 saying that you, Reich Leader, would come back to my expose as soon as possible. Without any doubt the far more important events of the war which happened shortly afterwards prevented this.

If I may remind you briefly, the continuation of my work had been rendered impossible because of the problem of carrying out the procurement of female concentration camp inmates. On the occasion of a scientific discussion with the Stabsfuehrer of your office here, SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Dr. Arlt, I also happened to speak about my research activities in the field of biological propagation. Dr. Arlt told me then that the one person in Germany today who would be particularly interested in these matters and who would be able to help me would be you, most honorable Reich Leader. In his capacity as a member of the SS and Stabsfuehrer of your office here, I then told him briefly that I had already submitted this matter to you.

After this discussion, I most obediently take the liberty of asking you to make it possible for me to carry out these tasks here in Upper Silesia.

In order to explain what would be necessary at the moment—that is, at least for the time being—the two most urgent questions and fundamental problems should be stated briefly once more.

A. In the question of the positive population policy, the eventual or most probable importance of agriculture for the female capacity for propagation demands clarification. This is to be thoroughly probed and tested by experiments on animals, namely, on the experimental animal which is proverbially most fertile and at the same time variable in its fertility—the rabbit. The question is whether good general nutrition with food obtained through intensive farming can reduce fertility, and if this should be the case, what factor (positive or negative) is responsible.

B. In the question of the negative population policy the situation now is such that from animal experiments (in which I have demonstrated the possibility of sterilization without operation) we must proceed to the first experiments on human beings.

For that purpose the following is necessary:

With ref. to A. Problem of fertility and agriculture.

1. Land—that is, as much “untouched”, “wild” or hitherto “badly” farmed land as possible. For the first animal experiments to be conducted at least 10 Morgen [Morgen = 2/3 of an acre] would be needed.

2. Personnel to till the land.

3. Animal material—that is, a few hundred female rabbits and the corresponding number of males necessary.

4. Animal hutches and shelters.

5. Persons to attend and guard the animals.

With ref. to B. Sterilization without operation.

1. Occasional special billeting for 5 to 10 women (single rooms or rooms for two persons) corresponding to the conditions of sick rooms.

2. Special X-ray apparatus with installation and accessories.

3. Smaller outfit of instruments and material.

Reich Leader! Without wishing to anticipate your decision, I am taking the liberty of proposing that the experiments necessary for A and B be carried out at the Auschwitz concentration camp and that the facilities there be used. As I already told you in the course of our conversation, I would be very much pleased to work under you as head of an experimental institute, directed exclusively by you.

I believe that in view of the procurement of the land, the necessary animals, the attending personnel, and the human material to be provided, an annex to your camp in Upper Silesia would offer the best facilities. Cash would be needed only for the procurement of—

With ref. to A.

1. Animal material.

2. Material for the animals’ stables and shelters.

3. A conscientious working person to attend them.

With ref. to B.

4. Special accommodations for 5 to 10 female camp inmates undergoing experiments.

5. Eventually a special X-ray installation.

6. Smaller outfit of instruments and material.

Reich Leader! The explanations and dispositions made here are related to the fact that the most necessary and most urgent means for solution of this problem should at once be created and set in motion. My suggestions are absolutely adapted to the present times and attempt to meet the circumstances. As one problem arises from the other or—I should rather say—as many further problems will arise, the ideal pattern of such a “Research Institution of the Reich Leader SS for Biological Propagation” the establishment of which is to be considered, would present itself as an entity, on the one hand far greater in scope, and on the other hand more concentrated and closely knit in shape. A short sketch is enclosed as a suggestion for that purpose. This suggestion is to demonstrate the possibility of realization of all the thoughts discussed and submitted to you.

Heil Hitler!

Yours most obediently,

[Signed] Prof. Clauberg.

Draft of a “Research Institute for Biological Propagation”

The center from which all ideas start, all problems are raised and their execution directed, and finally turned over into practical use, is and remains the clinic. It must be an obstetric clinic at the same time. For the problems (which are mostly of a hormonal nature) do not merely extend into practical gynecology and obstetrics but also reach deeply into them and remain most closely connected with pregnancy and obstetrics as well. These problems are just as unlimited and therefore must necessarily be solved step by step, as they are proving to be successful for obstetrics also in the future.

In this clinic the possibility must be provided—

a. for most intensive treatment of women hitherto sterile but desirous of bearing children and for applying and testing of newly gained experiences in cases hitherto seemingly hopeless.

b. to evaluate the method of sterilization without operation (bloodless sterilization) on women unworthy of propagation and to use this method continually after it is finally proved efficient.

Attached to this clinic there is to be—

c. a laboratory for extensive animal experiments, which will always serve as a basis for further research.

There should also be incorporated in this research station—

d. an experimental farm as a basis for the solution of the questions of “agriculture and fertility,” that is—

1. far reaching nutrition experiments on animals, and

2. far reaching nutrition experiments on human beings (female camp inmates).

Sketch enclosed.

[Handwritten] 30 May 1942.

Clauberg

“Research Institute for Biological Propagation”

Experimental Farm—

a. For far reaching nutrition experiments on the animal.

Laboratory for further experimental research on animals.

b. For far reaching nutrition experiments on human beings. (Special production of food for female camp inmates.)

Clinic for gynecology and obstetrics

Clinical and Polyclinical Department—

a. Treatment of sterile women desired to propagate.

b. Further clinical research on cases of sterility hitherto seemingly hopeless.

Clinical department—

For sterilization without operation (bloodless sterilization) on women (women unworthy of propagation or women whose propagation is not desirable—at first to test method without operation, later for current use).

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-216

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 170

MEMORANDUM OF RUDOLF BRANDT, JULY 1942, ON A DISCUSSION BETWEEN HIMMLER, GEBHARDT, GLUECKS, AND CLAUBERG CONCERNING STERILIZATION EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED ON JEWESSES

Fuehrer Headquarters, July 1942

Top Secret

1 copy

On 7 July 1942 a discussion took place between the Reich Leader SS, SS Brigadefuehrer Professor Dr. Gebhardt, SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks, and SS Brigadefuehrer Clauberg, Koenigshuette. The topic of the discussion was the sterilization of Jewesses. The Reich Leader SS has promised SS Brigadefuehrer Professor Clauberg that Auschwitz concentration camp will be at his disposal for his experiments on human beings and animals. By means of some fundamental experiments, a method should be found which would lead to sterilization of persons without their knowledge. The Reich Leader SS wanted to get another report as soon as the result of these experiments was known, so that the sterilization of Jewesses could then be carried out in actuality.

It should also be examined, preferably in cooperation with Professor Dr. Hohlfelder, an X-ray specialist in Germany, what way sterilization of men could be achieved by X-ray treatment.

The Reich Leader SS called the special attention of all gentlemen present to the fact that the matter involved was most secret and should be discussed only with the officers in charge and that the persons present at the experiments or discussions had to pledge secrecy.

[Signed] Brandt

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer.

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-213

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 171

LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO CLAUBERG, 10 JULY 1942, TRANSMITTING INSTRUCTIONS OF HIMMLER TO PERFORM STERILIZATIONS ON JEWESSES AT CONCENTRATION CAMP RAVENSBRUECK

Reich Leader SS Personal Staff

Journal Number 1266/42, Bra/Dr.

[Handwritten]

Returned 31 October 1942 by Pol. Administration K.

Fuehrer Headquarters, 10 July 1942

Top Secret

[Handwritten]

Original handed to G.

6 copies—6th copy

1. Professor Clauberg

Koenigshuette.

[Handwritten]

W 1-10

1-5-43

Dear Professor!

Today the Reich Leader SS charged me with transmitting to you his wish that you go to Ravensbrueck after you have had another talk with SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl and the camp physician of the women’s concentration camp Ravensbrueck, in order to perform the sterilization of Jewesses according to your method.

Before you start your job, the Reich Leader SS would be interested to learn from you how long it would take to sterilize a thousand Jewesses. The Jewesses themselves should not know anything about it. As the Reich Leader SS understands it, you could give the appropriate injections during a general examination.

Thorough experiments should be conducted to investigate the effect of the sterilization largely in a way that you find out after a certain time, which you would have to fix, perhaps by X-rays, what kind of changes have taken place. In some cases a practical experiment might be arranged by locking up a Jewess and a Jew together for a certain period and then seeing what results are achieved.

I ask you to let me know your opinion about my letter for the information of the Reich Leader SS.

Heil Hitler!

[Signed] Brandt

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

2. To SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl, Berlin.

[Handwritten] delivered to Boemer

Please acknowledge. SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Koegel also received a copy for the information of the camp physician. Moreover the Reich Physician SS and the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA) received a copy.

[Signed] Brandt

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

3. To SS Gruppenfuehrer Grawitz, Reich Physician SS.

Please acknowledge.

[Signed] Brandt

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

4. To SS. Obersturmbannfuehrer Koegel, WVHA.

Please acknowledge and inform the camp physician.

[Signed] Brandt

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

5. To the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA), Berlin.

SS Sturmbannfuehrer Guenther, IV B 4 (Department for Jews).

[Handwritten] SS Gruf. Mueller

Please acknowledge.

[Initialed] Br.

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-212

PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 173

LETTER FROM PROFESSOR CLAUBERG TO HIMMLER, 7 JUNE 1943, REPORTING ON RESEARCH IN CONNECTION WITH THE STERILIZATION OF WOMEN

Professor Dr. C. Clauberg,

Chief Physician of the Clinics for Women of the Miners’ (Knappschaft) Hospital and the St. Hedwig Hospital

Koenigshuette O. S., 7 June 1943

Telephone: 409-31

Secret

To the Reich Leader SS

Heinrich Himmler

Berlin

Dear Reich Leader,

Today I am fulfilling my obligation to report to you from time to time about the state of my research work. In doing this I am, as before, adhering to the procedure to report only if the matter is essential. The fact that, after my most recent interview in July 1942, I could not do so before today is due to temporary difficulties against which I myself was powerless and with which I could not bother you, Reich Leader. I mention as an example that only since February 1943 am I in possession of an X-ray installation, which is of great value to my special research. In spite of the short period of actually only 4 months, it is already today possible to report to you the following:

The method I contrived to achieve the sterilization of the female organism without operation is as good as perfected. It can be performed by a single injection made through the entrance of the uterus in the course of the customary gynecological examination known to every physician.—If I say that the method is “as good as perfected,” this means:

1. Still to be worked out are only minor improvements of the method.

2. Already today it could be put to practical use in the course of our regular eugenic sterilization and could thus replace the operation.

As to the question which you, Reich Leader, asked me almost one year ago, i. e., how much time would probably be required to sterilize 1,000 women by using this method. Today I can answer you with regard to the future as follows:

If my researches continue to have the same results as up to now—and there is no reason to doubt that—then the moment is not far off when I can say:

“One adequately trained physician in one adequately equipped place, with perhaps 10 assistants (the number of assistants in conformity with the speed desired) will most likely be able to deal with several hundred, if not even 1,000 per day.”

Please permit me to postpone my report about the other part of my researches (positive population policy) because it will take some time until something decisive can be said in this field.

Reich Leader! The main reason for my reporting to you today, shortly before the possibility of even more final results, is the following:

I know that the settlement of the last part of this particular complex of problems—in contrast to the external forces which determined the progress so far—depends now almost entirely on me. In this connection, several minor but nevertheless fundamental changes would be necessary which only you, my dear Reich Leader, can personally direct and order. I had hoped that I would be able to give you personally a short description of these requirements in the event of a visit to Upper Silesia. Since I have not had this opportunity, I am asking you for your decision today.

In addition I should like to make a further request. It was SS Brigadefuehrer Dr. Blumenreuter who finally managed to get me the one suitable X-ray installation. I am in urgent need of another installation of the same kind, and he informed me in February that he had another one stored in Berlin. He was ready to deliver it to me if I would secure your approval.

May I ask you, Reich Leader, for this approval?

Heil Hitler!

[Signed] Clauberg

EXTRACT FROM THE TESTIMONY OF THE DEFENDANT VIKTOR BRACK^[84]

DIRECT EXAMINATION

Dr. Froeschmann: What plans are you talking about?

Defendant Brack: The plans to exterminate the Jews which I told you about before. Having known them and having been in the Party Chancellery in the course of this conversation when I told Himmler that Grafeneck was to be abandoned, Himmler also told me of communications he had received from Poland, according to which the Jews there were using the temporary impotence of the Polish government to strengthen their own position and Himmler said something had to be done about this. He said something had to be undertaken to stop this because through the mixing of blood in the Polish Jews with that of the Jews from Western Europe a much greater danger for Germany was arising than even before the war, and he said it was his intention to sterilize the Jews according to reliable methods, according to a procedure which would permit mass sterilization. Operative sterilization was out of the question for one thing because you couldn’t do that without leaving some scar. Then he brought up the question, could not this be done with X-ray treatment? However, I didn’t know about this for sure, and in fact nobody knew about it, and especially didn’t know whether the person in question could be treated without noticing something. Himmler then said that Bouhler had gathered together so many scientists and doctors in the Euthanasia Program, consequently I should try to find out from him what he could tell me about sterilization, and tell him to report to me again.

Q. Well, what was the effect of this communication from Himmler on you?

A. This made a great impression on me. I believed that Heydrich could really have been the instigator of all of this.

In my interrogation I told the interrogator that I regarded such a plan to exterminate the Jews as unworthy of Germany and its leaders. From what I knew of Himmler it would never have occurred to me that such a destructive idea could have originated in his mind. Be that, however, as it may, whether the idea originated with Heydrich or Bormann, my attitude was opposed to this; and I felt that I was under the obligation to do anything I could to prevent this. If I had raised the least objection to it openly, I would have aroused great suspicion of myself and would have aroused a false reaction in Himmler. Therefore, I had to make the best of a bad job and had to pretend that I agreed with Himmler. I pretended to be willing to clarify the question of mass sterilization through X-ray methods. Many years ago I had been subjected to X-ray treatment for quite a period of time and had discussed with the doctor the effect of X-rays on the human body. Now I remembered from those discussions that the effect of X-rays on the sexual organs is only of slight importance and not lasting. Moreover, I knew that one of my associates was personally acquainted with an X-ray specialist and he told me that this specialist was conducting experiments on the effects of X-rays on the fertility of animals. However, there seemed to be no result.

Q. Mr. President, I present an affidavit of 25 February 1947, by Dr. Martin Zeller, a specialist, born 3 December 1880, living in Munich, signed by him on this same date and certified by myself. (Brack 26, Brack Ex. 31.) This affidavit contributes to the understanding of this matter now under discussion and I quote:

“I remember distinctly that 10 to 15 years ago I spoke to Viktor Brack about X-ray injuries. Brack was worried that he might develop an X-ray injury; at that time his knee had been X-rayed. When some time afterwards he had rough hands he thought that might be an X-ray burn. I explained to him that no injuries could result from our X-ray examinations since the quantities of radiation used for diagnosis were small and besides, the more distant parts of the body (that is, in the case of a picture of the knee being taken, the hands and genitals) were not in the danger zone under modern technical conditions.

“I also made the remark that even an intentional sterilization by X-ray treatment would, especially in the case of young persons, be difficult to achieve and even then only with a strong dose of prolonged radiation.”

And then in paragraph 2 the witness continues:

“It is quite possible that Brack in this way developed the views he brought forward, i. e., that the effect of X-rays upon the sexual organs is negligible, and that the danger of sterilization does not exist at all. The layman will not differentiate between X-ray diagnostics and X-ray therapy.”

A. I took this associate into my confidence and told him of my intention to deceive Himmler, if only to gain time. We agreed to deceive Himmler by giving him a certificate that seemed to say that sterilization by X-ray methods was possible and we would thus get him to pursue a false path. Just what was said in this certificate I do not know any longer. At any rate there were no positive results in it so that we couldn’t put it to Himmler in this form.

Dr. Froeschmann: Mr. President, let me remark in this connection, that after great efforts I have succeeded in finding the man who drew up this certificate of which the witness has just been speaking. I have found out his name and address. He lives in the Russian zone and for that reason it was not possible for me to get a copy of that certificate that he drew up at that time. However, I have contacted this doctor and he has declared his readiness to come to Nuernberg and to give me an affidavit, because as he said it, it would be a matter of course that he should help an innocent man if his testimony could do so. He does remember having given this certificate to Brack or to his associates and I ask permission to reserve the right to put this affidavit in evidence as soon as I have it, and when perhaps the doctor has had a chance to speak to the defendant.

Presiding Judge Beals: Counsel for defendant Brack may offer the affidavit as soon as it is received so long as it complies with the evidence in the case.

Dr. Froeschmann: Thank you, your Honor. Witness, please continue.

Defendant Brack: Naturally, this factor of uncertainty had to be taken into consideration.

Q. What exactly are you speaking of?

A. I am talking about the report we received.

Q. You mean the man who drew up the certificate, the expert?

A. Yes.

Presiding Judge Beals: Now, counsel, I don’t want you to misunderstand me. I said counsel may offer the affidavit; that means it is offered subject to any objection raised by the prosecution as to the form of the affidavit or its relevancy. Yesterday, the affidavits from Brazil were possibly offered by you because the Tribunal had said that they might be offered. The right to offer simply means offered, subject to objection, and that is not equivalent to saying that the affidavit will be received in evidence but it may be offered. That is the sense in which I have used the word “offer” towards this affidavit.

Dr. Froeschmann: Yes, your Honor, I understood the President and I shall only submit an affidavit which is in compliance with the regulation of this Tribunal. Would you please continue, Witness?

Defendant Brack: My collaborator changed the contents of this certificate in such a manner that sterilization becomes apparent as something possible from a medical point of view. That is exactly what is contained in my affidavit. Thus, this letter dated 28 March 1941, originated with Document NO-203, Prosecution Exhibit 161.

Q. Mr. President, let us reconstruct this letter quite shortly. I shall quote. It is addressed by Brack to Himmler, marked “Top Secret.”

“Dear Reich Leader:

“Enclosed I send to you for your information the report of the examination regarding the possibility of an X-ray sterilization or castration. I ask you to tell me whether anything can be done in the matter either theoretically or practically.”

That is the covering letter. This covering letter, Witness, in connection with the report which is attached was considered by the prosecution as being a serious suggestion for sterilization and the prosecution in that connection has stated that this needed no comment. What is your attitude toward it?

A. Neither the former nor the latter is correct. I admit that if one reads this letter or report without knowing the connections that impression can be created. I therefore have to attempt to analyze this report in order to explain to the Tribunal what we tried to achieve with this letter. I have to emphasize once more that the entire thing was a maneuver of deceit.

Q. With reference to the report which you attached to this letter (NO-203, Pros. Ex. 161) I should like to quote from it a very brief passage:

“Report on experiments concerning X-ray castration.

“The experiments in this field are concluded. The following result can be considered as established and adequately based on scientific research.

“If any persons are to be sterilized permanently, this result can only be attained by applying X-rays in a dosage high enough to produce castration with all its consequences, since high X-ray dosages destroy the internal secretion of the ovary or of the testicles, respectively. Lower dosages would only temporarily paralyze the procreative capacity. The consequences in question are, for example, the disappearance of menstruation, climacteric phenomena, changes in capillary growth, modification of metabolism, etc. In any case, attention must be drawn to these disadvantages.

“The actual dosage can be given in various ways, and irradiation can take place quite imperceptibly. The necessary local dosage for men is 500-600 r, for women 300-350 r. In general, an irradiation period of 2 minutes for men, 3 minutes for women, with the highest voltage, a thin filter, and at a short distance ought to be sufficient. There is, however, a disadvantage that has to be put up with. It is impossible unnoticeably to cover the rest of the body with lead, the other tissues of the body will be injured, and radiologic malaise, the so-called ‘Roentgenkater,’ will ensue.”

Witness, would you define your attitude toward this letter which I partly read?

A. I was speaking in connection with the talk I had with Himmler in the year of 1941. This becomes apparent from the paragraph “I herewith submit the result of an X-ray examination.” It looks now as though in effect experiments had been carried out by scientists, which was not the case. Himmler had to be reassured and that is why we had to emphasize that the experiments had been concluded and the result could be based on scientific work. Of course, we couldn’t state the result as being absolutely positive. We had to leave it to Himmler himself to judge it. In the first instance it was our intention to get Himmler off the idea. That is why we chose the formulation which can be seen in that letter—“If any persons are to be sterilized permanently.” It meant in effect that this was theoretically possible. At the same time, however, we pointed out that this success cannot be concealed and that phenomena will arise. That obviously was shown by the contents of the certificate itself, and it is emphasized that permanent sterilization makes a high dosage of X-rays necessary. These high dosages would then bring about the effects of castration with all of the accompanying symptoms which would be noticed immediately. If, however, lower dosages were used, you would only have stopped procreative capacity for a short time. We actually said that at the end of the report, namely, that the result of sterilization could be ascertained after a comparatively short time but that it was impossible to achieve the results of bringing about sterilization without being noticed, and in this way we thought we could get Himmler to give up that idea.

Q. Now, this was the first part of the letter. Now, let us discuss the second part. I am again referring to the method which you suggested to Himmler. You thought at that time “One practical way of proceeding would be, for instance, to let the persons to be treated approach a counter, where they could be asked to answer some questions or to fill in forms, which take them 2 or 3 minutes. The official sitting behind the counter could operate the installation in such a way as to turn a switch which would activate the two valves simultaneously (since the irradiation is to operate from both sides). With a two-valve installation about 150-200 persons could then be sterilized per day and, therefore, with 20 such installations as many as 3,000-4,000 persons per day. In my estimation a larger daily number could not in any case be sent away for this purpose.”

Herr Brack, how could you arrive at this idea of turning switches? This is completely nonunderstandable for a layman.

A. Himmler wanted this procedure to be carried out as simply as possible. Therefore, we had to suggest as simple a method as we could think of. On the other hand, this method increased the uncertainty of directing the rays to the corresponding parts of the body. That is what was discussed by my collaborator with his acquaintance. We suggested this switch method to Himmler with the idea of making this matter as simple as possible and at the same time preventing any active X-ray reaching the body. Furthermore, only 2-3 minutes were suggested as the length of time for these people to be subjected to these X-rays. How we arrived at these 500-600 figures—or 350 r.—I don’t know whether they were just invented or whether they were based upon something. I don’t know. But looking at it as a whole it contained a number of points that were to demonstrate to Himmler that the whole thing could not be carried out. There is a scientific basis for these suggestions.

Dr. Froeschmann: Mr. President, in connection with this point I have tried to get an unobjectionable irreproachable certificate for the correctness of what the defendant just stated. I shall get a certificate from a specialist. The man concerned says that this suggestion is absolutely senseless. I had, however, to wait for this certificate because I had to wait for an affidavit from another expert physician. With the permission of the Tribunal, I shall obtain a corresponding certificate from a radiologist who can show that it is credible that this entire suggestion was really scientific nonsense.

A. We had to take into account the possibility that Himmler might accept this proposal in spite of all these difficulties. We knew, however, that the preparation of any such installation would take a long time, for the building, etc. We thought that the war would end very quickly, and as I said before I didn’t know there was any threat from the West. And, in case of peace, the Madagascar plan, which had already been rejected, could once more be placed in the foreground. If on the other hand this suggestion was to be accepted and if at that time the war had not yet ended, the carrying out of this experiment on the 100-200 Jews was much less of an evil than Himmler taking the Jews and sterilizing them en masse or doing something worse to them.

Q. Mr. Brack, if I understand you correctly, you’re saying that, at that time, you had to make a decision between either killing millions of Jews or choosing the smaller evil by only suggesting this small number which you have mentioned upon whom experiments might be carried out. Is my opinion correct?

A. During my interrogations I designated this dilemma in a way by saying that this was our last way out. But, naturally, when judging these two possibilities one must take into consideration that one decides upon one possibility and, at the same time, feels an inner justification for doing so. The same way as a troop commander sacrifices a few thousand people somewhere if he can save a hundred thousand somewhere else.

Q. Now, Mr. Brack, in order to finish with this letter I want to say that you have stated the following at the end of that letter, and I quote:

“In summary it may be said that, having regard to the present state of radiological technique and research, mass sterilization by means of X-rays can be carried out without difficulty. However, it seems to be impossible to do this in such a way that the persons concerned do not, sooner or later, realize with certainty that they have been sterilized or castrated by X-rays.”

In your covering letter you apparently mentioned your second letter, and I quote:

“I request your instructions as to further theoretical or practical steps if any are to be taken in this matter.”

What is the significance of this latter statement?

A. By using this formulation I endeavored to keep control of the development of that matter. I never really counted on the realization of these experiments and I never had any intention of submitting a serious proposal to Himmler which would cause the sterilization of millions of Jews, but if Himmler was to accept this nonsensical proposal I wanted to have his idea delayed as long as possible. If this suggestion had been serious on my part I would have had to be a fanatical Jew hater, and I think I have already proved that I was not such a person.