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Now. Would you please be good enough
to turn to page 86 of the document book before you? This is a report
about a so-called "Cold Conference" dated 26 and 27 October
1942. Did you receive this report in the Ahnenerbe?
A. I certainly didn't receive it and I don't remember having seen it
anywhere.
Q. Didn't Curator Wuest receive that report?
A. I do not believe so. The scientific work in connection with Rascher,
which only concerned Himmler personally, was always dealt with directly
by Rascher and Himmler. These matters were only sent to Wuest if Himmler
actually sent them himself. I don't believe that has happened in this
particular case. At any rate, Wuest never told me anything about it.
These reports and the research assignments just discussed lay completely
outside the interests and sphere of Wuest.
Q. What do you know about the so-called dry-cold experiments of Dr.
Rascher?
A. I only know about these experiments on the basis of Himmler's order
which was sent by Himmler to Pohl and Grawitz because of the furnishing
of the equipment. I don't know whether these experiments were actually
carried out. At any rate, I only found out about that here in this
courtroom. As a prerequisite for the execution Rascher said that it was
necessary for them to be performed in the mountains. Himmler had also
ordered that these experiments be carried out in the grounds of the
mountain villa at Sudelfeld. I was to see to it that accommodation was
available there. Investigations, however, proved that the terrain at
Sudelfeld was not suitable for that purpose. At the same time I had
heard that there were a sufficient number of cases of freezing to be
found in hospitals at the front. I therefore asked Rascher why it, was
necessary for him to carry out any further experiments. He evaded my
question and merely declared categorically that he would have to abide
by Himmler's order.
Q. Which year was that?
A. That was at the end of 1942.
Q. The order was at the end of 1942?
A. The end of 1942. The conversation with Rascher about the
accommodation took place afterwards.
Q. And that was intended for the winter of 1943-44?
A. No, for 1942-43. Since the terrain at Sudelfeld was not suitable,
some other place had to be found and I handled this matter in a very
dilatory manner. Rascher pressed me on the matter and Himmler was rather
indignant, but after all I couldn't create a house by myself. Himmler
subsequently ordered that preparations be made for these experiments to
be carried out at least in the next winter. I think I made a mistake, I
think it must have been the winter of 1943-44. I'm sure it was 1943-44,
and I think that afterwards Himmler said that
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