3 Jan. 46
Eichmann and submitted to him. I also know that in the
summer of 1944 he made a personal report to Kaltenbrunner.
LT. COL. BROOKHART: Did you have an opportunity to examine files in
Eichmann's office?
WISLICENY: Yes; I frequently had occasion to examine the files in
Eichmann's office. I know that he handled with special care any files
which had to do with questions concerning his own special task. He was
in every respect a confirmed bureaucrat; he immediately recorded in the
files every discussion he ever had with any of his superiors. He always
pointed out to me that the most important thing was for him to be
covered by his superiors at all times. He shunned all personal
responsibility and took good care to take shelter behind his superiors
in this case Müller and Kaltenbrunner when it was a question
of responsibility for his actions.
LT. COL. BROOKHART: In the case of a typical report going from
Eichmann's department through Müller, Kaltenbrunner, to Himmler
have you seen copies of such reports in Eichmann's file?
WISLICENY: Yes, of course there were many such copies in the files. The
regular channel was as follows: Eichmann had a draft made by a
specialist or he made it himself; this draft went to Gruppenführer
Müller, his department chief; Müller either signed this draft
himself or left the signing to Eichmann. In most cases, when reports to
Kaltenbrunner and Himmler were concerned, Müller signed them
himself. Whenever reports were signed by Müller without any
alteration they were returned to Eichmann's office, where a first copy
and one carbon copy were prepared. The first copy then went back to Müller
for his signature, and thence it was forwarded either to Kaltenbrunner
or to Himmler. In individual cases where reports to Himmler were
involved, Kaltenbrunner signed them himself. I myself have seen carbon
copies with Kaltenbrunner's signature.
LT. COL. BROOKHART: Turning now to areas and countries in which
measures were taken affecting the Jews, will you state as to which
countries you have personal knowledge of such operations?
WISLICENY: First, I have personal knowledge of all measures taken in
Slovakia. I also know full particulars of the evacuation of Jews from
Greece and especially from Hungary. Further, I know about certain
measures taken in Bulgaria and in Croatia. I naturally heard about the
measures adopted in other countries, but was unable to gain a clear
picture of the situation from personal observation or from detailed
reports.
LT. COL. BROOKHART: Considering the case of Slovakia, you have already
made reference to the 17,000 specially selected Jews who were sent from
Slovakia. Will you tell the Tribunal of the other measures that followed
concerning Jews in Slovakia?