. NMT06-T0298
Volume VI · Page 298
| contact with people who were
strangers to me. As a member of the SD, this was very interesting. I knew the
connections of the combines but not their directors. I knew for example, about
the personal relationship between Kranefuss and Buetefisch, Kranefuss and
Roehnert, Blessing, Bingel, Walz, Waldecker, and others. 7. My impression that the members only wanted to protect their interests in the combines was strengthened. 8. With the exception of a speech made by Rudolf Bingle, I don't know that the Circle of Friends discussed postwar problems. Bingel, in various speeches before his closer circle of colleagues, expressed the opinion that the loss of the war should be faced with open eyes, but that the Siemens Works were prepared to carry on after the war under any circumstances. 9. I have not noticed any special relationship between Flick and Kranefuss. Kranefuss was more or less the business manager of the Circle, who had to make due concessions to Flick. I never noticed any special consideration on the part of Flick toward Kranefuss. Flick was more reserved, as he was in direct contact with Himmler. Therefore it was not necessary for him to take a special interest in other circles. 10. On several occasions I saw Himmler in company of others, two or three times among the Circle of Friends, and then on the trip to Hochwald. And on these occasions Flick, being one of the few who had the opportunity to speak to the Reich Leader alone, did so for some time so that I conclude that a closer contact existed between them. 11. I simply couldn't understand how Flick could play such a part, because I recall very well the time of 1931-32 when he [Flick] was vehemently attacked by the Voelkischer Beobachter because of his doubtful business transactions. He was considered to be a typical example of the man who strives to expand his business. So I never had any doubts that he wanted to establish his position as an individual, and that he found this in the Circle of Friends, which was most necessary for him. 12. I do not know, whether the backing that he obtained through Steinbrinck was sufficient, because the Flick Konzern was already too large and Flick as the central figure somehow remained very obvious. The great expansion of Flick's sphere of influence was striking and had to be concealed. I have carefully read and personally countersigned each of the three pages of this affidavit. I have made the necessary corrections in my own writing and signed them with my initials and I herewith declare under oath that in this affidavit I have told the whole truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. Nuernberg, 28 January 1947 |
|
| [Signed] OTTO OHLENDORF |
