. NMT05-T0962
Volume VI · Page 962
| [Huetten…] werke. When did you first come in contact with this
problem of the Lorraine Steel Works? A. The first contact with the Lorraine problem I had was at the meeting of the Small Circle in June 1940. Q. That is the meeting which is reported in Document NI-048, Prosecution Exhibit 516.* You will find that on page 75 of the German document book and page 45 of the English document book. A. This meeting took place on 7 June 1940, that is, according to these minutes. In this meeting, Mr. Zangen reported about his last discussion with the Economic Minister Funk. May I just tell the Tribunal who Mr. Zangen was? Mr. Zangen was Director General of the Mannesmann Works in Duesseldorf. As far as I know, he had, since 1937 or 1938, been the head of the Reich Group Industry. That was the supervisory agency of the 32 Economic Groups. One of these Economic Groups was the Economic Group Iron Producing Industry. From these minutes it becomes obvious that Mr. Zangen, in his discussion with Mr. Funk, had been approached by the latter with regard to the so-called alleged desire for annexation but it is not quite clearly seen which firms had actually taken action with Funk. This was only a general remark on the part of Funk and the wish expressed by Zangen to fall in with this wish expressed by Funk. At another point in these minutes, mention is made of Lorraine and Luxembourg. That can be seen under VI. A letter by Hanneken is mentioned but this letter was not mentioned in detail. It is only said that the letter from Hanneken dated 31 May 1940 was discussed. The gentlemen present agreed to the draft for a reply, subject to minor changes. Since this letter from Hanneken, or rather the reply, is also mentioned in other points in this document book, I imagine that the thing which is meant is the order from Hanneken to Poensgen to make suggestions with regard to the distribution of the large blast furnaces in Lorraine and Luxembourg. Q. Mr. Burkart, did you read these minutes at the time? A. According to the distribution list, these minutes were also sent to Mr. Flick and therefore I assume that I saw these minutes at that time. In any case, I am sure Mr. Flick told me about that, because Mr. Flick was present at the meeting. Q. In that case I would like to ask you what was your idea about the essential point, that is, about the question who, after all, had taken the initiative with regard to the Lorraine Steel Works? Was it the government or industry? A. The initiative was taken by two gentlemen; first of all |
* Reproduced in part in C above.
