. NMT05-T1042
Volume V · Page 1042
| being the person in WVHA competent to conduct
negotiations. When the Hermann Goering Works wanted inmate labor, Hohberg attended the conference which considered the ways and means of supplying these inmates. The memoranda written by Hohberg reveals intimate knowledge of concentration camp labor problems. Hohberg himself testified that he handled the financial, organizational, and legal problems of the economic enterprises. Hohberg inveighed against the SS, accused Pohl of crimes and expressed indignation at the concentration camp excesses. He testified that he left the WVHA because of his disapproval of its activities. But even after leaving, he accepted a contract from Pohl by which his family received 2,600 RM per month. In 1944, after having left the WVHA, he carried out successful negotiations with Pohl and obtained the cooperation of the SS enterprises in the production of jet propelled planes. Staff W played an important part in Action Reinhardt, in the supervision of OSTI, and in handling loans from the Reich funds. Pohl's report to Himmler, which was prepared by Hohberg, listed OSTI under staff W. OSTI is listed as a part of staff W on the chart of WVHA which was signed by Pohl. The Tribunal has acquitted the defendant Volt under the indictment and since he also was an auditor, a comparison between him and Hohberg is inevitable. The difference between them lies in the fact that Vogt at no time was anything but an auditor, whereas Hohberg, in addition to being an auditor, was an active participant in the economic enterprises of the SS in the several capacities of chief of staff W, financial director, and economic advisor. Hohberg testified at great length on his opposition to the Nazi regime and how he participated in the resistance movement. While actually working with the SS enterprises, it is not apparent that he did anything to slow up the juggernaut of oppression over concentration camp inmates. However, after he left the WVHA it is not unlikely that he did lend himself to the underground movement working against the regime and organization with which he had at one time cooperated. The Tribunal does not deny that Hohberg may have played an active part in that movement and will give that fact due weight. The Tribunal finds Hohberg guilty under counts two and three of the indictment. He is not charged under count four of the indictment. |
