20 Dec. 45
"This survey indicates that at the
present time about 36,000 prisoners are employed for the purposes of
the Air Force. An increase to a total of 90,000 prisoners is
contemplated.
"The production program is being discussed, established, and
executed by the Reich Ministry of Aviation and the chief of my
Economic Administrative Main Office, SS Obergruppenführer and
General of the Waffen-SS Pohl.
"We assist with all the forces at our disposal.
"The task of my Economic Administrative Main Office, however, is
not solely fulfilled with the allocation of the prisoners to the
aviation industry, as SS-Obergruppenführer Pohl and his
assistants take care of the required working speed through constant
control and supervision of the work-groups (Kommandos) and therefore
have some influence on the results of production. In this respect I
may suggest consideration of the fact that in enlarging our
responsibility through a speeding-up of the total work, better results
can definitely be expected."
I pass now to the last two paragraphs of the letter, which will be found
on the next page of the translation:
"The movement of manufacturing plants
of the aviation industry to subterranean locations requires further
employment of about 100,000 prisoners. The plans for this employment
on the basis of your letter of 14 February 1944 are already under way.
"I shall keep you, most honored Reich Marshal, currently
informed on this subject."
Incidentally, I might call to the Tribunal's attention the fact that SS
Obergruppenführer Pohl, who was head of the WVHA, was also a
general of the Waffen-SS, which goes to show that there is no manner in
which you can characterize functions in the SS.
The extent to which the number of prisoners was increased through SS
efforts is illustrated by our Document 1166-PS, which I offered in
evidence yesterday as Exhibit Number USA-458. That document is a report
from Office Group D of WVHA, dated 15 August 1944. I shall read the
first page of that report, beginning:
"With reference to the
above-mentioned telephone call, I am sending herewith a report on the
actual number of prisoners for 1 August 1944 and of the new arrivals
already announced, as well as the clothing report for 15 August 44.
"(1) The actual number on 1 August 44 consisted of: a) male
prisoners, 379,167; b) female prisoners, 145,119.
"In addition, there are the following new arrivals already
announced:
"1) From the Hungary program (anti-Jewish action), 90,000;
2) from Litzmannstadt (police prison and ghetto), 60,000;