Newsgroups: alt.revisionism Followup-To: alt.revisionism Subject: Holocaust Almanac: Chelmno's Gas Wagons (Footnotes) [Translation] Archive/File: camps/chelmno/gas-wagons/sonderdruck.0387 Last-Modified: 1996/03/08 Footnotes --------- Page One, p.403 --------------- 1. Deposition by Gustav Laabs driver of a gas-van in Chelmno, dated 29.11.1960, _Staatsanwaltschaft (StA)_ [Attorney bureau] Bonn, _Aktenzeichen (Az)_ [Filen-number] 8 Js 52/60 [[ZSL, Az.203 AR-Z 69/59, Bl.912]]. The designation/word is used as well in the literature and by witnesses. Raul Hilberg, {The destruction of the European Jews}, Chicago 1961, p.219, uses "{gas-van}", apparently a tranlation of the German word. _SS-Obersturmfuehrer_ Walter Rauff, _Gruppenleiter_ [department-leader] of Dienststelle_[department of services] II D (Technical matters) in the RSHA [_Reichssicherheitshauptamt_: Main security bureau in the Reich] speaks in his affidavit dated 19.10.1945 about "{death vans}", International Military Tribunal, Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International Military Tribunal, Nuremberg (IMT) Vol.30, Doc.2384-PS. In the description given in document IMT 501-PS the word _Vergasungswagen_ [gassing-van] is used. 2. Letter by Rauff to the KTI [Kriminaltechnisches Institut] dated 26.3.1942. Copy in ZSL, Folder: Verschiedenes Nr.227. 3. Entry/note in file dated 27.4.1942, Copy in ZSL, USA Dok. Film I, Bl.19-25; Letter by _Firma Gaubschat_ [Company/manufacturer] to the _Referat_ [sub-department] IID 3a of the RSHA dated 14.5.1942, ZSL, USA Dok. Film I, Bl.28. 4. Entry/note in file dated 5.6.1942, Copy ZSL, USA Dok. Film I, Bl.9-14; facsimile in: _Nationalsozialistische Massentoetung durch Giftgas. Eine Dokumentation, hrsg. von A.Rueckerl/E.Kogon/H.Langbein u.a._, Frankfurt a. M.1983, pp.333-337. [This should be also available in the English Translation now] Letter by _SS- Obersturmfuehrer_ Schaefer to Rauff dated 9.6.1942, IMT-Doc. 501-PS. 5. Letter by _SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer_ Truehe to Rauff dated 15.6.1942, IMT-Doc. 501-PS. The "S" is probably an abbreviation to _spezial_ or _sonder_ [special]. These adverbs were originally used with respect to the container-superstructure, which was specially manufactured. Cf. entry/note in file dated 23.6.1942, Copy ZSL, USA Dok. Film II, B1.14-16, where the word _Spezialaufbauten_ [special superstructure] is used. The relation to the camouflage word _Sonderbehandlung_ [special treatment], i.e. killing is apparent, IMT-Doc. 501-PS. 6. Letter by _SS-Gruppenfuehrer_ Harald Turner to _SS- Obergruppenfuehrer_ Karl Wolff, head of the personal staff of the _Reichsfuehrer SS (RFSS)_ [Leader of the SS, H.Himmler], dated 11.4.1942, StA Muenchen II, Az.10a Js 39/60, bill of indictment/accusation [[ZSL, Az. Sammelakte 137, Bl.164-167]. Page Two, p.404 --------------- 7. The earliest document is dated 26.3.1942, cf. Note [2]. In the entry dated 5.6.1942 it is noted that since december 1941 97.000 human beings were "processed", i.e. killed with tree vans, cf. Note [4]. 8. See as well: A.Rueckerl (ed.): _NS-Vernichtungslager im Spiegel deutscher Strafprozesse. Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, Chelmno._ Muenchen 1977; same author: _NS-Prozess nach 25 Jahren Strafverfolgung. Moeglichkeiten, Grenzen, Ergebnisse, Karlsruhe 1971. _Nationalsozialistische Massentoetung_ Frankfurt a.M. 1983. Here I'd like to thank the ZSL for the support and the helps, especially Mr Chief-attorney A.Rueckerl, Mr Chief-attorney A. Streim, Mr attorney W.Dressen, Inspector S.Fritschle and last but not least Mrs H.Doms from the documentation. 9. I.Arndt/W.Scheffler: _Organisierter Massenmord an den Juden in nationalsozialistischen Vernichtungslagern. Ein Beitrag zur Richtigstellung apologetischer Literatur_, in: VfZ 24 (1976), S.115 Anm.20. 10. See for an excellent example, A.Streim, _Die Behandlung der Kriegsgefangenen im Fall Barabarossa_, Heidelberg 1981, S.74 ff. In the following, the different quality of documents and witness testimonies is remarked here, by notifying each quotation from a depostition. 11. This allows for instance to check the credibility/consistency of witnesses. If there exist consistency between document and testimony, it is reasonable to assume that the witness's deposition is reliable/trustworthy as well with respect to facts/ cases which aren't covered by documents. Page Three , p.405 ------------------ 12. Deposition by H.H.Renfranz, dated 10.10.1962, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 614/62 [ZSL, Az. V 203 AR-???1101/1960, Bl.2]. See also _Nationalsozialistische Massentoetung_, p. ^62 ff; E.Klee, "_Euthanasie" im NS-Staat. Die "Vernichtung lebenswerten Lebens_", Frankfurt a.M. 1983, S.106 ff and S.190 ff. 13. IMT, Vol. 26, S.169. 14. Deposition by A.Widmann, Head of Abt. V D 2 (Chemistry and Biology) in the KTI, dated 11.1.1960; StA Duesseldorf, Az. 8 Js7212/59 [ZSL, Az.202 AR-Z 152/59, Bl.51 f.]; deposition by A.Becker, 20.6.1961, StA Stuttgart, Az. 13 Js 328/60 [ZSL, Az.439 AR-Z 18a/60, Bl.1001 ff.] See also _Nationalsozialistische Massentoetung_, S.46; Klee, "_Euthanasie_", S.84 f. 15. same sources as note [13] 16. deposition by A.Widmann, 27.1.1959, StA Duesseldorf, Az.8 Js 7212/59 [ZSL, Az. 439 AR-Z 18a/??, Bl.36 f.]; Klee, "_Euthanasie_", S.84 f. 17. deposition by A.Becker, 28.1.1960, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az.415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.36 ff.]. 18. deposition by Walter Schade, datd 12.2.1959, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az.415, AR-Z 220/59, Bl.110 ff.]. 19. cf. note [12] Page Four , p.406 ----------------- 20. cf. note [12] 21. Copy ZSL, USA Dok.Bd.II, Bl.6; see also Klee, "_Euthanasie_", p.191. 22. He testified on 7.3.1962, that before 1941 another "Gaswagen" was tested in Sachsenhausen and produced there; StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/1960 [ZSL, Az. 415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.277 ff; see also Rueckerl, NS-Vernichtungslager, p. 268, note 55. 23. Cf. text p.409 f. [Page Seven f.] 24. deposition by A.Trenkers, dated 17.5. 1962, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az. 415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.635]. 25. deposition dated 16.5.1961, StA Bonn, Az.8 Js 52/60 [ZSL, Az. 203 AR-Z 69/59, Bl.678 f.]. 26. Cf. note [24] 27. Copy of the correspondence in: ZSL, USA Dok.Bd.I, Bl.90 and 98; Bd.II, Bl.801-807. See as well Klee, "_Euthanasie_", pp.190-193. Characteristically, on the letter there is a note by Wolff, that he phone with Brack, one of the responsibles in the "Euthanasie"- program, about the affair. Page Five, p.407 ---------------- 28. _Diensttagebuch_ [Diary kept on duties during service/official diary] Bach-Zelewski, Bundesarchiv, Sign.R20/45b, Copy ZSL, _Findmittelschrank_ Nr.35. Accordingly, Himmler was in Baranowitschi on 30-7-1941 and in Baranowitschi and Minsk on 15/16th August 1941. On 15th August, Bach attended/was drawn [to the visit], so Himmler's observation of the shootings is most likely to be dated on that day. Cf. deposition by the Russian [lady-]doctor N.N.Akimova, who reports about a visit spent by Himmler to a sanatorium in August 1941; see A.Ebbinghaus/G.Preissler: _Die Ermordung psychisch kranker Menschen in der Sowjetunion. Dokumentation_, in: _Aussonderung und Tod. Die klinische Hinrichtung der Unbrauchbaren_, Berlin 1985, p.188. 29. About _Einsatzgruppe B_: H.Krausnick/H.-H.Wilhelm, _Die Truppe des Weltanschaungskrieges. Die Einsatzgruppen der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD 1938-1942_, Stuttgart 1982, p.179ff. 30. Deposition by Back-Zelewski in: _Aufbau_ (New York), 23.8.46, p.2. Cf. similar deposition by Karl Wolff, Himmler's adjutant, who attended there too, StA Muenchen, Az.10a Js 39/60, _Anklageschrift_ [bill of indictment/accusation] [ZSL, Az.Sammelakte 137, Bl.140ff] with further testimonies about the incidence. 31. Ibid. Cf. N.N.Akimova's deposition (note 28). 32. Deposition by Back-Zelewski (note 30 ). Cf. deposition by the chemist H.Hoffmann, 7-1-59, StA Duesseldorf, 8 Js 7212/59 [ZSL, Az.439 AR-Z 18a/60,Bl.28]. 33. Deposition by A.Widmann as of 11-1-1960 (note 14),Bl.45ff; A.Bauer, driver with the KTI, deposition as of 17-3-1960, H.Schmidt, collaborator with the KTI, StA Bremen, Az.6Js 3/60 [ZSL, Az.202 AR-Z152/59, Bl.135; 201]. 34. Deposition by A.Widmann as of 11-1-1960 (note 14), Bl.46. Page six , p.408 ---------------- 35. Cf. note 28 36. Same as note [14], Bl.50f. Gerald Reitlinger, _Die Endloesung. Hitlers Versuch der Ausrottung der Juden Europas 1939-1945_, Berln 1951, mentions on page 1944, that in 1949 negatives were found in Nebe's home, which show this incident/procedure. According to E.J.Else, superintendent of transport services of the _K-Staffel_ [squad] in the 1st company, Police-Battaillon 3, the van, recognizable on these pictures, belonged to his transport park. Deposition on 13- 12-1962, StA Frankfurt a.M., Az 4 Js 1928/60 [ZSL, Az.202 AR- Z 152/1959, Bl.1127] Thus, he was member of _Einsatzkommando 8_, which participated in the experiment. 37. Ebbinghaus/Preissler, _Ermordung_, p.189. The plausibility of this date is given by the following relations: Bach-Zelewski couldn't attend at the final conference/meeting because of a Russian air-attack/raid, which happened on 17-9-1941 according to Bach-Zelewski's diary. Cf. too Widmann's deposition on 11-1-1960 (note 14). 38. This date may be exactly determined because the witnesses name the days of the week on which they stayed in Minsk and Mogilew. When relating these statements with the exact fixture in time, 18-9, one gets the period for the stay. 39. Deposition by A.Widmann on 11-1-1960 (note 14); further testimonies in the same vein: Karl Schulz, Nebe's adjutant, deposition on 9-3-1959, StA Stuttgart, Az.13 Js 328/60 [ZSL, Az.439 AR-Z 18a/1960, Bl.48]; deposition by B.Wehners on 26- 1-1960, StA Bremen, Az.6 Js 3/6 [ZSL, Az.202 AR-Z 152/1959, Bl.57f.]. Page seven , p.409 ------------------ 40. Deposition by A.Widmann on 27-1-1959 (note 16), Bl.33f; deposition by H.Engelmann, Nebe's adjutant, on 9-1-1951, ibid, Bl.617; deposition by B.Wehner on 26-1-1960 (note 37). 41. Krausnick/Wilhelm, _Truppe_, pp.150ff. 42. Deposition by A.Widmann on 27-1-1959 (note 16) and on 12- 1-1960 (note). These two depositions differ inasmuch, that different dates are given for the events described. In the first deposition, he gives as date: shortly after the beginning campaign in Russia, in the second: "shortly before the campaign/onslaught/invasion in Russia". This second statement is probably wrong/incorrect, as the psychic stress of the execution squads and the great distances in Russia as hindrance for the transport of CO-cylinders are mentioned. These arguments/reasons may play a role only after the begin of the campaign in Russia. Further observations/considerations to follow will corroborate this claim. 43. ibid. 44. Decision by _Landgericht_ [Provincial/regional court] Hannover on Pradel and Wentritt, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL Az.415 Ar-Z 220/1959,Bl.419f]. 45. StA Hamburg, Az. 147 Js 31/67 [ZSL, Az.II 415 AR-Z 1310/63-E32, Bl.545]. Page eight, p.410 ----------------- 46. Deposition on 2-2-1961, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az.415 Ar-Z 220/59, Bl.260b]. Compare the following statements with the court-decision on Pradel, Bl.418 ff. 47. Deposition by M.Bauer, technician of the Gaubschat factory, on 21-3-1961, StA Hannover, 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL Az.202 AR-Z 152/59, Bl.275f.]. 48. Deposition by H.Wentritt on 2-2-1961 (note 46), Bl.260d ff. 49. Cf. following statements p.412 [Pag ten]. 50. IMT-Doc. 2348-PS. The credibility of this testimony is corroborated by that of H.Wentritt (note 46), Bl.260 e, who mentions as well a number of five or six vehicles. 51. Deposition by H.Wentritt on 2-2-1961 (note 46), Bl. 260b ff. Page nine, p.411 ---------------- 52. Deposition on 6-2-1959, StA Stuttgart, Az.13 Js 328/60 [ZSL, Az.439 AR-Z 18a/1960, Bl.39]. This analysis is testified also by Widmann (note 14). 53. Deposition by Widmann on 12-1-1960, ibid.; see also IMT- Doc.501-PS dated 16.5.42. 54. This is testified unanimously by Leiding, Hoffmann and Widmann. 55. See, Krausnick/Wilhelm, pp.544f. The testimonies fix the time for the experiment to early November 1941. 56. Deposition on 6-2-1959 (note 52), Bl.40. Hoffmann describes the event similarly; deposition on 27-1-1959, StA Hannover, Az.2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az.415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.95ff.]. 57. See, court-decision on Pradel, Bl.427. 58. Deposition by E.Freiwald, employee at the KTI, on 3-9- 1959 and W.Schade on 12-2-1959, StA Hannover, Az.2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az. 415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.68f and 181]. 59. See, note 44. Page ten, p.412 --------------- 60. File entry dated 27.4.1942 and 5.6.1942 (note 3). 61. File entry dated 23.6.1942 (note 5). 62. Letter by Rauff to the KTI dated 26-3-1942 (note 2). 63. Cf. the following statements/arguments p.413 [Page eleven]. 64. Note 41, pp.186 ff. 65. Deposition by a member of this command, Lauer, StA Darmstadt, Az. Ks 1/67 [ZSL 205 AR-Z 269/60, Bl.2390ff]. P.Blobel, leader of _Einsatzkommando 4a_, testified on 6-5- 1947 in Nuremberg, that a gas-van was used already in September or October 1941. This statement cannot be correct. Howeber, his description of the smaller vehicles is conclusive. Nuremberg Document NO-3824. 66. ibid. 67. L.Bednarz, Extermination Camp at Chelmno, in: German Crimes in Poland 1/1946, p.110. Regarding _Sonderkommando Lange_ cf. Rueckerl, _NS-Vernichtungslager_, pp.243ff . 68. See note 1. Page eleven, p.413 ------------------ 69. Deposition by the driver K.Gebel on 23-10-1962, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az.415 AR-Z 20/59, Bl.634f.]. 70. IMT-Doc 501-PS. 71. See note 41, pp.195 ff. 72. Court-decision on Drexel and Kehrer, StA Muenchen I, Az.119c Ks 6 a-b/70, Bl.33-35 [ZSL, Az.Sammelakte 32]. 73. Deposition by Becker on 26-40-1960, StA Giessen, Az.3 Js 11/60 [ZSL, Az.2 AR-Z 311/59, Bl.194] 74. ibid., Bl.195; Becker's statements are ascertained by Ohlendorf, _Einsatzgruppen_-case Per. ??02 VI, Interrogation Nr.167. 75. Consequently, all dates given before this date and relating to the usage of gas-vans cannot be correct. Cf. note 65 too. 78. Deposition by Jeckeln on 21-12-1945 (note 41), p.548. 79. See the arguments on p.414 [Page twelve]. Page twelve , p.414 ------------------- 79. That the number of people carried in the van may be viewed as a sure mark of the vans is ascertained by the notes in the files on 5.6.1942 (note 4). 80. See notes 54 and 56. 81. See note 50. 82. This formulation/words were used by Becker in his report on 16.5.1942, IMT-Doc. 501-PS. 83. Deposition by H.Wentritt on 2. 2. 1960 (see note 44), Bl.260h; letter on 15.6.1942, IMT-Doc 501-PS. 84. Deposition by H.Hoffmanns on 27.1.1959, StA Duesseldorf, Az. 8 Js 7212/59 [ZSL, Az.439 AR-Z 18a/1960, Bl.28]; deposition by A.Becker on 26-3-1960 (note 71), Bl.195. As the first series consisted not only of chassis of one type, Becker couldn't give a more precise designation in his report on 16.5.1942, as he did with the vans of the second series. 85. See above p.410 [Page eight]. 86. Letter to Gaubschat company on 30.4.1942, Copy ZSL, USA Dok. Film I Nr.26f.; Letter from Becker to Rauff on 16.5.1942, IMT-Doc. 501-PS; Letter from Schaefer to Rauff on 9.6.1952 (note 4); Truehe to Rauff on 15.6.1942 (note 5). 87. Note in the files on 27.4.1942 (note 3). This number of people can be calculated from the measures given there. 88. See note 5. 89. See note 44 (Bl.429). 90. See note 3. Page thirteen, p.415 -------------------- 91. Note in the files on 5.6.1942 (note 4). 92. Cf. note 86. 93. This may be concluded from a letter from Gaubschat company to Rauff on 14.5.1942 (note 3). 94. Cf. the letters on 9. and 15.6.1942 and Becker's report on 16.5.1942, IMT-Doc. 501-PS. Regarding the witness- testimonies see _NS-Massentoetung_, pp.87ff. 95. See note 62. 96. Deposition by A.Becker on 28-1-1960 (note 17), Bl.44. 97. See note 3. 98. Note in the files on 5.6.1942 (note 4). Page fourteen, p.416 -------------------- 99. See above p.413 [Page eleven] 100. Deposition by Becker on 26-3-1960 (note 73). 101. ibid. Bl.197f. 102. ibid.; cf. his report on 16.5.1942 too. 103. Note in the files on 5.6.1942 (note 4). 104. See note 5; deposition by H.Munk on 3.2.1959, StA Karlsruhe, Az. Js 2138/58 [ZSL, Az.415 AR-Z 220/59, Bl.499ff.] 105. 16.5.1942 (note 82) 106. Note in the files 5.6.1942 (note 4). Deposition by A.Widmann on 11.1.1960 (note 14). 107. See note 6. 108. IMT-Doc 501-PS. 109. ibid. 110. Deposition by M.Draheim on 29.8.1961, StA Hannover, Az. 2 Js 299/60 [ZSL, Az. 415 AR-Z 220/1959, Bl.294f] deposition by W.Schmidt, ibid, Bl.260zf. 111. IMT, Vol.4, deposition on 3.1.1946, p.357. Page fifteen, p.417 ------------------- 112. Deposition by Becker on 28-4-1960 (note 96), Bl.43. 113. Cf. depositions by the drivers G.Laabs and K.Gebel (notes 1 and 69). 114. Deposition by A.Truehe on 16-10-1959, ZSL, Az 2 AR-Z 311/59, Bl.43ff. 115. Cf. draft version of a letter from the official/administrative servant at the ministry for the occupied territories to the _Reichskommisar_ for the _Ostland_ on 25.10.1942, Doc. No-365; deposition by SS- and Police-Leader Warthegau W.Koppe on 2-2- 1960, StA Bonn, Az.18 Js 52/60 [ZSL, Az.220/59, Bl.138f.]. 116. Note in the files on 5.6.1942 (note 4). There we read: "Since December 1941 e.g., 97.000 have been processed with 3 vans employed, without any failure of the vehicles."
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