. NMT06-T0335
Volume VI · Page 335
| out that Dr. Flick belonged to
the most irreconcilable enemies of National Socialist Germany, and that all his
orders, regarding the industrial program, contained hidden sabotage against the
great armament program of the Fuehrer. After that, I have for days, while
treating Himmler, spoken with him about the Flick case until I finally
succeeded in convincing Himmler that the accusations against Dr. Flick were
without foundation. At the beginning of June 1940, Himmler gave me his word of
honor that he would not do anything against Dr. Flick and family and not
continue the case. He kept this promise. In July 1943 I stayed with Himmler in his headquarters in East Prussia for several weeks. Suddenly Himmler began again to scold Dr. Flick severely and said: "I regret that I didn't make Flick and his family harmless at that time. I continuously get reports from the ranks of my Gestapo and my SS friends that Friedrich Flick is a very great saboteur and enemy of the Fuehrer. He makes us difficulties wherever he can. I am convinced that his banking account in London or New York has grown considerably because such traitors love the British and Americans!" I again calmed Himmler and said that these were the same old charges. Himmler now answered that this time he would test Flick, and that microphones had been installed in his quarters, as in those of most industrialists who were not reliable. A few days later I went to Berlin and visited Dr. Flick at once in order to warn him. He began at once to talk against the Nazi regime, whereupon I interrupted him and asked for a notebook. I wrote upon it — "Please do not talk any more. I know that you are listened to!" Dr. Flick replied whispering — "I know that my telephone conversation is being watched, but against this we have taken, as far as it is possible, security measures!" Then I further wrote — "This is not the question. Microphones have been installed in the room. That's what Himmler has told me. The same has been done with a number of other industrialists. If you want to talk openly with me about politics, then come and see me on my estate Harzwalde!" Dr. Flick followed this advice, and a few days later came to me to Harzwalde. For over an hour I took a walk with him in the forest where I felt secure and informed him about the dangers that confronted him from the National Socialists. On 12 December 1943 Himmler had invited 40-50 business leaders in order to make a declaration before them. The invitation was sent out a few weeks before, so that Dr. Flick could inform me about it. I urged him to accept the invitation and go there because one could not know what consequences a refusal would have. Because a few days before, the conference took place I had been ordered to Himmler on account of his bad state of health, |
