LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO POHL, JUNE 1942, TRANSMITTING AN INQUIRY BY HIMMLER AS TO THE PROGRESS MADE WITH EXPERIMENTS FOR MEDICAL STERILIZATION

Fuehrer Headquarters, June 1942

Top Secret

Dear Obergruppenfuehrer,

On 10 March 1942, the Reich Leader SS sent you a memorandum written by Dr. Pokorny and the publication of Dr. Madaus on medicinal sterilization. In cooperation with the Reich Physician SS, experiments were to be made accordingly.

The Reich Leader SS inquired today as to how things were progressing. I would appreciate it if I might have some information soon.

LETTER FROM POHL TO HIMMLER, 3 JUNE 1942, CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STERILIZATION DRUG BY THE FIRM OF DR. MADAUS AND CO.

Berlin, 3 June 1942

Dear Reich Leader:

In reference to the above matter, I had a conversation today with E. Koch, Ph. D. and M. D., director of the Biological Institute of Dr. Madaus and Co., at Dresden-Radebeul.

I advised him of your desire to have publications on this subject discontinued for the time being. Dr. Koch will comply with your request.

Furthermore, experiments have reached a dead point because the caladium seguinum grows only in North America and during the war cannot be imported in adequate quantities. Dr. Koch’s attempts to grow this plant from seed cultivated in hothouses have been successful, it is true; but the process is very slow and the yield is not sufficient to permit carrying on experiments on a large scale.

Dr. Koch is hopeful that this will be remedied if it is possible for us to obtain permission for him to build a larger hothouse. I promised him this.

For the time being this is the first and only practical step to promote the project.

I shall continue reports periodically.

Heil Hitler!

[Signed] Pohl

SS Obergruppenfuehrer and General of the Waffen SS

LETTER FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO POHL, 11 JUNE 1942, ASKING HIM ON BEHALF OF HIMMLER TO SET UP A LARGE HOTHOUSE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STERILIZATION DRUG

I have informed the Reich Leader SS of your letter of 3 June 1942. He asks you to see to it without fail that a large hothouse is set up as soon as possible for Dr. Koch. He considers the experiments extremely important.

The Reich Leader SS asks you to continue to send in further reports.

Heil Hitler

[Signed] B.

SS Obersturmbannfuehrer

LETTER FROM GUND TO HIMMLER, 24 AUGUST 1942, CONCERNING RESEARCH IN MEDICAL STERILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF STERILIZATION DRUGS

Secret

The Deputy Gauleiter of Lower Danube [Lower Austria]

At the orders of Gauleiter Dr. Jury, his staff have hitherto busied themselves especially with the problems of population, racial policy, and antisocial elements. Since the prevention of reproduction by the congenitally unfit and racially inferior belongs to the duties of our National Socialist racial and demographic policy, the present Director of the District Office for Racial Policy, Gauhauptstellenleiter Dr. Fehringer, has examined the question of sterilization and found that the methods so far available, castration and sterilization, are not sufficient in themselves to meet expectations. Consequently, the obvious question occurred to him whether impotence and sterility could not be produced in both men and women by the administration of medicine or injections. So he came to the studies of the Biological Institute of Dr. Madaus, in Dresden-Radebeul, on animal experiments for medical sterilization, which became accessible to him through the Madaus Annual Report, IVth year, 1940, and are of the greatest interest for our demographic policy. Madaus and Koch found that caladium sequinum used in homeopathic doses, that is, administered in infinitesimal quantities, favorably affects impotence, sterility, and frigidity (sexual indifference), so that clinical and medical research should not proceed without regard to this fact. It was established by an extensive series of experiments on rats, rabbits, and dogs that, as the result of the administration or injection of caladium extract, male animals became impotent and females barren, and the differences in effect of the various methods of applying the drug could be seen. From the animal experiments, it seems that a permanent sterility is liable to result in male animals and a more temporary one in females.

It is clear that these observations could be of tremendous importance if alterations of potency or fecundity could also be successfully brought about in human beings by the administration of a caladium extract. Research on human beings themselves would, of course, be necessary for this. The director of my race policy office points out that the necessary research and human experiments could be undertaken by an appropriately selected medical staff, basing their work on the Madaus animal experiments in cooperation with the pharmacological institute of the Faculty of Medicine of Vienna, on the persons of the inmates of the gypsy camp of Lackenbach in Lower Danube.

It is quite clear that such research must be handled as a nationally important secret matter of the most dangerous character, because enemy propaganda could work tremendous harm all over the world by the knowledge of such research, should it come by such knowledge.

Since these considerations are only a theory, the fundamental accuracy of which has already been established by animal experiments and the possibility of the application of which to human beings is highly probable, a mere indication only can be given of the prospects of the possibility of the sterilization of practically unlimited numbers of people in the shortest time and in the simplest way conceivable.

In this connection, I may perhaps point out that it would surely be worth while to study the old cults and the knowledge of their priests concerning the promotion and prevention of human potency and fecundity. Primitive, primeval populations which are close to nature had, and still have, a very extensive knowledge of this subject without these things being known to science. It is known, for instance, that the natives of South America attempted to destroy the potency of their enemies by administering caladium seguinum to them.

I should be particularly grateful to you if you would give me your opinion in this respect when the occasion arises, or even order a concrete working plan to be submitted to you. Gauleiter Dr. Jury would personally have approached you with this plan were he not at present away on a vacation.

Heil Hitler!

Yours faithfully,

[Signed] K. Gund

SS Oberfuehrer

COVERING LETTER FROM BRACK TO HIMMLER, 28 MARCH 1941, WITH REPORT ON EXPERIMENTS CONCERNING STERILIZATION AND CASTRATION BY X-RAYS

Berlin, 28 March 1941

Top Secret

Dear Reich Leader:

Enclosed herewith for your information is the result of the investigations into the possibility of sterilization or castration, respectively, by means of X-rays. I request your instructions as to what further theoretical or practical steps, if any, are to be taken in this matter.

Heil Hitler!

[Signed] Brack

Enclosure

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 the 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: as 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. If the X-ray intensity is too high, those parts of the skin which the rays have reached will exhibit symptoms of burns—varying in severity in individual cases—in the course of the following days or weeks.

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

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

Top Secret

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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—

Clinic for gynecology and obstetrics

Clinical and Polyclinical Department—

Clinical department—

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.

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

[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

[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

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