. NMT05-T1182
Volume V · Page 1182
| to the inmates, but that this
was done by the camp commanders from local civilian sources through the channel
of Amtsgruppe D and the Reich Food Ministry. It remains true, however, that as
stated in the original judgment (Tr. pp. 8119, 8120), Loerner did have
the duty and responsibility of procuring and supplying clothing and raw
material for the manufacture of clothing. Finished articles were distributed
from the supply point at Ravensbrueck and raw material was fabricated at
Dachau. It is true, as contended by Defense Counsel, that Loerner did not have
the responsibility for distributing clothing to the concentration camps, but he
was charged with keeping up the supply of clothing and raw material in the
warehouses from which distribution was made. Defense counsel contends that although Georg Loerner was appointed as Pohl's deputy, there was no documentary proof that he ever actually functioned in that capacity. He quotes Pohl as testifying that Loerner's appointment was "only a formality in order that a deputy might be at hand." This is specious reasoning. This is equivalent to saying that a man holding the office of fire chief was really not such, because he never attended a fire. The fact remains that by reason of his appointment, Loerner stood high in the councils of WVHA, ready to act as Pohl's deputy should the need arise. The fact that he was clothed with the authority fixes his status, even though the proof discloses no occasion when he exercised his authority. An attempt has been made to play down and minimize Loerner's connection with the W enterprises. Defense counsel states: |
"No proof has been furnished that Georg Loerner's connections with these companies were anything more than formal and that he was more than a straw-man in Pohl's hands, nor that he gave advice to which attention was paid. Only a few records of meetings have been cited in which he participated. However, it has not been proved that he made any suggestions in any of these meetings." |
| It is useless to try to make of Loerner the mute and servile pygmy which counsel portrays. It is interesting to note that Frank, who, with Loerner, was one of the two original incorporators of the Textil and Lederverwertung in June 1940, also attempts to assume the same unimportant and humble role as Loerner in the organization of this company which employed inmate labor at Dachau, Ravensbrueck, and Oranienburg. This would imply that neither of the original incorporators of this large concern ranked much higher than an office boy or a messenger. The record refutes any such conclusion beyond any doubt. Counsel urges that Loerner was merely a member of the Auf- […sichtsrat] |
